The 2011 Ace UK Cruise Convention is better than ever, with four ship visits, onboard conference sessions and a new by-invitation Columbus Day for owners, managers and Ace ambassadors.
Browse the latest issue of our cruise magazine TWcruise – which doubles as the official programme for the event – for an overview of what’s on, plus ship profiles and speaker interviews. Scroll down for news stories and photos from Southampton, and follow @leehayhurst on Twitter for live updates.
Video
Photos
Want more pics? View the Cruise Convention slideshow on travelhub.
All photographs by Steve Dunlop
News and analysis
News
Carnival commission cuts ‘were UK-specific’
Move would not work in other markets, says Princess’s Swartz
NCL reassessing UK market after Carnival rate cuts
Cruise line ‘concerned’ over levels of discounting
Future growth of cruise depends on pricing – Dingle
Agents and operators must work together, says Carnival UK boss
River cruising growing faster than ocean
Sector grew 8% in 2010, according to PSA figures
Negative perceptions of cruise ‘still rife’
Mail Newspapers survey reveals polarised view of sector
Carnival’s UK training academy ‘will give agents the edge’
US agents who achieve Commodre status sell seven times more
NCL appoints interim boss after MSC defection
Kevin Bubolz takes charge of Europe following Zengerle’s departure
Liverpool terminal could be used as cruise ship base
UK needs more port capacity to support sector’s growth, says Transport Secretary
Social media ‘starting to generate revenue’
But precise returns are hard to gauge, says NCL’s Andy Stuart
Keep investing and stay focused, says Ultimo founder
Don’t rest on your laurels, Michelle Mone tells agency bosses
Analysis
US muscles in on UK cruise market
Agents are being urged to meet US comeptition for Brits’ bookings by using techniques from across the pond
The programme
Tuesday, May 3
- Columbus Day onboard Fred Olsen’s Balmoral at Mayflower Terminal
Wednesday, May 4
- Main Convention Day onboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas at City Terminal
- Trade Fair, Ocean Terminal
- Party Night
Thursday, May 5
- Breakout sessions on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth at QEII Terminal
- P&O Cruises Aurora ship visit, Ocean Terminal