Search Travel Market Report

ALGV
riviera
maestro
Riviera
mainlogo
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Barbara Peterson
    • Brian Israel
    • Daine Taylor
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Jessica Montevago
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Mary Gostelow
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Steve Gillick
Sponsored By NCL
Sponsored By NCL
riviera

All the Reasons Why Cruising to Cuba Is the Way to Go

Sponsored by MSC Cruises
by Kerry Tice / November 26, 2018


While the evolution of existing travel products is commonplace, the occasion for travel advisors to sell their clients a new type of travel or a new destination doesn’t present itself nearly as often. That being said, the recent uptick in Cuba’s popularity provides a “new opportunity” that travel advisors should be embracing – and what better way to do so than with a cruise to this established destination with a new persona. 

There are many reasons travelers are looking to flock to Cuba, and cruising makes the journey that much more enjoyable, not to mention easier from a logistical point of view. Travel Market Report spoke to two travel advisors who have booked dozens of clients on cruises to Cuba and were willing to impart their advice to fellow agents about their experiences. They shared their clients’ reasons for traveling there, why cruising is their preferred way to go, what they enjoyed most, and what your clients need to know before they go. Here’s what they had to say. 

Why do your clients want to cruise to Cuba?
“First, because they feel safe on a cruise ship,” said Barbara Stolzer, a 30-year group travel and tour specialist and owner of Befitting Just Your Style. “Safety is on their minds and they don’t want to take a chance staying at a hotel that might cancel their reservation. They want to be in a contained situation with people helping them along the way, especially with the money exchange.

“Honestly, the second reason is for bragging rights. They want to be the first ones to tell their friends that they have been there!

“Third, is education. There are a group of people who are curious, who were either there before or heard enough about it that they want to go to learn about Cuba’s history.” 

What do your clients enjoy most about visiting Cuba?
“Cuba is unspoiled by capitalism and, therefore, gives you a true example of what it’s like to walk the streets exactly as it was 30-50 years ago,” said Gayle Fortin, a senior travel advisor with Let’s Cruise and Tour. “Local stores selling art, jewelry and treasures are more interesting than just another duty-free store selling the same thing at every port. My clients also love touring in the classic cars, and the local tour guides make the tours informative, yet fun. For those clients whose ship stays overnight in Havana, they love the show at the Tropicana or to take in a local tour with dancing.” 

What’s convenient about cruising to Cuba?
“Obtaining a visa is easy,” said Fortin. “The cruise line will issue them to passengers onboard, rather than having them purchase it prior to departing. The ‘People-to-People' visa is easy to complete and allows our guests to choose from a wide range of tours offered by the cruise line that meet the guidelines stipulated in the visa.” 

Also, cruise lines will assist with the money exchange, getting passengers the most value for their Canadian or U.S. dollar. And most of all, they arrange all the logistics and provide all the details of going ashore so your clients’ questions are addressed before they even arrive.  

Who do you promote these Cuba cruises to?
“Many of my clients are Baby Boomers looking for somewhere new, where they can immerse themselves in the local culture. I also have senior clients who have ‘been there, done that’ and are looking for an opportunity to travel back in time without a long European flight,” said Fortin. 

“I am promoting Cuba cruises to my immediate clients, on Facebook, through my web page and in publications that are distributed to over 50 country clubs in the area,” said Stolzer. “I submit articles and pictures into these [country club] publications and, through those, we have been invited by the clubs to do presentations. We specialize in groups that include 25-50 people and we like to do things that are off-the-beaten-track.” 

What kind of positive feedback have you received from clients about their Cuba cruise experiences?
“My clients love the friendliness of the Cuban people,” said Fortin. “They generally want to interact with our guests and share their love of their country with them.” 

Stolzer added: “It’s a beautiful country that has wonderful architecture. My clients’ eyes were opened to another way of life and they enjoyed the food. Today, more people are open to education and to how other people in the world live. Everybody should go. It’s a nostalgic experience to go back to the good ‘ole times.” 

What do your fellow agents need to know about booking their clients to Cuba?
“Cuba is not just another Caribbean port. It is raw, natural and full of culture, where you can interact with locals and feel safe,” said Fortin. “Travel advisors should take the time to cruise to Cuba themselves to learn firsthand how awesome this country is. When that is not possible, webinars are available to assist them to learn the ins and outs of what you can advise your clients to do and see.

“Travel advisors should impress upon their clients to ‘experience’ Cuba, no just visit Cuba. It will make all the difference in their clients’ experiences and likely they will be sending their clients back again!” 

FROM THE SPONSOR: MSC Armonia will sail to Cuba year-round from Miami, Florida, starting December 2019. MSC Cruises offers six-night to eight-night western Caribbean cruises, with a two-day stay in Havana, Cuba. This unique itinerary gives our guests the ability to experience international cuisine and culture, and explore Cuba through the People-to-People program. The ship will have a unique appeal as well, with a Cuban theme throughout, including a mojito bar along with other flares throughout the ship to hone in on the Cuban culture. To learn more about our cruises to Cuba, please visit www.msccruises.com/cuba.

