Patricia Frost
Co-Founder of Authentic Cruise Company
An introduction to Patricia Frost, a long-time friend and client of Cecilia Quinn. Wanting to support a new local business and indulge her love of shoes, Patricia arranged an after-hours viewing of the collection with her daughter, sisters and nieces. "It was such a fun evening, trying on all the lovely shoes, scarves and handbags, and of course, the champagne and canapes provided by Claudia and her team really made for a very lovely event."
Patricia joined the luxury travel company Savile Row Travel here in Henley last year, and is very proud to introduce her latest venture, The Authentic Cruise Company which is set to redefine the luxury cruising experience.
Patricia says “along with my business partner Richard Lewis, I wanted to develop a product that redefined the concept, offering experiences that seamlessly blended opulence with the thrill of discovery; thus, The Authentic Cruise Company was born. Unlike other cruise companies, we wanted our service to extend beyond merely booking your onboard suite; we meticulously plan experiences with expert insights and first-hand recommendations.
So, whether clients dream about gracing the glowing waters of Tahiti, discovering diverse wildlife in the Antarctic, or drifting down the majestic Mekong, we arrange everything from door-to-ship transfers to flights and pre-and post-cruise excursions.
And, of course, directing our clients to Cecilia Quinn and Fluidity here in Henley on the Thames, putting together the perfect cruise wardrobe is a sea breeze.”
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How long have you been involved in travel; can you share a little bit of your history with us?
I came to luxury travel quite late after a successful business career in the engineering and property sectors, growing successful businesses from their inception, as well as my most rewarding and challenging role as a mother to four wonderful children.
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Tell us about the new Cruise venture and how it came about?
The idea for a new cruise company was born after I was invited onto a beautiful Seacloud Windjammer to cruise around the Bahamas early last year. Before this trip, cruising had never appealed to me, and I imagined getting around to it in my retirement. I hate to be confined, always preferring to meander around villages and towns at my own pace. I cannot tell you how wrong I was; the sense of space and freedom surprised me. There is nothing like sipping a cocktail under an expansive star-lit sky; it is utterly invigorating. Plus, visiting numerous beautiful islands, such as Eleuthera, was an enriching experience, a place I would never have otherwise seen. The food was delicious, and though I said, 'I could never eat afternoon tea after a wonderful lunch', it wasn't too long before I was tucking into a slice of some delicious cakey concoction. Of course, seeing multiple destinations whilst only packing once was, for me, a real bonus. I came home totally rejuvenated but also inspired to change preconceived ideas about cruising.
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"Business is ultimately about people, so knowing and understanding your customer base is essential."
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What are they key destination trends in 2024, what are you seeing customers requesting?
Cruising is a wonderful way to discover the world and have a 'never before' experience. Tahiti is growing in popularity, and it's easy to understand why The picture-perfect charms of the South Pacific conjure up beauty and romance—no wonder this magical destination has played muse to authors and artists alike.
Expedition cruising to the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also really popular. Imagine the thrill of voyaging to the ends of the earth viewing nature's raw majesty first-hand? It's definitely on my bucket list. It is important that whilst we have the opportunity to visit these awe-inspiring destinations, we are mindful of our impact upon them.
This is one of the reasons we only partner with luxury and ultra-luxury brands whose commitment to sustainable practices supporting the ecological, human, and economic well-being of the destinations we visit reflects our philosophy and ethos.
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What goals have you personally set for 2024?
To get fitter, I am fortunate that my son Sean has recently set up Frost Functional Training, a CrossFit gym in Sonning Common just outside Henley. He has promised to have me 'in the best shape of my life,' so watch this space. Besides that, I want to travel more; every time I look at the beautiful destinations we send our clients to, I want to go there. From a professional perspective, I want to build The Authentic Cruise Company into the number one cruise company in the country. We have something that no one else is offering: customer service that is second to none, a dedicated team with unparalleled skills and knowledge, plus an exciting loyalty scheme that offers bespoke and unique lifestyle experiences.
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"Go for it; the only people who will ever criticise you for trying are the people who never have. Have confidence in execution and humility in evaluation. When things go wrong, and they will to be brutally honest, then put what you have learned into practice and move forward."
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What role do clothes and shoes play in your working life?
Clothes and shoes play a significant role in my working life. People's impressions are formed in seconds, so creating the right impression is imperative. Though I like to be comfortable, it is important to me that I also look professional. As a lover of shoes, I have every brand in my wardrobe, from Manolo Blahnik to Christian Louboutin, but for style and comfort, nothing beats the shoes and boots that Claudia and Michele sell.
They are super comfortable but stylish and very chic. I bought a beautiful pair of backless silver sandals and wore them for the first time at Royal Ascot the entire day without a problem. I also have a pair of gold trainer-style shoes, which I absolutely love; they really are my happy shoes.
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Do you remember your first Cecilia Quinn purchase and what adventures those shoes have been on?
The first pair of shoes I bought were beautiful black velvet sandals with an ankle strap and gold on a fluted edge; they are gorgeous. I wore them last summer to celebrate a significant birthday at the Henley festival. They looked fabulous, even if I say so myself and their block-style heel made them perfect to wear on grass.
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Do you have your eye on anything special for the new season, any key trends you will be embracing?
I love the Fern trainers; these look amazing with jeans, which, when not at work, are my staple, but they also look amazing with a longline skirt and blouse for a chic, relaxed look at work. I will also be adding the Felicia sandal to my collection; the light colour makes it perfect for the summer, whilst the platform takes you seamlessly from day to night
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Browse the Authentic Cruise Company brochure and find your next destination!
