Cunard is set to host 60 travel agents aboard the Queen Mary 2, marking a significant occasion for the cruise line’s return to Liverpool.
- The Queen Mary 2 arrives in Liverpool on 6 September, departing for Cork, Ireland the following day.
- Each visit, coordinated through the Shine Rewards platform, will include up to 30 travel agents.
- The programme includes a Champagne afternoon tea, ship tours, theatre performances, and a three-course lunch.
- Tom Mahoney of Cunard emphasises the importance of these visits for agent product knowledge and sales confidence.
On the 6th of September, Cunard’s flagship vessel, the Queen Mary 2, will arrive in Liverpool, marking its first return to the city since the naming ceremony of Queen Anne in June. This significant event will see the cruise line hosting 60 travel agents across two visits, one on 6 September and another on 7 September, perfectly timed with the ship’s forthcoming venture to Cork, Ireland.
The visits are part of an initiative to provide travel agents with firsthand experience of the ship’s offerings, enhancing their understanding and ultimately their confidence in selling Cunard cruises. The Queen Mary 2, having made its 400th crossing of the Atlantic, will showcase its renowned facilities and entertainment.
The 6 September visit includes a comprehensive tour of the ship, where agents will experience a Champagne afternoon tea in the elegant Champagne Bar. Following this, they will be treated to an early evening performance at the Royal Court Theatre, designed to exhibit the exceptional entertainment on board.
The subsequent visit on 7 September will offer a different experience. After a ship tour, agents will enjoy a three-course lunch at the Britannia restaurant, with additional time allocated for personal exploration of the ship’s myriad facilities. These arrangements are part of the broader Shine Rewards platform, Cunard’s loyalty programme aimed at rewarding travel agents.
According to Tom Mahoney, director of UK sales at Cunard, these visits are a testament to the unique 184-year relationship between Cunard and Liverpool, described as the cruise line’s ‘spiritual home.’ He acknowledges the value of firsthand experience in broadening product knowledge, thereby facilitating more confident sales of Cunard’s offerings.
These visits underline Cunard’s commitment to enhancing travel agent engagement and expertise.
