Travel and tourism students enjoy ship visit thanks to Seaside Travel

Six travel and tourism students enjoyed a full tour of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ ship Balmoral thanks to a partnership with Seaside Travel.

Seaside Travel arranged the ship visit with the cruise line as part of its growing collaboration with sixth-form colleges, with a view to taking on students as apprentices in future.

The Carlisle College students were treated to breakfast and a presentation by the line’s field sales manager Mathew Foxcroft as well as a tour of the ship while it was docked at Newcastle Tyne.

Seaside Travel training and community senior manager Kate Dixon said it was the first time the agency or cruise line had arranged a ship visit for students, who embarked the ship in the same way as paying guests in order to learn how the process works.

She said: “The students enjoyed a full ship visit, exploring everything from the cabins and spa to the outdoor pool areas.

“It was an amazing opportunity to give the students real insight into what life on a cruise ship is really like.

“Seeing how engaged and excited the students were throughout the day made it even more special. They also got to sample some of the traditional cruise cuisine that guests experience, which was a real highlight.”