selling tips
How to sell... Ships within ships
Suite guests can access exclusive restaurants and bar areas, butler service and more, finds Lesley Bellew
The facts: The fastest-selling suites on the world’s largest cruise ships are now in exclusive retreats, where families can enjoy all the main entertainment and activities but also have access to private areas with quieter spaces. As demand grows, cruise lines are dedicating more space to suites in ۑVSLKV H[FOXVLYHbUHWUHDWbDUHDV bGXEEHG ‘VKLSV ZLWKLQ
The lines: Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises are leading the march, making their
exclusive spaces bigger and better with each new ship. Q The Suite Neighbourhood on Royal’s Wonder of the Seas covers two of its 18 decks. This will double in size to four decks on new Icon of the Seas – including a multilevel sun deck
DQGbDbWZR VWRUH\ &RDVWDO .LWFKHQ UHVWDXUDQW Q The Haven by Norwegian, on its Prima Class ships, has an infinity-style pool, while earlier ships have a calm courtyard pool area. Accommodation choices include connecting rooms
6XLWHV ZLWK YDVW EDOFRQLHV VۑUHQZ2bRW Q MSC Cruises’ private MSC Yacht Club on its ships features a Swarovski crystal staircase leading from the suites to the restaurant area. Antonio Paradiso, MSC Cruises’ managing GLUHFWRU IRU WKH 8. DQG ,UHODQG VD\V “$V RXU IOHHW FRQWLQXHV to grow, MSC will further enhance the Yacht Club experience. Since its launch in 2008, MSC Yacht Club has been one of our best-selling experiences. Inclusions such as butler service attracts our customers in terms of comfort, ease and service.”
travelweekly.co.uk/cruise
The itineraries: Ships with private spaces sail to the SULYDWH ۑVHQLO &DULEEHDQbDQG WKH %DKDPDV LQFOXGLQJ FUXLVH LVODQGV ZLWK GHSDUWXUH SRUWV VXFK DV 0LDPL DQG 1HZb<RUN 06& DOVR RIIHUV D FKRLFH RI FUXLVHV LQ WKH 8$( $QGbLQ (XURSH bGHVWLQDWLRQV VWUHWFK IURP WKH 0HGLWHUUDQHDQ WRb1RUZD\ bZLWK VRPH GHSDUWXUHV IURP WKH 8.
Top tips: Private areas cater to a growing number of multigenerational families travelling together, who make up a large proportion of bookings. Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Family Suite, within its Suite Neighbourhood, is a two-storey adventure pad for up to eight, featuring a slide, movie room, karaoke, air hockey and table tennis, so children never have to wait in a queue to take part in activities. Couples wanting to spoil themselves will also enjoy retreat areas, which offer areas just for adults. The Haven by Norwegian, for example, KDV D VXQbGHFN VSDQQLQJ WZR OHYHOV – RQH RI ZKLFK LV DGXOW RQO\ – while MSC Yacht Club passengers enjoy complimentary DFFHVVbWR WKH 7KHUPDO 6XLWH LQ WKH 06& $XUHD 6SD
HPEDUNDWLRQ ۑHXHXT Selling points: $V ZHOO DV ‘MXPS WKH DQG GLVHPEDUNDWLRQ RWKHU SHUNV RI VWD\LQJ LQ ‘VKLSV ZLWKLQ ships’ include 24-hour butler service and a concierge service to help with priority speciality restaurant bookings, as well as complimentary access to spas and being able to dine and GULQNbLQ H[FOXVLYHbUHVWDXUDQW DQG EDU DUHDV
September 2023 15
PICTURE: CHRISTIAN SANTIAGO
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