This week we talk to Maryann Anderson Director of Small Ship Adventure Company and Alaska Bound. How did you get into the cruise industry? My passion for the intimate small ship cruising in Alaska led me to specialise in small ship cruising worldwide. What is the key to your success?...
This week we talk to Maryann Anderson Director of Small Ship
Adventure Company and Alaska Bound.
How did you get into the cruise industry?
My passion for the intimate small ship cruising in Alaska led me
to specialise in small ship cruising worldwide.
What is the key to your success?
The fact that we are the only exclusively small ship cruise
wholesaler in Australia allows us to offer specialised sales support
to travel agents helping them build a small ship cruising customer
base.
How many cr cruises uises have you been on in the past five years?
Eight small ship journeys of course!
What is your favourite destination, and why?
Has to be Alaska & Canada, since founding Alaska Bound in
1999 with so many friends and wonderful experiences it just feels like a second home.
What is your most memorabl memorable e moment on a cr cruise? uise?
In Icy Strait, Alaska, in a zodiac watching whales bubble net feeding, meters from the
boat, you could smell their breath.
How do you spend your days at sea?
Very few of these on small ships, but enjoying the company of like minded travellers and
engaging conversations with expert naturalist guides.
What is the next “hot spot” in cr cruising uising d destinations? estinations?
Remote out of the way destinations such as those offered by Zegrahm Expeditions, for
example Madagascar and the West Coast of Africa or Jungle Rivers of South America.
How can cr cruising uising continue to gr grow ow in the cur current ent financial cl climate? imate?
By educating Travel Agents and consumers of the unique and diverse range of cruises
available.
How can cr cruising uising attract mor more e young peopl people e and/or famil families? ies?
By promoting family friendly itineraries such as American Safari Cruises Kids in Nature
Departures in Alaska and Hawaii.
What is something you wish mor more e agents/consumers knew about cr cruising? uising?
The range of exciting expedition small ship cruising options available and the unique
experience they offer.
What makes Austral Australians/ians/NZers d differ iffer ifferent ent to other cr cruise uise passengers?
They are adventurous, wanting to engage with the local communities and step out of their
comfort zone and know how to have a laugh, all the cruise operators say they just love
having Aussies onboard.
What is your best tip for seasickness?
Get up the Bow head into the wind! Prevention better than cure.
Just for fun!
Favourite avourite ship: Safari Explorer American Safari Cruises
Favourite avourite ship activity: Kayaking
Favourite avourite shor shore e excursion: Exploring glaciers upclose on land via zodiac
Favourite avourite port: Sitka, Alaska
Favourite avourite r region: egion: Norway
Favourite avourite onboar onboard d food/d drink: rink: Fresh local seafood of any kind
Favourite avourite perk of the job: Travelling to wonderful parts of the world
