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How to sell: family Jane Archer looks at the wealth of cruise options
HOW TO SELL
Family cruise
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SELLING TIP –Cruises from the UK are easier for families with young kids or elderly grandparents
Jane Archer is the authority on all things cruise. This issue, she looks the wealth of options available for families – from tots to teens and multi-generational trips
Tots to tweens p34
Teenagers p35
Multi-generational p36
Thousands of children are getting hooked on holidays at sea as cruise lines invest millions in facilities that rival anything available in familyfriendly resorts on land. Exciting water slides, laser tag games, rockclimbing walls, dodgem cars. You name it, you can do it on modern resort-style ships. And all that’s in
addition to the non-stop activities on o er in clubs for all ages, from tots to teens. But there are many more reasons why families should put a cruise at the top of their holiday list. It’s a safe environment so children can be allowed considerable freedom, which they love and which, in turn, allows mum and dad to relax. There are also plenty of grown-up venues for parents and, if grandparents want to come along as well, that also works. Over the next few pages we look at options for family cruises with babies, children and teens, as well as multi-generational holidays. Prices are per adult. Contact the relevant cruise lines for child prices.
Tots to tweens
It’s never too early to get kids cruising – especially as so many cruise lines these days cater for all ages, from tots to tweens (usually those aged 12 to 14, who have outgrown supervised care, but are too young to hang out with teenagers). Focus on resort-style ships that have pools, water slides, kids’ clubs, spas and many more facilities to cater for the different age groups, as well as family cabins that give mum, dad and the kids their own space.
Go Mickey
Who? Disney Cruise Line Where? Norwegian Fjords When? August 30, 2020 How long? Seven nights How much? From £1,547pp
With Mickey and Minnie as the stars of the show, it’s no wonder that Disney Cruise Line is a favourite with families. There are nurseries for babies and tots, kids’ clubs, character breakfasts and pirate parties. This cruise, round-trip from Dover on Disney Magic, offers glaciers, waterfalls and hikes during days ashore in the Norwegian fjords.
Go Freestyle
Who? Norwegian Cruise Line Where? Western Mediterranean When? August 16, 2020 How long? Seven nights How much? From £801pp
Norwegian Epic is a ship made for families, with
no dress codes or set dining, but plenty of activities for all ages. This cruise is a roundtrip from Barcelona and takes in classic ports in Italy, France and Spain. Passengers can pick two upgrade packages from unlimited drinks, wi-fi, speciality dining or shorex credit.
Go European
Who? MSC Cruises Where? Western Mediterranean When? August 1, 2020 How long? Seven nights How much? From £1,199pp
Whether travelling with babies, toddlers or tweens, families will have a ball on this cruise. It’s on MSC Seaview, a huge ship which has clubs for all ages, water slides, zip wires, racing car simulators and a whole lot more. The cruise, which is a round-trip from Barcelona, calls into lively ports in France, Italy and Spain, including Ajaccio and Palma. The price includes all tips on board.
SELLING TIP –Activities on board cruise ships are often free, unlike in land resorts
Teenagers
Teenagers are notoriously hard to please when it comes to holidays, which is what makes cruise a winner for this age group. They can chill with friends while cruising Mediterranean or Caribbean hotspots on resort-style ships with teen clubs and fun activities, or discover different cultures and landscapes on cruises to more remote spots. The Galápagos and Antarctica are worth suggesting, or maybe a river cruise in Europe that brings history to life.
Fun in the sun
Who? Carnival Cruise Line Where? Western Caribbean When? August 22, 2020 How long? Seven nights How much? From £479pp
When it comes to Fun with a capital F, Carnival is hard to beat. This cruise is on Carnival Vista, which is full of fun activities and parties that go on into the wee small hours. This cruise is roundtrip from Galveston in Texas, a cheaper option for flights from the UK than Miami, with calls into party ports of Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
Uncovering Europe
Who? A-Rosa Cruises Where? River Rhine When? July 17, 2021 How long? 10 nights How much? From £4,559pp including flights
A-Rosa has its eyes on families with E-Motion,
a hybrid ship launching in 2021 with family cabins and free cruises for under 15s. This holiday, from Cruise Plus by Travel2, pairs a seven-night cruise round-trip from Cologne to Holland and Belgium with three nights in Cologne. The price is for a family of four and includes unlimited drinks.
Polar expedition
Who? Hurtigruten Where? Antarctica When? December 16, 2020 How long? 12 nights How much? From £6,105pp including flights (book by March 31)
Cruising to the South Pole is an educational experience teens will never forget, This cruise, round-trip from Ushuaia, is on Fridjof Nansen, a hybrid ship launching in March that comes with a science centre, expert lecturers and the promise of trips ashore (weather permitting). Prices include a night in Buenos Aires, wine, beer and soft drinks with meals, wi-fi and tips.
