Speaking to TTG at a dinner to celebrate the line’s new Salt (sea and land taste) dining concept, Peter Shanks, managing director UK and Ireland, confirmed that “150 to 200 agent partners” will be flown to the shipyard in Trieste next August to experience Silver Moon on a three-day cruise.
He added there will be other opportunities for agents to visit Silver Moon throughout 2020 and an ongoing ship visit and fam programme across the fleet.
A series of roadshows across eight UK cities between March and April next year will “invite agents to learn about Origin and Moon”.
Speaking about trends the cruise line is noticing, Shanks pointed to the increasing demand for all-inclusive.
“The more inclusive you can make your product, the better. All our cruises come with flights, transfers, overnight hotels and onboard included – and Silver Moon will continue this trend.”
He also mentioned the growing number of guests looking for cruise-and-stay options, adding tours or stays in different destinations pre- or post-cruise.
“We are very flexible with this – there is the option to book all the elements with us, or for agents to add these on,” he said.
Shanks also renewed Silversea’s commitment to the trade going forward, saying: “Agents represent the majority of our business and will always do so. We are lucky to work with a number of cruise specialist agents, but we are also on the hunt for new partners who are looking to sell Silversea for the first time, such as luxury agents. We are the perfect match for them.”
