CLIA Trade Engagement - Why I Love Cruise

TRADE ENGAGEMENT ACTION GROUP
WHY I LOVE CRUISE....

The Trade Engagement Action Group comprises of 10
key Cruise Line Executives and thought leaders. They
meet regularly throughout the year to offer practical
input to CLIA, and act as an advisory group, helping steer
activity and promote the association to the travel agent
community.
Ahead of Cruise Week 2022, we asked them to share
with us why they fell in love with cruising and why they
keep coming back to it… have a read…

“

Claire Stirrup
Sales Director UK&I
Celebrity Cruises
Holidays should be effortless from start to finish and we
all want to know that everything is taken care of and that
is why I love cruise.
The list is endless of what you can do on a cruise. If you
want to stay in stunning accommodation, explore the
world and experience cultures both on or off the ship, eat
exceptional food & drink delicious wines, focus on your
own wellness and recharge, spend time with family and
friends you can, it’s entirely up to you! Do all of it or none
of it, there is a perfect cruise out there for everyone.

“

Gary Anslow
Senior Sales Director, UK & Ireland
Norwegian Cruise Line
I love to cruise because it’s the best holiday for creating
family time and great memories.
The variety offered by a cruise holiday means that there
is always something to do together – whether it’s on
board swimming, dining, playing or experiencing, or
whether it’s on shore, exploring great cities or enjoying
fantastic beaches, there is always something to bring our
family together.

“

Louise Craddock
Director of Sales UK & Ireland
Oceania Cruises
The moment I stepped on-board a cruise ship I felt I was
home. It was amazing to explore the Caribbean islands
and do a scuba dive in every port. My best memory was
opening the blinds in the morning and literally having my
breath taken away by the beauty of Bora Bora – we got
off that day and did a jet-skiing tour around the island
– I felt alive. Another great memory was being up close
to a pod of whales in Alaska –then landing on a glacier
in a helicopter was thrilling. I have been all around the
world on ships, tasted the best food, enjoyed some great
entertainment and met some wonderful people. But now,
it’s quality times with my family and friends that matters
most – and I know everyone will be happy on a cruise.

“

Luke Smith
Head of International Sales
Carnival Cruise Line
The variety and the value of the food offered onboard all
cruise lines make cruising an amazing experience for a
foodie like me.
I have been all over the world to land based resorts and
hotels and have never found anywhere that consistently
rivals the food offered across the cruise industry and with
all allergies and dietary requests catered for it is such an
inclusive experience for all guests. Cruising brings people
of all walks of life together and for me there is no better
way to celebrate this than around the dinner table with
incredible dishes and exceptional drinks.

“

Ruth Venn
Sales Director
P&O Cruises
I love everything about being on holiday from lazing by
the pool, to visiting white sand beaches, exploring famous
cities and discovering new places.
A cruise holiday wraps all of these things into an amazing
and varied experience that’s exactly what YOU want it to
be!
I love waking up to a new destination each day, usually
starting with breakfast on the balcony and finishing with
a beautiful sunset at sea, nothing beats it!

“

Shane Riley
Vice President (Int. Sales)
Virgin Voyages
A cruise holidays provide a unique experience of being
part of a global community without even stepping off the
ship.
Typically cruise ship staff come from all over the world
and there can be in excess of 60 different nationalities
helping to make your experience incredible. There’s
something very special about bringing so many cultures
together into one place, you get to know the crew, learn
about their background and discover inside scoop of
where you should go next! A ‘crews ship’ will provide
memories & friendships that last a lifetime.

“

Steve Williams
Director of Sales UK & Ireland
MSC Cruises
Choice, A cruise holiday offers so much choice all from
the luxurious surroundings of your ship.
From spending the day being pampered in a Balinese spa and
enjoying fabulous treatments to singing into the early hours in
a karaoke bar. Every day is unique and you can make it exactly
what you want it to be, from visiting different destinations every
day or staying onboard you can choose from a day shopping or a
day relaxing by the pool sipping cocktails, dining you way around
the world in the wealth of restaurants onboard to enjoying world
class entertainment or relaxing in a lounge or bar listening to a live
band, every day is truly a unique experience and you can tailor your
holiday so that every day is totally different. You are never stuck
for something to do and no holiday offers the incredible amount
of choice with so many activities, sightseeing opportunities, dining
options, sports facilities or relaxation all with the fabulous service
that cruise lines are notorious for.

“

Stuart Pearce
Strategic Account Manager UK&I
Azamara
Destination is the number one reason I love a cruise
holiday. The cruise industry is so diverse, it really does
offer a holiday for everyone, whatever you are looking
for! I get excited every time I think of the destinations and
different cultures that we experience when we board our
floating hotel. When you board a ship you enter a world
bursting with difference, you get to meet people from
different backgrounds but with one thing in common,
you all come on board for that unique excitement of a
cruise holiday. People are joined together by a thirst for
exploring new places and experiencing new sights, sounds
and culinary delights. It is for these reasons that I simply
love a cruise.

“

Torey Kings-Hodkin
Head of Sales
Royal Caribbean International
For me, it’s the quiet moments at the beginning and end
of the day.
I love a relaxed start to the day with breakfast on the
balcony as the sun comes up and you chat and plan your
day ahead. After a fantastic evening on-board where
we’ve enjoyed a delicious dinner, watched an amazing
show and had a few cocktails too many, I love to come
back to my cabin sit on the balcony and take in the
absolute peace and solitude of that moment – nothing
beats the sound of the ocean before you drift off to sleep!

“

Wendy Lahmich
Director of Sales - UK & Europe
Seabourn
30 yrs+ in cruise and this holiday continues to amaze,
surprise, innovate and delight! PEOPLE are at the
heart of cruising, they are what make this holiday so
outstanding and so very different to all other travel
experiences….
From the first time guests board a ship, meeting shore
side teams, people in the places we all visit, to when
guests leave and bid farewell to amazing ship team
members – there will be a friend made along the way…
everytime! Ocean or River – cruising is the ‘friendliest’
way to see the world and will create the most special
memories – like it has for me over the years!