SELLING TIP –Suggest a more cultural cruise for families with teenagers
Multi-generational
Whether looking for a holiday for mum, dad, the children and grandparents, or a skip-gen break, where the grandparents take their grandchildren away with them, cruises are hard to beat. They are safe and easy, especially if sailing from the UK. Resort-style ships have activities and entertainment for all ages, from water slides to kids’ clubs, spas, live bands and production shows, so each generation can have their own holiday and share their day over dinner.
Explore the fjords
Who? Princess Cruises Where? Norwegian fjords When? August 15, 2020 How long? Seven days How much? From £749pp
Cruising the fjords on a Princess ship is always a pleasure, but add in a no-fly departure from Southampton and you have an easy holiday for young and old alike. Crown Princess has kids’ clubs, pool-side movies, a spa, production shows and more. Scenic drives and RIB boat rides are options on calls into Stavanger, Skjolden and Bergen.
Head to the Med
Who? Royal Caribbean International Where? Western Mediterranean When? August 9, 2020 How long? Seven nights How much? From £858pp
Whether clients are seven or 70, they’ll have a ball
on this cruise, which pairs a week on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, a huge cruise ship packed with activities and entertainment for all ages, with the magic of the Med. The voyage, round-trip from Barcelona, visits the Italian hotspots of Rome, Naples and Florence.
Cruise the Baltic
Who? P&O Cruises Where? Baltic When? August 9, 2020 How long? 14 nights How much? From £1,299pp
This cruise is on Azura, one of P&O’s largest ships with facilities including kids’ clubs, bars, restaurants and entertainment that appeal to all ages. The sailing is round-trip from Southampton, which makes travelling easy for all generations, and takes in theme parks, Segway tours and palaces galore on calls into Baltic favourites including Stockholm, Copenhagen and St Petersburg. Includes tips.
SELLING TIP –Family suites are good value and spacious but book early as they are snapped up fast
OUR BEST VALUE EUROPE FREEGRATUITIESREDUCEDKIDSFARES LOWDEPOSIT&MORE -NIGHTCRUISEFROM pp
WETHEEXPLORERS
Book your clients’ + cruise by // and if they cancel + they’ll receive a Future Cruise Credit in the amount of the deposit and any cancellation fees up to days before departure.
From Amsterdam’s treasures, we head north to the land of fjords and mountains. We marvel at the beauty of tiny Eidfjord; then feast on Nordic seafood on an immersive ‘Food & Wine’ experience at Bergen’s Lysverket. We discover Alesund’s art-deco architecture, then watch in awe as Nieuw Statendam’s captain steers our elegant hotel-at-sea into stunning UNESCO-listed fjord scenery, while experts explain the sights.
-Night Norse Legends -Night Jewels of the Baltic Nieuw Statendam I Roundtrip Amsterdam Zuiderdam I Roundtrip Copenhagen Departs: 24 May; 21 Jun*; 19 Jul; 16 Aug 2020 Departs: 16 Jul; 9 Aug* 2020 PACK THESE VALUES!
Amsterdam, Eid ord, cruising Hardanger ord, Alesund, Geiranger, cruising Geiranger ord, Bergen, Amsterdam
*Lead in fare based on 21 Jun departure. Ports of call may be visited in diff erent order
CRUISEFROM
* PERPERSON FLY/CRUISEFROM
* PERPERSON
rd/th and kids cruise from pp
•Free gratuities • Reduced rd/th & kids fares • Free Onboard Spending Money (up to US¢ ) for Suites • Book ocean view and above by / to receive extra per stateroom onboard spend • Deposits from £pp Book select 2020 cruises or Land+Sea Journeys and your clients receive these valuable off ers: 2 Mar-30 Apr 2020
Copenhagen, Tallinn, St Petersburg (overnight); Helsinki, Stockholm; Warnemunde (Berlin); Kiel (Hamburg), Copenhagen
*Lead in fare based on 9 Aug departure. Ports of call may be visited in diff erent order
CRUISEFROM
* PERPERSON FLY/CRUISEFROM
* PERPERSON • Overnight stay in St Petersburg
rd/th and kids cruise from «pp
Just two of the great off ers we have for your clients in 2020 – visit www.hollandamerica.com for more
EXTRA COMMISSION FOR YOU WHEN YOU BOOK ANY ^ CRUISE BY //
WAYS TO BOOK: Reservations Online POLAR Online: via www.hollandamerica.com and click on partnerships Reservations by Phone Call 0344 338 8600 Contact the Sales Team on salessupport@hollandamerica.co.uk
