CRUISE & STAY Selling TIPS
Specialist agents, operators and cruise lines offer their advice on selling cruise-and-stay packages. Alice Barnes-Brown reports
Try first-timers Andrea Stafford, director of sales UK and Europe, AmaWaterways “Cruise-and-stay combinations can be particularly appealing to first-time river cruisers. Every detail is taken care of, from private drivers to five-star accommodation. Extra land arrangements
are also recommended for our exotic cruise itineraries. The 11-night Egypt programme [with a pre-cruise stay in Cairo] encompasses historical highlights such as the Grand Egyptian Museum, Pyramids and Valley of the Kings.”
Venice
Choose the right line Jonny Peat, director of cruise, Advantage Travel Partnership “Agents don’t have to piece it all together themselves: Cunard offers hotels and tours; Princess and Celebrity pair Alaska sailings with lodges, rail and touring; and Silversea’s new
Cormorant at 55 South hotel makes Puerto Williams part of the Antarctic adventure. Ultimately, it’s about finding the right fit for each client’s pace, interests and level of independence. The Mediterranean and northern Europe remain our strongest-performing destinations, with healthy demand for the Caribbean and Far East.”
Pick the place Stuart Pearce, director of sales UK and Ireland, Azamara Cruises “More than 60% of our guests choose to include a pre or post-cruise stay. Europe is the perfect example: a guest embarking in Venice for our Croatia voyage will often add a few nights in
Venice or Chioggia beforehand. We see the same in Lisbon, Athens and Barcelona. That is a real opportunity for agents to build the package around the voyage with a hotel stay, guided tour, villa or rail journey either side. It’s a win-win situation: more value and a richer trip for your client, more revenue and repeat business for you.”
travelweekly.co.uk US Virgin Islands
Quality control Caroline Revnell, senior cruise specialist, Audley Travel “Matching hotel style, location and experiences to the cruise itinerary, while ensuring the standard of accommodation complements the onboard experience, creates a
seamless holiday and often delivers greater value. We see strong demand for Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean and Japan cruise-and-stay combinations, while expedition cruises pair well with city stays.”
It’s a win-win situation: more value and a richer trip for your client, more revenue and
❝ repeat business for you
Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Egypt
10 SEPTEMBER 2026 55
Offer �lexible options Shauna Laviolette, head of cruise and stay, Bolsover Cruise Club “Don’t assume customers know what’s possible. An agent’s expertise is invaluable, so explain options such as flying in and out of different airports. And think through the entire journey. If guests
leave their ship at 9am but fly home in the evening, could you arrange a tour or day-use hotel? Consider every detail to ensure the holiday feels seamless from start to end.”
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PICTURES: Shutterstock/Izabela23; muratart
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