3 ships in 3 days
Having been postponed for two years due to the pandemic, last weekend I was finally able to travel to Southampton to attend the annual CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) conference.
CLIA is the world's largest cruise industry trade association. It represents 95% of the world’s ocean-going cruise capacity and they serve nearly 30 million passengers annually.
I travelled from Manchester to Southampton and stayed at Moxy Southampton. Before the conference officially started, I attended a special Travel Counsellors training event with partners Regent Seven Seas Cruises. It was great to learn more about this luxury brand and their product offering.
On the first full day of the conference I visited MSC Virtuosa. This is a big ship – over 6,000 passengers plus crew. The firsts for this ship include the longest LED Dome at sea and the largest shopping area on board at Galleria Virtuosa. The ship also boasts the most sparkly staircase ever in the Infinity Atrium with thousands of Swarovski crystals in each step. After lunch and the first conference session, I attended a trade fair and met lots of different cruise lines and associated businesses.
Up early on Saturday morning for a visit to P&O Cruises' Iona. Quite a different feel on this ship, more understated and calmer. There’s SkyDome – one of the star attractions of Iona - a brand new design which aims to bring the outside in and includes a swimming pool which transforms into a stage at night ready for entertainment shows, a fabulous infinity pool, conservatory mini suites plus the ship has its own gin distillery. After lunch there were business sessions, guest speakers and an industry update. Later I enjoyed an evening gala dinner at Southampton Guildhall.
On the final day I went onboard Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas. Again, a different look and feel on this ship – more family friendly with a focus on entertainment and facilities. If offers the North Star, a capsule that lifts 300 feet above the sea, Flowrider, RipCord by iFLY, H20 zone water park, bumper cars etc as well as places such as Wonderland offering speciality dining. I then attended the final conference sessions, Aldo Kane gave a special guest talk and we heard from industry experts to close the conference.
Overall, it was a fantastic opportunity to visit 3 ships in 3 days. There was a lot to look at and learn. Each cruise line has a different proposition and I now know much more about this sector. Please get in touch if you are thinking of going on a cruise and I’ll be happy to help.