Six important highlights of the Clia Conference 2025

The important role of the cruise industry in the British economy, such as luxury sail attracts a new customer burden and why a “lion mentality” is the key to growing a company, were just a few of the most important snack stalls in the CLIA conference 2025,

Travel agencies, managers of the cruise industry and target groups came to Southampton for the annual event on Thursday (May 22nd), which brings together a variety of experts to help British trade maximize their cruise companies.

Delegates who heard from a number of speakers during the conference meetings in the Southampton Guildhall learned more about cruise lines at a trading fair and had the opportunity to visit several ships, including Princess Cruises'. Sky Princess and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Balmoral.

The speakers included the deputy CEO of the Ponant Group from Global Business Belinda Hindmarsh, Quark Expeditions President Sam Seward and Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises Senior Vice President International and Consumer Sale Steve Odell.

Here we emphasize six important snack stalls of the conference to increase their cruise sales.

Clia membership on the advance

Managing Director of Clia UK and Ireland Andy Harmer has had an increase in the organization of the organization by 10 percent since May 2024. Almost 4,300 agency members and 10,000 people have now used Clia's resources and training courses.

He also outlines a further expansion of the virtual online ships from Clias, with 12 other ships adding this year, and confirmed that the Clia Cruise Champions class 2025 will graduate in June. A luxury cruise current will be new for the next income in autumn, which is sitting in addition to the current expedition Cruise and River Cruise programs.

For the 3rd July, a free new was announced for the sale of cruises, which is open to all newcomers and Clia Cruise Week this year from September 15th to 21st.

Luxury cruise options

According to Steve Odell, Regent Seven Seas Cruises Senior Vice President International and Consumer Sales, 83 percent of delegates from travel agencies state that luxury cruises are below 25 percent of their total business.

“Overall, the luxury business works very strongly – the market will grow by 10 percent before 2028,” he told the participants.

Odell emphasized how the introduction of the hotel industry in luxury cruises such as the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection and four seasons will contribute to bringing a new clientele to the industry.

“These companies show hotel customers the cruise business for the first time,” he said. “As soon as they are there, they will stay. You have to address these customers very differently. Many people who come to Ultra Luxury will be filtered by the traditional cruise path.”

Agents remain the life elixir of Carnival UK

According to the company's president, Paul Ludlow, the British travel margin is “important” for the success of Carnival UK.

“Agents are of crucial importance for our business – Carnival paid our partners more than £ 100 million in commission last year. So they are still the elixir of our business by helping us find new customers and ensure that former customers come back,” he said.

“We have had extensive growth in recent years. For business, we have a few years of stability, which is an opportunity to think about how we bring our proposal to the next level. It is a privilege, we are depot banks from Peoples holidays and we have to make sure that you have a big time.”

Ludlow also outlined the important role of cruise in the British economy. “Every time a ship turns into Southampton, it has £ 2.5 million for the local economy. We have almost 700 calls a year. 50 percent of the cruise holidays sail on P&O cruises, we make a massive economic contribution to Great Britain.”

He also switched how the line in the past performed challenges with its airlines, but it was enthusiastic to work with two trustworthy operators.

“We don't do it all the time,” said Ludlow. “A few seasons ago we had some challenges with our Caribbean air program, but we listened and reacted.”

Goal “critical” for the sale of expedition cruises

The conference also heard from President of the Quark Expeditions Sam Seward and the deputy CEO of Global Business at Ponant Belinda Hindmarsh.

Seward outlined the importance of the goal for the sale of expedition cruises.

“One of the most important things you should know when selling expedition trips is that different ships have different access and skills, and it is about maximizing your free time of the ship,” he said.

Hindmarsh repeated Seward and emphasized Ponant's use of local experts to improve the guest experience. “It's about identifying guests who want to do something else, they want to do something from the leaked route on the Bucket list.”

Azamara outlines the commitment in Great Britain

Donedra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara, looked back at the top of the brand for her first year. “I wanted to listen, learn and combine the travel consultants around the world.

“How do I dare to come in and do it as if I knew everything without taking over what our agents know. They are our lifeline, we are not in business without them.”

Ritzenthaler emphasized that 86 percent of the Azamara product is sold via travel agencies. In 2026, the line will be broadcast another market share in Great Britain, which is currently the second largest customer source in the line.

When she was asked for new ships, she said: “I committed myself to my team and all of them that we will bring our promises for our guests and for our four beautiful ships. They must have a lion mentality.

“If we continue to fill ourselves at these prices, we will grow. Enter your promise, meet your numbers and it will come.”