Thursday April 17

Despite it being a nice short week for Easter this week - there has been plenty of cruise news to keep us all amused... the first of which was our very own news that Kuoni have now joined all stores to CLIA to take advantage of our services and tr\ining! Read here

Talking of CLIA training - always good to see new online opportunities; and great to see travel agents being the beneficiaries.  In this case Regent Seven Seas Cruises are relaunching the training opportunities.  Read here.

And whilst we are talking about new beginnings - Janet  Parton formerly of P&O and Cunard has been recruited by MSC Cruises as Head of Sales. Read here.

Over in the world of technical ship management great announcement by Thomson Cruises this week regarding the efforts it is making to reduce carbon emissions by starting engines later, amends to itinerary and even in longer stays in port.  Read here.

Back in the world of cruising for guests and Crystal Cruises announce that they are offering cycle tours in a number of key destinations including Barcelona, Valencia, Dubrovnik and St Petersburg. Read here.

 There were passionate words from Rick Sasso (MSC Cruises) this week - and as an aside Rick was a speaker at our very first Cruise Convention back in May 2007 - where he talked about the importance of new technology in selling, but that personal relationships and face to face selling events are supreme.  Read here.

We love the tie-in between entertainment brands and cruise lines - so two great stories... the arrival of hit West-end show Cats on to Oasis of the Seas (read here); and the Game of Thrones tie-in with Crystal Cruises as part of their land programme in Belfast (read here).

That's showbiz....!!