With 30-plus years’ experience in the travel industry, Christine Gardiner, Manager, Expedition Sales – Development APAC at Silversea, likes nothing more than talking all things expedition with trade partners and clients (well, apart from actually going on expedition cruises).
One of Christine Gardiner’s early memories was learning about Komodo dragons at school, and ever since then she has been fascinated by far-off countries and different cultures. So it’s no surprise that Christine gravitated towards a career in travel.
Today, her role as Manager Expedition Sales-Development APAC at Silversea involves supporting the APAC Expedition Sales team with specific training in expedition expertise, while incorporating strategic plans to grow Silversea Expeditions in the market.
Christine is enthusiastic about sharing her first-hand experiences, bringing destinations to life for trade partners so they can sell Silversea Expeditions with confidence and personal background knowledge.
How did you get started in the travel industry?
My interest in finding a career in travel started when I was 19, with the “obligatory” two-year working holiday in the UK and Europe.
When I returned to Australia, I looked for roles in the travel industry and worked first with East West Airlines and then the Ansett Airlines marketing team in Melbourne. From there I moved into hotel sales before starting my first role in the cruise industry, followed by my first expedition-cruise sales role in 2014.
That was my “lightbulb moment” – three years later, I joined the Silversea Expeditions team.
What particularly appeals to you about luxury expedition cruising – both selling it and experiencing it yourself?
Expedition cruising gives the traveller the ultimate sense of freedom. It is exhilarating, educational and fun.
My love of selling Silversea Expeditions comes from the stories behind the “why” we take expedition cruises – to experience remote destinations, wildlife encounters and importantly, the cultural element.
One of the key aspects that differentiate expedition cruising from regular ocean cruising is the involvement of expert expedition teams.
Expedition teams onboard the ships do an amazing job of illuminating the whole experience for guests. They are experts in everything from marine biology to ornithology, anthropology, geology and photography.
Not only do they lead zodiac and other shore tours, these well-travelled experts present entertaining, educational talks onboard the ships. And it’s always great to catch up with them at the bar or over dinner!
What changes have you seen in the expedition cruise scene over the past 10 or so years?
There is a lot more demand for the expedition style of travel, especially post Covid. Guests are looking to escape into nature, travel off the beaten path and learn about remote cultures or about the impact of global warming on our planet.
At Silversea, we have the world’s best expedition and itinerary planning experts, and we can take our guests to all seven continents, opening the world to nearly endless exploration.
Why has the Kimberley become such a big attraction for expedition cruisers and how long has Silversea been operating there?
Silversea has been exploring the Kimberley for more than 10 years and during this time guests’ feedback is always that the region is “awe-inspiring”. A lot, if not most of the key attractions are accessible mainly via a cruise, such as the extreme tidal movements at Montgomery Reef and the spectacular Horizontal Falls.
Silversea now offers a variety of programs, from a 10-day pure Kimberley experience to 16- and 17-day itineraries that combine the Kimberley with exploration of Indonesia or Western Australia for guests who have time and seek deeper experiences.
What nationality are the majority of Silversea’s guests in the Kimberley?
Our guests on Kimberley voyages are predominantly Australian, closely followed by guests from New Zealand, Asia, the UK and the US.
What is the best time to visit the Kimberley?
Expedition cruises in the Kimberley generally operate from late April to May until September, during the “dry season”. To see waterfalls such as the King George and Mitchell Falls at their most dramatic, it’s best to go just after the wet season has finished, which is usually April to May.
The peak season for expedition cruising in the Kimberley is June, July and early August, when the skies are clear and the weather is less humid. Conditions then are ideal for land tours and you’ll have maximum visibility on scenic flights over the Bungle Bungles and Mitchell Falls.
Between June to October every year, thousands of humpback whales arrive on the Kimberley coast to breed, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to see these majestic creatures – and maybe their newborn calves – at very close quarters from your ship.
Do you travel a lot for work and/or pleasure?
Yes and both are as fun as the other! Whether I travel for work or leisure it is predominantly expedition travel and always enjoyable and educational.
I feel very privileged that my work travel involves spending time on ultra-luxury Silversea ships exploring some of the most beautiful and remote places on Earth – Greenland, Antarctica and The Kimberley, just to name a few.
What are some of your most memorable travel experiences?
In Antarctica, it was having a quiet moment in Neko Harbour. I had hiked to a vantage point where the silence is palpable.
In the Kimberley, visiting indigenous art gallery caves and listening to the interpretation of the figures painted on the red stone caves is inspirational.
Until I visited the Kimberley in 2023, Antarctica was my best experience – however, the Kimberley is definitely equal to this, particularly due to its remoteness.
If you could do just one dream luxury expedition cruise this year, what would it be – and why?
My ideal voyage for this year would be Silver Cloud ’s Darwin to Fremantle voyage, a 17-day cruise that departs on 8 August 2024.
Revisiting the iconic Kimberley region would be an honour and sailing further down the West Australian coast visiting the Abrolhos Islands, spending time with locals and learning about pearl farming is a must.
Next year, my dream expedition cruise is from Darwin to Bali on Silver Cloud. The ship visits Indonesia, including Komodo Island, where I will finally come face to face with a Komodo dragon!
Silver Cloud is sailing 10-day expedition cruises between Broome and Darwin and vice versa from June to August 2024.
For more information, visit silversea.com/luxury-expeditions
