Take to the seas and find hidden treasures

Cruising

Take to the seas and find hidden treasures

See more on a mini-cruise from Cyprus

Cruise control: agents who pre-book cruises earn good commission

ENCOURAGING visitors to come to your country so they can leave on a cruise may seem a strange message to promote, but it is one that has been adopted by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation.

UK director Orestis Rossides said the CTO does not seek out cruiselines to come to Cyprus, but it is happy to promote them once they choose the country.

For the UK market, they give the 50% of repeat visitors something new to do, while for Americans they are an added reason to visit in the first place.

Several cruiselines operate cruises from Cyprus. First Choice has seven-night cruises, that begin and end in Cyprus, as well as a one-off 13-night cruise on April 25 from Cyprus to Majorca and a 15-night itinerary from Majorca to Cyprus on October 23.

Thomson has two one-off itineraries based on Limassol, while Airtours ship, Seawing, will be based there this summer, offering three seven-night itineraries to the Greek Islands, Turkey, Israel and Egypt.

The most popular cruises from Cyprus are two and three-night itineraries to Israel, Egypt or both, which can be added to a stay-put holiday in resort.

The best-known operator in the market is Louis Cruise Lines, which offers year-round cruises to Israel and Egypt, and has added two-day cruises to Lebanon from May 2001.

Louis Cruise Lines general manager UK and Ireland Peter Adamou said the short cruises are increasing in popularity.

“They’re an ideal way for people holidaying in Cyprus to see another country they might want to visit but not spend time in,” he said.

“Most people book while they’re on holiday but we’re trying to educate agents to pre-book clients and they’re slowly coming round to the idea.”

Cyprus specialist Cyplon Holidays’ brochure and product development executive Sharon Yiapatou said pre-booking is worth an average £25 in commission to agents.

With cruising one of the fastest growing sectors of the industry, it can be particularly lucrative for agents.

Limassol: features in many cruising itineraries

sample product

Thomson: Eastern Promise cruise departs Limassol and visits Athens, Crete, Egypt and Israel before returning to Cyprus. Cost is from £699 per person based on standard inside cabin including meals on board and return flights.

Cyplon Holidays: a two-night cruise with Louis Cruise Lines from Cyprus to Lebanon costs from £145, including Beirut city tour, a visit to the Jelta Grotto by boat and cable car and panoramic tour of Byblos.

Priceright Holidays: a three-day cruise to Israel and Egypt with Paradise Cruises costs from £227, based on two sharing a cabin including excursions to Cairo and Jerusalem.

questions and answers

We asked the Passenger Shipping Association Retail Agents scheme what are the most frequently asked questions by agents. Here is what they said

What type of cruises are available departing from Limassol?

A

Louis Cruise Lines offers two and three-day cruises from Limassol visiting Egypt, Israel, Beirut and Rhodes. It also offers longer cruises to Crete, Rhodes and the Greek Islands. First Choice has the ship Ausonia in Limassol at the beginning and end of the season and new for next year is Airtours’ Sun Cruises programme.

Is it easy to book the local mini-cruises in the UK?

A

Most mini-cruises are offered to clients by the holiday reps when they are on holiday, but you can book them with more than 30 UK tour operators or with Louis Cruise Lines in the UK before they go and earn extra commission.

What star rating are the ships and what facilities do they offer?

A

Most ships operating out of Cyprus are two and three-star plus, offering a range of accommodation and entertainment every night. Airtours’ Sun Cruises and First Choice Cruises offer activity programmes including exceptional kids’ clubs during the holiday seasons.

Why are these cruises so

popular?

A

It’s estimated that 120,000 UK residents will take a mini-cruise this year. They are popular because they are inexpensive and they enhance the holiday. For many they also offer a chance of a lifetime to visit the pyramids and Jerusalem.