Experiential cruising: the holidaymaker’s choice, by Phil Evans

In recent years, attitudes to cruising have shifted thanks to the industry transforming itself to keep up with modern travel trends. There is no longer a ‘traditional’ or ‘core’ customer base for cruising as the industry now appeals to such a variety of travellers – from families and couples to those seeking intrepid adventures. Similarly, there is no longer the outdated perception that travellers might get ‘stuck’ on a ship with nothing to do. Competition within the cruise sector – and against the rest of the travel sector more generally – has driven innovations which have kept cruising as a fresh and exciting holiday option.

Gone are the days when cruise holidays were solely about the ship; the rise of experiential travel has led to an increasing focus on the destinations and the unique experiences available. For example, it’s not unusual for a Mediterranean cruise to visit a new port almost every day of the sailing, reducing the number of sea days and giving on board guests a more immersive experience of the region. It has long been the belief that cruise lines want to have more sea days in the itinerary to encourage guests to book spa treatments, shop in the onboard boutiques and purchase more drinks. However, cruise lines now understand that by offering a variety of land excursions to their passengers, they can create a mutually beneficial experience which is rewarding for their guests, local tenders and also their business.

Read More

New “ultra-exclusive” event announed by Crystal River Cruises

Crystal River Cruises has announced an “ultra-exclusive” event at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna for its guests with every 2016 and 2017 itinerary on board Crystal Mozart.

Passengers will gain private access to highlights of the baroque landmark’s collections of art.

At the evening event, guests inside the Unesco World Cultural Heritage site will get a chance see works by Austrian artists Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka and Egon Schiele.

Read more

Got customers confused by cruising terminology? Allow us to crack the code

For the first-timer, the cruise industry can feel like a members-only club, full of confusing terminology and secret handshakes. It means new customers will come armed with plenty of questions – particularly when booking a luxury holiday, where many people fret about committing embarrassing faux pas.

Here, we look at some of the most frequently asked questions for new to cruise customers…

Read More