Hurtigruten Aussie office
NORWEGIAN-BASED cruise line Hurtigruten flagged plans to open a dedicated Australian office to help capitalise on local growth opportunities identified in the local market.
The expansion plan will see a sales, marketing and operations team recruited, as well as the establishment of a dedicated local website.
The cruise line, renowned for its commitment to sustainability, has sourced an estimated 60,000 guest nights from the Australian market in 2019, many of which were secured via travel agents.
“The exclusively operational Hurtigruten Australia/NZ team will be passionate like-minded experts and leaders,” said the company’s Managing Director APAC Region Damian Perry.
No details have yet been released on the timing and location of the new office.
Cruise lines to blame?
The majority of passengers injured on a cruise ship blame the cruise line for the accident, according to a study by US law firm Farah and Farah.
A survey of 1,100 cruise travellers found 54% of respondents who said they had been involved in a cruise ship mishap believed cruise ship operators deserved a portion of the responsibility.
The same study also found that 66% of men and 32% of women involved in accidents admitted that drinking was a factor in the cause of the incidents.
Areas most likely to be setting for cruise ship misadventure was the outdoor swimming pool area, accounting for 30.9% of accidents, followed by the cabin/hallway (29.9%), bars and clubs (28.9%) and gymnasiums (23.7%).
Aqua doubles down
Boutique cruise line Aqua Expeditions has announced the addition of two ships to its fleet, including its first ever coastal vessel.
The fully refurbished Aqua Blu will be permanently based in the East Indonesian Archipelago servicing year-round departures commencing 16 November, servicing Raja Ampat, Bali-Komodo National Park and the Ambon & Spice Islands on seven-night voyages.
Meanwhile new-build river cruise ship Aqua Nera will enter service for Aqua on 1 August 2020 and specialise in sailings of the Peruvian Amazon.
