Australasia demand impacts deployment across Asia-Pacific and further afieldAustralasia demand impacts deployment across Asia-Pacific and further afield

David Rousham, VP UK & international development, Cunard, said the boom in Australasia’s market and its maturing have seen more cruise lines benefit from fly-cruise business. He reported thousands of Australians are flying to join a variety of sailings, including trans-Atlantic crossings.

Rousham said when QE2 was based six months in Yokohama, it became 'iconic' and popular with the Japanese, as well. In 2019, Cunard will double their deployment from Yokohama.

Also, the line will be able to serve more destinations when it brings on a fourth ship, 'another Queen,' in 2022.

Australia, which has the world's highest cruise penetration rate, also has the fastest growing fly-cruise market, according to the forum.

Emirates' Tim Lowther, manager, leisure market and special segments, global sales, cited areas for strong synergies between airlines and cruise lines. It is important to create the right products as there many fly-cruise opportunities which could benefit both, he said.

Emirates fields a fleet of 250 aircraft with 200 more on order. With both cruise lines and airlines adding capacity, Lowther was keen to find out how to work more closely with cruise lines.