Voyages onboard the line’s 272-guest Golden Horizon – the world’s largest square-rigged sailing ship – open today (Monday, 2 November).
The vessel will use historical maritime routes and, during 70% of its maiden season, will be under sail by wind power. Nine ex-UK itineraries from Harwich and Glasgow will be offered from May to August next year.
Tradewind’s director of sales and marketing, Jeremy McKenna, said the line’s first campaign carried the theme “the winds of change” to complement the company’s product and ethos, as well as the situation the cruise sector faces amid Covid.
“The market has gone through significant turmoil and we want to be part of its recovery,” he told TTG.
McKenna said the brand’s use of ancient trade winds to design itineraries is “what makes us unique”. “Customers will love it and it’s very sustainable,” he added.
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He described Tradewind’s target demographic as “40- to 70-year-olds who want something different”, adding “a level of fitness” was required, as the ship would be journeying to remote locations.
A large number of pre-registrations had come from luxury and adventure-focused agents, he added. A trade competition is being run with TTG, with a VIP day onboard Golden Horizon for two to be won as top prize.
More details on the incentive will be revealed during a webinar with TTG this week.
Around Covid, the line is offering rebookings or cancellations if passengers can’t travel because of local lockdowns or Foreign Office advice.
“I think people will recognise that a small ship is going to be a good way to holiday in future,” said McKenna. “We’ve got wide-open decks and we’re going to go to remote beaches and remote locations.”
