Cruise 101 What it means for our region

AQUILA ~ Canada New England Cruise Symposium

Cruise in Our Region

• Ships calling regularly since late 80’s

• Less than 40,000 cruisers in 1996 to over

400,000 today

• One of top 12 regions for cruising

worldwide

• Mass Market brings most cruises

• Small, luxury and expedition growing

AQUILA ~ Canada New England Cruise Symposium

Shore Excursions: Important to the Cruise Lines

• One of the main revenue

generators

• Important for guest

satisfaction

• An extension of the

onboard experience

AQUILA ~ Canada New England Cruise Symposium

Shore Excursions: Important to the Destination

• Showcases the best of the Destination

• Contributes to the Destination’s marketing

efforts with the cruise lines

• Greatly affects the Guest experience in the

Destination and Satisfaction Ratings

• Can impact future calls on the port

AQUILA ~ Canada New England Cruise Symposium

How Shore Excursions Work

• Tour Operators work with Local Suppliers to package products into Shore Excursions

• Cruise Lines work with Tour Operators to build a Shore Excursion program in a destination

• Cruise Lines sell the Shore Excursions to their guests through their websites, reservation agents, and onboard the ship during the cruise.

AQUILA ~ Canada New England Cruise Symposium

What Cruise Lines Look For from a Shore Excursion?

• Products packaged into excursions

• Competitive pricing and exclusivity

• Highlight the culture, history, heritage and

key attractions

AQUILA ~ Canada New England Cruise Symposium

How do you get your product to the Cruise Lines?

• Partner with other providers in your region to

develop an experience

• Partner with local tour operators to package your

product into an excursion

• Focus on marketing and building relationships

AQUILA ~ Canada New England Cruise Symposium