Cruise: Up Your Bookings with These 6 Brands

SPAUp Your Bookings with These 6 BrandsBy Paloma Villaverde de RicoWant to sell your clients a luxury lifestyle on the high seas? Check out what these six cruise lines have to offer—from enriching experiences and Michelin-star chefs to mesmerizing art collections and singular suites. You’ll also get the 411 on who the ideal passenger is for each. Cunard“True luxury is the embodiment of craftsmanship, attention to detail and rarity and history,” Jamie Paiko, v.p. of sales, Cunard North America, tells Recommend. “In 2024, Cunard will launch Queen Anne, which will embody all of those characteristics. The ethos of this new ship is to celebrate what makes this iconic British brand so special and evolve the experience in a way that is relevant for today’s luxury traveler. Bridging tradition and contemporary luxury, Queen Anne will celebrate the influential design styles of both past and present but overall, the design will be a departure from the rest of the fleet and will be an exciting, bolder contemporary interpretation of Cunard’s deco design.”CUNARD QUOTE Art aficionados will love that Queen Anne is set to have the largest art collection at sea with 4,300 pieces of art. “The brand,” adds Paiko, “is utilizing new emerging artists from around the world to create one-of-a-kind pieces to offer their personal, distinctive points of view, interpreting Cunard’s essence and heritage through a uniquely contemporary lens.” Foodies, meanwhile, will be able to choose among 15 restaurants and, points out Paiko, the brand “recently announced a new partnership with [English-French two Michelin starred chef] Michel Roux who, along with Cunard’s culinary team, will create exclusive menus for Queen Anne.” Known for offering a unique array of entertainment offerings, Cunard has also partnered with the British Film Institute to create a curated program of short films and blockbusters to be shown exclusively on the outdoor screen in The Pavilion aboard Queen Anne. The Pavilion is an open-air space on the top deck of the ship, and the BFI will be showing 10 films every month on the cinematic LED screen. Ideal Passenger: “What we have learned is that our customer is not determined by age, income level or geographic area, but by a mindset,” says Paiko. “Cunard’s research shows that [our] guests care deeply about learning, enrichment and having new experiences—from a Q&A with celebrities such as Alan Cumming to learning about ballet from a prima ballerina. These types of programs give passengers bragging rights and provide access to experiences they wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. These are the types of guests that travel advisors would target.”Explora Journeys“More than just a cruise brand, Explora Journeys provides journeys that blend a curated onboard experience with a wide array of carefully selected destination excursions,” says Chris Austin, chief sales officer for Explora Journeys. “We've worked to create a distinct and luxurious experience and have heard from those who have already been on board that they feel like they are in a luxury boutique hotel rather than a cruise ship.” Speaking to that is the recent announcement that the brand has partnered with chef Emma Bengtsson and Aquavit NYC to curate a culinary experience for guests on board EXPLORA I. Chef Bengtsson will be the first female and U.S.-based chef to showcase her culinary talents at Anthology, one of 11 culinary experiences on board the ship. Guests can enjoy her curated menu from the beginning of October until the end of March.“[Beyond] our beautiful design,” notes Austin, “[Explora Journeys offers] personalized details that we ensure are part of every guest’s experiences—from small yet distinctive details like heated marble floors in the bathrooms and a Dyson hairdryer in each suite to open-air fitness and the only Rolex boutique at sea. We also have a 1.25:1 guest to host ratio, so each guest feels completely taken care of by a team of passionate hospitality experts, our hosts.” Explora Journeys is set to debut EXPLORA II in summer 2024, spending her first season in the Mediterranean discovering Italian destinations such as Portofino, Argentario, Rome, Sorrento, Palermo, Syracuse, Trapani, Lipari, Cagliari, Alghero and the Emerald Coast. EXPLORA III will come into service in 2026 and EXPLORA IV in 2027, with the line recently confirming orders for two new hydrogen-powered ships—EXPLORA V and VI. Ideal Passenger: “Explora Journeys,” says Austin, “is a great product for those who enjoy immersive experiences and personalized vacations. Those who book luxury hotels run by world-renowned brands will thoroughly enjoy Explora Journeys. We're also targeting