Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Who We Are
    • Brian Israel
    • Briana Bonfiglio
    • Candace Protzman
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Jennifer Arango
    • Kelly Fontenelle
    • Louis Intreglia
    • Tom McCarthy

How Big Are the Booking Waves This Wave Season?

Sponsored by Virgin Voyages
by Denise Caiazzo / January 31, 2022


This new year kicked off with some rough waters for the cruise industry. First the CDC announced that people should avoid cruise travel regardless of vaccination status; then two major cruise lines canceled multiple sailings, while another luxury line suspended its operations. And yet, the cruise sector has always been remarkably resilient, partly because so many repeat cruisers remain committed to this type of travel experience.

Now that we’re smack dab in the middle of Wave Season 2022, Travel Market Report checked in with several travel advisors to see how they’re faring, and just how big their booking waves have been.

Mixed bag of bookings
Some advisors have been busier than ever, while others have felt the impact of less-than-robust cruise bookings. One common thread is an optimistic or cautiously optimistic outlook for 2022 and 2023.

“I was sitting onboard, cruising around South America when the mini-meltdown hit late December and early January,” said Jimmy ‘Chip’ Barker, Platinum Agent, at Oceans & Lands: Custom Travel Planners. “I wondered if things would go as haywire as they did previously and if a few cancellations would continue to spiral into more and more. Fortunately, I only had one client affected by a cruise line canceling their sailing and we immediately rebooked them on another … People didn’t seem to be as spooked by this CDC warning as they were previously.” Barker added that his agency is “full steam ahead as far as the cruise sector is concerned.”

Similarly, Denise L. Wiggins, global executive advisor/CEO, at Denise Wiggins Travel & Health Services, reported: “Cruise travelers are hard core … they are still exploring, booking, and preparing for all the necessary protocols. They recognize the value of travel protection; understand clearly the depths cruise lines are taking to be safe at sea; and are embracing less-capacity sizes as almost private-style sailings.”

Laurel S. Brunvoll, CTA, MCC, owner/president at Unforgettable Trips, said: My outlook for the cruise sector in 2022 is certainly more positive than it looked in 2021. Cruising is back, and many sailings are operating. The demand is definitely there, but many travelers need a little more confidence in things not getting canceled or changing dramatically from what they've reserved … On the other hand, there is a hardy group of travelers who are taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel with less people onboard, which translates to an even higher level of personal attention and service. Some are even taking extra cruises to make up for lost time!”

With a little more caution in her voice but still optimistic, Georgiann Jaworskyj, CTC, ACC, at Custom Travel Services, Inc., said: “Our wave season is certainly down from previous years. However, what I have noticed is that we have fewer cruise cancellations as compared to previous months during the pandemic. Our clients are ready to cruise and they are cautiously optimistic that we are turning a corner with regard to COVID.”

Orben R. Torres, travel advisor, at Cruise Planners, relayed: “We have seen quite a bit of hesitation from clients that were within weeks of their cruise sail date. But we have had some success in staying in contact with clients and noting that COVID-related news tends to shift rather quickly. So we encourage them to remain calm and open-minded, while reminding them that we are always going to protect their health considerations.”

Cruise lines have built confidence
One thing that advisors agree on is that the cruise lines have navigated the changes caused by COVID with grace and admiration.

For instance, Jaworskyj said: “The cruise lines have done an outstanding job of creating a bubble onboard their ships and their protocols exceed our clients’ expectations! They are not afraid to take a step back to reassess protocols and make future adjustments. This instills confidence in the travel agency community as well as our clients! Bravo to our cruise industry for their tireless efforts!”

Barker concurs: “There’s always a risk associated when we travel. There’s also always a risk when we step out of the front door to go grocery shopping. But sitting on a cruise ship, I couldn’t help but think I was in a safer, more controlled environment on that ship than I would be running to the market. The protocols and training given to the ship’s staff as well as all the new precautions designed to protect us and make us safer while traveling are impressive. The cruise industry has risen to the occasion, and we’ll all benefit from that for years.”

Selling strategies that work now
What strategies are you successfully using to sell cruises now? The advisors we spoke to offered some ideas.

Barker suggested two tactics: “First, by cruising myself and sharing successful client stories about their trips on my social media pages. Secondly, promoting groups has been a good way to sell cruises. As the old saying goes, there’s comfort in numbers. So when we present a travel opportunity where they’ll be with other people they know or a trip I’m escorting, they feel a sense of camaraderie.”

To boost bookings, Torres makes sure to “advise clients that the extended cruise-with-confidence type programs are going to expire sooner or later. It's a good time to plan to cruise with the thought that rebooking options have never been better.”

