Bookings for ex-UK cruises soared once the ash cloud hit British skies last week, with customers cancelling summer packages for fear they would not be able to fly.
Agents reported some clients scrapping bookings for package holidays in May and June, and rebooking with a cruise holiday.
Premium Travel head of sales Paul Waters said: “We’ve had customers cancelling holidays and then rebooking on cruises. People who hadn’t thought of cruising as an option are now enquiring about it, and those affected by the air problems are looking at it for the future.
“The air problems have raised awareness of the cruise industry, and the fact it’s affordable to lots of people who may have thought otherwise – it’s opened up doors to new people.”
Specialist cruise agency Bolsover Cruise Club also said it had received an “overwhelming number of enquiries”.
Reservation manager Michelle Newburtt said: “Since Wednesday last week we have received a number of enquiries from people wanting to book no-fly cruise deals. These are in addition to existing members buying their usual cruises. People are calling who have had their existing package holidays cancelled.”
Cruise lines helping in the rescue efforts to bring home stranded travellers are also hoping to entice new customers by letting them experience cruising first-hand.
Mike Hall is marketing manager for Cruise & Maritime Voyages, which picked up 14 extra travellers on the Marco Polo. He said: “We may well have found some new customers for the future.”
Save’n’Sail director Phil Nuttall said Celebrity Eclipse’s mission to rescue stranded tourists was a “great thing” for the industry. “When those passengers get back, they’ll tell 10 people down the pub, who’ll then tell another 10. It’s definitely going to entice more customers,” he said.
Source: TTG LIVE
Off Radar Comment
This is further evidence of a rise in interest for Cruises, especially for no-fly itineraries, whereby passengers can simply drive to the port to embark. We predict it will only be a matter of time that more Cruise Lines will embrace the Costa Crociere pioneering concept of multi-embarkation Cruises, whereby Cruise Guests are able to embark in a number of ports within a single itinerary.
Agents reported some clients scrapping bookings for package holidays in May and June, and rebooking with a cruise holiday.
Premium Travel head of sales Paul Waters said: “We’ve had customers cancelling holidays and then rebooking on cruises. People who hadn’t thought of cruising as an option are now enquiring about it, and those affected by the air problems are looking at it for the future.
“The air problems have raised awareness of the cruise industry, and the fact it’s affordable to lots of people who may have thought otherwise – it’s opened up doors to new people.”
Specialist cruise agency Bolsover Cruise Club also said it had received an “overwhelming number of enquiries”.
Reservation manager Michelle Newburtt said: “Since Wednesday last week we have received a number of enquiries from people wanting to book no-fly cruise deals. These are in addition to existing members buying their usual cruises. People are calling who have had their existing package holidays cancelled.”
Cruise lines helping in the rescue efforts to bring home stranded travellers are also hoping to entice new customers by letting them experience cruising first-hand.
Mike Hall is marketing manager for Cruise & Maritime Voyages, which picked up 14 extra travellers on the Marco Polo. He said: “We may well have found some new customers for the future.”
Save’n’Sail director Phil Nuttall said Celebrity Eclipse’s mission to rescue stranded tourists was a “great thing” for the industry. “When those passengers get back, they’ll tell 10 people down the pub, who’ll then tell another 10. It’s definitely going to entice more customers,” he said.
Source: TTG LIVE
Off Radar Comment
This is further evidence of a rise in interest for Cruises, especially for no-fly itineraries, whereby passengers can simply drive to the port to embark. We predict it will only be a matter of time that more Cruise Lines will embrace the Costa Crociere pioneering concept of multi-embarkation Cruises, whereby Cruise Guests are able to embark in a number of ports within a single itinerary.
