FACE-2-FACE: Belle Osmic

AZAMARA Business development manager of Australia and NZ.

1. What mo vates you in your career?

My love of life at sea and sharing that with our guests. I worked onboard cruise ships for 10 years and loved to see the excitement and awe on the face of a first-time cruiser once they came onboard.

2. Most common assump on people make about your job?

That I am always on a ship! Admittedly we are very fortunate to spend some time onboard when the ships are here locally, but it’s not as often as you would think.

3. What is the key to building great rela onships with agents?

Knowledge. Knowing your brand and the demographic of guests who suit your cruise line.

4. Biggest challenge facing the industry?

Some people still have the perception that ships only take you from point A to B. They are not aware of the amazing entertainment and facilities onboard, and that the journey becomes a part of the holiday.

5. What was your best fam?

Azamara Quest in Jun, where we sailed from Rome to Barcelona. Some of the highlights were St Tropez, Marseilles and the Az Amazing Evening in Barcelona.

7. My next cruise will be…

Azamara Journey in Asia this coming Jan; we’ll be visiting Semarang, Surabaya & Celukan Bawang in Indonesia & finishing with an overnight in Bali.

8. Favourite cruise des na on?

In Asia it’s Singapore, in Europe it’s St Tropez, in Northern America, it’s Juno in Alaska, but nothing beats getting up for the sunrise sail into Sydney Harbour.

9. Celebrity you’d like to cruise with?

Jennifer Lopez. I think she looks like she would love to relax around the pool, and also loves my favourite thing to do in port (see below).

10. Favourite thing to do in port?

Stupid amounts of shopping.

11. When not at work, how do you spend your me?

At the beach – where there’s sun, sand and sea, there’s me.