p16-21 Cruise vs Land 20/3/09 16:35 Page 17
land versus sea Cruise
I
n these cash-strapped times, most clients A big advantage of holidays to northern
are looking for great value when booking Europe is the majority of cruises leave from
holidays and this is an area where cruises UK ports, which means no flights to pay for.
can score heavily over land-based trips. It’s not just major ports such as Dover and
Because cruises are essentially all-inclusive Southampton – Fred Olsen has departures
holidays, clients don’t have to worry about from various regional UK and Ireland ports.
paying for meals and entertainment, which
have been made considerably more expensive Baltic tour
in many destinations after the pound’s Land sample price: Regent Holidays offers
plunge against the euro and US dollar. an 11-day tour to Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki and
Of course, it is difficult to compare costs St Petersburg from £995pp (two sharing) in
between cruises and land-based holidays as three/four-star hotels with breakfast.
they are quite different experiences, and not Estimated food & general expenses £400pp
all clients will want to go on a cruise no Russian visa: £109.80
matter how persuasive you or the prices are. Price per person per day: £136.80
Nevertheless, cruises offer impressive
value when you compare holidays by Cruise option: a 12-night Baltic Capitals cruise
their destination, duration and calibre of from Southampton with NCL – calling at
accommodation and dining. The exception is Copenhagen, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki
for single travellers, who often face having to and Stockholm – starts from £999pp.
pay up to 100% extra for their cabin. Price per person per day: £83.25
Association of Cruise Experts director Andy
Harmer says: “With such a small proportion of CRUISE WINS BY £53.55 PER DAY
holidaymakers ever having taken a cruise
– cruise is still around 7% of the package Norwegian fjords
holiday market – all aspects need to be Land sample price: a nine-day trip to the
explained at some length to illustrate the Norwegian fjords, lakes and mountains is priced
quality, value and inclusive nature of the from £1,620 with Scantours including flights,
cruise experience, particularly when compared breakfasts and some other meals.
to land-based holidays.” Estimated food & general expenses: £400
Here we look at how similar cruise and Price per person per day: £224.44
land holidays around the globe compare and
the compelling reasons that may entice your Cruise option: a nine-day cruise on Fred Olsen’s
customers to try a cruise. Black Prince starts from £849pp through Glenton
Holidays, with departures from the Scottish port Facing page: P&O’s Ventura in the Caribbean
BALTICS & NORTHERN EUROPE of Greenock. Below left: Fred Olsen’s Black Prince sails
Nordic destinations have long been known for Price per person per day: £94.33 the Norwegian fjords
their high prices, which makes taking a cruise Below right: several cruise itineraries take in
to the region even more enticing now. CRUISE WINS BY £130.11 PER DAY the historic Russian city of St Petersburg
Classic Baltic cruises call at the major
Scandinavian ports as well as the Baltic
countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and
the Russian city of St Petersburg. There are
land-based alternatives but these can involve
extra expense and often complicated travel
arrangements. For example, travellers need a
Russian visa on a land holiday but can use
the ship’s group visa on a cruise.
Another popular cruise option is to the
Norwegian fjords, where customers can see
the region without having to pay the high
prices that Norway has become famed for.
Glenton Holidays’ Norma Howe says:
“Norway is regarded as the most expensive
country in Europe, and the best way to view
its spectacular fjords is from the deck of a
cruise ship. Meals and entertainment are paid
for as part of the price, and clients can book
excursions in advance, paying in sterling.”
TTG Knowledge – March 2009
17
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