A strong contingent of New Zealand travel agents are ready for the Cruise 360 conference in Sydney.

The launch of Aurora’s new expedition ship, Greg Mortimer, and additional itineraries presents extra opportunities for New Zealand agents with clients seeking this increasingly popular form of cruising.

Getting Silversea in the mix that travel agents are putting in front of their clients is a focus for the company’s new boss down under, Adam Armstrong.

A 37% increase in membership of the New Zealand Cruise Association was celebrated at its annual conference in Blenheim last week.

Aqua Expeditions hosted departures are opportunities for clients to embrace Peru’s Amazon and the Mekong Delta.

Agents have until 31 August 2018 to secure the best deal on a 2019 Europe river cruise or tour with Scenic for their clients.

Windstar Cruises is offering ‘never to be repeated prices’ on the following Tahiti & Tuamotu Island cruises.

During July, CLIA released the New Zealand Ocean Source Market Report showing that Kiwis continue to increasingly choose cruise as their preferred holiday choice.

Viking has launched a trade incentive rewarding the travel agent who sells the most Viking river cruises between 1 August 2018 and 30 November 2018.

Silversea has developed a wine programme and is offering a series of themed wine voyages.

Viking’s Winter Wanderlust trade incentive is ending on Friday 3 August.

The number of New Zealanders taking an ocean cruise continues to increase – and the travel trade’s revenue opportunities grow accordingly.

A US$500-million fleet ‘re-imagining’ has been announced by Celebrity Cruises.

Holland America Line’s Westerdam embarks on its 2018 -19 Asia season in September when it cruises to China, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam on journeys ranging from 10 to 31 days.

Access to 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites are among the ports of call in Ponant’s November 2019 to April 2020 cruise season in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) Australasia’ new name for its ‘Plan a Cruise Month’, is to encourage travellers to book a cruise rather than just plan one.

Travel + Leisure readers have again voted Viking to the top of its categories in the 2018 World’s Best Awards. Viking was named the number one Ocean Cruise Line for ships carrying 600–2,199 guests and one of the World’s Best River Cruise Lines. In the three years since the launch of Viking’s ocean cruises in 2015, the company has been named a number one Ocean Cruise Line every consecutive year. Viking has also been voted a World’s Best River Cruise Line every year since the award’s began in 2011. Last month the company launched its fth ocean ship, Viking Orion, and the announcement of the 245-day Viking Ultimate World Cruise, the longest-ever continuous world cruise itinerary.

Viking has opened all Europe river cruises for 2020. The line has done this in response to unprecedented demand, and is the only company to have 2018, 2019 and 2020 all on sale at the same time.

Crystal Cruises has unveiled new itineraries aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. The collection of Grand Journeys are expanded sailings of combined existing 2020 itineraries, allowing guests to curate adventures ranging from 14 to 57 days.

Recent guests on Galapagos Island cruises have been treated to a volcanic eruption on one side of Fernandina Island.

On International Sushi Day on 18 June, Holland America revealed the largest sushi roll at sea made by Culinary Council member Andy Matsuda, while he sailed aboard Koningsdam on a special Food & Beverage Aficionado Cruise in Norway.

Holland America’s Food & Beverage Aficionado Cruises showcase the talents of the seven members of its Culinary Council. CLICK HERE for details.

Departing 7 December 2018 a 14-day journey aboard Crystal Serenity, round-trip from LA, will take clients along the coast of California, from LA to San Francisco and Santa Barbara; the Mexican Riviera ports from Puerto Vallarta to Mazatlán, La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.

This all-inclusive luxury cruise includes two Experience of Discovery themes, the Crystal Wine & Food Festival and Crystal on Broadway. Clients who book by 30 June can choose Crystal Clear Choices savings of either US$400 o the cruise fare or US$600 Shipboard Credit per person. Fares Available from US$6534 pp. www.crystalcruises.com

Holland America Line has announced Oprah Winfrey will serve as godmother of Nieuw Statendam, celebrating its belief in the transformative power of travel. Choosing a godmother for a new vessel is a time-honored maritime tradition that is thought to bring good luck and protection to the ship and all who sail on board. The official dedication will take place in a private ceremony and is not a part of the Girls’ Getaway cruise.

