Albatross Expeditions, Oceanwide Expeditions, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji and Murray River Paddlesteamers have all recently partnered with Cruise Traveller, bringing to 53 the number of boutique, luxury and expedition cruising operators around the world now in the small ship cruise specialist’s stable.
“Since 2003, we have grown rapidly to become Australia’s most experienced small ship cruise specialists, marketing and promoting our partners’ river, boutique and expedition cruise products to Australian travellers and travel agents,” said managing director of Cruise Traveller, Craig Bowen. “We are trusted as experts in this field and have retained and even strengthened our entire team and support services throughout the COVID-19 period, so we look forward to supporting our four latest partners to come onboard with us.”
Mr Bowen said the small ship cruise sector had quickly expanded in recent years with a record number of vessels being launched and commissioned to meet surging demand and that he believes, despite ongoing challenges, this micro industry will be the first cruise sector to fully restart operations after COVID-19.
“Many of our small ship partners have launched new and creative itineraries around the Australian coastline which are already selling strongly. And when borders reopen here and abroad, travellers will increasingly seek the space, freedom, ease, friendliness, eco-sustainability and personal service that smaller ships offer as well as the advantage of accessing smaller, more remote ports and sailing closer to wild scenery and wildlife.
“Advance bookings lodged with Cruise Traveller for 2021 product to the end of July, 2020, were up 29 per cent up on the same period last year for 2020 sailings, highlighting the robust and tenacious demand for small ship adventures.
“Once international travel is reopened, high end, small ship experiences will be at the forefront of regrowth in the market.”
IMAGE: Co-founder and managing director of Cruise Traveller, Craig Bowen
