CLIA Cruise Podcast

As they prepare to celebrate their landmark year Andy Harmer talks with Richard Downs (Chairman & Founder) and Dave Mills (Chief Commercial Officer) about the journey from selling Ski holidays and how they took the opportunity to become one of the largest cruise selling agencies in the UK from their launch back in the late 90s.

Andy Harmer talks with Nabil Maillard, Ponant cruises UK and Emerging Markets Sales Director about their ambitious plans in both the small and expedition sector as well as what they are doing in terms of sustainability as a brand.

This month our podcast goes Virgin Red as Andy Harmer is joined by SJ Walker and Luke Day from Virgin Voyages to hear about the brand, their super sprint to launching multiple ships and how they’ve been able to quickly adapt to sailor feedback to better train agent partners and improve the guest experience.

Andy Harmer talks to Antonio Paradiso Managing Director UK & Ireland about the importance of working with trade partnerships to MSC and his 16 years at MSC cruise and its expansion throughout the UK. He also gives us some insight into what he feels has been the secret to their success over the last few years as well the significant growth in attracting new to cruise and converting those to repeat...

Andy Harmer talks to Anna Perrott from Panache Cruises and finds out how a newspaper advert took her off the path towards professional golf and into the cruise industry. As well as sharing details about her current role as Head of Supplier Relations at Panache Cruises, Anna also shares what led her to co-found the working parent forum “Back in Time for Bed” which supports and raises awareness for...

Andy Harmer talks to Sarah Schlederer, Business Development Manager, UK & Ireland at Quark Expeditions. On this episode we find out about Sarah’s Journey in the travel industry, she tells us about Quark Expeditions, where they operate and what they offer guests in the Polar regions including several first experiences for the industry. Quark’s ships operating under 200 passengers to maximise the ti...

Andy Harmer talks to Linda Springmann - Director, Cruise & Maritime Marketing for Port of Seattle tells us more about her exciting role and her journey into the cruise industry. Linda also shares what attracts cruise passengers as a hero destination to visit Seattle, as well as the economic importance of cruise to businesses.

In the second of four live recordings from the CLIA Forum 2022 to feature on the CLIA Cruise Podcast we hear from CLIA Europe Director General, Marie-Caroline Laurent, who shared industry updates and how CLIA has been working across the industry in partnership with cruise lines, ports and other travel partners.

In the first of four live recordings to feature on the CLIA Cruise Podcast we hear the insights and views from an inspiring line-up of cruise leaders recorded during the CLIA Forum 222 panel discussion on diversity and inclusion. The panel contained Edwina Lonsdale, owner of Mundy Cruising, Jo Rzymowska, Celebrity Cruises’ EMEA vice-president, Ryan Uhl, chief strategy officer at Mail Metro Media,...

If you’ve ever wanted to hear more about Maritime UK this episode is your perfect chance as Andy Harmer speaks to their Chief Executive, Ben Murray at Maritime UK about his journey into the maritime industry. He tells us more about the vast range of activity undertaken by Maritime UK, and how they work with partners and throughout maritime. He also shares more about the upcoming events and resourc...

Andy Harmer caught up with our next two guests at Seatrade. Philip Holliday from the Port Authority of New South Wales gives an overview of his journey into his role and the huge importance of NSW in terms of the wide range of ships they can accommodate and also how the port is moving forward in terms of its sustainability including shore power. Kevin O’Sullivan from New Zealand Cruise Association...

Craig Forsyth from CLIA joined the christening sailing of Swan Hellenic's brand new ship SH Vega. While onboard he caught up with Mario Bounas their Vice President Global Marketing to hear how agents can best sell their product, the growth of the market, why they've chosen to describe themselves as boutique and also what the experience is like across their fleet.

Andy Harmer caught up with our next two guests at Seatrade. Rosana Morillo discusses the importance of cruise tourism as part of the overall tourism strategy of the Balearic Islands. In her interview, Marie-Caroline Laurent gives an overview of CLIA's role in Europe and the importance of driving forward the sustainability agenda in the cruise industry.

As the international cruise community came together at Seatrade in Miami after two years, we're bringing you a series of interviews with cruise industry leaders where they share valuable insights into their cruise priorities now and for the future, as well as major industry announcements. CLIA's Andy Harmer, Managing Director, CLIA UK & Ireland is joined by Heather Wyatt, Strategic Communications,...

Fresh off the stage at our CLIA Luxury Residential event, Andy Harmer sat down to talk with Chris Austin (Chief Sales Officer) for Explora Journeys. As the excitement around Explora Journeys joining the luxury cruise market builds this is a podcast you really don't want to miss.

Andy Harmer speaks with Travel Journalist, Sara Macefield and Royal Caribbean VP EMEA, Ben Bouldin this month to hear what's coming up in the Summer of 2022 in the cruise industry. Looking ahead at destinations that look to be hot with cruisers, plus looking ahead at several new ships set to join many cruise line fleets.

Andy Harmer is joined by cruise and travel journalist Sara Macefield who talks about the importance of destination when matching the right cruise with the right customer. Plus Jo Ruxton, Founder of Ocean Generation joins us courtesy of Aurora Expeditions to tell us more about her role in conservation and the impacts of single use plastics.

Andy Harmer and Lucy Huxley spoke to Susana Romero, Director, Galapagos Sales & Communication, at Celebrity Cruises, and also Robin West, Vice President, Expedition Operations & Planning as part of our Virtual Luxury & Expedition Showcase back in April 2021. A great listen for those wanting to learn more about the amazing experiences when cruising in the Galapagos Islands, plus what agents need to...

Andy Harmer (CLIA) talks with Bud Darr from MSC Cruises about protocols, cruise experience changes, and the next steps, Olly Smith TV personality, Wine Expert & Food hero (P&O cruises), and Jo Rzymowska (Celebrity Cruises) talks more about their edge class ships.

Andy Harmer (CLIA) talks with Edwina Lonsdale (Mundy Cruising) to talk about the positive signs for the restarting of cruises. Brian Salerno (CLIA) shares how CLIA has participated in health protocols, onboard experiences, and what's next for the industry. Also, Tarn Pilkington (Aurora Expeditions) joins us all the way from New Zealand to take us through his career and some of the highlights avail...

We hear from three representatives from the CLIA UK & Ireland Trade engagement working group. Luke Smith (Carnival Cruise Line), Claire Stirrup (Celebrity Cruises) and Geoff Ridgeon (Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines).They share the importance of travel agents for the Cruise industry how cruise lines are working to provide them with the tools they need as experts as the voice to consumers looking for guida...

On our first CLIA Cruise Podcast Andy is joined by our UK Trade Janet Parton (Avalon Waterways), Iain Powell (Saga Cruises), Shane Riley (Virgin Voyages), Steve Williams (MSC Cruises).

For our 100th Podcast, we have gathered the cruise line Chairs of our Executive Committee, River Cruise Working Group, Expedition Working Group and Trade Engagement Working Group for a special look back at 2020 and a look ahead to what 2021 will hold.

Ben Bouldin, Sonia Limbrick, and Sam Ballard discuss lessons learnt from 2020 and silver linings in 2021.

In our October 2020 podcast, Andy Harmer talks to Rebekah Keeler (Head of Cruise ABP), Alison Earnshaw (MD World Travel Holdings UK) & Jo Rzymowska (VP & MD EMEA Celebrity Cruises).