Royal Caribbean vice-president EMEA Gerard Nolan believes Utopia of the Seas can help fulfil the potential of the UK’s multigenerational market.
The new ship, which had its naming ceremony in Port Canaveral on Monday (July 15), is the sixth in the Oasis Class.
Nolan (pictured) said he had been “absolutely blown away” by the latest addition to the fleet and suggested it had a key role to play in efforts to boost large-group family travel.
“Multigenerational family travel is probably more developed in the US at the moment, but it’s definitely growing in the UK,” he said. “That’s something we see a real opportunity to grow.”
Aaron Langford, the line’s senior sales director for the UK and Ireland, described passenger numbers as being “really good”, but he also outlined scope for building on the current figures with help from UK travel agents.
He said: “Post-pandemic, we’ve come out really strong, thanks mostly to the trade, so numbers are fantastic.
“We’ve got a lot of good growth plans that are coming next year – we’re in great shape for 2025 – but one thing I want to be clear on is that we’re hell-bent on making sure we’re engaging with the trade because we won’t get there without their support.”
Nolan said the line has a well-established relationship with the trade, adding: “It’s never been more important to continue to build on that.”
Agent feedback can often be used to develop new tools and products, he said. “Innovation comes from our partners – there’s a lot of interaction we have from the frontline,” he added.
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