UK Cruise Convention plans gather pace
Visits to up to five ships will play a central part of this year’s UK Cruise Convention being held in Southampton next month.
Agents attending the event organised by the Association of Cruise Experts will have the opportunity to gain first hand knowledge of both the newest and oldest ships afloat.
Royal Caribbean International’s newly-launched Independence of the Seas and Cunard Line’s QE2 are among the five ships in port for the convention.
It will be one of the last opportunities agents will have to see QE2 before the historic vessel is retired at the end of the year.
The other three ships available for agents to view will be Cunard’s newest vessel Queen Victoria and two P&O Cruises’ ships, Arcadia and Aurora.
The convention starts on May 19 as a ‘Learning Day’ featuring a range of workshops and breakout sessions followed by and evening Sail Away party, including the opportunity to win prizes in the Biggest Cruise Pub Quiz Ever.
The next morning will involve trips around Aurora and Queen Victoria followed after lunch by a Cruise Trade Fair and debate at the UK Cruise Convention Conference.
Arcadia, QE2 and Independence of the Seas will be available for visits on May 21 followed by a closing ceremony on board the Royal Caribbean megaliner.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026