INTERNATIONAL. LVMH-owned cruise retailer Starboard Cruise Services has struck a strategic alliance with luxury travel network Virtuoso.
Through the partnership, Starboard Cruise Services’ Luxury Division (Starboard Luxury) and Virtuoso will curate a tailor-made destination retail offer onboard Virtuoso’s preferred luxury cruise partners.
The partnership enables guests to purchase high-quality handmade goods from artisans, hear about their personal stories and learn about traditional craft techniques.
Starboard Cruise Services Luxury Division is collaborating with Virtuoso’s on-site partners and destination management companies to discover local artisans and create branded retail activations on sea and on land. These exclusive destination retail experiences will launch in early 2023.
“Our collaboration with Virtuoso is a natural partnership for Starboard Luxury,” commented Starboard Cruise Services President and CEO Lisa Bauer. “The alliance is rooted in shared values to preserve cultural heritage and uplift local economies through a wide range of novel and bespoke experiences.
“Starboard Luxury’s proven formula for exceptional retail vacation programmes has enabled us to capture a destination’s essence by introducing guests to an assortment of locally sourced goods, native brands and hosting emerging artisans on ship and on shore.”
Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch added, “Our alliance with Starboard Luxury is one of our many solutions to address the increased travel demand for more experiential, meaningful and genuine interactions with locals while cruising the world.
“This desire for more meaningful experiences transforms the way they experience and enjoy our luxury cruise line partners. We’re excited about the great potential this collaboration brings to our network of preferred partners and operators.”
Starboard Luxury has executed several tailor-made retail programmes that feature bespoke vacation offerings and brand activations across luxury cruise lines. It has grown its portfolio significantly over the last two years, under the leadership of Starboard Luxury Vice President Stacy Shaw.
