Royal vows to base an Icon-class ship in Europe
Lucy Huxley Miami, Florida
An Icon-class ship will “inevitably” homeport in Europe as global demand for Mediterranean sailings continues to grow, according to Royal Caribbean International president and chief executive Michael Bayley. Speaking to Travel Weekly during
the launch of the line’s first ship in its Icon class, Icon of the Seas, Bayley said he was also “committed” to bringing the new class to the UK to showcase it to agents and allow them to experience it first-hand. The second ship in the Icon
class, Star of the Seas, is scheduled to enter service in August 2025, followed less than a year later by the third in the class, which is as yet unnamed but referred to as Icon III. “We would love to put an
Icon in Europe and it’s going to happen for sure,” said Bayley. “We are not sure [which ship], but it’s inevitably going to happen. “We had spoken about Icon of
the Seas coming into Southampton [prior to launch], but then the pandemic happened and there were delays, so we ended up bringing it straight to the US. But with Icon II and Icon III, if we can, we are committed to bringing those ships to
Southampton to show them off.” Ben Bouldin, vice-president for
Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said it would be “phenomenal” for an Icon-class ship to homeport in Europe, where the line operates one of its “strongest-performing” itineraries. He said he hopes demand for
Mediterranean sailings from the US market will support Europe’s pitch to become home to an Icon-class ship, and has his sights set on Icon III. “One of the world’s most iconic
and strongest-performing routes that we have is our Barcelona-Barcelona seven-night itinerary around Europe,”
Dnata Travel promotes Rollo to succeed Pollard as UK chief
Dnata Travel Group has appointed Lesley Rollo as its UK chief executive. The appointment follows the announcement last October that Ailsa Pollard would step down from the role in February. Rollo, who was set to take up her new role on February 1, will oversee the group’s seven UK-based brands. She has been managing director of dnata’s Travelbag business for the past five years.
8 1 FEBRUARY 2024
Icon of the Seas; Michael Bayley (inset)
he said. “We have great destinations that are on many US guests’ bucket lists; in the same way Brits want to go to the Caribbean, many Americans love coming to Europe. That’s a big part of the decision [of where to homeport an Icon-class ship].” Bouldin added: “It comes down to
pure economics and where it makes the most sense for us to put a ship, but I think Icon III is a good opportunity.” He encouraged agents to
capitalise on the increased interest in cruise and to use Icon of the Seas as an example of the type of holiday
customers could experience. i Icon of the Seas launch, page 10
Seaside Travel to open two more stores in next six weeks
Seaside Travel is to open its eighth and ninth stores in the next six weeks. Owner Nicola Park said she would refurbish both premises, which are in Boldon Colliery, Tyne and Wear, and Prudhoe, south Northumberland. Park, who opened three stores last year, plans to employ four or five staff in each branch.
Carlo
Broccoli and son Daniele
Britaly Travel founder Carlo Broccoli dies at 95
Britaly Travel and Typically Holidays founder Carlo Broccoli has been remembered for his kind nature, infectious smile and keen business sense following his death aged 95. Son Daniele, who runs the
business, paid tribute to his father, who died on January 21. The pair founded the agency, specialising in flights to Italy, in 1984, and later set up trade-only operator Typically Holidays. Daniele said: “My dad had
time for everybody. He retired 20 years ago, but I’ll miss telling him about the business.” Daniele credited his father with
persuading him to get involved with Abta, where he is on the board of directors, and said his business sense helped the company survive Covid. “He said, ‘If you can’t afford it,
don’t have it’,” said Daniele. “My dad made me keep the reserves high.” The funeral is at 11.30am on
February 13 at St Peter and All Souls Church, Peterborough.
Classic boosts hotels offering
and adds city-break destinations Classic Package Holidays has introduced more than 1,000 hotels across 11 new destinations in response to agent feedback. The operator has added the Maldives and Thailand to its long-haul programme; Cape Verde to its mid-haul range; and Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy and Montenegro to its short-haul offering. It has also added city breaks in Amsterdam, Madrid, Paris and Prague.
travelweekly.co.uk
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