Agents attending the first day of the 2017 Clia Conference were treated to a ship tour of Queen Mary 2, recently refurbished for £90 million.
Visiting trade members hailed the new features of Cunard Line’s flagship as ‘elegant’ yet ‘contemporary’ on day one of the Clia’s three-day event in Southampton.
Chiara Brooker, general manager at Jetline Cruise said: “The remastering has created more of an atmosphere on board and it feels like the ship has been fine tuned. It still remains elegant and in-keeping with the history of the ship.”
David Hearn, commercial director at Ocean World Travel said he was ‘pleasantly surprised’ having not been on the ship for many years.
“It remains classic and slightly old fashioned but with a bit of a twist to make sure the guests are catered for and in a welcoming environment.”
Simone Clark, managing director at Iglu said: “I think it as right to remove the Winter Garden and replace with the Carinthia Lounge as that has created such a nice open area for guests to relax in.
“The ship now has a more contemporary feel to it but remains stunning especially in the Princess and Queens Grill with the beautiful layout and sumptuous red chairs and decorations.”
Agents were treated to lunch on board the ship in the Britannia restaurant before an official opening ceremony was held in the Royal Court Theatre, featuring dancers and singers from the Cunard Line entertainment team.
A minutes silence was held during the agent visit on Queen Mary 2 for the victims and those affected by the terror attack in Manchester on Monday evening.
Agents and suppliers stood in remembrance of those who were killed and showed continuing support to those injured in the bomb blast at Manchester Arena.
Event hosts, Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly, and Andy Harmer, senior vice president for membership and director for Clia UK and Ireland, also paid tribute to the family, friends and colleagues of Westoe Travel apprentice Chloe Rutherford who remains missing after attending the concert with her boyfriend.
A trade fair followed the ship visit, held at the Mayflower cruise terminal in the Southampton Port which as attended by up to 600 agents.