CLIA River View Podcast: Recent Episodes
CLIA
CLIA's River View cruise podcast series focuses on the ever-changing and expanding sector of the River Cruise industry. Find out more about well known and newly launched river cruise destinations and ships. Also, hear experts share what you can look forward to experiencing during your cruise.
Andy Harmer talks what’s hot in river cruising and lesser known destinations that can be explored by river cruise ships with Jeanine Williamson and Nick Hughes.
During CLIA's Showcase event in Porto CLIA's Andy Harmer talks with Lewis Quigley from Emerald & Scenic. Lewis took some time to talk with about his role, what separates the two brands of Scenic & Emerald Cruise plus his passion for working with agents and how important CLIA events for educating agents and allowing them to see the product for themselves.
Andy Harmer Managing Director at CLIA UK & Ireland talks to Avalon Waterways UK Sales Director Phil Shipman. Phil joined the cruise industry eight months ago, bringing decades of experience in the travel industry and tells Andy what it’s been like getting to know Avalon Waterways and learning about what river cruising has to offer. Having attended his first river conference earlier this year Phil also tells us why he found it such a useful event for the industry and also what sets Avalon Waterways apart and variations amongst the fleet. We also have an Avalon ship tour on cruising.org very soon! With a brand-new sales team launching including Ryan and Karen there’s lots of opportunities to speak to the team.
Andy Harmer talks with Paul Melinis (Managing Director UK & Europe) at APT Travel Group to hear about his journey into travel from a young age and how the path that took him to his current role. Paul shares how he introduced the “APT Difference” which first started as a term used internally to a signature above and beyond levels of service to becoming something guests refer to when posting their travel experiences on social media. As a big foodie and wine connoisseur Paul has a big part in driving how APT continue to elevate their dining offerings across the board from portions, healthiness, elevated wine options etc. Also listen up for what’s coming up in 2024 including their newest ship launching in the Douro.
Andy Harmer talks to first time river cruiser Tim Hames in this fascinating and slightly different episode we hear from Tim as someone who had until recently never been on a river cruise. Tune into hear what he expected vs what his actually experience onboard turned into.
Recorded during the Advantage Travel Partnerships special cruise conference in Paris onboard their stunning ship Joie de Vivre. Andy Harmer sat down with Chris Townson (Managing Director, UK & Ireland) at Uniworld Boutique River Cruises to hear more about what's new at the cruise line. In this in-depth podcast Chris shares a wealth of knowledge and inspiring information for agents to learn about. Listen to learn more about long haul, European experiences as well as diving deep into the unique destination in Asia and India and even the Amazon experience which he likeness to an almost Water Safari experience rather than river cruising as guests get a truly destination-based experience whilst also retaining the luxury that Uniworld offers its guests. Chris also updates us on some developments and expansions within the UK team and the importance in how they have changed the way they’ve communicate their product and how agent can do the same with their customers to improve sales opportunities.
Andy Harmer talks with Patrick Ell (Head of Marketing & Digital) at Viva Cruises who recently joined as CLIA's newest River Cruise Operator. Patrick goes in depth to explain what sets Viva Cruises apart and tells us about their impressive growth since launch and some of the trends they are seeing in the market and what's coming next.
Andy Harmer talks To Chris Townson the Managing Director UK & Ireland at Uniworld Boutique River Cruises to hear about his path into his current role, what sets Uniworld apart and the importance of the travel trade partnerships to their success, how they provide crucial education to agents and more about what's coming next in 2024 and beyond.
Andy Harmer talks with UK Sales Director at CroisiEurope, John Fair to find out what makes their product truly unique with a fascinating insight into some of the exclusive destinations they offer river cruise passengers. They also chat Africa! (Cue that famous Toto song). You’ll have to listen in to find out if it’s the news agents have been waiting for since our Vienna event.
Andy Harmer talks with Lucia Rowe from A-Rosa about their European specialist immersive passenger experience available across their fleet of 13 vessels, bringing families on board and what they are doing at A-Rosa around sustainability. With many river cruise lines adding active focused experiences, Lucia tells us more about their upcoming running themed cruise.
Andy Harmer talks with Tom Morgan, Head of Trade, UK and Ireland for Riviera Travel who gives insight into Riviera Travel including what they offer in terms of cruise, booking trends they are seeing as well as explaining the tour side of the company. Tom also shares how they tailor their cruises to appeal to the UK market, what to expect on board, their destination experiences and reveals a shocking hot drink confession. Andy also couldn’t help but get some highlights about what makes the Douro experience so special.
