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Record UK passenger numbers were revealed for ocean and river sailings, as new ships launched and major lines started opening private islands
JANUARY
Yet-to-launch line Virgin Voyages made a play for agent support by launching its trade portal,
firstmates.com, and revealing that the entire cruise booking would be commissionable – all before its first ship has even touched water. Likewise, Royal Caribbean International had already seen such demand for private island Perfect Day at CocoCay, ahead of its opening in May, that the line revealed plans to open four more private islands over the next five years, during a Travel Weekly Executive Lunch. In keeping with the private island
theme, MSC Cruises also revealed in January that its first private island – called Ocean Cay – will feature eight beaches, watersports and fire pits under the stars.
FEBRUARY
Virgin Voyages followed the growing trend by announcing plans for a private island destination. The Beach Club on Bimini island in the Bahamas will feature in every itinerary the line offers in its maiden programme in 2020. Scenic postponed the launch of its
first ocean vessel, Scenic Eclipse, for a third time. Princess Cruises revealed it would
call at 12 maiden ports, including two in the UK, in 2019. Crown Princess called at Portland in Dorset in April and Pacific Princess visited Portree in Scotland’s Isle of Skye in September.
MARCH
March saw MSC Cruises hosting 3,000 agents in Southampton for the naming ceremony of MSC Bellissima. The event on the quayside featured Andrea and Matteo Bocelli, Holly Willoughby, Cirque du Soleil and Chelsea Football Club stars, before high winds forced everyone back on board. Undeterred, Sophia Loren named the vessel and Craig David kept revellers dancing into the early hours. Cunard announced Liverpool would
be an embarkation port for a transatlantic sailing on July 16, in response to trade demand. The decision meant passengers could board Queen Mary 2 in the city rather than having to travel to Southampton. Clia appealed for talks with Dublin
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Port after authorities slashed the number of calls by half and revealed plans to stop turnaround calls from 2021. The port said the decision was taken to accommodate rising freight volumes and to build more berths for cargo ships.
Scenic Eclipse Viking Sky lost power while sailing
from Tromsø and Stavanger in Norway with 350 Britons on board. The incident, which left 20 people injured, made headlines around the world as almost 480 people were airlifted to safety. Norwegian Cruise Line scrapped
its Premium All-Inclusive fare after two years and replaced it with a Free At Sea programme that claims to offer greater flexibility and allow agents to earn more. Under the new pricing, customers pay £99 to access two of five benefits worth £700.
APRIL
The number of ocean cruises taken by UK and Irish passengers surpassed the two million mark for the first time. A record 2,009,000 cruises were taken in 2018, achieving the target a year earlier than anticipated. Later in the month, Tui revealed it
would enter the river cruise market in 2020 with three 155-capacity ships. The adult-only vessels will
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