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Five agents who recently returned from cruises share their experiences and selling tips with Abra Dunsby
“The ship was about a third full, so it was like being on a small ship on a big ship. The staff are attentive on cruises at the best of times, but they had even more time for people. They were so pleased to see guests onboard and were bending over backwards to help us. A week in the sun like we experienced onboard would be a great option for families, as there are kids’ clubs and there’s a small water park area. It’s very family-orientated.
“On the day before we disembarked in Limassol, the conference centre turned into a testing facility. Testing took 10 minutes maximum and we got an email with our results within 30 minutes.
“Going on an international cruise has been useful in understanding the whole travel process. It’s given me a lot more confidence in selling cruises and any holiday.
“It was a really great experience. I’ve since booked myself on an ex-UK cruise travelling onboard Sky Princess, which says it all really.”
“[The cruise] was a really different experience compared with some of the other cruise lines I’ve been on. A lot of our clients are in their 20s to 40s, and this ship will appeal to them.
“I loved the state rooms, which were chic and modern. We stayed in a sea terrace cabin, which had a balcony with a hammock and an iPad that controlled everything from room service to mood lighting.
“The entertainment was different too – one show was almost like a celebrity chat show, with members of the audience going up on stage.
“The food was to die for, and I loved that all meals were included. They had some fun concepts like Gunbae restaurant, which offered a tepenyaki show cooking experience.
“We get lots of leads through Instagram and Facebook and we got a great reaction when we posted about the trip on social. I’ve already had some clients saying they’re going to enquire once they get back from their upcoming trips.
“I plan on pushing relevant offers out next. I can’t wait to send more clients onboard.”
“I was onboard for four days with my wife and it was an absolutely amazing experience; it’s such a beautiful ship. The service was impeccable. A ship like that is an experience as well as a holiday.
“It’s also great for clients who want to travel more sustainably, as when it’s under sail it’s a lot more fuel-efficient than other ships.
“I’m a keen diver and it’s basically like a five-star luxury liveaboard, so great for dive clients, or those who want to learn to dive, as there’s an instructor onboard and a dive pool.
“I had a new-to-cruise client onboard at the same time as me who is a keen sailor and wanted to experience a tall ship. They loved it, and I plan on converting them to other ships of a similar type. It’s perfect for clients who are put off by larger ships.
“I sell a lot of cruise and it’s gone to the top of the list of cruise ships I give five stars to and can’t wait to sell.”
“I was on the first sailing back for Saga since the pandemic. It’s a beautiful new ship and we enjoyed some great shore excursions in the south of England, including Heligan Gardens, Tresco Island and Falmouth.
“The speciality dining, which is included, was a real highlight – the best I’ve experienced on a ship recently.
“I had a standard single balcony cabin, which is only 10% smaller than a standard twin balcony and was spacious and modern.
“I was active on social media while away. I have a lot of cruise bloggers and travellers who follow me and received lots of retweets and comments from my posts, as well as people enquiring and registering interest for travel in 2022 or 2023 or asking about safety protocols.
“I’ve always been a cruise specialist and I’m a?Clia master but since the pandemic I’ve been selling 100% cruise. People have a lot more confidence in booking cruises because of the flexibility.
“My tip to other agents is to get onboard a ship, as you can’t understand the operational side of things until you experience it for yourself.”
“This was my first fly-cruise since the start of the pandemic. It was lovely to be onboard a ship that not many people have experienced before.
“I have clients going onboard very soon and doing a very similar Greece itinerary, so it’s been great to say, ‘these are the things to do, you’re going to love it’.
“One of the highlights was trying out the S.A.L.T concept. We took a moussaka cooking class?in the S.A.L.T lab, tried local produce and speciality cocktails served on the restaurant menus and did an excursion in Patmos?to accompany the chef to buy produce for the class.
“There were lots of opportunities to experience the local destination. We were docked in town in Siros, Athens and Rhodes, so you could just get off and wander.
“Everyone was asked to wear a mask in public spaces onboard. There was also a hand washing station in the buffet and our temperature was taken every morning by our butler.
“To me cruising feels like one of safest ways of travelling right now.”
