Kick off the Wave Season by not only selling more cruises, but increasing your commissions on those cruises with pre- and post-cruise land packages. Don’t just be an order taker for clients, but create a customized experience where the cruise is only just the beginning by working with a tour operator. Here’s the step-by-step easy way to maximize your cruise commission potential with land packages:
1. Think beyond a Hotel Room
Yes, many clients simply want a hotel room pre- or post-cruise just to make traveling to and from the destination less stressful. However, many clients might not think about exploring the embarkation and disembarkation port cities and regions unless it is suggested to them. Ideal pre- and post-cruise destinations where a land package enhances the vacation include Barcelona, Copenhagen and Venice for ocean cruising and Amsterdam for river cruises. Long-haul destinations, such as Bangkok, Cairo, and Hong Kong, are also a good choice for land packages. In North America, position a multi-day pre- or post-cruise stay in Miami or in Vancouver for Alaska cruises. Think themes to create itineraries based on your clients’ interests, such as food adventures. Also, suggest pairing land and cruise vacations for first time cruisers, who might want to try a shorter cruise with a longer land trip before or after their time at sea.
2. Flexibility
When you work with a tour operator to create land packages, there is often more flexibility in planning options and cancellation policies. Generally speaking, working with a tour operator that creates customized packages can easily change a four-night package to a two-night one with little hassle if plans change for clients.
3. Pricing Deals
Be on the lookout for tour operator promotions that can offer such deals as buy three nights, get a fourth night free, or complimentary breakfast or discounted city bus tours with hotel stays.
4. Ride the Wave!
Now is the time that not only the cruise lines, but tour operators are stepping up and offering the best deals on travel. TravelBound is one example of a tour operator that is promoting big deals for pre- and post-cruise land options in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific during the 2017 Wave Season. Agents can pass along the savings on 45 hotel deals and 30 sightseeing tours covering 15 port cities available through March 20, 2017. Book by Jan. 30, 2017 and make even more money with special bonus commissions of up to an additional 3 percent on hotels, sightseeing tours and transfers.