Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Travel Pulse on Halloween cruises
As you've probably seen from our Instagram pictures, some ships are already decked out for Halloween. Travel Pulse rounded up a list of what each cruise line is offering during this popular and fun holiday. While most activities target kids, there are still plenty of things for adults: scary movies, costume contests, etc.
Because Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, many ships will be in disembarking-embarking mode. That sort of turnaround might prevent guests from getting the full experience, but check out your cruise company and its itinerary. Many of the spooky events might take place in the days before and after the holiday.
Because Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, many ships will be in disembarking-embarking mode. That sort of turnaround might prevent guests from getting the full experience, but check out your cruise company and its itinerary. Many of the spooky events might take place in the days before and after the holiday.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Cruise Marketing: an age and vacation issue, not technology one
Skift posted an interesting article on the cruise industry's marketing issues. Their theory:
We disagree slightly with their belief. The cruise industry's slow shift to self-booking is more of a demographic issue than technology.
While no cruise line or cruise seller has a great online experience (compared to other online and travel retailers), all the major companies and sites have perfectly effective self-booking paths. The huge portion of cruise bookings going through travel agents is due to who is booking those trips and what they want. Even with good marketing, cruises still cater to an older demographic. The older you are, the less likely you are to embrace the newest apps, newest booking methods, etc. Also it is harder to change habits. Calling your agent is that easy. Plus good agents still have faster comparison shopping, often have access to the harder to find deals and can guide you through the a la carte choices needed beyond room, dates and price.
By comparison buying an airline ticket or hotel room is much simpler. The various pricing options are less opaque. Paying extra for a window or aisle, or suite in a hotel, is easier to comprehend than the various cruise categories on a the larger ships. Until cruise packages are made simpler, there is value in third party assistance.
Eventually cruise booking will shift. The users will demand it and the margins will lead the cruise companies away from agents. But until people demand a better alternative, agents will be selling cruises for a long time.
No cruise company has yet to develop an effective online booking and marketing platform for consumers. For now, they need travel agents to act as their de facto North American marketing and booking force.
We disagree slightly with their belief. The cruise industry's slow shift to self-booking is more of a demographic issue than technology.
While no cruise line or cruise seller has a great online experience (compared to other online and travel retailers), all the major companies and sites have perfectly effective self-booking paths. The huge portion of cruise bookings going through travel agents is due to who is booking those trips and what they want. Even with good marketing, cruises still cater to an older demographic. The older you are, the less likely you are to embrace the newest apps, newest booking methods, etc. Also it is harder to change habits. Calling your agent is that easy. Plus good agents still have faster comparison shopping, often have access to the harder to find deals and can guide you through the a la carte choices needed beyond room, dates and price.
By comparison buying an airline ticket or hotel room is much simpler. The various pricing options are less opaque. Paying extra for a window or aisle, or suite in a hotel, is easier to comprehend than the various cruise categories on a the larger ships. Until cruise packages are made simpler, there is value in third party assistance.
Eventually cruise booking will shift. The users will demand it and the margins will lead the cruise companies away from agents. But until people demand a better alternative, agents will be selling cruises for a long time.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Sea Cruisers' Video Review: Regal Princess
As we've written before, we enjoy all sorts of cruise video reviews. The Sea Cruisers (two sisters) are certainly different and it is refreshing. Take a look at their video above for the Regal Princess. How many reviewers would start off their review with a nervous walk on the SeaWalk? It doesn't end there. You get all aspects of the cruise and the ladies do a good job giving you a feel for the ship and its offerings. Check out more of their videos on their YouTube page.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Cruise Fever's advice on Hurricane Season cruises
Some might want to avoid cruises during the late summer, early fall because of Hurricane Season. Weather patterns and change in ocean temperatures send big storms towards the Atlantic Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean annually. But according to Cruise Fever you should embrace cruising during this time of year. They point out that when you are on a ship, you can avoid dangerous weather.
While ships are able to move out of the way, sailing during hurricane season does require some preparation and planning from passengers. Because weather can impact flights and even ship departures, you should arrive in your departure port early. Cruise Fever also makes the point to get travel insurance. Most plans cover weather issues that might impact your vacation.
While ships are able to move out of the way, sailing during hurricane season does require some preparation and planning from passengers. Because weather can impact flights and even ship departures, you should arrive in your departure port early. Cruise Fever also makes the point to get travel insurance. Most plans cover weather issues that might impact your vacation.
Friday, October 9, 2015
Cruise Needs' Tweets of the Week
There’s no better place to watch the sunset and gaze up at the stars #WorldSpaceWeek Photo: http://t.co/mkonkQ7hCE pic.twitter.com/Vd2qn6b7Bp
— NCL UK (@NCL_UK) October 5, 2015Fun picture of @SeabournCruise Captain Bathgate and Hotel Director Haughey pasta cook off for #SeabournOdyssey crew pic.twitter.com/dtx1twqIKx
— John Delaney (@JohnDelaneySBN) October 7, 201510 Do’s and Don’t for a Family Cruise Holiday http://t.co/nTemxHYlV6 via @Cruisenation #cruise #FamilyTravel pic.twitter.com/itM4b6idwG
— David, Ports of Call (@PortsOfCallUK) October 9, 2015Panama Canal Cruise should be on everyone's bucket list! #cruise #sunset pic.twitter.com/wlsLFdXtZU
— BonVoyageurs (@BonVoyageurs) October 8, 2015My current view from @FredOlsenCruise Boudicca #cruisechat #travel pic.twitter.com/5aL2m9JQ34
— Danielle (@CruiseMiss) October 8, 2015The Hide & Tweet fun starts Sunday in Nice France, so be ready to guess @AzamaraVoyages secret location! http://t.co/nWSAvy0avs #CruiseChat
— Simon (@SimonTravels) October 6, 2015Thursday, October 8, 2015
Is Carnival the most trusted cruise line?
A Reader's Digest poll named Carnival Cruise Line "America’s Most Trusted Cruise Line." The poll asked 4,500 readers which products and companies they trusted in 40 different categories. Carnival is obviously proud of the acknowledgement and some in the cruise media space are calling it a turnaround. But even if perception has improved for the company there is still work to be done.
Just last month a fire on the Carnival Liberty stranded thousands of passengers in St. Thomas. A few weeks later smoke broke out on the Carnival Pride. Fortunately in both instances passengers were safe, but I am sure the passengers forced off the Liberty aren't totally trusting Carnival right now.
Because they were contained and the passengers were dealt with, nothing reached the level of news coverage that the Carnival Splendor fire did in 2010. That was what did the most to damage passenger "trust." Five years later, with the Splendor somewhat forgotten, when Reader's Digest asks people about cruise companies, they naturally say Carnival. It is the most well-known brand. But even with the award we hope that the company remains diligent and keeps passenger and ship safety as its focus.
Just last month a fire on the Carnival Liberty stranded thousands of passengers in St. Thomas. A few weeks later smoke broke out on the Carnival Pride. Fortunately in both instances passengers were safe, but I am sure the passengers forced off the Liberty aren't totally trusting Carnival right now.
Because they were contained and the passengers were dealt with, nothing reached the level of news coverage that the Carnival Splendor fire did in 2010. That was what did the most to damage passenger "trust." Five years later, with the Splendor somewhat forgotten, when Reader's Digest asks people about cruise companies, they naturally say Carnival. It is the most well-known brand. But even with the award we hope that the company remains diligent and keeps passenger and ship safety as its focus.
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