7 Helpful Tips to Share With First-Time Cruise Clients

Reports from the field say that this year’s Wave Season is surging, with many travel advisors noting that cruise bookings have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, and they have great expectations for this high level of volume to continue as the season progresses.

Once clients are sold on their sailings, the next step in the customer journey is for their trusted travel advisors to ensure that they are fully satisfied with their experience, especially considering that first-time cruisers often turn into repeat cruisers, sometimes for a lifetime or even for multiple generations of family members.

Here are seven practical tips for travel advisors to share with their first-time cruise clients before they embark, so their initial sea-faring journey leaves them eager to take to the oceans or rivers again. The suggestions are also good reminders for repeat cruisers.

1. Get the lay of the land.
“I encourage clients to do a walk-about of the ship to get the ‘lay of the land’ that they will call home,” says Denise L. Wiggins, global executive advisor/CEO, at Denise Wiggins Travel & Health Services. “I always encourage them to use the app (WhatsApp), and I love to tell them about all the extra fun spots on the ship that they will enjoy.”

2. Prep a little in advance, but not too much.
Jimmy “Chip” Barker, platinum agent, Travel Planners International, advises: “I like to give them a few key experiences to focus on, and not overwhelm them with every possibility available on the ship … I like just giving them enough information to make them feel fully prepared for their trip, while leaving moments of wow and discovery for them to stumble upon. Otherwise, it’s like you’re opening your Christmas presents early.”

3. Plan port days.
“It’s critical to be organized and have a plan in place for each of the port days – even if their plan is to have free time. They are on a schedule and many things need to be reserved ahead of time, so they are not disappointed. They definitely don’t want to waste their day figuring it out once they arrive on the dock,” suggests Laurel S. Brunvoll, CTA, MCC, owner of My Unforgettable Trip.

4. Fly in one day early.
No matter how well a traveler plans, travel can sometimes be unpredictable. Wiggins helps to alleviate the stress for her clients by being proactive with the pre-cruise arrival date. “I love, love, love sharing with them how to travel with ease by flying in one day early,” she says.

5. Pay attention to the details.
Although there is a comfort level with cruising that travelers expect to board the ship and everything will be taken care of for them, there are still a slew of details to pay attention to in order to have a pleasant journey. “I tell them how to download the app they need, how to complete their online check in, and make dining reservations, as well as different things to do in the ports of call. I give them packing suggestions, options of places to park, and help make flight arrangements and pre- and post-hotel and tour suggestions,” notes Susie Adair, owner of Adair to Travel. She also reminds clients to be prepared with whatever they will need onboard regarding any medical concerns, including allergies, they may have.

6. Rely on the crew, they are there to help.
Barker suggests “making sure they are comfortable approaching crew to ask for advice, and understand they are a resource for them to help make their trip the best it can be. I can’t tell you the number of times I have heard from agents saying their clients are texting them from the ship with questions about the onboard experience instead of going right to the source, the crew.” 

7. Embrace the new, unique experience.
“I share with them to not feel overwhelmed, but rather to embrace the uniqueness of a floating home-away-from-home. Soak in the sun; listen to the music; savor the entrees; and attend the amazing entertainment offered,” adds Wiggins.

After planning all the details of the sailing, and prepping clients with these tips, travel advisors need only be sure to follow up post-cruise to hear about their wonderful journey. And then, of course, to plant a seed about their next cruise.