What makes you want to take a cruise?

Travel site Tnooz recently asked if virtual tours of ships are a good marketing tool for cruise lines. The simple answer is: yes. But the real answer is a bit more complex.

All cruise lines should be embracing the latest technology and marketing tools to sell cruises. For years they printed tens of thousands of brochures to reach people who had never cruised. These new virtual tours are just the next generation of that same concept -- get people to understand what taking a cruise is like. Pictures and words have just been replaced by interactive images. When done well, this strategy will get some people to take a cruise for the first time. However, it is not enough.

The most effective marketing tool for a unique experience will always be word of mouth. Seeing a commercial, reading a brochure or taking a virtual tour is one thing, but hearing from a trusted friend about how much fun cruising is will always get more people to try a cruise.

But are there other avenues that made you take your first cruise? Is there something other than traditional marketing that the cruise companies are overlooking?

Getting better broadband on cruise ships

In case you missed it, certainly read Faraz Qureshi's commentary on the need for better broadband on cruise ships. While the broadband options and pricing have improved on some of the newer ships, there is still a long way to go. But as Qureshi points out adding better and more accessible broadband service would be a huge marketing tool for the industry. Imagine all the Facebook posts, Instagram pictures and Tweets that are not being sent aboard cruise ships now due to limitations or fear of international roaming charges. All that lost social media could be free marketing to the cruise companies as friends and families back home see what a great vacation a cruise can be.

The limitations of broadband at sea also impact those in the market who don't want to unplug on their vacations. For every person who wants to be away from their mobile device and related work, there are plenty who cannot or don't want to be away. The opportunity to multitask on vacation is essential. On a cruise ship that can be a challenge, where competing land vacations might not create the same issues.

The technology will catch up eventually. However, the cruise companies that get their first will have a great tool to reach new customers.