Tag Archives: Liverpool

Britain Predicts a Record 2023 Cruise Season

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According to numbers released by Cruise Britain, the cruise industry’s post-Covid transition year was a success with predictions for a projected record season in 2023, according to a press release.

“2022 was the first full year of cruise activity since the pandemic and really built upon the unprecedented success of the 2021 domestic season. What we are seeing now are the rewards for an industry that has consistently worked together to recover, regenerate and develop”, said Ian McQuade, chair of Cruise Britain. “Whilst Round Britain and Ireland cruise popularity continues to grow, we have now seen the successful return of itineraries where British port calls are part of a multi-country story of discovery.”

The previous record season for the UK was 2019 while in 2022, the UK welcomed a total of 2,176 cruise calls, which is a drop of 22 per cent compared to that record year. UK orts welcomed nearly 1.4 million guests, which is around 80 per cent of the 2019 numbers. In addition, visitors in 2022 brought around £100m to Britain’s coastal economies. 

“Looking ahead to this year, we see a very robust projected growth of 8 per cent in terms of port calls across the UK. Some regions such as the South West, North West and Scotland are reporting likely figures in excess of this national growth rate,” added McQuade. 

“This is a fantastic projection and the strength of the immediate growth trend is a testament to the increasing popularity of Britain as a cruise destination. We really can offer a port for every cruise ship currently sailing – from expedition ships to boutique and mid-range vessels up to the largest afloat.”

In the previous year, the UK welcomed 52 different cruise lines with ships visiting diverse ports including Belfast and Bristol, Portland and Portsmouth, Douglas (Isle of Man) and Dover, among others.

“The UK offers an incredibly diverse cruise holiday experience for guests and this is one of the most powerful reasons for the growth projections that we are seeing. Cruise Britain and all its members continue to work with cruise lines, industry partners and stakeholders, and government to support the development of cruise as a resilient and profitable sector of the travel industry,” concluded McQuade.

Cunard Unveils New Archive Exhibition

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Cunard unveiled a new archive exhibition at the University of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery & Museum on March 23, 2023.

According to a press release, Cunard’s “Travel in Style – Iconic Cunard Advertising in the 1920s and 1930s” exhibition was specially curated to display the cruise line’s seafaring heritage. It features original advertising materials and other documents from the past 100 years.

Lee Powell, vice president of brand and product at Cunard, said: “Cunard is world-renowned for inventing the golden era of ocean travel and this exhibition beautifully showcases the timelessness of our brand. Luxury, sophistication, and glamour are rooted in our DNA and these core values are as important to today’s guests as they were to travellers 100 years ago.

“While we cherish our heritage, we also use it as inspiration for forward-looking ideas when we plan for the future. Queen Anne is the next in a fine line for Cunard and she will be bursting with breath-taking moments around every corner; all of which contain subtle references to our history.”

The exhibition opens to the public on March 25 and will be on display in Gallery 5 at the museum.

The wider Cunard archives can be found at the University of Liverpool library with many records dating from the early part of the 1900s.

Siân Wilks, archivist (Cunard) at the University of Liverpool Library, said: “The Cunard archive contains most of the surviving business records produced by Cunard since it became a limited company in 1878. As a unique resource, the archive provides rich insight into the Company’s history and the social history of thousands of people whose lives Cunard impacted, including members of its crew, office staff and passengers.

“The exhibition will give visitors to Liverpool the opportunity to view a selection of original Cunard travel posters that are not normally accessible due to their large size and preservation requirements. Printed advertisements and ephemera will also be on display, which will include examples of memorabilia that have been donated by members of the public, reflecting their personal experiences of travelling with Cunard.”

Ambassador Cruise Line has revealed plans to double its trade team

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Ambassador Cruise Line has revealed plans to double its trade team following the arrival of head of distribution Nicola Harper last month.

The line is advertising for several new roles including national sales manager, business development manager, business development executive and trade support assistant.

Ambassador said the exact structure of the team would be agreed once the recruitment process had taken place, and interested candidates should apply to nicola.harper@ambassadorcruiseline.com

As part of its expansion, Ambassador will split its group and trade booking function into two “distinct” departments among its new-look distribution team.

Meanwhile, the line has also announced the departure of business development manager Moira Gregson, who is set to leave the company on 25 November to take up a new role.

Ambassador’s chief commercial officer Phil Gardner said the company had “stepped out of start-up mode” and “firmly into a day-to-day operation with all the regular workings of a business built for success”.

“Following the arrival of Nicola Harper as our new head of distribution last month, I’m delighted to announce our exciting plans as we look to ensure that Ambassador has the right commercial structure in place for distribution so that it serves our business in the most effective and productive way possible.”

“I would like to sincerely thank Moira for the great work she has done during her time with us and wish her well for the future,” added Gardner.