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Cruise Corner

Cruise Trade News

Join the Cruise Trade News editorial team as they embark on a series of in-depth conversations with some of the cruise sector's biggest names. This podcast aims to arm travel agents and cruise industry professionals with the latest insights and product information to help them sell cruise holidays with confidence.

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24 episodes
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Avg 18 min
English

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#39
September 15 · 13 min· Video
How to sell: Windstar Cruises
How do you sell the Windstar Cruises experience in 30 seconds or less? In the latest episode of Cruise Corner’s How to Sell series, co-host Jack Carter is joined by Windstar Cruises director of international sales Augustus Lonsdale to explore what sets the small-ship line apart. Lonsdale also reveals the three things agents should keep front of mind when matching customers with the line.
#38
September 8 · 26 min· Video
How 40 years of cruise experience is shaping Windstar's next chapter
In the latest episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast, co-host Will Payne is joined by Windstar Cruises’ Helen Beck and Augustus Lonsdale, who between them bring more than 40 years of cruise industry experience to the line. We discuss their careers, their time at Windstar and how their combined expertise is helping shape the small-ship cruise line’s next chapter. Plus, there’s time for the Cruise Corner's signature sign off as Helen and Gus pull a mystery question from our crystal ball...
#37
August 25 · 11 min
How to sell: Crystal Cruises
In the latest instalment of the Cruise Corner's How to Sell series, Crystal Cruises vice president of trade sales UK and EMEA Luke Smith reveals his three top tips for travel agents looking to boost their ultra-luxury sales with the brand. From the USPs that set Crystal apart to the latest trade incentives, tools and training available to agents, Smith lifts the lid on all things Crystal before summarising his key takeaways.
#36
August 18 · 23 min· Video
How Crystal is spearheading the ultra-luxury evolution
In the latest episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast, co-hosts Will Payne and Josie Klein are joined by Crystal Cruises vice president of trade sales UK and EMEA Luke Smith to explore the inspiration behind the line’s renewed energy and ambitious goal to become the most trade-friendly cruise line in the UK. The trio also discuss the imminent arrival of the line's first new-build ship in 25 years, Crystal Grace, its push to attract a new generation of luxury cruisers and how Crystal plans to navigate the evolving travel landscape.
#35
August 3 · 13 min
How to sell: Princess Cruises
Up next in the Cruise Corner's How to Sell series, Princess Cruises UK, Ireland and EMEA sales director Yasmin McKechnie shares how the cruise line's portfolio of onboard amenities and shoreside experiences can entice travellers of all ages. According to McKechnie, Princess Cruises' range of ship sizes, partnerships with global brands and value proposition are just a few of the reasons that make cruising with the brand a once in a lifetime experience.
#34
July 27 · 18 min· Video
How Princess Cruises is building for the future
Taking on one of the cruise industry's most high-profile sales roles was never going to be straightforward. In the latest episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast, Yasmin McKechnie reflects on the exciting challenge that came with stepping into the role of UK, Ireland and EMEA sales director for Princess Cruises. She discusses her first eight months in the job, the future of the line and an exclusive new competition launching with Cruise Trade News. Plus, the Cruise Corner team analyses what the latest Barclays spending data means for travel agents and look ahead to 2026 Wave Awards following the announcement of this year's shortlist.
#33
July 21 · 14 min· Video
Cruise Titans: Dondra Ritzenthaler
There are few people in the cruise industry who command a room quite like Azamara CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler. In the first episode of our new Cruise Titans podcast series, we sit down with one of the sector's most respected leaders to explore the journey that took her to the top, the lessons she's learned along the way, and what it's really like leading a global cruise brand. Alongside career advice for the next generation of industry professionals, Dondra shares the leadership principles and experiences that have shaped her remarkable career. Plus, in our new Ask the Expert segment, we put your questions directly to Dondra.
#33
July 7 · 14 min· Video
Bonus episode: how I became the cruise industry’s first chief scientist
HX Expeditions’ Dr Verena Meraldi joins the Cruise Corner Podcast to talk about her journey from guest lecturer to becoming the cruise industry’s first-ever chief scientist, while highlighting the importance of citizen science in an increasingly vulnerable world. A Swiss/Mexican biologist, Verena began her scientific career studying biology at the National University before moving to the University of Lausanne to complete her Ph.D. in Immunology in 2002. However, when asked if she ever expected to be applying her vast knowledge and expertise on a cruise ship, her answer was a short and simple, “no!”. In this week’s Cruise Corner Podcast, Verena joins co-host Jack Carter to share her incredible journey and discuss why putting guests at the centre of HX Expedition’s science and education programme makes for a more impactful adventure. If you loved hearing from Verena, why not tune in to part one of this episode, where we examine which travellers expedition cruising resonates with most?
#32
June 22 · 13 min· Video
How to sell Unforgettable Croatia
Up next in Cruise Corner’s ‘How to sell’ series, CEO of Unforgettable Croatia, Graham Carter, reveals why the small ship operators is perfect for clients looking for unique, off-the-beaten track experiences According to Carter, incredible value, appeal to multi-gen families and exclusivity are just a few of the elements that make a yacht-style cruise with Unforgettable Croatia a one-of-a-kind experience. Tune in and discover why a cruise to the Adriatic might just be the holiday your clients are searching for.
