54 When planning unforgettable cruises, Jack Cochrane, senior manager of itinerary and destination planning at Carnival UK, plays a key role in crafting experiences that cater to a diverse range of guests. From Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 to P&O Cruises’ Arvia, Cochrane and his team work meticulously to ensure that each cruise offers something unique. “My role is to support the development of attractive itineraries for both P&O Cruises and Cunard while ensuring the successful operational delivery,” he explains. “I work collaboratively with the commercial deployment and revenue management teams to align on the commercial plans for the season and overlay this with our insights into delivering the best possible holidays options for our guests.” The starting point for planning any cruise itinerary is often surprisingly simple. “The first question we ask is, ‘Can this ship dock at this port?’”, says Cochrane. Carnival UK’s fleet ranges from Queen Mary 2, which stretches over 340 metres and has a draught deeper than many cruise vessels, to the smaller P&O Cruises’ ship Aurora, at only 272 metres. As such, port infrastructure plays a crucial role in determining which destinations are feasible, and Cochrane credits strong relationships with port agents and authorities for providing the necessary information to make these decisions. “Our port agents are our eyes and ears on the ground so their support and guidance to optimise our operations is invaluable,” he says. “Communication is key as every party is working towards the aligned goal of a successful cruise call in a destination. For example, we may be asked to adjust our call times to support shipping movements in the port or to ease guest flow in a terminal.” However, the itinerary planning process doesn’t stop there. Once logistical feasibility is confirmed, Cochrane considers factors like travel distance, fuel consumption and guest preferences. One of the ways ports can ensure they are on Carnival UK’s radar is by catering to the demographic of the guests onboard. “Many international guests travel with Cunard, whereas P&O Cruises predominantly attracts British travellers,” says Cochrane. “Ports that understand these differences can better align their offerings to match guest expectations. This is particularly important when considering the varying capacity of the ships. P&O Cruises’ Iona, for example, can cater to over 6,000 guests, while Cunard’s Queen Victoria holds just over 2,000. Tour capacity and the destination’s ability to handle guest numbers in the town will vary significantly between the ships.” Carnival also values ports that offer authentic local experiences. “Guests love the local factor,” says Cochrane. “From local performers to cruises that celebrate the ship setting sail from a PLANNER PERSPECTIVE The strategy behind making memories Carnival UK’s Jack Cochrane explains to Alice Chambers the process behind itinerary planning, destination choices and what ports can do to make themselves more attractive to cruise lines The Caribbean remains a popular cruise destination for British travellers
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