those who are new to and curious about cruising because we offer something that is completely elevated from what guests typically think of when they think about cruising. Our travelers...love the opportunity for overnights in selected destinations, u›nconventional arrival and departure times and sea days to enjoy our yacht-like experience…. We welcome all generations and believe that few things are as satisfying as those special moments of togetherness.”REST ON DECKOceania Cruises“Oceania Cruises is the only cruise line in the world designed specifically for foodies, by foodies, and is the only major cruise line to boast two Master Chefs of France,” says Nikki Upshaw, sr. v.p. of global sales, Oceania Cruises. “Oceania Cruises’ unique experiences not only satisfy, but easily impress wine connoisseurs, culinary epicureans and beyond. We offer several dining partnerships with exquisite pairing menus on board including: The Moet & Chandon Champagne Experience, connoisseur wine pairing lunches, the Dom Perignon Experience, and private dining options at La Reserve and Privee on select ships. Our Privee Dining Experience is the most exclusive private dining experience at sea.” In that same vein, Oceania Vista, the newest ship in the fleet, has introduced new innovative cocktail offerings such as Founders Bar, which brings new mixology trends on board, The Bubbly Bar where guests create their own bubbly beverage and The Macallan Experience, expanding guests’ knowledge of Macallan whiskeys, notes Upshaw. On Vista’s heels is Oceania Allura, set to join the fleet in summer 2025. Her opening season will have her calling at Cadiz, Cagliari, Messina, Palma de Mallorca, Palermo and Cinque Terre and will feature overnight stays in Istanbul, Monte Carlo, Quebec City, Montreal and New York. In these ports of call, passengers can expect “immersive destination tours,” says Upshaw, “that invite guests to embed themselves in the fabric of the local communities. Our Go Local tours take explorers well beyond the typical tourist sights and provide a unique perspective on the local culture, cuisine and day-to-day lives of communities.”Ideal Passenger: “Our clients have a passion for discovering the world. They love to learn and travel for personal growth and discovery,” says Upshaw. “The Oceania guest expects high quality, authentic experiences ashore while also appreciating the relaxed sophistication offered by Oceania when
on board.”DINING ROOMPrincess Cruises“[The 4,300-guest] Sun Princess, making her debut in February 2024, will boast an array of exciting new dining, entertainment and activity offerings, as well as luxurious staterooms and suites across a broad spectrum of categories,” says Princess Cruises’ president John Padgett. Among those luxury staterooms is the Reserve Collection, a new option that includes premium location Mini-Suites and Cabanas, plus exclusive access to a private restaurant and additional benefits.“The Reserve Collection Restaurant on board Sun Princess is a first for Princess,” says Padgett, “offering Reserve Collection guests an exclusive space to dine throughout their cruise. It will feature expedited seating without reservations, along with menu items only available in this venue.”Reserve Collection guests also receive priority check-in upon arrival and access to an exclusive disembarkation lounge during departure, a bottle of wine in their stateroom, canapes delivered to them and premium terry shawl bathrobes to enjoy. The new Cabana stateroom features a balcony, private cabana, unique outdoor furniture and an extra-large private lounge space—along with Reserve Collection upgrades. Of course, not all your clients will be sailing on board Sun Princess during its inaugural year, and for that Padgett reminds advisors that on “Discovery Princess and Enchanted Princess, Suite guests receive an exclusive invitation to 360: An Extraordinary Experience—the journey takes attendees through the sights, sounds, textures and scents of the Mediterranean. This destination-inspired, immersive 7-course indulgence is paired with drinks, adventures and surprises along the way.” Ideal Passenger: “All guests—regardless of which stateroom category they select—can experience luxury with comfortable cabins, excellent service, ultimate dining experiences and relaxing spa treatments...having whatever they want delivered, whenever they want it, through MedallionClass,” notes Padgett. “For those seeking a vacation that only requires them to unpack once, and where they can enjoy friendly, personalized service throughout their trip, Princess Cruises is an excellent choice.”Virgin Voyages“[With Virgin Voyages], travelers can look forward to exceptional, high-end experiences ranging from