NEWS SPECIAL REPORT


Cruise agents face ex-UK squeeze A


Specialists report need to switch-sell as availability and pricing impact sales. Ella Sagar reports Limited availability


gents selling cruise have reported strong wave demand so far this year but have raised concerns


over a lack of affordable product available for this summer. The issue appears to be particularly


acute for ex-UK sailings, with some agents saying they are having to switch-sell to fly-cruises or suggest alternative brands or even land-based options to meet budgets. The tight capacity follows many


lines’ strategy of launching seasons earlier than previously to tap into demand and extend the booking curve. Some agents believe the situation


has also been exacerbated by more capacity being allocated to other source markets as demand recovers, with fears the UK market could fall down lines’ priority lists as a result.


Agents’ views Catriona Parsons, Hays Travel head of cruise, said the ex-UK family market for this summer was “almost full” even at the start of peaks. She added: “While prices have


been good for third and fourth adults or teens, limited availability for younger children has meant prices have been higher for a family travelling together.” Vim Vithaldas, The Travel


8 20 FEBRUARY 2025 “Families came out of Covid


for younger children has meant prices have been higher for a family travelling together


Network Group chief commercial officer, said there was “not much capacity left” for this summer from UK ports, meaning Mediterranean fly-cruises had become a “key focus”. “Ex-UK is down year on year and


this is due to [a rise in] US passengers,” he added. “Pricing is also an issue.” Cruise365 owner Anthony


Blackmore agreed favourable exchange rates for US travellers meant more were sailing ex-UK, resulting in less availability for the UK and a greater focus on shorter- duration cruises for US-based lines. However, he said the change of


US administration and international relations could create a lates market, with some US travellers opting to cancel overseas plans in favour of domestic breaks. Blackmore noted regular family


cruisers were still booking early to secure their preferred ships, but agreed pricing was an issue for some.


seeing cruise as a cheaper option to a land-based all-inclusive, but it’s just not the case anymore,” he added. Paul Edge, Cruise Club UK


general manager, noted a “slight issue” with ex-UK availability in recent weeks, adding: “We sold a lot in January and it’s been really popular. We are not promoting it as much now but focusing more on fly-cruise.” Paul Hunter, head of product at


Cruise1st, said there seemed to be “less capacity” than last year, with prices on certain lines higher than in recent years for the same period. He also said the agency was


offering fly-cruise alternatives to convert enquiries into sales. One independent agent, who


asked not to be named, described remaining availability for summer ex-UK sailings as “like hen’s teeth”.


Cruise lines’ perspectives Despite agents’ concerns, cruise lines believe the situation is largely positive, with well-sold inventory likely to reduce the need for late discounting and support messaging about the benefits of booking early. Ex-UK lines also insisted there


were still opportunities for agents and pointed to increased capacity.


Ruth Venn, P&O Cruises sales


director, acknowledged choices for some itineraries and cabin types were “limited”, with rising costs of flights and land-based holidays a “key factor” driving demand. However, she said the line still had availability across most itineraries and months. Antonio Paradiso, MSC Cruises


vice-president of international sales, insisted there was “good availability” across many of the line’s 50 Southampton sailings, while Royal Caribbean International also pointed to increased ex-UK capacity this year. Eithne Williamson, Princess


Cruises vice-president for the UK and Europe, reported availability for the line’s 45 ex-UK cruises this year, but also said strong bookings had reinforced the need to book early. Speaking on a Travel Weekly


webcast, Holland America Line sales and marketing director Karen Farndell urged agents to consider alternatives to Southampton sailings, adding the line still had availability for its Dover voyages from April. Geoff Ridgeon, Fred Olsen Cruise


Lines head of sales, said the line was operating more than 40 cruises between May and August from UK ports including Newcastle, Liverpool, Southampton, Rosyth and Dover.


travelweekly.co.uk


Photo of Southampton: Solent Sky Services


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