Cruise Corner

Cruise Trade News

Join the Cruise Trade News editorial team as they embark on a series of in-depth conversations with some of the cruise sector's biggest names. This podcast aims to arm travel agents and cruise industry professionals with the latest insights and product information to help them sell cruise holidays with confidence.

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20 episodes
Updated July 27

Episodes20

Newest first

July 27 · 18 min
How Princess Cruises is building for the future
Taking on one of the cruise industry's most high-profile sales roles was never going to be straightforward. In the latest episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast, Yasmin McKechnie reflects on the exciting challenge that came with stepping into the role of UK, Ireland and EMEA sales director for Princess Cruises. She discusses her first eight months in the job, the future of the line and an exclusive new competition launching with Cruise Trade News. Plus, the Cruise Corner team analyses what the latest Barclays spending data means for travel agents and look ahead to 2026 Wave Awards following the announcement of this year's shortlist.
July 21 · 14 min
Cruise Titans: Dondra Ritzenthaler
There are few people in the cruise industry who command a room quite like Azamara CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler. In the first episode of our new Cruise Titans podcast series, we sit down with one of the sector's most respected leaders to explore the journey that took her to the top, the lessons she's learned along the way, and what it's really like leading a global cruise brand. Alongside career advice for the next generation of industry professionals, Dondra shares the leadership principles and experiences that have shaped her remarkable career. Plus, in our new Ask the Expert segment, we put your questions directly to Dondra.
July 7 · 14 min
Bonus episode: how I became the cruise industry’s first chief scientist
HX Expeditions’ Dr Verena Meraldi joins the Cruise Corner Podcast to talk about her journey from guest lecturer to becoming the cruise industry’s first-ever chief scientist, while highlighting the importance of citizen science in an increasingly vulnerable world. A Swiss/Mexican biologist, Verena began her scientific career studying biology at the National University before moving to the University of Lausanne to complete her Ph.D. in Immunology in 2002. However, when asked if she ever expected to be applying her vast knowledge and expertise on a cruise ship, her answer was a short and simple, “no!”. In this week’s Cruise Corner Podcast, Verena joins co-host Jack Carter to share her incredible journey and discuss why putting guests at the centre of HX Expedition’s science and education programme makes for a more impactful adventure. If you loved hearing from Verena, why not tune in to part one of this episode, where we examine which travellers expedition cruising resonates with most?
June 22 · 13 min
How to sell Unforgettable Croatia
Up next in Cruise Corner’s ‘How to sell’ series, CEO of Unforgettable Croatia, Graham Carter, reveals why the small ship operators is perfect for clients looking for unique, off-the-beaten track experiences According to Carter, incredible value, appeal to multi-gen families and exclusivity are just a few of the elements that make a yacht-style cruise with Unforgettable Croatia a one-of-a-kind experience. Tune in and discover why a cruise to the Adriatic might just be the holiday your clients are searching for.
June 9 · 25 min
What’s driving the boom in small-ship cruising?
It doesn’t take an expert to see that the cruise industry is in rude health. After several years of back-to-back growth, the prospect of a holiday at sea is more appealing than ever. However, within the wider cruise landscape, one sector is on a particularly steep growth trajectory… According to research carried out by digital travel marketing agency Adido and luxury operator Unforgettable Croatia, search demand for small-ship cruise brands has increased by 71 per cent in the past two years. According to Unforgettable Croatia’s CEO Graham Carter, “That’s not an anomaly; that’s sustained growth.” Both Carter and Adido CEO Andy Headington join us on today’s episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast to examine the factors that are driving the growth in small-ship cruising and to discuss what this trend tells us about travellers’ holiday priorities in 2026.
May 27 · 26 min
The future of cruise discussed
The evolution of luxury, the strength of the lates market and the power of cruise industry collaboration were just some of the key takeaways from Cruise Trade News' inaugural Retreat. In this week's podcast episode, we hear feedback from attendees at last month's Retreat held at the Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in Hampshire, which bought key stakeholders together for a day of networking and data-led insights.
May 12 · 9 min
How to sell HX Expeditions
Is there a hotter ticket in travel right now than expedition cruise? Fuelled by a desire for unique experiences and the possibility of exploring remote destinations, travellers are increasingly turning to expedition holidays for its mix of safari-style exploration and luxury onboard experiences. In the next instalment of the Cruise Corner Podcast’s new ‘How to sell’ series, Mark Walter, sales director UK & Northern Europe for HX Expeditions shares the three key selling tips all agents need to know to boost their business with the UK expedition line.
May 6 · 30 min
Inside the expedition evolution
We explore the surging world of expedition cruising with HX Expeditions' Mark Walter and Dr. Verena Meraldi. We discuss the growing trend of younger travellers entering the sector and how HX’s science and education programme engages guests in meaningful research. Before that, co-hosts Jack Carter and Will Payne welcome Cruise Trade News and World of Cruising senior partnerships manager Abbie Downes to discuss CTN's first-ever Retreat at Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa, which brought together senior industry leaders to discuss critical challenges facing the cruise industry.
April 14 · 12 min
The secret to writing a winning Wave Awards entry
