SYDNEY - Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has joined Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) as a regional member of Europe and Australasia.
We look forward to continuing to share the CMV experience with our agents and enabling them to earn CLIA points through CLIA’s online training, familiarisation trips, ship inspections and CMV-led training events.– Darren Chigwidden, CMV’s national sales manager (AU & NZ)
This is the first time CMV has been a member of CLIA Australasia, with the cruise line re-joining the European arm after an absence of three years.
Chris Coates, CMV’s group commercial director, said with an expanding ocean fleet and international market presence, “the time is right to re-establish links with CLIA and the close working relationship previously enjoyed”.
“The expansion of the global industry fleet and passenger distribution bring increased challenges, which we consider are best served with all stakeholders working together," Mr Coates added.
CLIA Australasia managing director, Joel Katz, said the addition of CMV to CLIA’s membership highlighted the growing importance of cruising in the wider tourism industry.
“Cruise & Maritime Voyages has put particular focus on developing new destinations and regional itineraries,” Mr Katz said.
“It’s a great example of the expansion of cruise tourism into regional locations around Australasia and we’re delighted CMV has shown such a commitment to our part of the world.”
CMV operates small to mid-sized ships in Australasia.
Darren Chigwidden, CMV’s national sales manager (AU & NZ) said, “Joining CLIA signifies the company’s commitment to its travel agent partners and cruise specialists throughout Australasia.
“We look forward to continuing to share the CMV experience with our agents and enabling them to earn CLIA points through CLIA’s online training, familiarisation trips, ship inspections and CMV-led training events.”
CMV currently operates a fleet of six ocean vessels with two more ships being introduced in 2021, increasing global passenger capacity to 200,000.
In November 2019, CMV purchased two ships from P&O Australia to join the fleet in 2021. Pacific Dawn will be renamed Amy Johnson and will take over from Columbus as CMV’s new flagship in 2021.
Pacific Aria, which will sail under the TransOcean Kreuzfahrten brand on the German market, will be renamed Ida Pfeiffer.