Cruise Corner

In the latest instalment of the Cruise Corner Podcast, we rewind the clock two weeks to the Cruise Summit, which brought 200 delegates together for a day of learning and networking at 30 Euston Square. Co-host Josie Klein and World of Cruising digital content producer Amaris Proctor hear from attendees about their highlights of the day and key takeaways.

How do you sell the Windstar Cruises experience in 30 seconds or less? In the latest episode of Cruise Corner’s How to Sell series, co-host Jack Carter is joined by Windstar Cruises director of international sales Augustus Lonsdale to explore what sets the small-ship line apart. Lonsdale also reveals the three things agents should keep front of mind when matching customers with the line.

In the latest episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast, co-host Will Payne is joined by Windstar Cruises’ Helen Beck and Augustus Lonsdale, who between them bring more than 40 years of cruise industry experience to the line. We discuss their careers, their time at Windstar and how their combined expertise is helping shape the small-ship cruise line’s next chapter. Plus, there’s time for the Cruise Cor...

In the latest instalment of the Cruise Corner's How to Sell series, Crystal Cruises vice president of trade sales UK and EMEA Luke Smith reveals his three top tips for travel agents looking to boost their ultra-luxury sales with the brand. From the USPs that set Crystal apart to the latest trade incentives, tools and training available to agents, Smith lifts the lid on all things Crystal before su...

In the latest episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast, co-hosts Will Payne and Josie Klein are joined by Crystal Cruises vice president of trade sales UK and EMEA Luke Smith to explore the inspiration behind the line’s renewed energy and ambitious goal to become the most trade-friendly cruise line in the UK. The trio also discuss the imminent arrival of the line's first new-build ship in 25 years, Cr...

Up next in the Cruise Corner's How to Sell series, Princess Cruises UK, Ireland and EMEA sales director Yasmin McKechnie shares how the cruise line's portfolio of onboard amenities and shoreside experiences can entice travellers of all ages. According to McKechnie, Princess Cruises' range of ship sizes, partnerships with global brands and value proposition are just a few of the reasons that make c...

Taking on one of the cruise industry's most high-profile sales roles was never going to be straightforward. In the latest episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast, Yasmin McKechnie reflects on the exciting challenge that came with stepping into the role of UK, Ireland and EMEA sales director for Princess Cruises. She discusses her first eight months in the job, the future of the line and an exclusive...

There are few people in the cruise industry who command a room quite like Azamara CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler. In the first episode of our new Cruise Titans podcast series, we sit down with one of the sector's most respected leaders to explore the journey that took her to the top, the lessons she's learned along the way, and what it's really like leading a global cruise brand. Alongside career advice...

HX Expeditions’ Dr Verena Meraldi joins the Cruise Corner Podcast to talk about her journey from guest lecturer to becoming the cruise industry’s first-ever chief scientist, while highlighting the importance of citizen science in an increasingly vulnerable world. A Swiss/Mexican biologist, Verena began her scientific career studying biology at the National University before moving to the Universit...

Up next in Cruise Corner’s ‘How to sell’ series, CEO of Unforgettable Croatia, Graham Carter, reveals why the small ship operators is perfect for clients looking for unique, off-the-beaten track experiences According to Carter, incredible value, appeal to multi-gen families and exclusivity are just a few of the elements that make a yacht-style cruise with Unforgettable Croatia a one-of-a-kind expe...

It doesn’t take an expert to see that the cruise industry is in rude health. After several years of back-to-back growth, the prospect of a holiday at sea is more appealing than ever. However, within the wider cruise landscape, one sector is on a particularly steep growth trajectory… According to research carried out by digital travel marketing agency Adido and luxury operator Unforgettable Croatia...

The evolution of luxury, the strength of the lates market and the power of cruise industry collaboration were just some of the key takeaways from Cruise Trade News' inaugural Retreat. In this week's podcast episode, we hear feedback from attendees at last month's Retreat held at the Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in Hampshire, which bought key stakeholders together for a day of networking and data-l...

