Trade body Clia is helping prepare the trade for the return of overseas sailings following last week’s government confirmation that cruise lines can once again operate internationally.
A series of ‘summer schools’ are being hosted, with the next sessions due to take place later this month.
The sessions – which will comprise product updates and training briefs, delivered via cruise lines, and destinations – will now include the latest international travel news.
Three summer schools are taking place, all from 9.30-10.30:
- August 12, MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises
- August 19, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, APT and Port of Seattle
- August 26, Amadeus River Cruises, Fred Olsen and Carnival Cruise Line
Two agent-dedicated ‘selling cruise days’ had previously been organised, giving the trade insight and advice from a range of expert speakers and panels.
These will now cover both domestic and international sailings, with the first seminar taking place in Southampton on November 4 and the second in Dublin on November 11.
New Clia UK & Ireland chair Ben Bouldin (Royal Caribbean) said: “The international travel announcement is fantastic news for everyone within the cruise community, and it is a thrilling prospect to once again be able to offer guests the opportunity to sail the world.
“The last 18 months have been hugely challenging for the UK cruise sector. The industry came together and a lot of people have worked incredibly hard to reach this point. We also appreciate the cooperation shown by UK government departments throughout this process.
“The cruise industry has shown its resilience and has risen to the challenge by reinventing the cruise experience while preserving what makes a cruise holiday so special.”
The resumption of international cruise follows the restart of domestic cruises since May, while around 800,000 passengers have travelled on sailings globally during the past 12 months.