I recently attended the 2026 Aesthetic Cruise Conference, travelling from Reykjavík to London aboard Oceania Cruises’ Vista.
The conference brought together experienced plastic surgeons, practice consultants and industry experts for ten days of education, discussion and professional networking. The program covered key developments in aesthetic medicine and surgery, including GLP-1 weight-loss patients, facial rejuvenation, breast surgery, body contouring, rib remodelling, patient optimisation and enhanced recovery.
There was also sessions on practice growth, leadership, team performance, marketing and artificial intelligence.
Here is a copy of the 2026 Aesthetic Cruise Conference Program – Presentations and Presenters
What made this conference particularly valuable was the cruise format. Smaller groups, shared meals and time between sessions created opportunities for deeper conversations with speakers and delegates that are often difficult to achieve at a large convention.
It was an excellent combination of clinical education, practical business ideas, professional relationships and travel through Iceland and Northern Europe.
The next Aesthetic Society Aesthetic Cruise is in July 2028 in the Mediterranean from Lisbon to Barcelona.
Copy of David Staughton AI and Marketing for Plastic Surgeons presentations
(Hi Resolution – 11MB and Low Resolution – 1.5MB)
Graphic Summaries of Aesthetic Cruise Conference sessions
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About Specialist Practice Excellence (SPE)
Specialist Practice Excellence (SPE) helps plastic surgeons improve their marketing, patient conversion, team performance and business growth. Working with practices across the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, SPE turns industry insights into practical strategies that help clinics attract ideal patients, improve the patient consultation journey and build a stronger, more profitable practice.
About David Staughton
David Staughton is a specialist medical business consultant, speaker and practice-growth strategist with decades of experience helping surgeons and clinic owners improve their results. He attends leading aesthetic surgery conferences around the world to identify emerging trends, new technologies and proven ideas that can be adapted for real-world practice. His focus is not simply on what is new, but on what can genuinely improve patient care, team performance, marketing effectiveness and practice profitability. With particular expertise in surgeon succession planning, systems and AI, David works with many growth-oriented and mature solo practices.
How SPE Can Help Your Practice
The lessons from the 2026 Aesthetic Cruise are most valuable when they lead to action. Specialist Practice Excellence can help your practice assess which ideas are relevant, identify missed growth opportunities and create a practical implementation plan for your marketing, patient experience, consultation process, team and systems.
To discuss a practice audit, growth strategy, implementing AI or a customised practice development program, contact us.
