Trade-only operator If Only is expanding its cruise range by featuring European and river cruises for the first time.
During a Travel Weekly webcast on Tuesday, May 9, If Only general manager Gordon McCreadie said the new products would be included in a brochure being released at the end of May, with a preview version being made available at the Clia conference this weekend (May 12-15).
McCreadie said: “We had expected cruise to come back very strongly, but the demand for cruise – particularly luxury cruise – is well beyond our wildest expectations.”
More: If Only launches European programme for first time in 22-year history
He suggested some customers were attracted to cruises because it was easier to budget.
“The customer knows exactly what they’re going to be spending,” he said.
He also pointed to the standard of the service available and the quality of destinations, going on to add that, for some customers, cruises were appealing because they were a novelty.
“I think customers are just looking for something different, so they’ve maybe gone to a beach destination several times in the past and they’re just looking to experience something new,” McCreadie said.
He added that If Only’s cruises are part of a “bigger itinerary”.
“They’ll cruise for a week or two and then they’ll have a stay somewhere or maybe have a tour of Alaska or somewhere. That’s where we add value.”
The operator’s stand at the 15th Clia conference will feature incentives and giveaways, McCreadie said, including free cabins. Games will be played, too.
During the same webcast, McCreadie spoke about If Only starting to offer beach destinations in Europe for the first time in its 22-year history.
More: If Only launches European programme for first time in 22-year history