Experience before selling a cruise
Trying to sell cruise packages without ever getting on a cruise ship is like learning something by rote without understanding it. Ark Travels ensured that its partners, even from smaller towns, made it to its annual Big Bang Nautical Fiesta on SuperStar G
This was a unique concept of organising a motivational session in the guise of a presentation, combined with fun and parties, to create an atmosphere of bonding and camaraderie. This session gave us a chance to exchange ideas on how we can sell cruise packages better and how other regions of India are performing. Partners from smaller cities got connected to many companies. We could also develop business in new areas through ties up. Through the presentations, we also learned about niche products like Crystal Cruises.
Travel agents enjoyed their time on the cruise. I have been selling cruise packages for the last 17 years but for the new agents who are experiencing cruise for the first time, it is an excellent experience and a huge learning curve. They went on cabin inspection. The presentation and Q&A session were also a very important part of the learning process. The agents who are new to cruising had so many questions. An agent from Bhopal has already committed to 20 people on Crystal Cruises after experiencing this which is not an easy task. They can gauge the potential that cruising has in their markets through such an event.
This is a wonderful initiative by Ark Travels to bring all its partners onboard Star Cruises. There were many agents who were cruising for the first time. This experience will help them sell cruise packages to their clients better. Apart from that, people like us who have experienced cruising the world over and have been selling cruise with Ark Travels for many years, there is still more for us to learn about cruising, especially Star Cruises, because they are coming up with larger cruise ships and more itineraries. There is a big change happening in the cruising industry, which holds a lot of promise for agents given our thinning margins.
The event organised by Ark was a great opportunity to experience the cruise, especially for those travel agents who sell cruise packages but never get to experience sailing. This nautical fiesta on SuperStar Gemini helped travel agents like me from smaller cities like Karimnagar in Telangana, to explore, learn, experience, enhance our selling skills and face the client with loads of confidence. The two-hour presentation followed by a Q&A session was helpful and made us understand the challenges faced by travel agents pan India. However, the session should have been longer for agents like us.
Such events serve as an eye-opener for travel agents, especially for those who have come onboard a cruise line for the first time. They are the ones doing good business from smaller cities and they are the ones who should get more exposure to new products. Whosoever has been selling cruises on the basis of brochures or the Internet, they may not be well-versed about the product. But once they come in, they see for themselves the product and understand the nitty-gritties of cruising, like check-in process, deposit of luggage, shore excursions, difference in cabin categories, the inclusions etc.
This was a great experience. All three days onboard were actionpacked and well-planned so that we could acquaint ourselves with the cruise liner and its facilities. It was a great move to get everyone familiarised with the product that they have been selling, especially for the ones who were from smaller towns and experiencing a cruise for the first time. The rest of us were made aware of the future plans. The presentation and Q&A session helped us understand the product and the company as Ark and Star Cruises allowed us to clear all our doubts.