Wiggins said she is “openly and actively talking about cruising. It is not something to shy from and full transparency is always good business. There is nothing to hide, and cruise lines are keeping their lines of communication open by sharing their latest updates, policies and protocols often.” 

One final note from Wiggins: “Granted, in the new era of travel, industry news changes by the minute … Always seek the most accurate information; get everything in writing, and keep clients in the loop at all times.”

FROM THE SPONSOR:
Virgin Voyages is a new lifestyle travel brand focused on delivering irresistible cruise vacations. The brand’s first ship recently launched and Virgin Voyages currently has three more ships on order with master shipbuilder Fincantieri; the brand has operations in the U.S., UK and across Europe. Virgin Voyages’ first ship, Scarlet Lady, was designed to reflect a yacht’s sleek luxury, offering the intimate, elevated experience of a boutique hotel at sea. Featuring spaces designed by some of the top names in contemporary interiors, Scarlet Lady is adult-by-design and a sanctuary at sea for the 18-plus traveler. A dose of Vitamin Sea has been naturally intertwined across the entire ship, with well-being, relaxation, and rejuvenation at the forefront. Scarlet Lady also features alluring entertainment and 20-plus, world-class intimate eateries onboard. With a modern twist on luxury, coupled with discerning design, Virgin Voyages offers incredible value for its sailors, including unlimited access to all restaurants and eateries, group fitness classes, free WiFi, and tips covered in the voyage fare. Travel advisors can raise their sales with Virgin Voyages' Seacademy; and learn more about current promotions at firstmates.com.

  31
  0

MOST VIEWED

  1. Maui Fires Update: Which Hotels and Resorts Are Open and Closed After Lahaina Fires
  2. Tropical Storm Idalia Forecasted to Become Hurricane Today, Hit Florida by Wednesday
  3. FAA Issues Nationwide Ground Stop for United Airlines Flights
  4. Southwest Airlines Strike Seems Imminent
  5. Hurricane Lee's Uncertain Path Raises Some Travel Concerns
  6. Celebrity Cruises Removes Gratuities from "All Included" Pricing


  1. Hurricane Lee Intensifies to Category 5: Caribbean and U.S. Impact Uncertain
  2. Hurricane Franklin Scuttles Two Bermuda Cruises
  3. Royal Caribbean Monitoring Haiti Violence
  4. Two Florida Ports Remain Closed After Hurricane Idalia
  5. Updated Cruise Line COVID-19 Vaccination, Booster, & Testing Requirements
  6. Idalia Expected to Hit Florida as ‘Extremely Dangerous Major Hurricane’ on Wednesday
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Your Replies: When Celebrity Drops Gratuities from All Included, What's an Advisor to Do?
Your Replies: When Celebrity Drops Gratuities from All Included, What's an Advisor to Do?

Our recent column, "When Celebrity Drops Gratuities from All Included, What's an Advisor to Do?" hit a nerve with our readers. 

Read...
Sitka Wants Cruise Limits, NYC Pushes Shore Power
Sitka Wants Cruise Limits, NYC Pushes Shore Power

Two more cities are pushing legislature to control cruise ship visits. 

Read...
Carnival Cruise Line Doubles Down on Galveston
Carnival Cruise Line Doubles Down on Galveston

Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its presence in Galveston, starting in 2025. 

Read...
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Unveils New Travel Advisor Program
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Unveils New Travel Advisor Program

Regent Elevate provides marketing insights and education, sales support, and advisor-only promotions and incentives. 

Read...
Testing the Waters with Dori: When Celebrity Drops Gratuities from All Included, What's an Advisor to Do?
Testing the Waters with Dori: When Celebrity Drops Gratuities from All Included, What's an Advisor to Do?

Some advisors are re-thinking which premium cruise lines offer the best value. 

Read...
Oceania’s Frank Del Rio Jr. Says Fleet Will Have Starlink by End of 2024
Oceania’s Frank Del Rio Jr. Says Fleet Will Have Starlink by End of 2024

Starlink has quickly taken over the cruise industry. 

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
European Travel Trends 2023 Outlook
CP White Paper 1
Cruise Trend Outlook 2023
View All
industry insider
industry-insider.jpg
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=f22339b7-9c5b-ee11-92d0-005056a8720b
What Does Social Media Really Mean?
Advertiser's Voice
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=f22339b7-9c5b-ee11-92d0-005056a8720b
What Does Social Media Really Mean?
About Travel Market Report Mission Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
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
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News |Packaged Travel |Cruise |Hotels & Resorts |Destinations |Retail Strategies |Niche & Luxury |Air |Training & Resources |Who We Are
© 2005 - 2023 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