  0
  0
Riviera
Related Articles
7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Caribbean Sea
Americans Can Fly Free with InsightCuba
Cultural Cuba’s David Lee Talks About the Magic of Selling Cuba
MSC Cruises Scores Final Approval for Miami Terminal
Expedia Agrees to Settlement After Violating New Cuba Travel Regulations
New Cuba Restrictions Mean More Work for Travel Advisors
Tour Operators Scramble After U.S. Ends People to People Travel to Cuba
ASTA Reacts to New Cuba Restrictions
U.S. Eliminates People-to-People Travel to Cuba
MSC Cruises Expands Ramón Freixa Partnership

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. U.S. Will Require Negative COVID-19 Tests for All International Visitors
  2. U.S. Congress Reaches Agreement on Stimulus, ASTA Says More Support 'Will Absolutely' Be Needed
  3. Op-ed: Five Travel Predictions for 2021
  4. Reflecting on 2020: ‘Primed’ for Self-Reflection Heading into the New Year
  5. Kauai Reopens to Tourists with New Travel Rules in Place
  6. 8 Travel Trends for 2021, According to MMGY Global

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. U.S. Will Require Negative COVID-19 Tests for All International Visitors
  2. Caribbean Destinations, Hotels Work to Meet to New CDC Requirements
  3. Kauai Reopens to Tourists with New Travel Rules in Place
  4. U.S. Congress Reaches Agreement on Stimulus, ASTA Says More Support 'Will Absolutely' Be Needed
  5. ASTA: CDC Testing Requirement ‘Threatens to Create a Logistical Crisis’
  6. What Advisors Need to Know About the Latest COVID-19 Relief Package
Tip of the Day

I think being in contact with [my clients] gave them more confidence in me and the suggestions I offer.

Linda Kinsey, Custom Travel & Cruise

 Share...
Daily Top List
Brought To You By

5 Things Every Travel Agency Should Do To Boost Business

1. Specialize
2. Give a personal touch
3. Find your niche and sell an experience
4. Maintain a high standard of quality
5. Become a salesman…but inspire trust

Source: Azavista.com

 Share...
Previous Daily Top List
Riviera
TMR Recommendations
Daniel Zim
Zim Travel Law, PLLC. Demystifying Complexity with Down to Earth Advice. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Rodney Gould
Rodney E. Gould concentrates in travel and tour-operator litigation and regularly counsels travel-related entities worldwide.
hbar
Tom Carpenter
Carpenter Law Office - Representing clients in the travel and tourism industries. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Top Stories
Op-ed: Surviving the Potential Challenges of The Upcoming Pent-Up Travel Demand Tsunami
Op-ed: Surviving the Potential Challenges of The Upcoming Pent-Up Travel Demand Tsunami

The travel restart can't happen soon enough. All good! Or is it?

Read...
ASTA Calls New COVID-19 Relief Proposal ‘Just the Beginning of the Process’
ASTA Calls New COVID-19 Relief Proposal ‘Just the Beginning of the Process’

The proposal still needs to pass through Congress. 

Read...
ASTA: CDC Testing Requirement ‘Threatens to Create a Logistical Crisis’
ASTA: CDC Testing Requirement ‘Threatens to Create a Logistical Crisis’

'The new testing regulation will not halt the virus’ spread due to lag time between test and flight, incubation period, and false positives.'

Read...
World Travel and Tourism Council Calls to Replace Travel Quarantines with Testing
World Travel and Tourism Council Calls to Replace Travel Quarantines with Testing

'To insist further all arriving travelers must isolate for ten days or undergo a further test five days later is an unnecessary precaution.'

Read...
Video: What Was It Like to Be the Travel Expert for the CBS Morning News?
Video: What Was It Like to Be the Travel Expert for the CBS Morning News?

During last week's MasterAdvisor session, Kathy Sudeikis spoke about what her first experience with TV was like. 

Read...
Boeing Settles 737 MAX Criminal Probe with U.S. Justice Department
Boeing Settles 737 MAX Criminal Probe with U.S. Justice Department

Boeing has agreed to pay more than $2.5 billion to settle its criminal probe with the U.S. Justice Department. 

Read...
News Briefs
  • Consumers Deterred by COVID-19 Are Banking on Traveling in Early 2021
  • ASTA Asks Advisors to Fill Out Survey on COVID Impact
  • Travel Edge Completes Two-Day Virtual Event
  • World Travel and Tourism Council to Host COVID-19 Summit
  • Travelport Launches COVID-19 Response Microsite
  • World Travel & Tourism Council Postpones Global Summit
TMR Outlooks
Expedition 2020
Wellness Outlook
Distribution Outlook
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/9LEYlsgImf4/0.jpg
Video: What Was It Like to Be the Travel Expert for the CBS Morning News?
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
243 South Street, OysterBay, NY, 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2021 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy