Q: Why do you think cruising is so popular with Australians?
A: Australia offers some amazing destinations and cruising is an ideal way to see the wonders this country has to show.
Cruising also offers great value, great sightseeing, excellent food and beverages, excellent onboard amenities and accommodation, and you only have to unpack once.
You also have the opportunity to do as much or as little as you like. In addition, there’s mostly no exchange rate issues with cruises ex-Australia sold in Australian dollars.
Q: It seems that the average age of cruise passengers is steadily dropping. Is there now a cruise and a ship for everybody?
A: There is a cruise ship for everyone’s requirements, needs and aspirations; from the small and boutique river cruising vessels to the large cruise ships offering amazing facilities and activities.
You’ve also got greater flexibility with cruise itineraries ranging from three- to 14-days.
Younger travellers can also see enormous value in cruising because of the all-inclusive packages that come with most meals, and the reasonably priced beverage packages.
Q: You’re focusing much more on solo travel. What is the reasoning behind this?
A: The solo/singles market continues to grow exponentially, so catering to this market is exciting with more and more cruise lines offering new solo accommodation, activities and, importantly, solo fare offerings.
At Horizons Cruise and Travel we now offer the solo and single markets a great array of services and itineraries. This ensures that solos (mainly ladies, although some men do travel solo too) can travel with likeminded people.
We want solo travellers to be able to enjoy cruising and meet new friends, all the while enjoying the safety and overall appealing life of cruising.
Q: What are some of the cruise destinations that stand out for you?
A: Australian destinations include The Kimberley’s, South Australia, Tasmania, the Great Barrier Reef and Cairns, while close by there is the South Pacific and New Zealand.
Further afield destinations include the Artic, Sub Antarctic, Canada and Alaska, Japan and Asia, and Northern Europe – Norway, Greenland, Europe and the Mediterranean offer river, expedition and ocean cruising.
Q: We’ve seen cruise lines cancel their presence in Australia while some famous brands are set to disappear. Is this a worry for the cruise industry Down Under?
A: Some cruise lines, such as Virgin and Cunard, have chosen to deploy some of their hardware to destinations where they can enjoy improved returns.
We have also lost cruise ships due to a myriad of reasons and have lost famous brands for reasons best known to their owners. However, lines such as Disney will continue to develop their presence here.
In the short term our capacity is at about pre-COVID levels. In the medium to long term, the loss of these ships should not have a major or detrimental effect on Australian cruising.
The Australian marketplace is quite resilient, however there is a fundamental need for government to better understand the overall commercial benefits of cruising (and tourism).
Keeping port charges in line with international charges and maintaining and developing port facilities is vital to the cruise industry.
The commercial benefits from cruising include employment for more than a million people across a wide variety of sectors, including hospitality, aviation, agriculture, retail, entertainment, manufacturing, information services, health care, local and regional tourism and inbound tourism from around the world.
Q: Why should people still use the services of a travel advisor?
A: Utilising a cruise travel advisor offers you professional and personal service, sustainable travel options, peace of mind and security while planning your cruise holiday.
We provide honest, unbiased reviews and always have your best interests in mind. We are ideal for multiple generation holidays, keeping you up to date with trends and the latest information about your cruise and understanding the terms and conditions of the cruise lines.
We also have the latest deals on offer and can select the best cabin categories and cabins for you.
Q: Finally, what kind of experience can people expect when booking a trip with Horizons Cruise & Travel?
A: Through my love of cruising I offer a professional and personal cruise travel advisor service, sustainable travel options, peace of mind and security.
We have access to all the leading cruise lines and the best fares and packages available, made available through our membership of the Envoyage independent network of experienced, entrepreneurial travel advisors and agencies.
My extensive cruise and travel knowledge ensures that I can offer and book a fantastic and memorable cruise holiday to remember.
