CRUISE & STAY Seychelles
Maharajas’ Express rail
journey, India
Focus on �lexibility Steven Heath, senior commercial manager, Marella Cruises and Tui River Cruises “Offering value and greater flexibility than a fly-cruise, cruise-and-stay holidays are a great way to maximise every sales opportunity. For Marella Cruises, 15% of all trade bookings
are for cruise-and-stay. We recently expanded our cruise-and-stay programme with new hotel options across Majorca, Corfu and Croatia. Majorca remains our most popular short-haul cruise-and-stay destination, as we have two ships based there during the summer season, while Barbados is our leading long-haul option in the winter.”
Tag on a tour Hayley Morris, head of trade and partnerships, Newmarket Holidays “Remember, you’re selling an experience, not a price, so package the two elements as one story, highlighting the culture and adventure of a guided tour along with the relaxation of a
cruise – it’s a great way for agents to personalise the sale. For example, our Deep South Rhythms, Key West and Bahamas Cruise is perfect for music lovers who want an immersive experience. Plus, agents can bring it all to life through video walkthroughs, destination content and testimonials.”
Pair different experiences Gary King, head of trade sales, Wendy Wu Tours “The best cruise-and-stay holidays combine two genuinely different experiences, so agents should start by asking what clients want to see and experience, rather than simply where they
want to cruise. We’re seeing strong demand for culturally rich destinations where touring adds real depth, with China traditionally our flagship and Japan growing rapidly. Our Cruise & Tour bookings have increased 32% this year, with more than 80% of customers travelling to east Asia.”
58 10 SEPTEMBER 2026
We advise agents not to think of the stay as an add-on, but as an
❝
opportunity to take the holiday somewhere the cruise alone can’t
Majorca
Capture their imagination Paul Beale, vice-president of sales UK and Ireland, Regent Seven Seas Cruises “Cruise-and-stay holidays often appeal to people who may not have been actively considering a cruise in the first place. When a package is crafted well, it provides a simple solution that turns
a passing interest into a booking. Agents can create something truly memorable by combining a voyage with experiences; demand for our 2027 Rocky Mountaineer programme has been so strong that plans are in place for an expanded programme in 2028. These combinations help guests see more of a destination while introducing a whole new audience to the world of cruising.”
Upsell an add-on Shane Lewis-Riley, director of sales and partnerships, Scenic “We advise agents not to think of the stay as an add-on, but as an opportunity to take the holiday somewhere the cruise alone can’t. Ask clients which bucket-list experiences
they can tick off in a few hours and where they would love to linger. This is particularly relevant to premium guests, who expect extraordinary experiences to relax into, rather than rushing through destinations. For example, our Seychelles cruise-and-stay helps combine island-hopping through the Indian Ocean with a six-night safari.”
Make memories Chris Townson, managing director UK and Europe, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises “We’ve seen huge success with our Spectacular Journeys of the World programme, which combines land experiences and stays at some of the world’s finest hotels with our luxury river
cruises. These are often once-in-a-lifetime destinations, so guests want to make the most of every moment. It’s why we’re continuing to expand our collection of longer, more-immersive journeys.”
TW
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Neirfy; Fokke Baarssen; Sanjeev Verma Photography
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
