Harding+

We’re evolving the watch experience onboard Cunard bringing newness, scale and brand moments that go far beyond the traditional retail spaces. For the first time, BREITLING launches onboard Queen Anne, marking a significant milestone for the brand at sea - set within a dedicated environment designed to match its precision, heritage and spirit of adventure.  Alongside this, TAG Heuer expands across both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Anne, with new pop-up concepts bringing a more dynamic, visible and engaging presence into the guest journey.  Positioned within the luxury retail spaces, alongside fine jewellery and champagne bar environments, these developments are designed to create a more premium, curated and design-led watch destination at sea. A strong example of how brand, space and environment are increasingly being considered together in the next evolution of cruise retail. 

Something a little different has landed onboard. A month-long, travel-exclusive launch of Hendricks new citrus expression is now live across our European and US fleet bringing together storytelling, sampling and a more concierge-style experience to elevate how guests discover the brand. Hendrick’s is known for doing things differently, and this expression is no exception. From its unmistakable apothecary-style bottle to its distinctive, citrus-led profile layered with the brand’s signature botanicals, it offers something truly one of a kind - both visually and in taste. From immersive tastings to moments that explore the ingredients and craft behind the liquid, this is about more than just product - it’s about creating a richer, more considered way to engage. A great example of how, with time and space at sea, we can move beyond traditional retail and bring brands to life in a way that truly resonates with guests. Maria-Luisa Barona Angela Rimmer Joanna Black Joanne Cooke Stuart David Brown Ellen Berry William Grant & Sons

Huge congratulations to Katie Floyd and Maria-Luisa Barona for receiving “Highly Commended” recognition at the Inspiring Women Awards yesterday - a fantastic and very well-deserved achievement. At Harding, we are proud to have so many talented and inspiring women across our business, and it’s wonderful to see two of our colleagues recognised by the industry for the impact they make. Congratulations to you both! A brilliant achievement for you and for the wider Harding team. And a special thank you to Caitlin Allen and Joanne Cooke for collecting the awards on their behalf.

A great milestone for our teams with the successful launch of the retail spaces onboard Celestyal Journey and Discovery. For the first time, Pandora is now available onboard, with newly installed shop-in-shop concepts launching as part of the experience. Alongside Pandora, guests can discover brands including Lacoste, Tom Ford, Coccinelle and Citizen. The ships will sail across Greece and Turkey itineraries, with guests able to discover destination-inspired products and mementos connected to their journey onboard. The launch was marked with successful opening events attended by the Captains onboard, alongside fantastic feedback from guests. With a very tight timeline, this was a real team effort between our landside and shipboard teams, who worked incredibly hard to bring everything together. A brilliant result and proud moment as we welcome two new ships into the Harding+ fleet. Darren Powell Sam Moss Vanessa Da Silva Daniel Jackson Jason Archibald Jeff Dunaway Nikki Lewis

A few weeks ago our Head of Commercial Planning & LTC, Stuart David Brown, caught up with Global Travel Retail Magazine to explore how the channel is evolving and why the focus is shifting beyond product and technology to something more powerful: people and experience. The conversation covers everything from tailoring retail to different guest demographics and itineraries, to the role of immersive storytelling in driving engagement and conversion - highlighting how cruise retail is becoming increasingly dynamic and guest-centric. A great discussion on what’s next for cruise retail and how the channel continues to evolve. Missed it? Click link in comments below to watch now...

A new limited release from Penderyn Distillery has arrived across the fleet, with just 250 bottles available on 11 ships. Created to mark the 10-year anniversary of Bad Wolf Productions - the creative force behind Doctor Who and other globally recognised productions - this special edition brings together Welsh heritage and craftsmanship in a distinctive way. Harding is the first to bring this exclusive to guests, making it a standout addition to the onboard offer. With whisky continuing to rank highly among our guests, introducing limited expressions like this allows us to bring something new, considered and genuinely different to the experience at sea. Ellen Berry Stuart David Brown Joanna Black

