The operator’s four-star, 68-cabin MS Serenade 1, chartered exclusively with Titan in Northern Europe in 2017 and 2018, is already 91% booked for this summer.
 
Speaking to TTG on the ship’s first sailing under its command in the Netherlands, managing director Andy Squirrell said: “I’ll be looking to expand our exclusive chartered offering in 2019.
 
“When we look at a second ship we’ll have a lot of options. One will be to add another four-star, but we could well decide to try the Titan brand with a five-star ship. We’ve got an open mind, but it will be in Europe again, on the Rhine and Danube.”
 
River cruising now takes a 15% share of Titan’s business, with Squirrell expecting that proportion to grow in the years ahead through both charters and non-exclusive arrangements.
 
“We won’t get away from escorted touring and doing what we do best. But river cruising is a growing part of our business, the core demographic of 60-70 year olds is growing and there’s an ever-increasing pool of people coming into the market. This is a compelling place to be.”
 
Titan worked exclusively with owner Select Voyages on refurbishing MS Serenade 1 this winter, adding décor ideas and making suggestions for a British audience, including adding free tea and coffee all day.
 
Travel agents are responsible for 30% of Titan’s sales, with Squirrell claiming the operator is “closer to the trade than it’s ever been”.

Titan has just released its 2018 brochure for MS Serenade 1, featuring 18 itineraries for departures next year, as well as three new Christmas 2017 cruises to some of Europe’s finest festive markets.