Expo shows travel advisors Portsmouth's cruise industry

The expert advisers were invited by Cruise Lines International Association, the industry group that is dedicated to promoting the benefits of holidays at sea, to the fourth CLIA Expo at Portsmouth International Port.

The theme of this year’s event was ‘discovery cruising’, a popular sector of the cruise holiday market.

Guest speaker, Paul Sherry from cruise excursion company, More Than a Tour, has been working with the port to promote the benefits to cruise companies of visiting the city.

He explained to the agents the wide range of historical and visitor attractions found close to the gangway at Portsmouth International Port.

Representatives from Silversea and Scenic were also in the passenger terminal to brief the agents on their latest discovery and explorer cruises, holidays on small luxury ships that aim to get guests closer to interesting destinations.

Portsmouth-based marine wildlife charity ORCA also talked to the travel agents.

The whale-watching experts explained how they are training the bridge crew of Swan Hellenic’s Minerva to spot whales, dolphins and porpoises on journeys to and from Portsmouth International Port.

The data will help the charity understand more about the distribution of these creatures and how to protect them in the future.

All Leisure Holidays, the parent company of Swan Hellenic, has recently extended its contract to base cruise ships at Portsmouth International Port during the summer season.

ALH hosted a presentation for the CLIA delegates onboard Minerva. The travel agents toured the ship, and learnt more about the range of holidays ALH offers from Portsmouth.