Michelle Daniels Commercial Director (UK & Europe) talks to Andy Harmer about their shared past working at PSARA, how she got into cruise and how her career has taken her to become an expert in niche cruise experiences. With Light Blue Travel being sales representatives for nicko cruises for the UK market, Michelle tells us where they will sail and also more about what’s included in their all-inclusive experience for passengers.
Andy Harmer hears from AmaWaterways Managing Director, Jamie Loizou. Jamie talks us through how river cruising allows guests to explore amazing destinations while bringing the amazing accommodation and experience river cruise offers right through their journey into exotic regions often lesser known than the European regions. He also explains the importance of booking early, plus how the experience will be immersive to the destinations that the ship and guests are visiting. This episode is sure to have you excited about all the exciting exotic locations your customers could be visiting on their next booking.
Andy Harmer joined Avalon Waterways UK Managing Director Janet Parton to explore their beautiful ship Tapestry II and tells us why the river sector remains upbeat. Janet also reveals details about their new ship built especially for the Douro and why passengers continue to love the river cruise experience.
Naidah Yazdani Asia Director for Compagnie Fluviale du Mekong talks to Andy Harmer to explain the history of their relationship with CrosiEurope and their operations in Asia. Living in Cambodia he tells more about the warmth and hospitality visitors can look forward to experiencing during their Mekong cruise. Tourists will see the vast contrasts for those in the vibrant cities in comparison with the more remote locations that their small ship sizes allow access to. He also shares popular addons pre or post cruise for those looking to explore more of Asia.
Brad Bennetts, Head of Sales and Business Development at APT shares his advice for how agents can best sell more river cruises and how to overcome the challenges specific to river cruises. He also tells Andy how his career in travel evolved, why he joined APT and the importance of relationships with travel agents.
Andy Harmer is joined by Arena Travel's Managing Director, Steve Goodenough. Hear about Steve's journey into the cruise industry, increasing the accessibility of river cruise, their product experience plus find out more about their new ship MS Arena.
Andy Harmer talks with Janet Parton, Sales & Marketing Director for Avalon Waterways live from our CLIA Luxury Residential Event and how river should be considered as part of luxury and how cruise lines across the industry offer many luxury experiences.
Andy Harmer talks with travel and cruise writer Jane Archer plus River Cruise Working Group Chair Jamie Loizou who is also the Managing Director at AmaWaterways River Cruises. As well as looking ahead to this summer hear why they are both excitedly awaiting the 2022 CLIA River View conference taking place in Budapest this March.
Hear from our river cruise expert panel as their discussion focussed exclusively on selling both the Upper and Lower Danube. A river full of famous sights but also less well-known hidden gems.
Our expert panel discusses selling Seine river cruises with fascinating insights and experiences from A-ROSA, AmaWaterways, CroisiEurope, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.
This month's podcast focuses on the Nile as we hear from Product Manager, Todd Ney from AmaWaterways.
Andy Harmer speaks with Jeannine (Travel & Cruise writer), Camille Dernis a Cruise Director at (AmaWaterways) and Paul Melinis (Managing Director UK & Europe at APT Luxury River Cruises & Tours). This month focuses on river cruises which depart Bordeaux, the experience of river cruising in France plus a recap of the year past and what's coming for APT Luxury River Cruises & Tours.
This month Andy Harmer (CLIA) talks to Susan Shultz (American Cruise Lines), Charles Sylvia (VP Trade Relations & Membership (CLIA North America) about the exciting draw for guests on the Mississippi plus other great North America River destinations. Also, Managing Director, Chris Hackney (TUI River Cruise) shares exciting updates as they prepare for their launch into the market in 2021.
Our guests this month are Sara Macefield (Cruise & Travel Journalist) Lucia Rowe (A-Rosa Cruises), Ellen Bettridge (Uniworld Boutique River Cruises). Plus, for our destination focus we hear from Expert and Cruise Director, Adrienn Godo (Avalon Waterways) who talks us through the Rhine river cruise experience.
In our first River View Podcast Andy is joined by River Cruise experts Giles Hawke (Avalon Waterways), Jane Archer (UK Travel Journalist) & Rudi Schreiner (AmaWaterways). We also hear from Petra Hajdu-Pásztor (Travel professional and local resident) who tells us how to make the most of a stopover in Budapest.
Find them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AmaWaterways, https://twitter.com/gileshawke, https://twitter.com/JaneArcherUK, https://twitter.com/PetraCruise and https://twitter.com/UKAndyHarmer.