10 November 2009

More lines sign for consumer cruise show

Carnival UK brands P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Cunard Line have signed up for the second annual consumer cruise show next year.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, which owns Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises, will be back after the first show last year.

The event is moving to London’s Olympia on March 27-28 after making its debut at World Travel market venue ExCel earlier this year.

Organisers hope the move will avoid transport difficulties experienced with the London Docklands venue and almost double visitor numbers to 12,000.

Tickets cost £6 purchased in advance and £10 on the door. Under 16s are free.

Event organiser Martin Anslow said: "Almost 7,000 visitors came to CRUISE last year, which was a fantastic number for the show’s first year, and many took advantage of the exclusive offers available to book their next holiday on the day.

"This year, with so many new attractions, exclusive offers and more cruise lines taking part, it promises to be an even more successful event."

New to the show will be a Sky Travel meet the experts session, information on new ships, and MSC Cruises spa and relax zone, sessions on river cruising and a rock climbing wall.

by Phil Davies