CLIA Cruise Conference 2022
Beccy Miller
Some of the gang headed to the CLIA (Cruise Lines International Associaton!) for a conference at the weekend and we got to tour some lovely ship. Here is what we thought - more photos and videos can be found on our Instagram story highlights.
Head of Product Mark, on P&O's Iona...
It has been a while since I’ve been on a P&O Cruises ship.. in fact, I think the last ship I visited was Oriana! Once onboard, we walked into the Grand Atrium and the light and space immediately struck me. Iona is a large ship and her width was particularly noticeable here and, as we walked through the ship, in the size of the corridors and lift lobbies.
We looked at a wide range of accommodation types from the insides cabins all the way up to suites. All were decorated in fresh, bright colours and well designed in terms of flexibility. A sign of a new ship is that there are USB and power outlets in every space. The Conservatory Mini-Suite is a fantastic idea, particularly for winter cruising. You have a large balcony cabin and, in between your cabin and the balcony, a glass-enclosed space that is reminiscent of .. erm.. a conservatory! You can enjoy the warmth of the winter sun but avoid the chilly winds. You’ll benefit from a useable ‘outdoor’ space in all weathers rather than just when it’s warm enough. The other cabin type to look out for is the ‘Restricted View’ balconies located on the Promenade Deck. The view isn’t really obstructed but you just have to look beyond the Promenade. You have very easy access to the infinity hot tubs located along the deck and reportedly the area sees very light foot traffic apart from first thing in the morning with fellow guests out for a walk.
The range of dining and entertainment venues is impressive and there’s a good mix of casual and more formal eateries. I really liked ‘The Quays’ – think food trucks at Camden Market. Fried chicken, pizza, Asian fusion etc. This makes a great alternative to the buffet if you’re feeling like a relaxed, sociable bite to eat. There are many bars and lounges too – again, something for every mood plus plenty of open-air options for when the weather allows.
Iona is a large ship but the design makes her feel less so – you won’t find vast open spaces and enormous, open-plan dining rooms. P&O have managed to make Iona feel smaller than she is so if you prefer smaller ships, don’t let her size put you off. She has thoughtfully designed cabins, a decent spa, plenty of leisure and entertainment to suit everyone and dining galore.
Cruise Specialist Nicola, on Anthem of the Seas...
The first thing you notice on Anthem compared to the other ships that are in is the North Star! How amazing – an observation capsule that takes you 300 feet above the sea for stunning panoramic views. I wasn’t brave enough to do this but many others were and creating great cruise memories. The next thing for me was just how much there was to do on board but at the same time, there were plenty of quiet relaxing areas to sit and take in the sights as you sail by. There was something for all and the range of customers on board also confirmed this.
She is jam-packed with all the usual Royal features, plus lots more. The famous Flo-rider, climbing wall, RipCord by iFLY, bumper cars and the many pools on board to name just a few. I would be spending time in the gorgeous Adults only Solarium forward of deck 14 – very relaxing and a tropical climate and would be perfect to relax whilst the children had fun in the kid's clubs. The food was lovely too - we had time for quick few slices of pizza and salad that hit the spot and then a refreshing pot of fruit to be a tiny bit healthy. Overall a great visit and I would definitely do this ship with my own family as I think I only just scratched the surface.
Marketing Executive Beccy, on MSC's Virtuosa...
As soon as you walk onto MSC Virtuosa, you are immediately wowed by the Galleria Virtuosa, a long promenade lined with shops, bars and restaurants and with an 80 meter long LED ceiling display which changes to display different things. This led to a beautiful atrium with a fantastically blingy Swarovski crystal staircase.
Kids under 17 cruise free with MSC, so they are a popular choice for families so we were keen to see the kids club spaces. They were great - partnered with Lego meant lots of opportunities for building and being creative and lots of cool spaces for older kids to relax and play computer games. They do a pass which gives access to things like the F1 race simulator, bowling alley and the 4D cinema. We got to have a go at the 4D cinema and it was so much fun, we were strapped in, handed a laser gun and got to shoot zombies whilst being gently flung around to mimic what was happening on screen. It was very realistic, as the huge screams coming from some of us (spoiler; me!) testified.
After a tour of the spacious cabins, we had a wander to look at the speciality dining choices and the pool area. It was quite spacious, there are two areas and one has a retractable roof - perfect for the changeable weather if sailing from the UK. The private sun deck for Aurea class guests was lovely too. We had lunch on board and I was really impressed with the quality of the dishes - the pasta course was delicious, but from an Italian cruise line, I would expect no less!
