Oceania Cruises is poised for a thrilling chapter as it enters its 20th year since its inception, led by a fresh and dynamic leadership team and the launch of their remarkable new vessel.

On board the christening voyage of Vista, Oceania Cruises’ first ship in a decade, a resounding message reverberated: travel advisors are not only pivotal to the success of Oceania Cruises but will remain indispensable in shaping its future endeavours.

Addressing an audience comprising its partners and media during a townhall, NCLH’s incoming CEO Harry Sommer reaffirmed the importance of trade partners in the company's strategy based on the 3Ps: people, product, and partnership.

“We are 100% committed to the trade. Your success is our success,” said Sommer to applause from the audience of travel advisors. “We jointly can reach out to customers in unique ways to generate consumer demand get guests to come on board. Once you get guests to come on board, the product speaks for itself.”

In an emotional address during the Vista christening ceremony in Vallenta, Malta, NCLH outgoing CEO and Oceania Cruises founder Frank J. Del Rio attributed the line’s success to the invaluable contributions made by travel advisors. He acknowledged his family, early investors, loyal crew members, as well as international travel advisors who “took a chance in sending clients to a new cruise line with little known reputation”.

But Oceania Cruises has come a long way since its inception two decades ago. With Frank A. Del Rio as president, the younger Del Rio emphasised that travel advisors remain at the heart of Oceania Cruises’ business, quoting the adage, “Some say, ‘It’s not personal, it’s just business,’ I say, ‘Well, this work isn’t just business, it’s personal.’”

In an emotional address during the Vista christening ceremony in Vallenta, Malta, Oceania Cruises founder Frank J. Del Rio attributed the line’s success to the invaluable contributions made by his family, investors, staff, and travel advisors.

New promotion with simpler messaging on the horizon

Frank A. Del Rio, who rejoined the cruise industry in 2022 as Oceania Cruises’ chief of sales, said he spent the initial days of his return speaking with travel advisors to better understand the line’s branding and perception in the market.

During these enlightening exchanges, it became apparent that the upper-premium cruise line required a refined and uncomplicated messaging strategy to effectively communicate the unparalleled value awaiting its guests.

The need to streamline its messaging is driving an upcoming promotion. “In mid July, we’re really excited to launch a new promotion. We’re taking the choice component out and you’re just going to get it all,” teased Frank A. Del Rio.

Details about the promotion are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks. “We'll be sharing and educating everyone coaching and guiding on this new promotion in June. And your clients will have a choice of staying with what they booked or moving to the new offer,” said Nikki Upshaw, senior vice president, sales at Oceania Cruises.

Outlook for the future

The cruise executives admitted that they were pleasantly surprised at how fast the cruise business has bounced back after the recent tepid years.

According to Sommer, the “outstanding booking pace” which started on 1 November last year, at the beginning of the wave season, has yet to taper off for the three brands under NCLH.

For Oceania Cruises, the line is looking at “a solid 2023 while 2024 is building up at a great pace”, said Frank A. Del Rio.

In Asia, the cruise demand is also building back since the region’s opening, with Oceania Cruises’ vice president sales & general manager of Asia Pacific Jason Worth observing last-minute demand coming from Southeast Asia for Europe sailings.

The Founder’s Cruise on Vista, for example, which was only launched as a new sailing in December 2022 after the new ship’s inaugural season was brought forward by a week, “sold really well in Asia”, said Worth.

Worth attributed that to a trifecta of factors – Mediterranean sailing, short itinerary of seven days, and attractive last-minute pricing – all of which played into the buying preferences of the Asian cruise market.