Cruise360 Australasia 2026 Program

The World View

Visiting cruise line leaders will bring an international perspective to the stage, sharing where cruise demand, product development and consumer behaviour are heading, and what these global trends mean for travel advisors looking to build confidence, sharpen their commercial focus and grow their business in the years ahead. 

Panellists:

• Sam Seward, President, Quark Expeditions
• Helen Beck, Managing Director - Global Commercial, Windstar Cruises
• David Siewers, Chief International Sales Officer, Azamara Cruises
• Mario Bounas, Chief Commercial Officer, Swan Hellenic Cruises
• Jason Krimmel, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer International, Norwegian Cruise Line

The Great Debate: Is AI the Greatest Opportunity the Cruise Trade Has Ever Seen?

Two teams will go head-to-head on one of the biggest questions facing the cruise trade: is AI the greatest opportunity travel advisors have ever seen? With strong arguments for and against, this fast-paced debate will explore what AI can - and cannot - do for advisors today, before the audience helps decide whether it will ultimately make great travel advisors more valuable than ever.

• Amber Wilson, Director of Sales Australia & New Zealand, HX Expeditions
• Mark Richards, National Sales Manager, Carnival Cruise Line
• Steve Labroski, CEO, itravel Australia
• Stephanie Myers, Travel Industry Mentor, The Stephanie Myers Academy
• Chloe Jones, Head of Marketing, Princess Cruises

Unpacking the Trends

Drawing on Tripadvisor's Cruise Critic data, this session will unpack the consumer trends shaping cruise in Australia, New Zealand and Globally, from changing booking behaviour and geopolitical influences to the segments, demographics and itineraries gaining momentum, and what they mean for travel advisors.

Presenters:

• Adam Coulter, Executive Editor, Cruise Critic
• Vanessa Green, APAC Manager, Cruise Critic

Stop Selling, Start Seducing: Welcome to the Desire Economy

With Christopher Leigh, Managing Director Asia Pacific, Globus Family of Brands

Drawing on more than 15 years in luxury retail, Globus Family of Brands Managing Director Asia Pacific Christopher Leigh will explore how luxury clients think, what creates desire, and how travel advisors can identify opportunities to move suitable clients upmarket. The session will examine the signals that influence luxury purchasing decisions and the commercial opportunity in building a stronger luxury cruise client portfolio.

The Dollars and Sense of Selling to the Edge of the World

With Sam Seward, President, Quark Expeditions

Expanding into polar and expedition cruising is a mission that offers serious rewards. In this conversation with Quark Expedition’s Sam Seward we will explore why polar and expedition cruising presents a high-value opportunity for travel advisors, how to identify likely expedition clients within an existing customer base, and what makes the economics of these sales so compelling. 

The Client You Think You Know

With Nicole O'Sullivan, Director, Birds Eye View Consulting

A close focus on today’s AI-connected consumer and how client behaviour has already changed. Sales performance coach Nicole O’Sullivan will explore how travellers now research, compare, and even decide, before they ever contact an advisor.

The River Games: Winning the River Cruise Customer

River cruising is evolving rapidly, creating a broader and more valuable opportunity for travel advisors. Competing river cruise leaders will explore where the growth is coming from, which customers may be overlooked, how to convert ocean cruisers and tourers, and the practical steps advisors can take to grow their river cruise business.

Your Game Show Host: Richard Taylor, Founder, Talent for Travel

Competitors:

• Alice Ager, Managing Director Australia & New Zealand, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
• Scott Ellis, Chief Sales Officer, APT Travel Group
• Matthew Beggs, Business Development Manager, Avalon Waterways
• Steve Richards, Managing Director Australia & New Zealand, AmaWaterways
• Stewart Williams, Country Manager Australia & New Zealand, Riverside Luxury Cruises
• Andrew Young, Senior VP Sales Oceania, The Travel Corporation
• Tim Jones, Managing Director Australia & New Zealand, Celebrity Cruises
• Robert Kalemba, Director of Sales & Agent Programs, Scenic Group

Young Guns: The Next Generation Selling Cruise

Next-generation cruise talent will share their personal journeys into the industry - how they found their path, built experience, connected with clients and developed their own approach to cruise. The session will explore what they have learned along the way, the perspectives they bring to the industry, and where they see cruise retail heading next. 

• Flynn Cox, Travel Advisor, Travel Associates Cruise Boutique New Zealand
• Kai Floto, Travel Consultant, Southlands Cruise & Travel
• Anji Montgomerie, Business Development Manager QLD & NT, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Who Deserves a Seat at Your Table?

This session will challenge advisers to think more deliberately about how they attract, understand and cultivate valuable client relationships. Drawing on front-line experience, the discussion will explore how curated events and more personalised engagement can build trust, loyalty and lifetime value, while helping advisers focus their time where they can create the greatest impact. 

• Jo Kennedy, Business Leader, Kennedy & Turner Travel Associates
• Megan Catterall, Business Travel Manager, LUXE by itravel
• Brett Dann, CEO / Managing Director, Helloworld - Hunter Travel Group

Fact or Fiction? Navigating Responsible Travel Conversations with Confidence

With Sasha Buch, Head of Sustainability & Passenger Experience, Aurora Expeditions

With live audience polling, Aurora Expeditions’ Sasha Buch will tackle common questions and misconceptions around sustainability, community impact and responsible cruise travel. The session will give advisors practical insights and talking points to help them navigate these conversations with clients more confidently. 

The Digital Advisor: AI Tools That Will Change How You Work

With Steve Wiggers, Managing Director, SCALA the Training Company

Building on earlier conversations, professional training expert Steve Wiggers will demonstrate practical AI tools advisors can use now to work smarter across research, quoting, proposals, content and client communications. The session will also explore how to integrate AI into everyday workflows while keeping human judgement at the centre.

Be Brave: The Case Studies That Will Change How You See Your Business

By unpacking two compelling case studies, this session will explore the mindset and method behind taking a calculated risk.

Two industry leaders will discuss their leaps of faith, explaining how an innovative cruise proposition is built, positioned and sold. They will tell us what advisors of any size can learn from the same mindset, and what they might do differently next time.

• Michael Middleton, General Manager Cruise, Ignite Travel Group
• Stuart Ingram, Managing Director, Destination HQ

From Sceptic to Sailor: Converting the Modern Traveller

With Hannah Statham, CEO and Founder, Media Mortar

Content marketing expert Hannah Statham will explore what turns a cruise sceptic into a first-time cruiser - and a first-timer into a repeat client. Drawing on behavioural and sales psychology, the session will unpack common objections and misconceptions, how to shift perceptions, and what helps create a successful first cruise experience.