Cruises that don’t require a flight are growing in popularity. Here’s how to make the most of this growing trend
The facts: There’s no doubt you’ll have customers who don’t want to face airports because of Covid, but are still eager to travel.
As cruising returns, there are a number of cruise lines offering trips from the UK, meaning clients can sail to multiple destinations without having to set foot on an aircraft. It’s also an ideal choice for accessible travel, as UK cruise ports are well equipped to cater for mobility needs.
The lines: Most of the major lines have at least one ship sailing from the UK, particularly in the summer months, so it really is down to your clients’ personal preferences. P&O Cruises and Cunard Line sail a variety of itineraries from Southampton, as do Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises and Princess Cruises.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is a great option for regional departures from Newcastle, Liverpool, Belfast and Dover. Dover will also play host to Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line, with a smattering of no-fly cruises for clients fond of the US-centric lines.
For luxury fans, lines including Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas offer a handful of round-trip UK cruises. New this year is Ambassador with its ship Ambience, sailing from Tilbury. Look out for new ships; NCL’s Norwegian Prima will offer a number of inaugural sailings from Southampton and Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady brings its hip style to Portsmouth as part of its maiden season.
The itineraries: Clients will have the pick of destinations: from round-UK trips and short weekend break cruises to Amsterdam, Belgium and Paris, scenic Norwegian fjords and Baltic ports. And then there are the ever-popular Canary Islands, Portugal, Spain, France, and the Mediterranean.
For something unique, recommend lines such as Hebridean Island Cruises for sailings around the Hebrides, or Hurtigruten Expeditions for off-the-beaten-track Norway and British Isles cruising.
Top tips: For those looking for a greener way to travel to the Continent to join a river cruise, then suggest no-fly packages. APT, for example, sells those that include Eurostar travel. For first-time cruisers, offer a shorter, no-fly cruise. Some lines offer weekenders with two-to-four-night sailings.
Cost wise, it won’t break the bank, and while they may not visit a huge number of ports, they will get a taste of life on board, the cabins, dining and entertainment options, as well as at least one shore excursion.
Sell the benefits: Aside from the holiday starting the moment your client steps aboard the ship, remember other key selling points include the fact there is no chance of flight delays or cancellations, transfer concerns and rushing to the port, no luggage restrictions, and it really is a case of packing and unpacking once.
PICTURES: Shutterstock/SMIT, Steve Photography
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