NEWS YOU CAN USE


PAGE 20 AC GROUP UNVEILS DOMESTIC GROUP OPTIONS


PAGE 23 VIRGIN TO FLY TO SAO PAULO FROM HEATHROW


PAGE 24 WIN TICKETS TO SHINE SURPRISES PARTY


CRUISE


Marella vows to host fams on new Marella Explorer 2


Harry Kemble harry.kemble@travelweekly.co.uk


The boss of Marella Cruises has pledged to host educationals for third-party agents on new adult-only ship Marella Explorer 2 this year.


Tui agents and company staff


will attend a conference on the 1,814-passenger ship’s shakedown sailing this wee efore the first customer cruise from Palma, Majorca, on April 2. Chris Hackney, Marella Cruises’ managing director, said: “We are going to support third-party agents and do educationals [on Marella Explorer 2]. We are definitely going to ommit to that and they will happen over the next six to 12 months.” Marella’s third-party sales


are 30% up year on year, which Hackney described as “positive”. Hackney said online training


tools for Marella Explorer 2 would become available on Discover Marella Cruises from early April.


OPERATOR


Premier Holidays adds Scotland with Shetland and Orkney breaks


Premier Holidays has expanded its range of UK destinations with the addition of Scotland for 2019. The operator’s second-edition short-haul brochure


features breaks in Shetland and Orkney. Agents can book a Shetland and Orkney Explorer


30%


Rise in Marella Cruises’ sales via indie agents


Marella Explorer 2, previously


named Golden Era and operated by SkySea Cruise Line in China, has been overhauled in Cadiz, Spain, for the last two months to prepare it for the UK market. Three new venues – a clubhouse-style bar called The 19th Hole; a champagne and prosecco bar called Flutes; and barbecue restaurant The Beach


Cove – and a 1,100sq ft Royal suite will feature on the revamped ship. Like its sister ship Marella


Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, the iowned lines first adlt only ship, will have a premium sunbathing area called The Veranda furnished with cocoon chairs and Balinese beds. Hackney said: “For a ship like


this we do not expect to sail it straight into the UK market from China. We must craft a proposition that the British market wants.” Hackney believes the ship,


whih first lanhed as Celebrity Century in 1995, will be in service


for 15 years following the refurb. tui.co.uk/cruise


Tour from £764, which includes four nights in Shetland and three nights in rney ls retrn flights from nerness or erdeen and flights etween the islands A selection of hotel stays are available, starting from


£324 for a two-night stay at the Ayre Hotel in Kirkwall, rney inlding flights from erdeen or nerness Agents will earn £5 in shopping vouchers for


every Scotland booking with Premier Holidays. The operator’s other UK destinations include the Channel


Islands, the Isle of Man, Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly. trade.premierholidays.co.uk


REVAMP: Marella Explorer 2 is the line’s sixth ship and its first adult-only


NEWS IN BRIEF


Ritz-Carlton offers deals for Ras Al Khaimah property


The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Al Wadi Desert is offering six nights for the price of three in a luxury pool villa exclusively for trade bookings. The offer includes free child places and applies to stays between May 4 and June 3 for bookings made before April 22. Trade staff can book a pool villa for themselves from £195 per villa per night. Full details at: tinyurl.com/ritztrade


Learn and urn: Cox & Kings to host tea training sessions


Cox & Kings is inviting homeworkers to learn about the operator over afternoon tea. The training events run from April 30 to July 9 in Reading, Cheltenham, London, Nottingham and Aberdeen. Agents can register to attend at: coxandkingsagents.com/events


Corinthian Travel has Georgia on its mind


Corinthian Travel has launched a programme to Georgia. The Middle East and North Africa specialist offers five private-chauffeured itineraries, ranging from eight to 15 days. corinthiantravel.co.uk


Super Break reveals Magic Mike Live packages


Super Break has released a Girls Night Out one-night package to see raunchy dance show Magic Mike Live at London’s Hippodrome. Available on Fridays and Saturdays until August 2019, packages cost from £197.50, which includes the show, hotel accommodation, a three-course dinner and entry to selected London nightclubs. superbreak.com/agents


28 March 2019travelweekly.co.uk19


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