HOW TO SELL CRUISING
TO HELP YOU SELL Five Themes...
Taking a cruise really comes down to the two Vs – variety and value – and these cannot be underestimated, especially for first-time cruisers
BY SARA MACEFIELD
First Timers For first-timers especially, the
experience of walking aboard a ship, exploring the huge range of facilities (particularly on the larger vessels) and settling into their cabin is a huge novelty. The guaranteed fun of the sailaway
party and the excitement that everyone feels as the ship sets off on its journey is unique to cruising: there is just something very special about being on the water. It also means the holiday starts as
soon as passengers step aboard – and if clients opt for an ex-UK cruise, they can bypass airports and nightmarish security queues. All they need to do is get to the port and step aboard.
All-Inclusive Value The range of facilities is another area
where cruise lines continue to excel, from ice-skating rinks and rock-climbing walls to water-slides and circus schools. There are state-of-the-art theatres staging first-class productions on a par with the West End or Broadway, cabaret lounges, piano bars and crow’s nest bars with fabulous views from the very top of the ship. Passengers can sample all of them in
one evening. It won’t cost them a penny, apart from drinks, and on the more luxurious ships where everything is included they won’t even have to pay for those.
Fine Dining The choice and style of dining venues is
also huge and on many of the larger ships, food is available somewhere 24/7. While most vessels still have traditional main restaurants, in recent years these have been increasingly supplemented by buffet restaurants, cosy French bistros, Italian trattorias, Brazilian samba-themed steakhouses or celebrity chef gourmet restaurants. Some may carry a supplement, but this is still considerably less than diners would pay at a similar venue on dry land.
24 January 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Taking a cruise is an excellent way of exploring several places on one trip
Adventure Then comes the journey itself! Quite
simply, taking a cruise is an excellent way of exploring several places on one trip without the need for innumerable transfers and the inconvenience of forever having to unpack. In some areas of the world, taking a
cruise is the only realistic way to reach certain destinations. And those that like their routines and home-comforts have the security of knowing that wherever they are in the world, they will always return at the end of the day to familiar surroundings.
Big or Small The huge growth in the cruise market
means there are more ships than ever before to choose from. Smaller intimate vessels tend to suit more mature couples while the all-singing, all-dancing mega-ships are ideal for families, groups of friends and younger couples looking for lots to do.
Young and Old Such is the range of options that groups
of multi-generational families are increasingly opting for cruises which cater for everyone’s tastes from the
grandparents downwards. For youngsters, the range of child- friendly activities and excellent kids' clubs makes cruising ideal for families, especially as parents can grab their own bit of 'me-time' while their children are otherwise entertained. Likewise for nervous travellers, or
those holidaying alone, the companionship of joining a cruise and the peace of mind at being with other like-minded souls is very appealing. •
For those clients who expect nothing but the best, Silversea offers an unsurpassed cruising experience; Norwegian Cruise Line caters well for families
NCL
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