6 minute read
Dos and Don’ts
Words of
WISDOM
Whether you’re a first-timer or an avid cruise fan, make sure you’ve ticked everything off your travel checklist with our expert tips on where to book, what to do before you depart and how to make the most of your time on board
Scenic Gem, cruising Les Andelys
DON’T
WORRY ABOUT FLYING
“There’s no need to be put off by the idea of flying – there are many wonderful itineraries where you can travel by rail. And you can opt for a small ship where you’ll get a lot more space on board per guest.
SARAH LANCASHIRE, BRAND & MARKETING MANAGER, SCENIC
DO
BOOK THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENT
Travel agents play a vital role in the holiday experience, matching the customer with the right cruise line, ship and itinerary. They are also best placed to help those holidaymakers trying a cruise for the first “ time. Choosing a suitable cruise can seem a daunting process, but agents have the expertise and access to the best resources to help those who may want some additional guidance. They also work with a variety of cruise lines – and often travel with those lines – so they can offer personal and professional insight on different cabins, destinations, excursions and more, as well as on other complex issues such as travel insurance. From tips on finding a romantic PICTURES: SHUTTERSTOCK/ROSSHELEN; MIGUEL GONZALEZ bistro in a port city and the best times for onboard dining, to sourcing the most adventurous sea voyage for an upcoming trip, travel agents have the answers. ANDY HARMER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION (CLIA) UK & IRELAND ”
DO
CHECK THE LATEST RULES
“When booking a cruise at the moment, check the requirements for vaccinations and testing for both the cruise line and the ports of call you are visiting – both when you book and again a couple of weeks before you travel as they are always being updated. The good news is that currently many of the requirements for vaccination are being relaxed.”
SIMONE CLARK, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL SUPPLY, IGLU CRUISE
Owner’s Suite living area, AmaMagna
DO CONSIDER A LONGER CRUISE
“We are certainly seeing a trend for longer cruises. Take the opportunity to see more of
Europe on a 15-day cruise or even longer with our new Epic Voyages, taking in two or even three DAVID WINTERTON, eight-day cruises combined. ” GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF BRAND & MARKETING,
EMERALD CRUISES
DON’T LEAVE IT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE
We are seeing strong pent-up demand for this year, particularly for balcony and suite accommodation. So if there is a specific destination or time of year you are wanting to travel, get it booked now to avoid disappointment! ” “
JAMIE LOIZOU, MANAGING DIRECTOR, AMAWATERWAYS
DON’T FORGET YOUR FACE MASK
EDWINA LONSDALE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MUNDY CRUISING
DO EXTEND YOUR TRIP
“Consider a pre or post-cruise stay. Why not make the most of your fl ights or rail travel and spend longer in your cruise embarkation or disembarkation city? European river cruises start in cities such as Porto, Cologne, Lyon, Paris and Vienna – they are wonderful places to explore in more depth before or after you set sail.”
Porto, across the Douro River
DO READ THE SMALL PRINT
One of the most important things to look out for is hidden costs, which can really bump up the price of a cruise. These include items such as soft and alcoholic drinks, shore excursions and gratuities, all of which are included within the cost “ of a Celestyal cruise. It’s also important to look into whether your cruise line will offer authentic experiences on board and ashore, as it is these experiences that will enable you to truly understand the destination, its customs and its culture.”
JO REID, COUNTRY MANAGER UK, CELESTYAL CRUISES
DON’T BE PREDICTABLE
You don’t always have to travel in the same season. River cruises are great for returning travellers who wish to visit a destination again but want to see it from a different perspective.”
ROB STAPLEY, SENIOR CRUISE PRODUCT MANAGER, TITAN TRAVEL
DO
FEEL REASSURED BY COVID PROTOCOLS
“The health and wellbeing of guests and crew is our number-one priority, and we have a wealth of measures on and o our ships to make cruises as safe as possible. Every guest must be fully vaccinated before departure. Our dedicated team ensures each ship and cabin is scrupulously clean, with touchpoints and shared equipment disinfected regularly. Enhanced policies across the ships include the use of hand sanitisers, contact-free services, social distancing and PPE. River cruising has always been one of the most rigorous sectors when it comes to health and wellbeing and we’ve enhanced it further, so this is the ideal time to catch up with travel once again.”
STUART MILAN, CHANNEL DIRECTOR, RIVIERA TRAVEL
Chain Bridge across the Danube, Budapest
Silversea in the Med
DO BOOK EARLY FOR THE BEST VALUE
If you are a little nervous, book something closer to home – and what better than the Mediterranean? It is and will be the top-selling cruise “ destination this summer. But if you have a bucket-list trip in mind, now is the time to secure that trip of a lifetime for 2023 or 2024. We all love something to look forward to and booking early still gets you the best value. Look at all-inclusive holidays too, which include flights, transfers, hotels and everything while on board your cruise. Silversea now includes door-to-door private executive transfers between home and the airport. In the current challenging travel environment, it makes sense for the cruise line to take care of every element of your journey.”
PETER SHANKS, MANAGING DIRECTOR UK & IRELAND, SILVERSEA CRUISES
DO USE YOUR FUTURE CRUISE CREDIT BEFORE IT EXPIRES
“Do you have a future cruise credit still to use? Now is a great time to check the expiration dates of any credits received during our pause in operations and plan your return to ultra-luxury travel on a Seabourn cruise. We’ve extended our Worry-Free Promise so guests booking a cruise before March 31 and travelling before September 30 have the option to cancel a booking up to 30 days prior to departure on any new bookings and receive a future cruise credit.”
LYNN NARRAWAY, UK MANAGING DIRECTOR, HOLLAND AMERICA LINE AND SEABOURN
DON’T FORGET TRAVEL INSURANCE
”You must remember to get adequate travel insurance. This has always been important, but now, with the possibility of Covid impacting your travel plans, make sure you have adequate insurance to cover you against all eventualities, from a cancelled holiday through to lost luggage. “
