Hays Travel hosts annual cruise conference on Queen Mary 2

Hays Travel has held its annual cruise conference on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 for a four-night sailing from Southampton to Rotterdam.

From June 20, the ship welcomed 106 attendees, including retail agents, Independence Group members, Personal Travel Consultants (PTC) and supplier cruise line partners from Ama Waterways, Cunard, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten, HX Hurtigruten Expeditions, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Seabourn and Vista.

Attendees were invited to “immerse themselves in the full cruise experience” as their customers do with a cocktail party and entertainment, alongside sessions with partners and updates from the Hays Travel head office team.

Hays Travel’s head of cruise Catriona Parsons said: “Cruising continues to grow in popularity with our customers and is a strategic focus for us at Hays Travel.

“Our 2025 Cruise Conference was the perfect opportunity to update delegates from across our group on news and opportunities in cruise, all while experiencing Cunard’s beautiful Queen Mary 2.”

She added: “My huge thanks to everyone who attended and our supplier partners for an unforgettable weekend.”

Hays Travel’s Halesowen branch manager Laura Longhurst said: “Being able to engage with suppliers and colleagues from across the business is priceless, especially when it helps shape ideas to take back to branch and the wider region.

“I have now built a network of people I can call upon to share ideas with and really shape my cruise business in branch."

Cunard president Katie McAlister called it "an absolute privilege" to welcome Hays Travel on board the fleet’s flagship, adding: "Travel agents are at the heart of our success, and offering them first-hand insight into the Cunard experience is one of the most powerful tools we have.”

Cunard’s associate vice-president of EMEA and UK Sales Iain Baillie agreed, saying: “This event was a fantastic opportunity to bring our partnership with Hays Travel to life in a new and powerful way. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive."

Hays Travel PTC Cheryl Green commented: “The thing to take away from the weekend was that there really is something for everyone when it comes to cruising.

“People are always looking for things that are different and immersive. Cruising can almost make you feel like royalty, but equally it doesn’t have to be like that if you prefer something more informal.”

She added: “It was fantastic to meet so many experts over the weekend and the enthusiasm for the ships in their fleets was amazing.”