WELCOME TO THINK TANK 2025
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TIME TO OPEN THE BOOK FOR YOUR CLIENTS … But Why?
You can begin to tap into the newest niche category of luxury vacations
“One third of all ships sailing today are 1000 berths or less”
WHERE DO I BEGIN?
BE AN EDUCATOR
• Cruise is competing with every potential vacation from resorts to an African safari
• Raise awareness of cruises and position this category as the superior luxury vacation option, not just the best cruise option
• Speak directly to those making vacation decisions for their family or small friend group, and educate that a cruise offers more destinations, more value, less stress and more fulfillment than any other vacation
PARTICIPATE IN EVERY STEP OF THE CUSTOMER JOURNEY
FIND THE RIGHT CLIENT VIA THE LATEST TRENDS
FIND THE RIGHT CLIENT VIA THE LATEST TRENDS
Motivation & Inspiration - Connection, authenticity, and digital inspiration are shaping how and where travelers choose to go:
• A “refined” younger demo is looking for this vacation category
• 52% of Gen Z and 46% of Millennials say social media is their top source of travel inspiration
• 63% of consumers say they are likely to visit a “detour destination” — a less crowded, off-the-beaten-path location - on their next trip
• 56% of travelers age 50+ said their top motivator for travel is to spend time with family or friends
FIND THE RIGHT CLIENT VIA THE LATEST TRENDS
Viral Cruise Hashtags & Discovery
• Cruises are increasingly being marketed / discovered via short-form social content and creator footage
• Hashtags like #cruise, #cruiseship, #cruiselife, #cruisetok are being used broadly on Instagram & TikTok — e.g., the tag #cruise had ~8.4 million Instagram posts in 2025
Full-Trip / Luxury Cruise Content Going Viral
• Longer, immersive cruise formats are appealing to younger/social audiences
• The multi-month world cruise experience (#UltimateWorldCruise) has drawn huge engagement on TikTok with over 150 million views
Smaller, Unique Ports & “City Extensions” are Trending
• For cruises, this signals opportunity in alternative itineraries (e.g., less-visited ports, immersive shore excursions) that play well on social
• Social platforms emphasize hidden gems, less crowded ports, local culture
ALIGN WITH SUPPLIERS WHO HAVE IT ALL!
• Delivers on the vacation lifecycle
• Ease from start to finish by working with one supplier
• Provide a better client experience and earn more
• Baggage Shipping
• Pre/Post
• Extensions
• Insurance
• Back-to-Back
• Land
• Beverage Packages
AI IS YOUR FRIEND
• Think of AI as a highly skilled assistant
• AI doesn’t replace the human touch – it amplifies it, helping you personalize experiences at scale in ways that feel thoughtful, intentional, and unforgettable
• You must be specific to unlock the real power of AI. You save time, reduce revisions, and generate content that feels intentional, polished, and professional
• Your clients are using it before they contact you!
With Ken Muskat & Claire Maguire, Franchise Owner, Cruise Planners
Island Girl Travel and Vacations
THINK TANK 2025 OPEN FORUM
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