5 Tips for Planning a European Cruise Experience
Taking a cruise is many travelers’ preferred way to disconnect, relax and escape the world for a few days. When it comes to cruise planning, travel agents have a wealth of experience and information at their fingertips, but there’s more to planning a cruise vacation than simply booking a cruise with a provider. With so many different destinations and cruise lines, it can be hard to narrow down the best cruise option for your clients. Beyond that, there are the little details that go into planning the pre- and post-cruise experiences; for one, what’s the best way for them to explore the destination where they’re docked? There are several key considerations to keep in mind when planning a cruise for your clients, so read on for tips on how to plan the perfect cruise for your clients, from their arrival at the airport close to their onboarding to their departure.
Although there are cruises operating worldwide, we’ll focus specifically on cruises in Europe in this article.
Table of contents
Why book a cruise in Europe for your clients?
5 tips for planning a European cruise experience
Understand your client’s travel goals
Choose the right region
Select the most suitable cruise line
Plan the pre- and post-cruise experience
Enrich their experience from start to finish
Travelers’ checklist
Summary
Why book a cruise in Europe for your clients?
Unwinding on the open seas? Yes, please.
There are plenty of reasons why your clients should embark on a European cruise, and the good news is, cruising suits travelers all across the board. From families to couples, to solo travelers and LGBTQ+ travelers alike, taking a cruise in an excellent way to relax and get away. Think about waking up every day and seeing a different sea view– no airports, hotels, transfers or other logistics needed. Plus, they’ll have access to world-class amenities, cuisine and experiences unlike others on the main land. Although there are some logistics on the main land involved, these are easily solved with planning and booking ahead. A cruise getaway to Europe just might be what your clients need, and we’re here to help you plan every step of the way.
5 tips for planning a European cruise experience
Have your clients indulge in paradise throughout each stage of the cruise experience.
Keep reading to learn about the top 5 tips to keep in mind when planning your clients’ cruises across Europe.
Understand your clients’ travel goals
Are your clients seeking a luxury experience, or a more laid-back vibe? Do they want to coast along the ocean or river? Do they want an ocean view and access to certain amenities? This is important to understand when planning a European cruise for your clients. Cruise packages can differ in terms of price, inclusions and comfort level, so it’s important to select a cruise provider and appropriate package for your clients. Many types of cruises exist, such as expedition cruises, luxury cruises, and simple river-bound options.
Take time to ask your clients these questions, note down their preferences and check cruise providers’ offerings to determine the best fit.
Select the most suitable cruise line
Many cruise providers have made their mark on the European landscape throughout the years. But with so many cruise line options, how can you choose the best provider for your clients? The most common European ocean cruise providers are Viking Ocean Cruises, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America. The most popular river cruise providers include Viking Cruises, Avalon Waterways, and AmaWaterways.
Selecting the right cruise line that suits your clients’ needs will depend on their budget, type of travel (adults only, family, etc.), and desired amount of activities available. Check out the most common ocean and river cruise providers below, and click on the links to learn more about them.
Choose the right region
There are many European cruise destinations to choose from, from the coasts off of the United Kingdom, Portugal and Spain, to rivers in Europe’s interior, such as Amsterdam, Regensburg, Budapest and Vienna. There are plenty of options to choose from, but it all depends on what your clients would like to see. Talk to them, get to know their preferences and plan accordingly— cruise lines offer itineraries suiting every kind of traveler, and wherever your clients go, Daytrip can get them to their cruise port seamlessly through tracked airport pickups. Once they arrive at the port, we’ve got them covered for their hotel pick-up.
When you book your clients’ airport pickup with Daytrip, they can add sightseeing stops along the way so they can fully savor the mainland before setting off at sea. Check out our coverage here, and don’t forget to register as a travel agent with us to unlock earnings, travel inspiration and more. Click here to register.
Plan the pre- and post-cruise experience
From indulging in tapas in Barcelona to traveling back in time in Athens’ ancient monuments, every stop along the journey has something to offer your clients. Are they interested in the unique culinary experiences each docking experience offers? Or the historical tours awaiting them? Planning each detail throughout the cruise experience will ensure your clients make the most of their travels from start to finish. The trip doesn’t have to start and end when boarding and disembarking from the ship—let your clients get to know their destinations in-depth.
Enrich your clients’ experience from start to finish
The fun doesn’t have to end on board. Have your clients explore their surroundings when the ship docks.
Do your clients have a layover for several hours or days, and you’re not sure how to fill up the time? If they don’t decide to stay on the ship and rest, they can also embark on an experiential day trip to get to know the region they are docking in. Booking a day trip with us ensures your clients will reliably get from the port to various sightseeing stops, and then back to the port to cruise towards their next destination. Not only will it fill up time they will spend docked, but they’ll also get to know their destinations more in-depth!
Travelers’ checklist
Are your clients first time cruisers, or simply wanting a refresh on how to pack for a cruise? Check out our free downloadable guide below, containing tips on what to pack, technology to use and apps to keep handy.
Summary
Embarking on a cruise is a great way for your clients to relax and unwind. Once you’ve selected the region they’ll go to, the planning doesn’t stop there—there’s the transportation aspects to and from the cruise port, planning what they’ll do during the moments in between, and overall ensuring that they’ll have a seamless and enjoyable experience. While there are a lot of details to keep in mind, planning a European cruise experience for your clients doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Bearing your clients’ travel style in mind, selecting the most suitable cruise line and planning the pre-, onboard and post-cruise experience will ensure a fun-filled vacation for them and accolades for you.
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