Cruises

Package an Iconic World Event with a Cruise

Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The British Open. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. New Orleans Jazz Festival. Taipei's Pingxi Lantern Festival. The World Soccer Tournament in Russia. The Cannes Film Festival.

All of the above are just some of the iconic world events and celebrations that take place around the globe and are reasons to travel to a destination. But what if you could take a special event and package it with a cruise vacation that can offer clients an extraordinary experience that goes beyond the event itself. Select cruise lines plan itineraries around these world events to create unforgettable vacation experiences. Here are three reasons why a cruise and the world’s most exciting land-based events are the perfect pairing:

 

  1. Scarcity of tickets.

The cruise lines that offer cruises based on world events are able to acquire tickets, often the best available, for their guests. The price of the tickets is included in the cost of the shore excursion created for that event and. In most cases, the excursion includes transportation to and from the event, along with extra frills that buying the tickets individually wouldn't include, making your job even easier.

 

  1. Designed for an Overall VIP Experience

The cruise lines that do it best take the celebratory event one big step further by offering the event, along with added activities, that bring the event itself to life right on board. Celebrity Cruises, for example, offers select Signature Event Sailings that feature events and celebrations taking place all over the globe with unique shore excursion experiences and VIP tickets that place guests front and center. Once on board, guests are entertained, educated, and engaged with unique shows, speakers, and activities inspired by the events. Examples include golf lessons from a pro during a British Open sailing, listening to jazz performers and speakers before going to New Orleans Jazz Festival, and learning how to dance the Samba during a voyage that includes the Rio de Janeiro Carnaval.

 

  1. Use the Event as the Hook to Close the Sale

Do you have a client, for example, that is a die-hard tennis fan and has been dreaming of going to the French Open? Encourage them to make this year the year they finally make it happen, but also tell them about the opportunity to experience a 14-day cruise of the British Isles, Belgium and Amsterdam as part of the experience. Use the event—and its departure date that requires a firm commitment to travel—to entice clients to hand over the deposit so you can close the sale.

 

This article is brought to you by Celebrity Cruises, and was produced in partnership with Travel Agent Central’s sales team. Travel Agent Central’s editorial team played no part in developing the article.