The deeper agents delve for cruising options that don’t necessarily fit a traditional mould, the more opportunities they will find to get clients beyond the ordinary – and earn attractive commission in doing so, a leading cruise wholesaler is reminding the trade.

Cruise World is now the exclusive representative for Scotland’s Hebridean Island Cruises.

To mark the development, Hebridean Island Cruises is offering 5% discount for 2023-24 sailings for New Zealand guests booked by the end of August.

Tauck will offer small ship ocean cruises from New York City to Quebec City aboard the Silversea ship Silver Shadow in the fall of 2023.

This marks the company’s latest expansion into domestic cruising and furthering its partnership with Silversea.

Pent-up demand for river, lake and expedition cruises at destinations across North America has prompted American Queen Voyages to release its 2024 small ship programme now.

New Zealanders are able to save up to US$2000 per couple for earlybird bookings made by 30 June 2022.

Cruise World’s New Zealand Traveller is still seeing good enquiry from agents who have clients wanting to travel domestically in New Zealand, reports general manager Cherryl Browne.

‘With more surety about the borders opening, there is a significant up tick in cruise enquiry, but there are also people still actively looking at New Zealand holiday options,’ says Browne.

Demand for long haul international travel has returned –especially for 2023 and beyond – says NZ niche cruise and small ship adventure specialist, Cruise World, which also represents American Queen Voyages in New Zealand.

New Zealand Traveller has released a package designed for people wanting to travel while having the opportunity to be in their own bubble as much as possible.

PurePods accommodate only two people, are private and set in secluded locations. The package includes a RAV4 rental car and the opportunity to explore the scenery and wildlife of Banks Peninsula, Waipara Wine region, North Canterbury and Kaikoura.

‘This is a regional immersion package staying at three PurePods away from the crowds, and  surrounded by nothing but nature, views and night skies,’ says Cherryl Browne, general manager Cruise World and New Zealand Traveller.

After announcing the restart of select tours and cruises in recent weeks, Tauck now plans to resume full operations of all remaining 2021 itineraries during August and September. This includes the return of Tauck’s Danube and Rhine river cruises, its land tours in Italy and elsewhere across Europe, and its explorations of far-flung destinations ranging from Morocco to Machu Picchu.

Tauck expects to operate more than 80% of its pre-pandemic portfolio of tours and cruises this year, with a full return of all itineraries slated for 2022.

Cruise World, which represents Tauck in New Zealand, reports enquiries for Europe river cruising. The company says that while availability on some 2022 dates is already limited, this news allows agents and their clients to do some travel planning.

American Queen Steamboat Company will sail the Ohio River region during its largest season in the Midwest. In 2022, the company will have three paddlewheelers operating a full season with 30 Ohio River sailings.

The voyages will introduce guests to major urban centres like Louisville, Kentucky; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; through to port towns like Madison, Indiana; and Brandenburg, Kentucky.

Ohio River itineraries in 2022 include Louisville to Pittsburgh or vv, Memphis to Louisville or vv, Louisville to Nashville, Clarksvilleor vv. 

Cruise World reports its NZ Traveller series has had a solid start since it launched a few weeks ago.

‘We did a lot of quoting in the first couple of weeks and in the last two weeks bookings have been coming in, which is encouraging, ‘says general manager Cherryl Browne. ‘Some enquiry is for the standard package and others have done customising with pre and post package arrangements.’