CR10-11 nov21 18/11/08 16:19 Page 2
knowledge cruise
ttglive.com
Have you stayed extra nights? How do you book extra nights?
TTG/Cruise.co.uk. survey
AGE GROUPS
50% were older than 56
Myself
36
36% were aged between 46-55
Yes 38
45
Travel agent55
14% were 45 or younger
No
Cruise line
FREQUENCY
26
27% had cruised more than 10 times
30% between five and 10 times
WHICH CRUISE LINE
33% had cruised with P&O Cruises How many excursions do you book? How will you book excursions?
26% with Royal Caribbean
22% with Princess and Thomson
15
Shore
17% with NCL
excursion operator
32
31
1-2
16% with Fred Olsen
Cruise line only
40
19
1 at every port
11% with Ocean Village
Travel agent
As many as we can afford
2,335 respondents
Tourist board
29 34
office body Antor, and were published in have seen more lines introducing exotic being deemed to be expensive.
TTG in September. destinations such as Dubai and South More than nine out of 10 respondents
Since then, a further 750 customers have America, which shows their importance.” (91%) said they took excursions, with 40%
responded, taking the total polled to 2,335. Of less importance to the respondents was saying they would take multiple trips as long
the date of a particular cruise, suggesting a as they could afford it and 29% saying they
Booking influences certain amount of flexibility and reflecting would take an excursion in every port they
We asked respondents to identify the most the large percentage of customers over the visited.
important aspects when booking a cruise by age of 46 who had taken part. However, just 19% said they would consider
rating factors from “not very important” to booking excursions through a travel agent,
“very important”. The most important factor Extra nights suggesting there are opportunities for agents
for customers was the ship’s embarkation/ Many of those surveyed were not happy if to work with lines that will pay commission
disembarkation ports and ports of call. their only experience of an embarkation on pre-booked sales.
More than half the respondents (52%) port or disembarkation port was the transfer Of those who regularly take excursions,
rated this as very important, with nearly to or from the airport. And it was here that 34% said they would book through the
three quarters rating it as either very the first area of opportunity for agents ap- cruise line, 32% said they would book
important or important. In comparison, the peared to present itself. through a specialised excursion operator
cost of a cruise was deemed to be very im- More than half the respondents (55%) said and 15% said they would consider booking
portant by 38%, while the cruise line itself they had stayed extra nights before or after a through a local tourist board.
was classed as a very important factor by 37%. cruise in a hotel or resort. But only a quarter “The findings do suggest that there are
“This is an interesting finding, as cruise of those said they had booked those extra opportunities for agents to bundle up extra
lines would like us to believe that the most nights through a travel agent. nights and excursions,” Rapal commented.
important factor is the brand,” said Sukie The majority had booked their stay either On the excursions that are offered by
Rapal, Cruise.co.uk head of marketing. themselves (38%) or through the cruise line cruise lines, 74% of respondents felt that
“But even in the last few weeks, we (36%). And although the cruise line bookings they were very good but overpriced, while
are likely to be connected to direct bookings, 4% said there wasn’t enough choice available
A third of respondents book there does seem to be an opportunity for and 17% rated them as either “boring” or
excursions through the agents to target those customers who cur- “not worth the price”.
cruise line rently do their own thing or who have Only 5% said they represented both good
not previously stayed extra nights choice and value for money.
(DIY cruise bookings, page 58). The biggest drawbacks in taking excursions
A finding which will also be of were price (42%) and the likelihood of
interest to cruise lines was that two “following the crowd” (24%).
F
r
ed Olsen
thirds of respondents said they Good organisation was seen as the most
would like longer in ports, prefer- important factor of a successfully excursion,
ably into the evening or overnight. followed by seeing or doing something off
the beaten track.
Excursions
Another area of opportunity for
The cruise survey was carried out by
agents is port excursions, which
are popular with an overwhelming
number of respondents despite
64 21.11.2008
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