cooking demos with Michelin-star chefs to new large-scale productions and everything in between,” says John Diorio, v.p. of North American Sales for Virgin Voyages. The cruise brand recently announced the addition of 27 new global itineraries and 19 new ports, “giving discerning travelers a roster of incredible, awe-inspiring places to explore,” adds Diorio, “and introducing new once-in-a-lifetime shore excursions for luxury travelers that give them a taste of a destination’s culture, history and beauty.”VIRGIN QUOTEThe brand is returning to its British roots in the UK, launching new ports in Europe and heading back Down Under in 2024/2025 for its second season in Australia. Resilient Lady will be sailing two repositioning voyages in 2024 from Portsmouth to Barcelona, adding Morocco to the brand’s roster of new destinations. Come October, Resilient Lady will set off on a 44-night repositioning from Athens to Australia, making stops in Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore and Bali along the way. Scarlet Lady, meanwhile, will head into dry dock next year, so sister ship Valiant Lady will trade places starting in April 2024. Departing from Miami, Valiant Lady will continue to offer Scarlet’s 4- and 5-night Caribbean rotations, along with a special 6-night Holidaze and Nights voyage. And next summer, between May and October 2024, Scarlet will be taking on Valiant’s two 7-night itineraries: Irresistible Med and French Daze and Ibiza Nights. Additionally, says Diorio, “2024 will see the return of Virgin Voyages’ special-edition sailings like our Limitless Voyage, a Virgin Celebration Voyage, Eat & Drink Festival and, of course, our second annual First Mate Spectacular Soiree for the top 100 advisors.”Ideal Passenger: “Sailor insights have shown us that our sweet spot are Sailors ages 30-60 who have never cruised before,” says Diorio. “Generally, we’ve seen that travelers who like high-end all-inclusives and look for incredible value with premium experiences really resonate with the Virgin Voyages brand.”SUITE ROOMWindstar Cruises “All of our itineraries are designed to take our guests to new, undiscovered ports and harbors where big ships can’t go in addition to sharing the ‘must-see’ destinations,” says Chris Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises. He points to the brand’s newer offerings “that will certainly appeal to luxury travelers”: Cruises in the Canary Islands beginning in 2024 on the all-suite, 312-guest Star Pride, and the 8-day Captivating Canary Islands from Lisbon to Las Palmas, which includes time on Madeira, as well as overnights in Funchal and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. And then, in 2025, the brand has two new itineraries in the region including the 10-day Canary Island Idyll and 8-day Colorful Canary Islands, with overnights and late nights to take in the nightlife. “We’re among the first cruise brands to expand to the Middle East for those customers eager to discover a new luxurious destination, truly diving into those offerings in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Doha in 2024,” he notes. “We also will offer brand-new tours for Dubai and Muscat in 2024, with included experiences like a star-lit local feast and belly dancing at the Al Hadeerah Resort, as well as new air and hotel packages to take the guesswork out of planning those components.” Next year will see the all-suite 312-passenger Star Breeze sailing in Tahiti year-round, replacing the 148-passenger classic sailing yacht Wind Spirit. “The move will ensure an elevated sailing experience given the Breeze’s multiple dining options, enlarged spa/fitness center and spacious all-suite accommodations, which is much more appealing to a luxury traveler,” adds Prelog. “It also doubles our capacity there and with the demand we’ve been seeing, we expect to sell it.” Ideal Passenger: “Windstar’s sailings target luxury clients that are looking for customizable, high-end experiences that allow for meaningful local immersion,” says Prelog. “On board, we offer a more casual and customizable experience than most luxe lines, and your clients should expect highly personalized, intuitive service from a genuinely caring crew who will remember their name and preferences before the first day is over. There’s a very relaxed social ambiance onboard with like-minded cruisers who are travelers, not tourists.” Contact InformationCunard: onesourcecruises.com/onesource/loginExplora Journeys: explorajourneys.com/int/en/travel-advisors/loginOceania Cruises: oceaniacruises.comPrincess Cruises: onesourcecruises.com/onesource/loginVirgin Voyages: firstmates.com Windstar Cruises: windstarcruises.com
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