Spotlight on Cruising NEW BROCHURES
BROCHURES. in the HAPPENING ON THE HIGH SEAS IN 2014 FIND OUT WHAT IS NEW AND
The 2014 cruise brochures are out, offering an exciting crop of new itineraries around the world – and most cruise lines are reporting sales for next year way ahead of bookings in 2012, says Jane Archer
Cruise Itineraries
The early release of next year’s crop of cruise itineraries is designed to tempt past passengers to rebook and new-to-cruisers to try a holiday at sea, and the strategy has got off to a roaring start. Voyages to Antiquity Managing Director David Yellow said 2013 is virtually sold out, and weekly bookings for 2014 are ahead of this time last year, with prices holding up well. He said: “We’re budgeting
for a 17% increase in business from the UK next year and although we will have to work hard, I believe that is achievable.”
New for 2014
Voyages to Antiquity will launch its Mediterranean season with an epic 29-night cruise from Piraeus (the port for Athens) to Istanbul (pictured next page) departing March 21. It is also offering fi rst-time cruises in East Africa and the Indian Ocean as part of a new Asia programme at the end of next year. Royal Caribbean International Associate Vice-President and General Manager UK and Ireland, Jo Rzymowska, agreed the economic climate is challenging but said overall bookings for 2014 are strong. “Bookings have been boosted by our new ship, Quantum of the Seas, making its debut with a
transatlantic crossing from Southampton and Oasis of the Seas, the biggest ship in the world (along with sister Allure of the Seas), sailing in Europe for the fi rst time,” she said. The 5,400-passenger ship will be sailing two fi ve-night cruises from Barcelona, plus a seven-night voyage from Barcelona to Rotterdam. After some routine maintenance in Holland it will sail back to the US via Southampton. Rzymowska added: “Demand is consistent with our expectations, and while the broader economic climate is challenging our guests continue to recognise that we offer great holidays at excellent value.”
Cruise from the UK Clients who want to cruise from the UK have lots of new itineraries to choose from next year. Fred Olsen has departures from two additional regional ports – Tilbury and Avonmouth – as well as a 16-night
voyage taking in Cannes for the fi lm festival and Monaco for the Grand Prix, plus a
fi rst-time mystery cruise for 14 nights on Black Watch, departing from Tilbury on November 15 – but only the captain knows the itinerary!
Prices start from £1,099pp, cruise-only. Hebridean Island Cruises is returning to
Norway for the fi rst time in fi ve years, offering three cruises in August, including a Footloose in the Fjords voyage with guided walks and hikes each day. Chief Operating Offi cer Ken Charleson said: “Our sales are 20% up on this time last year, helped by Norway, but we are up across all the All Leisure brands (the company also owns Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery) and everything is selling well. People are fed up with hearing about austerity and are just going for it.”
www.sellinglonghaul.com
September 2013 59
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