Riley eyeing UK agent growth after joining Bahamas-specialist line
Riley, who joined the two-ship line this week as senior vice-president, sales, told TTG he was aiming to visit the UK in May to meet with agents face-to-face and discuss its product and potential partnerships.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is also considering pricing in sterling, to “simplify things” for agents, and "will not be shy with our rates of commission”, said Riley.
The line, based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, currently operates two-night cruises (leading in from $129pp) and cruise-and-stay packages to Grand Bahama island from the Port of Palm Beach.
A major investor in the company is former Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings chief executive, Kevin Sheehan, whose son, Kevin Sheehan Jr, is also its president.
Riley said markets outside of the US currently attributed to 10% of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Lines business, describing the UK as having “fantastic potential”.
“Its a unique product – you get a full day in Grand Bahama on a two-night sailing or you can extend that for a longer stay,” he explained.
“Its perfect to be packaged from the UK with a two-week Florida holiday and theres great access from four airports – Palm Beach where we sail from, Fort Lauderdale is 55 minutes away, Miami an hour-and-a-half away and Orlando is two-and-a-half down the road.
“The properties we offer are all-inclusive too, so its attractive for Brits.
“Not many agents would be aware of us right now as we have been predominantly focused on the US domestic market, but Ive been really encouraged by messages from UK agents who got in touch after my new role was announced asking how they can get involved with us.”
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