CLIA Cruise Podcast

Andy Harmer interviews Robertina Tompa, Head of Cruise at Mail Metro Media. They discuss the changing cruise booking process and how agents can use AI to their advantage.

Andy Harmer talks with Mark Walter, Director of Sales (Northern Europe) to find out what's new at HX Expeditions. Mark also shares that their 2028/29 season will go on sale earlier than ever featuring a number of brand new destinations and charter opportunities. HX Expeditions is also offering some new duration options for voyagers to appeal to new customers as well as some very exciting trade incentives.

Fresh off the pitch from their 4th year of the MSC Cup fundraising event raising money for Rubin's Retreat, Antonio Paradiso tells Andy what makes their partnership so special. He also shares the latest updates from MSC including the extension of their lower deposit campaign, their next ship launch World Asia as well as addressing some recent concerns around fuel recharges and other initiatives including their "Best Holiday Ever" commitment to boost consumer and travel agent confidence to book their cruises. Explora Journeys is also looking forward to welcoming their newest ship Explora III which is the first LNG-powered ship in the fleet, and it provides the flexibility to utilise renewable fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG. Antonio also tells Andy how important the UK & Ireland market is to both of his brands and how excited he remains to grow both markets.

Andy Harmer talks with recent Supplier Representative of the Year (Travel Globes 2026) award winner Lloyd Morris (Key Account Manager) about how it felt to win in a new category voted by fellow travel professionals. Lloyd also shares some updates about what’s coming soon at Riviera Travel and how he feels things have changed in the river cruise sector. With River cruising seeing such huge growth in recent years and the announcement of Riviera’s first solo cruisers sailings

Andy Harmer talks with Lifts To and recent Married At First Site star David Bailey (AKA Bailey) about his time on the show and also how he’s taken what he learnt on the show into his day to day life as well as improving business connections. Bailey also tells us about the many transfer services Lifts To offer and the importance of their partnership with CLIA.

Jane Middleton from The Authentic Travel Company talks about her journey from Aviation into the cruise industry. Hear how she discovered CLIA and how one webinar changed her life as she fell in love with expedition and Antarctica. Jane also shares her tips for other agents looking to sell Expedition cruises and also what she thought when she visited Svalbard during CLIA’s expedition showcase in 2025.

Kelly Jackson, Managing Director at The Travel Corporation (TTC) Tour Brands EMEA tells Andy about her journey into travel and also shares a hugely exciting news about their newly announced river cruise product.

Andy Harmer talks to Wade Korzon, Director of Cruise Managers at AmaWaterways about his role and the fascinating river cruise destination of Columbia plus the unique experiences guests can look forward to on board and also ashore.

Crystal Cruises, VP President, Trade Sales UK & EMEA Luke Smith sat down with CLIA’s Andy Harmer to talk about joining Crystal Cruises , his goals for making them the most trade friendly and easy to do business with ultra-luxury cruise line. Updates coming to their travel agent portals and how to get in touch with him and his team.

Seabourn VP, UK, Europe & EMEA Lynn Narraway sat down with CLIA’s Andy Harmer to share her decades of experiences in the cruise industry. She also highlights the role of people driven individuals who work in cruise industry and why it remains as important as event even in the era of Ai. Hear how Lynn feels the industry, demographic and her role has changed.

Lynn also tells about what’s attracting those “New to Cruise” and also those “New to Seabourn” guests.

Not forgetting Seabourn moments, Lynn shares some inspirational and emotional Seabourn moments they have given guests and also locals to the regions their ultra-luxury ships visit.