Cruise For the latest cruise news, visit
ttgdigital.com/cruise Sophie Griffiths
P&O CRUISES has revealed plans to add 18 new single cabins onto Ventura, following the success of the solo cabins on Azura. The news was revealed last
week, as P&O explained its plans for 2013, which include a series of themed cruises. Managing director Carol Marlow told
TTGthe single cabins on Azura had performed “extremely well”. “They sell out really quickly, both those that are on the inside as well as the outside, because the inside singles are in an L-shape, so they have good space,” she said. Ventura’s solo cabins will be positioned in the
sgriffiths@ttgdigital.com
P&O dances to a solo cabin and themed cruise beat
same place as on sister ship Azura, with the “Exchange pub” shortened to make room.
Marlow added that she was also
keen to add single cabins onto more vessels in the P&O fleet. “We are looking at other ships to see if we can bring them onto others; definitely on at least one other ship, but not necessarily this year,” she added.
Meanwhile Marlow, speaking Strictly Come Dancing’s Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite, who will perform on the themed cruises, with P&O’s Marlow CONSUMER PROTECTION
Atol reform prompts more cruise packages at Travel 2
TRAVEL 2 is to expand its cruise packages in the wake of the Atol reforms.
Managing director Andy Freeth said the company was looking to grow its cruise product to offer agents fully protected packages that they could sell regardless of whether they have an Atol. “Cruise is growing and we have scheduled flights to take people to those destinations – it makes sense to offer fully Atol protected cruises,” he said. “We do already do this, but we
14 05.04.2012
want to grow it by strengthening relationships with cruise operators and cruise agents.” Freeth said the move would enable those agents without an Atol to continue selling cruises. “As it gets more complex [after the
reforms] we’re looking to fill that void to make it easier to sell cruises as Atol-bonded packages, and for those who do have an Atol, this will save them having search for their own cruises, as it’s already packaged for them,” he said.
IN BRIEF
■REGENT ADDS NEW SAILINGS Regent Seven Seas Cruises has started accepting reservations for its new summer/autumn 2013 sailings featuring new ports of call, and a range of extended voyages in Europe, north America and south America. The line is also offering a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay on all its 2013 sailings.
■WIN AN IPAD WITH HEBRIDEAN Hebridean Island Cruises is offering agents who make a booking on selected departures with the line during April a chance to win a new iPad or iPhone. It comes as the line rolls out a number of special fares.
Freeth: fully protected cruise packages
before last weekend’s Azamara Quest incident, said that consumer confidence in the industry seemed to have returned after January’s Costa Concordia tragedy. “We have done some research, and while it was a terrible tragedy, it doesn’t seem to have affected things long-term,” she said. “The economy is of course challenging, but we are working closely with our agent partners, and there is still a lot of interest out there.”
Sophie Griffiths 020 7921 8010
Meanwhile, P&O also revealed its tie-up with Strictly Come Dancing and Classic FM for a number of themed cruises next year. Stars from the BBC series Strictly Come Dancingwill join seven cruises in 2013 for sailings to the Canary Islands and Mediterranean, giving performances and telling guests about their experiences on the show. Passengers will also be able to
participate in a P&O Cruises Strictly Come Dancingdance competition judged by the Strictlyteam. The line’s Music Festivals at Sea
itineraries will also be available on a number of sailings in the Mediterranean and northern Europe, with opera and recitals hosted by Classic FM radio presenters. In addition, food and wine themed cruises will be on offer, with Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochar and Olly Smith travelling regularly throughout 2013 on eleven different cruises, hosting talks, demonstrations and book signings. In addition there will be big
celebrations for the line later in the year, when P&O celebrates its 175th anniversary on July 3. The line’s seven ships will be in Southampton and sail out of the port in formation. Marlow said there was still space
on three of the ships, and that agents should not assume they were all full.
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