Each issue, cruise expert Jane Archer shares her tips on selling a specific area of cruise. This time, she looks at how to sell to the new-to-cruise market
Instead of being decimated by the pandemic, as many forecast, the new-to-cruise market has shown itself to be a comeback kid as several lines reported strong demand from first-timers for their UK seacation sailings this summer. Whether that was inspired by a genuine desire to cruise or borne of desperation to get away after months of dreary lockdown is anyone’s guess. The important takeaway for agents is that Covid has not put first-timers off cruising so they, in turn, have every reason to step up efforts to get clients who have never been on a ship to try a holiday at sea. There’s so much to sell: the ease of travel, the great service, the value for money (especially at the moment, with Wave in full swing). But do you suggest big hitters such as Alaska or the Caribbean, or play it safe with something closer to home for those yet to find their sea legs? We’ve gone for the latter with ideas for mini-cruises, city-break sailings and bucket-list voyages to the Norwegian fjords.
Taking the leap from a land-based resort stay to a cruise is a big deal, even for those if keen to try a holiday at sea, so agents need to find ways to ease clients in. Enter the mini or taster cruise – the ideal way for new-to-cruisers to get their sea legs without splashing too much cash. We’ve picked two ex-UK mini-cruises, which have the benefit of no flights, and one in Europe for those keen to break away from these shores and add some city time while there.
Traditional
Who? Ambassador Cruise Line
Where? Northern Europe
When? December 11, 2022
How long? Five nights
How much? From £666pp
Cricket fans on this mini cruise from newcomer Ambassador can meet the likes of David Gower, Devon Malcolm and Mike Gatting on board and get in the Christmas spirit ashore at colourful markets in Hamburg and Antwerp. The cruise is round-trip from Tilbury on the 1,400-passenger Ambience. Price shown is an Ambassador fare, which includes drinks and tips.
Boutique
Who? Saga Cruises
Where? Northern Europe
When? October 11, 2022
How long? Five nights
How much? From £1,206pp
Amsterdam’s canals, Rotterdam’s quirky architecture (cube houses, anyone?) and Belgium’s beer and chocolate await on this short cruise round-trip from Dover next autumn. The voyage is on the 999-passenger Spirit of Discovery and, as this is Saga, reserved for those aged over 50. Price includes drinks, tips, speciality dining, wi-fi, home to port transfers and travel insurance.
Casual
Who? Norwegian Cruise Line
Where? Mediterranean
When? April 17, 2022
How long? Three nights
How much? From £447pp
No one is going to fly to the Med for three nights to see if they like cruising, but what if they bolted the voyage onto a stay in Barcelona, where this cruise starts, or Rome, where it ends? Suddenly it’s an ideal choice for first-timers. The cruise is on the 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic. Price includes free drinks, two free meals in a speciality restaurant, $50 shore excursion credit and wi-fi.
With all meals and entertainment included, and increasingly drinks and tips taken care of, a cruise is excellent value compared to most land-based stays
Clients who have never cruised are unlikely to consider a holiday at sea for their next city break, but pick the right voyage and they’ll be in metropolis heaven, with four or five cities to explore on just one holiday. A-listers such as Amsterdam, Rome and Dubrovnik will be the main draws, but a city-break cruise is a brilliant way to discover places that are usually overlooked but equally packed with architectural, historical and cultural delights.
Value
Who? Marella Cruises
Where? Mediterranean
When? May 10, 2022
How long? Seven nights
How much? From £828pp including flights
With up to seven cities to see in just one week, this cruise around Spain, France and Italy on the 1,830-passenger Marella Discovery is a metropolitan marvel. Sailing round-trip from Palma, it calls into Valencia, Barcelona, Toulon, Villefranche (for Monaco and Nice) and Livorno, from where passengers can tick off both Florence and Pisa in one day. Price includes drinks and tips.
Indulge
Who? Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Where? Baltic
When? June 21, 2022
How long? Nine nights
How much? From £7,649pp, including flights
Regent’s unlimited free excursion policy comes into its own on this cruise from Copenhagen to Stockholm. Passengers will visit a city a day and spend two days in St Petersburg, where they can do up to three included tours a day, if scheduling and stamina allows. The cruise is on the 750-passenger Seven Seas Splendor. Price also includes drinks, tips, speciality dining, wi-fi and laundry.
Treat
Who? Oceania Cruises
Where? Mediterranean
When? May 14, 2022
How long? 10 days
How much? £2,749pp including flights
This cruise is from Venice to Civitavecchia (for Rome) on the 1,250-passenger Marina and notches up eight countries and seven cities including Valletta Dubrovnik, Barcelona and Marseille (and adding a land stay at the start and end, tallies up another two). Price includes free internet and either free drinks for two, or three tours per person or $600 onboard credit per cabin.
Categorise client types on your database – couples who love city breaks or luxury, families and so on – and suggest a cruise that suits
A cruise along Norway’s fractal coastline, dipping in and out of deep fjords bounded by soaring mountains, likely tops the bucket-list for many people planning their first holiday at sea. It’s a great choice. A cruise is the best way to enjoy the scenery, and certainly the most cost-effective. The summer months, when the sun barely sets, is the most popular time, but winter, when there is a chance of a grand show by the northern lights, is catching up fast.
Family fun
Who? Carnival Cruise Line
Where? Norwegian fjords
When? June 10, 2022
How long? Nine days
How much? From £750pp
Get ready for Fun in the Fjords as the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride heads up to Norway this summer. There are fast RIB rides, funiculars, hikes and all manner of Troll-like things to be had on trips ashore; back on board water-slides, comedy clubs and Green Eggs and Ham breakfasts await on two fun days at sea. The cruise is round-trip from Dover.
A cruise is the easy way to travel, unpacking once and with no worries about who is driving home after dinner
Light fantastic
Who? Fred Olsen Cruise Line
Where? Norwegian fjords
When? November 13, 2022
How long? 11 nights
How much? From £1,499pp
Never mind the scenery, all eyes will be on the skies as the 1,360-passenger Borealis heads over the Arctic Circle in search of the northern lights. The cruise is round-trip from Liverpool and calls into art-deco Alesund and quirky Sortland, where almost everything is painted blue. Free drinks and pre-paid tips are included with bookings made before February 1.
All-inclusive luxury
Who? Silversea
Where? Norwegian fjords
When? July 5, 2022
How long? 10 days
How much? From £6,700pp including flights
Calling all foodies! There’ll be local cooking on board and food-themed trips ashore as the 596-passenger Silver Moon – the first Silversea ship purpose-built to host the line’s Sea and Land Taste (SALT) initiative – heads to the fjords. The cruise is round-trip from Copenhagen and calls into fjord favourites Flåm, Bergen and Olden. Price includes drinks, tips, wi-fi and selected excursions.