Travellers from other countries are catching up to New Zealand and booking years out for luxury cruises, warns Lisa Pile, vp sales and gm Asia Pacific for Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
She says Americans and Europeans were now booking up to two years out, something Kiwis have done for tell their clients to think, but don’t think too long,’’ she says.
Clients are booking two or three cruises at the same time, putting pressure on inventory, she adds.
Pile, who was in Auckland this week, says there hasn’t been any fallout on her cruise brands directly from the war in the Middle East.
She’s confident travel won’t be hurt long term. “Every time we’ve had a disruption, the markets come back stronger than ever.’’.
. . Happy Season
Pile, who has just moved into the dual role for both NCL Holdings luxury brands, says Oceania has extended its New Zealand sea son and with five more Sonata class ships coming will have more flexibility to base ships in this region in the future. She reminds agents that Oceania is doing its first quiet ‘happy season’ Mediterranean cruises through the northern winter which are proving popular with Kiwi travellers.
. . . Brand Refresh
Oceania’s New Zealand business development manager Dani Enes also reiterated the line’s full rebrand which emphasises immersive destinations, intimate luxurious ships, genuine hospitality and its long standing ‘finest cuisine at sea’ tag. Oceania moved to an adults-only proposition for new bookings from Jan but low numbers of under-18s already booked may be on board for up to two years.