#31
June 9 · 25 min
What’s driving the boom in small-ship cruising?
It doesn’t take an expert to see that the cruise industry is in rude health. After several years of back-to-back growth, the prospect of a holiday at sea is more appealing than ever. However, within the wider cruise landscape, one sector is on a particularly steep growth trajectory… According to research carried out by digital travel marketing agency Adido and luxury operator Unforgettable Croatia, search demand for small-ship cruise brands has increased by 71 per cent in the past two years. According to Unforgettable Croatia’s CEO Graham Carter, “That’s not an anomaly; that’s sustained growth.” Both Carter and Adido CEO Andy Headington join us on today’s episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast to examine the factors that are driving the growth in small-ship cruising and to discuss what this trend tells us about travellers’ holiday priorities in 2026.
#30
May 27 · 26 min· Video
The future of cruise discussed
The evolution of luxury, the strength of the lates market and the power of cruise industry collaboration were just some of the key takeaways from Cruise Trade News' inaugural Retreat. In this week's podcast episode, we hear feedback from attendees at last month's Retreat held at the Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in Hampshire, which bought key stakeholders together for a day of networking and data-led insights.
#29
May 12 · 9 min
How to sell HX Expeditions
Is there a hotter ticket in travel right now than expedition cruise? Fuelled by a desire for unique experiences and the possibility of exploring remote destinations, travellers are increasingly turning to expedition holidays for its mix of safari-style exploration and luxury onboard experiences. In the next instalment of the Cruise Corner Podcast’s new ‘How to sell’ series, Mark Walter, sales director UK & Northern Europe for HX Expeditions shares the three key selling tips all agents need to know to boost their business with the UK expedition line.
#28
May 6 · 30 min· Video
Inside the expedition evolution
We explore the surging world of expedition cruising with HX Expeditions' Mark Walter and Dr. Verena Meraldi. We discuss the growing trend of younger travellers entering the sector and how HX’s science and education programme engages guests in meaningful research. Before that, co-hosts Jack Carter and Will Payne welcome Cruise Trade News and World of Cruising senior partnerships manager Abbie Downes to discuss CTN's first-ever Retreat at Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa, which brought together senior industry leaders to discuss critical challenges facing the cruise industry.
#27
April 14 · 12 min· Video
The secret to writing a winning Wave Awards entry
With just over a month to go until the deadline for this year's Wave Awards entries, co-host Will Payne and Real Response Media COO Lee Hayhurst reveal exactly what judges are looking for when reviewing submissions, and how you can make yours stand out.
#26
April 7 · 16 min· Video
Everything you need to know about Norwegian Luna
Just over one week on from attending the launch of Norwegian Cruise Line’s second Prima Plus-class ship, Norwegian Luna, Cruise Corner co-host Will Payne shares his first-hand take on what sets the vessel apart, and which customers it’s really built for. He’s joined by fellow hosts Jack Carter and Josie Klein, who reveal fresh details about this year’s Wave Awards, returning this November. Plus, Norwegian Cruise Line’s vice president and head of UK & Ireland, Gary Anslow, joins the conversation to give his expert insight into the line’s newest ship.
#25
March 24 · 10 min· Video
How to sell P&O Cruises
In the next instalment of our new 'How to sell' series, associate vice-president, sales & distribution at P&O Cruises Ruth Venn reveals the three key selling tips all agents need to know to boost their business with the UK cruise line.
#24
March 17 · 27 min· Video
'What 20 years at Carnival Corporation taught me about teamwork’, with Ruth Venn, P&O Cruises
From a three-week stint in the contact centre to becoming sales director for P&O Cruises, Ruth Venn has seen and done it all during her 20+-year career at Carnival Corporation. Ruth sits down with Cruise Corner co-host Jack Carter to discuss the importance of collaboration when it comes to moving through the ranks and how she's taken to her newly expanded role with P&O Cruises. Before Ruth joins us, World of Cruising digital content producer Amaris Proctor is here to relive her recent voyages with Windstar Cruises and Havila Voyages as we explore the soaring popularity of small-ship cruising.
#23
March 3 · 33 min
Are repeat sailors about to turn away from cruise? 2026 Annual Report special
Following the launch of Cruise Trade News' second Annual Report, co-hosts Jack Carter, Will Payne and Josie Klein dive into the white paper's most revealing findings, among which include the alarming news that repeat sailors are losing interest in the sector. Afterwards, we bring you the industry's reaction to the report data, recorded live from the Annual Report's official launch event at London's Mayfair Townhouse on 24 February.
#22
February 24 · 12 min· Video
How to sell Virgin Voyages
Welcome to the first episode of our brand-new podcast series ‘How to sell’, where we provide a succinct selling guide for a particular cruise line to help you boost your sales and reach more customers. First up, we shine the spotlight on Virgin Voyages, with UK sales director SJ Walker joining us in the studio to share three essential tips for pitching the adults-only cruise line to your clients.
#21
February 17 · 25 min· Video
Is cruise in the regulators' crosshairs?
In the first episode of the new-look Cruise Corner Podcast, co-hosts Jack Carter and Will Payne take a look back at the whirlwind start to the year for World of Cruising and Cruise Trade News. The duo also discuss January's CTN Investigates, which looks at the potential impact recent rulings by the CMA and ASA on price transparency could have on the cruise industry. Virgin Voyages UK sales director SJ Walker also joins the podcast to discuss the brand's recent takeover of Cruise Trade News and how her glittering career in cruise has driven her to lead one of the industry's most exciting operators.

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