Your essential cruise guide to making the most of wave season

Which new ship are you most excited to see launch? 

Mark: I recently had the privilege of joining the Cunard team to visit Queen Anne at the Fincantieri shipyard. Seeing the ship in her rawest form, imagining the vision she will become [on her maiden voyage in June], was a magical experience. Her luxurious guest spaces, restaurants and state-of-the-art entertainment venues will thrill loyal Cunard guests, but also excite those new to the brand.

Gareth: Silversea’s Silver Ray [arriving in summer] – the line has expanded its fleet quite extensively over the past few years, with each new ship offering innovations in dining and onboard experience, yet in keeping with the core values of intimate, luxury ships offering all-inclusive exclusivity. Bright, contemporary and chic, they are setting trends in the industry. 

Sarah: It has to be Queen Anne. It looks like she is going to be an excellent addition to the Cunard fleet. Whilst retaining the traditional classic elements of cruising with Cunard, she is going to bring a contemporary and modern twist, which really excites me. The Bright Lights entertainment venue looks amazing, and I can’t wait to see this ship in person. 

Kieran: I’m looking forward to Disney Treasure [due in December]. As a massive Disney fan, I can’t wait to see the new venues inspired by my favourite attractions, such as The Haunted Mansion and The Jungle Cruise. The ship embraces adventure and exploration, and it will be a welcome change to the more timeless Disney experience of her sister ships. 

Which river cruises do you tip to sell well? 

Mark: The Mekong River will have a strong focus within our destination programme – on these cruises clients can experience the tranquillity of sailing on this majestic river, seeing rural life that has not changed in centuries. Getting to the heart of the region, guests can step off the ship and immerse themselves in local life. 

Gareth: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has really stood out in 2023 and its popularity will continue to grow. Unique selling points are its exclusive shore experiences, such as a private after-hours visit to St Mark’s Basilica [in Venice] and fresh Medoc oyster tasting, and the fact that each ship and stateroom is unique in its decor and the premium all-inclusive offering. The Mekong, Ganges and Peru itineraries are also beautifully curated. 

Kieran: Our attention is turning to APT and its Travelmarvel river cruises. While our core demographic is 35-45 and not traditionally focused on river cruises, we see an opportunity to introduce them to this experience via Travelmarvel. With a recent positive fam experience, we’re confident in showcasing a premium and relaxed river cruise alternative to our ocean cruise enthusiasts. 

Which expedition or world cruise will you be shouting about? 

Mark: We recently hosted a group of agents on a Ponant and Cruise Plus fam trip, exploring Belize, Honduras and the Western Caribbean. We are excited to promote this itinerary to break the view that expedition is only to cold weather locations. 

Kieran: I’m excited to promote expedition cruises, a sector we’ve been hesitant about but now prioritise after some Clia exploration cruise training recently. I’m focusing on Hurtigruten’s Antarctic and Celebrity Cruises’ Galapagos products. These diverse options are good entries into exploration for those who may have never considered it before. 

Gareth: The Galapagos Islands remains a popular bucket-list destination, with the draw of seeing such a high concentration of biodiversity in one place. I had the pleasure of discovering Golden Galapagos with their fleet of four luxury yachts and catamarans at this year’s Lata exhibition. As the first cruise operator in the Galapagos to obtain an International Carbon Neutral Certification and with a strong focus on sustainability, responsibility and education, they are one of my top picks. The company also runs an eco-lodge, La Selva, in the Amazon rainforest, which makes a perfect extension. 

Sarah: I’ve been focusing heavily on the 120-night world cruise on Ambience that Ambassador is offering for January 2024. This epic world cruise offers such a unique itinerary with a full transition down the Panama Canal, and stops at Cape Town, Sydney, Bora Bora and Singapore. Ambassador, although a relatively new addition to the cruise market, offers UK-based, adult-focused premium value cruising, which means it is perfect for a cruise around the world. 

What are your own cruise plans for 2024? 

Mark: I plan to book seven nights at the Sailing Club Mui Ne, one of Vietnam’s best locations for watersports, to embrace my passion for kite surfing, followed by a cruise on the Mekong. I have visited Vietnam before but want to go back to experience the serenity and escapism of this beautiful location. 

Gareth: As I have recently returned to the industry after several years of sabbatical, I am looking forward to experiencing as many of the new ships as possible. I have been lucky enough to secure a place on both the Clia Ocean and River Conferences in 2024, and hope to see the new Explora II when she launches. 

Sarah: I’ve booked a two-week back-to-back cruise from Southampton to the beautiful Norwegian fjords with MSC’s Virtuosa. Having sailed on her last year, I am eager to return. She is simply a stunning ship, with first-class facilities and entertainment. This will be my first trip to the fjords – after booking so many customers to this region, it quickly got added to my bucket list. 

Kieran: We’ve taken 18 cruises since the industry restarted, so we are scaling back for 2024 to focus on growth. That said, we are hosting two groups on Resilient Lady for ex-UK cruises, and we have a transatlantic crossing booked on Oasis of the Seas. We are also eyeing Princess Cruises, perhaps for an Asia adventure or revisiting the east coast of Canada, a region we fell in love with on a 2018 Disney transatlantic cruise. 

To find contacts for all these cruise lines and more, see the TTG Travel Supplier Directory