A STUNNING SUCCESS

Cruise3Sixty came to Vancouver for the just the second time recently, and was deemed a success by both attendees and organizers. The clouds cleared long enough for delegates to take in the view surrounding Vancouver’s cruise ship terminal (Canada Place), where Holland America ships held the most prominent position, just metres away from the windows of the Vancouver Convention Centre. A total of 1,300 travel agents came to Cruise3Sixty, making the conference and trade show an official sellout. They were met by some 700 suppliers, and all conducted business in VancouverÆs still-new meeting centre, where the Olympic torch (unlit) is still stationed. Most marvelled at the Vancouver setting, professing admiration for the convenience of the terminal amidst the city’s natural beauty. “It’s just stunning,” said Margaret Murphy, senior vice-president of marketing/training at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The ships are not as close or accessible in the association’s regular conference locations of Fort Lauderdale or Miami, she said. But South Florida is the principal hub of cruise commerce — hence the return of Cruise3Sixty there next year, in April, she said. Sail on over to http://www.cruising.org for more.