This summer, we’ve partnered with DOLCE&GABBANA to bring an immersive Light Blue fragrance takeover onboard Sun Princess Cruises designed entirely around how guests want to experience retail at sea today.    As a limited-edition activation, and with the ship sailing the Mediterranean, we wanted to bring a sense of the Med directly into the onboard shopping experience anchored by an iconic Italian brand. Light Blue fragrance is a cornerstone scent in the brand’s fragrance portfolio, celebrated for capturing the effortless elegance and vibrant spirit of Mediterranean living.    Cruise is no longer just about shopping - it’s about discovery, interaction, and creating memorable moments. Guests are actively looking for ways to engage throughout their journey, and this activation has been built with that in mind.    At the heart of the experience is a branded ping pong table in the atrium - a central hub of activity and footfall - designed to draw guests in, spark interaction, and create a memorable brand moment. We’re also planning officers vs. guests competitions, adding a playful, social layer.    Alongside this, guests will discover a full beauty shop takeover, bringing the Light Blue world to life. In-store seminars will explore the DNA of the brand and its fragrance collections, while Sicilian lemonade will be served to add a sensory, authentic Mediterranean touch.    Together, these elements create a multi-sensory experience designed to drive trial, engagement, and emotional connection, while delivering playful, unexpected moments that reflect the energy of a Mediterranean summer.    Bringing brands to life at sea, in a way that resonates with today’s guest. Annalise S. Maria-Luisa Barona Angela Rimmer Caitlin Allen Libby Milburn

That’s a wrap for Watches and Wonders 2026.   Geneva was alive with showmanship, storytelling and creativity last week, as brands unveiled their strategies and standout pieces for the year ahead. Our team had an incredible few days on the ground, taking it all in and experiencing the energy firsthand.   In terms of trends, space took centre stage. Perfectly timed with the recent Artemis II mission, which has reignited global excitement around space exploration. Highlights for the team included seeing the Breitling Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Artemis II - the production version of the concept watch worn by Reid Wiseman during the mission. The Bremont Supernova collaboration with AstroLab was another standout, with a watch set to be integrated into a moon rover destined for the lunar surface to gather data.   Beyond the space theme, there was a masterclass in craftsmanship and design. Oris delivered beautiful vintage-inspired dial detail with the launch of The Star and Artelier collections. TAG Heuer showcased true innovation with the Monaco Evergraph, featuring groundbreaking flexible components developed by TAG Heuer Lab, alongside updates to the iconic Monaco series.    And Norqain reminded us not to take things too seriously, with their playful Enjoy Life “sprinkles” watch complete with glow-in-the-dark details and an ice cream in the date window. An inspiring week all round, and a brilliant one to experience together as a team. Keisha Daly Linzi Walker Juliet Ward Laura Reubens-Peppiatt @tim betts

Few beauty movements have grown as quickly or as globally as Korean skincare. Known for its ingredient-led innovation and results-driven routines, K-beauty has become one of the fastest-growing categories in the global beauty market. Reflecting this momentum, we are excited to announce that we are partnering with ANUA, launching onboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras and rolling out to 14 ships across our US fleet. This first-at-sea launch brings the brand to guests in a completely new environment. The launch also reflects the continued evolution of cruise demographics. With a younger average guest and more multi-generational families sailing, demand is growing for newness in the beauty category that resonates across age groups. Korean skincare, with its focus on skin health and effective routines, has a strong appeal to both experienced skincare enthusiasts and those just beginning their skincare journey. Guests will be able to explore a complete ANUA skincare routine onboard, featuring key ingredients like heartleaf, PDRN and rice. Bringing the brand to sea creates a new opportunity for guests to discover one of the most talked-about names in K-beauty in a unique retail environment.  Annalise S. Caitlin Allen

We’re proud to have been recognised at this year’s Computing Digital Technology Leaders Awards, with Harding+ shortlisted for three awards; Digital Transformation of the Year, Mikos Taylor for CTO of the Year and Digital Team of the Year. This recognition reflects the work happening behind the scenes to transform how we operate bringing together technology, insight and people to create smarter, more connected retail experiences at sea. Congratulations 🎉 and a huge thank you to our teams across the business who continue to push forward, challenge what’s possible and deliver real impact every day. Kerry Cairns Tom Ingrem Tom Dale