Is there a hotter ticket in travel right now than expedition cruise? Fuelled by a desire for unique experiences and the possibility of exploring remote destinations, travellers are increasingly turning to expedition holidays for its mix of safari-style exploration and luxury onboard experiences. In the next instalment of the Cruise Corner Podcast’s new ‘How to sell’ series, Mark Walter, sales dire...

We explore the surging world of expedition cruising with HX Expeditions' Mark Walter and Dr. Verena Meraldi. We discuss the growing trend of younger travellers entering the sector and how HX’s science and education programme engages guests in meaningful research. Before that, co-hosts Jack Carter and Will Payne welcome Cruise Trade News and World of Cruising senior partnerships manager Abbie Downe...

With just over a month to go until the deadline for this year's Wave Awards entries, co-host Will Payne and Real Response Media COO Lee Hayhurst reveal exactly what judges are looking for when reviewing submissions, and how you can make yours stand out.

Just over one week on from attending the launch of Norwegian Cruise Line’s second Prima Plus-class ship, Norwegian Luna, Cruise Corner co-host Will Payne shares his first-hand take on what sets the vessel apart, and which customers it’s really built for. He’s joined by fellow hosts Jack Carter and Josie Klein, who reveal fresh details about this year’s Wave Awards, returning this November. Plus, N...

In the next instalment of our new 'How to sell' series, associate vice-president, sales & distribution at P&O Cruises Ruth Venn reveals the three key selling tips all agents need to know to boost their business with the UK cruise line.

From a three-week stint in the contact centre to becoming sales director for P&O Cruises, Ruth Venn has seen and done it all during her 20+-year career at Carnival Corporation. Ruth sits down with Cruise Corner co-host Jack Carter to discuss the importance of collaboration when it comes to moving through the ranks and how she's taken to her newly expanded role with P&O Cruises. Before Ruth...

Following the launch of Cruise Trade News' second Annual Report, co-hosts Jack Carter, Will Payne and Josie Klein dive into the white paper's most revealing findings, among which include the alarming news that repeat sailors are losing interest in the sector. Afterwards, we bring you the industry's reaction to the report data, recorded live from the Annual Report's official launch event at London'...

Welcome to the first episode of our brand-new podcast series ‘How to sell’, where we provide a succinct selling guide for a particular cruise line to help you boost your sales and reach more customers. First up, we shine the spotlight on Virgin Voyages, with UK sales director SJ Walker joining us in the studio to share three essential tips for pitching the adults-only cruise line to your clients.

In the first episode of the new-look Cruise Corner Podcast, co-hosts Jack Carter and Will Payne take a look back at the whirlwind start to the year for World of Cruising and Cruise Trade News. The duo also discuss January's CTN Investigates, which looks at the potential impact recent rulings by the CMA and ASA on price transparency could have on the cruise industry. Virgin Voyages UK sales directo...

There’s no doubt about it: touring holidays are having a moment. The hunger for immersive escapes that combine unbridled adventure with comfort and convenience has seen companies like Titan Travel step up to the plate, with its getaways for every type of traveller. In our third and final instalment of our special Titan Travel series, Shane Lewis-Riley explains why 2026 is the perfect time for agen...

As holidaymakers become more price-conscious and value-driven, the role of all-inclusive cruising has never been more important for UK agents. In this episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast, host Rashmi Narayan is joined by Sarah Whitehouse, training delivery manager for Marella Cruises, to explore how the trade can better communicate the true value of cruise. The pair also discuss why Marella’s all...

In the second instalment of our three-part special with Titan Travel, the operator’s director of trade distribution, Shane Lewis-Riley, talks to co-host Rashmi Narayan about delivering "true value for time" for avid explorers and how a cruise can complement a pre- or post-sailing tour. The episode also dives deeper into touring for first-timers, key selling points for travel agents and some of the...

In the first instalment of our three part special with Titan Travel, co-host Will Payne sits down with the operator's director of trade distribution, Shane Lewis-Riley, to discuss his plans to utilise his vast experience in the cruise sector to position Titan as the go-to adventure operator for UK holidaymakers in 2026. The duo also discuss Lewis-Riley's first year at the company, his recent trip...