Three-day Girls’ Getaway Cruise

Guests can join Oprah and O, The Oprah Magazine editors Gayle King, Lucy Kaylin, Leigh Haber, Adam Glassman and Brian Underwood, for a three-day Bahamas Girls’ Getaway on Holland America Line’s newest ship: Nieuw Statendam. There’s an appearance by Oprah Winfrey, O-themed events and a day ashore at Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s award-winning private island. www.francistravelmarketing.co.nz

For those who have customers looking to go to Antarctica within the next year, availability on 2018 / 2019 cruises is very limited, and the Chimu Charters are no exception with its cruises coming season almost full.

Now is the time to secure 2019/2010 early birds on charter cruises as well on Viva Expeditions list of Antarctic cruise product. There are still some spaces available for 2018/2019 but clients need to move quickly. info@vivaexpeditions.com

Tori Keating from xtravel has won the Viva Expeditions & Chimu Adventures Ice Ice Baby competition. Keating will be onboard Chimu’s Discover Antarctica charter cruise departing on 20 February 2019.

House of Travel has launched a new HOT Cruises website designed to help customers find their ‘dream cruise’ while still having the ability to work with their local House of Travel store to complete their booking.

Cruising continues to buck any trend towards travellers booking direct, with 85% of the sector’s business still coming through travel agents. And with the increasing number of choices and innovations that percentage is likely to grow rather than decrease, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The association’s marketing manager – Australasia, Vera Pajovic, held a joint media conference in Auckland with Kevin O’Sullivan, chief executive officer of New Zealand Cruise Association, this week. ‘There are so many competing interests that if customers try to do it online, that narrows the focus a bit,’ says O’Sullivan.

Pajovic says there is still huge potential for the trade in cruising. ‘Because there is so much on offer we think customers need to go to agents. The equivalent of two precent of the New Zealand population took a cruise last year so there are still massive opportunities. In terms of age, 38% of cruisers were under the age of 50 and this is growing as well. The younger generation is getting on board. O’Sullivan says 15% of people cruising around New Zealand are Kiwis – representing another opportunity for agents here. ‘Kiwis are part of the overall increase and travel agents are selling this.’ He says the growth in visits to places like Stewart Island excite New Zealanders who often have the destination on their bucket list’. ‘Eighteen cruise ships will visit Stewart Island and Bluff will have four calls this season. A lot of Kiwis like the idea of buying a pint at the most southern pub in New Zealand (in Stewart Island).’ He says new Zealanders also buy into theme cruises like P&O’s art deco cruise that travels Auckland – Hawke’s Bay.

Viking’s Winter Wanderlust sale is well underway, with a range of offers on both river and ocean cruises. Guests can save up to A$6,300 per couple and receive free return flights on selected itineraries. All offers must be booked before 31 July 2018, unless sold out prior.

Ocean offers include: • 15-day Into the Midnight Sun from Bergen to London or vice versa is now priced from A$9,195pp, including a saving of up to A$6,300 per couple. • 15-day Far East Discovery from Hong Kong to Beijing or vice versa is now priced from A$5,995pp, including a saving of up to $6,200 per couple. • New 32-day voyage Islands of the South Pacific from Santiago to Sydney is now priced from A$13,995pp, with one-way flights for A$795pp. River offers include: • 15-day Grand European Cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest or vice versa is now priced from A$5,995pp with free return flights to Europe. • 13-day Waterways of the Tsars from St. Petersburg to Moscow or vice versa is now priced from A$7,895pp with free return flights to Russia.

All offers have extensive inclusions such as all onboard meals, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, a free shore excursion in every port and unlimited wifi. Other cruises are on sale, many with free or discounted flights. Ph 0800 447 913 (New Zealand) vikingcruises.com.au

This September, Holland America Line will begin in-depth cruises for travellers who are looking for immersive ways to see the world. Offered on the 1,258-guest Maasdam, new In-Depth Voyages explore corners of the globe on itineraries from 12 to 34 days. Each journey offers guests a variety of themes and choices to tailor their exploration: photography; science and nature; arts and culture; food, wine and spirits; history and perspective; and active exploration. From September 2018 through April 2019 onboard enrichment is guided by a resident team of subjectmatter experts. Maasdam will carry Zodiac inflatable boats, so guests have opportunities to explore less-accessible sites and wildlife. Zodiac inflatable boats, so guests have opportunities to explore less-accessible sites and wildlife.