| Panache: It’s still safe to sail

UK-BASED luxury cruise agency Panache Cruises, which is set to launch in the Australian market next month (CW 16 Mar), has released a free guide addressing the impact of the Middle East conflict on the cruise industry.

Earlier this year, the UK cruise specialist announced it will open a local office in May with a team of around eight to 10 sales people, led by Sydney-based Juliana Nasmith, who has worked with Luxury Escapes and Helloworld.

The announcement marks the next phase of expansion for Panache Cruises, which has grown quickly since its launch in 2020, leading it to open its first overseas office in Florida in 2024

Offering clear information to travellers and answering commonly asked questions, the ‘Safe to Sail’ guide will be sent to more than 200,000 names on the agency’s database as well as shared on its website and social media platforms.

Panache Cruises CEO and founder James Cole (pictured) said that since the conflict started, the agency has been working closely with cruise lines to help stranded passengers get home.

“Whenever you get major global events like this you get an information vacuum,” Cole said.

“Nobody knows how long the situation in the Middle East will last so people are anxious about booking holidays.

“We know from the feedback we’re getting from customers that people just want to speak to someone and get accurate information, so we felt we had to do more.”

Despite the ongoing situation, Panache Cruises has managed to maintain its sales, even seeing increased demand for Mediterranean and Caribbean sailings, European river cruising, expedition voyages, Cole said.

The ‘Safe to Sail’ guide can be found HERE. JM