With just over a month to go until the deadline for this year's Wave Awards entries, co-host Will Payne and Real Response Media COO Lee Hayhurst reveal exactly what judges are looking for when reviewing submissions, and how you can make yours stand out.
April 7 · 16 min
Everything you need to know about Norwegian Luna
Just over one week on from attending the launch of Norwegian Cruise Line’s second Prima Plus-class ship, Norwegian Luna, Cruise Corner co-host Will Payne shares his first-hand take on what sets the vessel apart, and which customers it’s really built for. He’s joined by fellow hosts Jack Carter and Josie Klein, who reveal fresh details about this year’s Wave Awards, returning this November. Plus, Norwegian Cruise Line’s vice president and head of UK & Ireland, Gary Anslow, joins the conversation to give his expert insight into the line’s newest ship.
March 24 · 10 min
How to sell P&O Cruises
In the next instalment of our new 'How to sell' series, associate vice-president, sales & distribution at P&O Cruises Ruth Venn reveals the three key selling tips all agents need to know to boost their business with the UK cruise line.
March 17 · 27 min
'What 20 years at Carnival Corporation taught me about teamwork’, with Ruth Venn, P&O Cruises
From a three-week stint in the contact centre to becoming sales director for P&O Cruises, Ruth Venn has seen and done it all during her 20+-year career at Carnival Corporation. Ruth sits down with Cruise Corner co-host Jack Carter to discuss the importance of collaboration when it comes to moving through the ranks and how she's taken to her newly expanded role with P&O Cruises. Before Ruth joins us, World of Cruising digital content producer Amaris Proctor is here to relive her recent voyages with Windstar Cruises and Havila Voyages as we explore the soaring popularity of small-ship cruising.
March 3 · 33 min
Are repeat sailors about to turn away from cruise? 2026 Annual Report special
Following the launch of Cruise Trade News' second Annual Report, co-hosts Jack Carter, Will Payne and Josie Klein dive into the white paper's most revealing findings, among which include the alarming news that repeat sailors are losing interest in the sector. Afterwards, we bring you the industry's reaction to the report data, recorded live from the Annual Report's official launch event at London's Mayfair Townhouse on 24 February.
February 24 · 12 min
How to sell Virgin Voyages
Welcome to the first episode of our brand-new podcast series ‘How to sell’, where we provide a succinct selling guide for a particular cruise line to help you boost your sales and reach more customers. First up, we shine the spotlight on Virgin Voyages, with UK sales director SJ Walker joining us in the studio to share three essential tips for pitching the adults-only cruise line to your clients.
February 17 · 25 min
Is cruise in the regulators' crosshairs?
In the first episode of the new-look Cruise Corner Podcast, co-hosts Jack Carter and Will Payne take a look back at the whirlwind start to the year for World of Cruising and Cruise Trade News. The duo also discuss January's CTN Investigates, which looks at the potential impact recent rulings by the CMA and ASA on price transparency could have on the cruise industry. Virgin Voyages UK sales director SJ Walker also joins the podcast to discuss the brand's recent takeover of Cruise Trade News and how her glittering career in cruise has driven her to lead one of the industry's most exciting operators.
February 10 · 20 min
Titan Travel part 3: selling your first tour holiday
There’s no doubt about it: touring holidays are having a moment. The hunger for immersive escapes that combine unbridled adventure with comfort and convenience has seen companies like Titan Travel step up to the plate, with its getaways for every type of traveller. In our third and final instalment of our special Titan Travel series, Shane Lewis-Riley explains why 2026 is the perfect time for agents to get behind this lucrative sector.
February 3 · 13 min
How Marella makes selling cruise simple
As holidaymakers become more price-conscious and value-driven, the role of all-inclusive cruising has never been more important for UK agents. In this episode of the Cruise Corner Podcast, host Rashmi Narayan is joined by Sarah Whitehouse, training delivery manager for Marella Cruises, to explore how the trade can better communicate the true value of cruise. The pair also discuss why Marella’s all-inclusive proposition continues to resonate with customers, how tools such as the line’s AI cruise-price calculator can support agent sales conversations, and what the brand’s recent successes mean for the trade.
January 27 · 17 min
Titan Travel part 2: cruise, touring or both?
In the second instalment of our three-part special with Titan Travel, the operator’s director of trade distribution, Shane Lewis-Riley, talks to co-host Rashmi Narayan about delivering "true value for time" for avid explorers and how a cruise can complement a pre- or post-sailing tour. The episode also dives deeper into touring for first-timers, key selling points for travel agents and some of the highlights from Titan's portfolio of global tours.
January 20 · 20 min
Titan Travel part 1: touring's trade resurgence
In the first instalment of our three part special with Titan Travel, co-host Will Payne sits down with the operator's director of trade distribution, Shane Lewis-Riley, to discuss his plans to utilise his vast experience in the cruise sector to position Titan as the go-to adventure operator for UK holidaymakers in 2026. The duo also discuss Lewis-Riley's first year at the company, his recent trip to Kenya with Titan, and his advice for junior travel executives looking to grow their careers in cruise.
January 13 · 21 min
Cruise Corner Podcast: What's next?
The team behind the Cruise Corner Podcast sit down to reflect on their standout moments from 2025 and share what’s on the horizon for 2026. Co-hosts Will Payne and Jack Carter also welcome new host Rashmi Narayan, who offers a sneak peek at her first episodes, coming soon. The trio are joined by Cruise Corner producer Shelby Woods, who provides a behind-the-scenes perspective and shares practical tips for agents and cruise professionals looking to launch their own podcasts.