NEWS YOU CAN USE — CRUISE NEWS
CRUISE NEWS YOU CAN USE
CroisiEurope accepts sterling as it bolsters trade ties
Hollie-Rae Merrick in Nantes, France
Agents are now able to book CroisiEurope sailings online in pounds sterling for the first time. Europe’s largest river cruise line has updated its website in the past couple of weeks to allow agents to make bookings in local currencies instead of euros. The French line first introduced pricing in sterling last year but the booking portal has only now been updated.
Speaking at the launch of Loire Princesse, CroisiEurope’s international sales director, Michel Grimm, said it was important for agents to be able to book online. “This is a very recent thing for
Loire Princesse CRUISE NEWS IN BRIEF
River Cruise Line fixes 2016 rates at this year’s levels The River Cruise Line has introduced a price guarantee for cruises departing next year in a bid to boost early bookings. The rates are fixed at 2015 levels for sailings on the Rhine, Dutch waterways and Danube. The operator is also poised to unveil its 2016 preview brochure earlier than it has previous editions.
rivercruiseline.co.uk
11,000 Number of UK
guests CroisiEurope expects to attract this year
us but feedback we received said UK agents prefer making bookings in pounds,” he said.
The line also aims to bolster ties with the trade by hosting its first agent-focused fam trip this year. It has previously held
educational events aimed at tour operators, which have been able to invite their key agent partners.
‘Diverse product range will attract younger customers’
CroisiEurope believes its diverse product offering will help it attract a wider client base. The French line operates larger
river cruise vessels and smaller 24-passenger hotel barges. Michel Grimm, international sales director, said he believed one key to ensure a growing customer base was its hotel
But now CroisiEurope is looking to build more direct ties with key agent
partners. Grimm said agents were
crucial to CroisiEurope’s growth plans in the UK. He said the line expected to attract 11,000 guests this year from the UK – up from 8,000 in 2014. “We will introduce more fam
trips focusing on agents and this will be very important for us,” added Grim. “We do a lot of training and webinars through Clia UK & Ireland and they work well.
Crystal launches ‘kids go free’ offer on fly-cruises Crystal Cruises has launched a ‘kids sail free’ booking incentive on selected fly-cruise sailings between September and December. Under-17s sail free when travelling with two full-fare- paying adults for bookings made by April 30. Fares start at £1,673.
crystalcruises.co.uk
“We sell a cruise-only product to agents because tour operators such as Cosmos, Noble Caledonia and Shearings are selling our cruises as packages,” he said.
croisieurope.co.uk
barges, which he described as a perfect choice for groups of younger passengers. “Every cruise line wants to
attract younger people but that’s difficult because they work and have limited holiday to take,” he said. “That’s why it tends to be an older client base. “The barges work well for the
Michel Grimm
younger client base because groups can charter them privately and, therefore, make them their own.”
24 •
travelweekly.co.uk — 16 April 2015
Koningsdam to serve Caribbean from Florida Holland America Line’s new ship Koningsdam will home port in Port Everglades, Florida, and sail on Caribbean itineraries for the winter 2016 and spring 2017 season. The ship will begin its inaugural season with a four-day cruise in the Bahamas, departing on November 9. The line will also run a mix of seven, nine, 10 and 11-day sailings.
hollandamerica.com
Silversea to operate 26 foodie cruises in 2015-16 Silversea will offer a total of 26 culinary or wine-themed cruises throughout this year and in 2016. Four sailings will combine both themes. The foodie sailings will include cookery classes and workshops on anything from knife skills to pairing wines.
silversea.com
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