My First CLIA Conference Experience – A Blog Series
This blog is part of my CLIA Conference series, where I share my experience from my very first travel event. From myth-busting cruising to stepping onboard incredible ships like Oceania Vista and MSC Virtuosa, I’ll be taking you behind the scenes of my journey.
This blog has been a long time coming… four months to be exact! Back in May, I attended my very first CLIA Conference in Southampton—and not only that, it was actually my first ever travel event too. And let me tell you, I’ve 100% caught the bug! I loved meeting new people, making connections, and spending time with others who share the same passion for travel as I do.
The Journey Down
After finishing my day job in Liverpool, I travelled down to Southampton. Honestly, I’d been dreading the journey—thinking it would feel long, I’d be exhausted after work… you know the drill. But to my surprise, it was all pretty smooth. A good start!
New to Selling Cruising Day
The first session I attended was the “New to Selling Cruising” day. This was an optional pre-conference add-on, but I’m so glad I went. It was packed full of useful information, myth-busting facts, and fresh ideas for selling cruises. I learnt so much! Would I go again? Definitely—though maybe every other year, just to refresh my knowledge.
The Official First Day
The conference officially kicked off at the O2 Guildhall in Southampton. The venue was buzzing with energy as guest speakers, expert presenters, and business leaders took to the stage. I left with loads of new insights and even discovered a destination I’d never really considered before—but now I absolutely have to go (more on that in another blog soon!).
Once the sessions wrapped up, we were whisked over to the cruise terminal for a networking trade fair. This was a highlight for me—I got to chat with some amazing companies, discover what they offer, and yes… enjoy the drinks, food stalls, and freebies (I could honestly have stayed there all weekend!). By the time I headed back to my hotel, I was exhausted but so excited for the next day.
Ship Visit Day – The Bit I’d Been Waiting For
Day two (my third day) was ship visit day—and wow. I’ve always wanted to do a ship visit, and it didn’t disappoint. In fact, this part deserves its own blog post, so keep your eyes peeled for that one!
I was incredibly lucky to step onboard the beautiful Oceania Vista. This was one of the harder ship visits to get into, and now I know why—it was stunning. I can’t wait to share more details and photos in a dedicated blog.
Sailaway Party
That evening, it was back to the Guildhall for the Sailaway Party—and what a night it was! Think champagne bar, balloon-hat-making (there’s probably a fancier name for it!), Scott Mills DJ-ing, and plenty of laughter and dancing. I had an absolute blast!
The Last Day
As if the week couldn’t get any better, the final day brought another ship visit. I was already on such a high from stepping onboard Oceania Vista, and this time it was the turn of MSC Virtuosa.
This ship was huge—a completely different vibe, and just as impressive in its own way. I’ll be writing a separate blog all about it soon, because it definitely deserves its own spotlight!
Once the visit was over, it was sadly time to head home. Not going to lie—I was so disappointed to be leaving. I honestly could have done with another ship visit (or two!) before the conference wrapped up.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I can honestly say this conference was a turning point for me. It opened my eyes to the cruise industry in a whole new way, gave me invaluable knowledge, and introduced me to people I can’t wait to see again.
Would I attend another CLIA conference? Without a doubt. This was only the beginning, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.
Until next time – keep dreaming big, travelling far, and creating memories that last a lifetime.
See you soon, Sarah x