A five-minute masterclass in selling expedition cruising
Short on time but always wanted to dip your toe into expedition cruising? Why not start here and get to know the members of the new Expedition Cruise Network as they share their bestselling itineraries and most intrepid voyages along with a nugget of sales advice for agents
Albatros Expeditions
Bestseller:
In the Arctic region, our Disko Bay expedition in Greenland – we’ve acquired unmatched regional expertise as a Scandinavian tour operator since 1986. In the south, our extended voyages, including South Georgia, the Antarctic Peninsula, and the Falkland Islands, are popular.
Furthest off-the-beaten track:
Our rarest itinerary takes our guests to the far north of Greenland and Canada, exploring the Nares Strait, Hans Island, and Thule aboard the Ocean Albatros. With our fleet’s Highest Ice Class 1A, we’re able to venture into the pack ice north of Svalbard and even cross the Antarctic Circle in the south. It’s an incredible experience that few have the opportunity to witness.
Top tip for agents:
Emphasise the unique experiences and atmosphere that cruise operators offer. Highlight the opportunity to explore remote destinations safely, in comfort, and encounter rare wildlife while leaving a minimal footprint due to today’s highly energy-efficient, brand-new generation of low-energy vessels.
Australis
Bestseller:
Our two itineraries explore the most pristine areas of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, through the Strait of Magellan, reaching the legendary Cape Horn.
Furthest off-the-beaten track:
Our daily wilderness shore excursions disembark near glaciers and fjords visiting colonies of penguins, and other wild animals, always with exclusive landings, impressive glaciers, unique virgin forest and Cape Horn.
Top tip for agents:
Our trips are the perfect compromise, combining adventure and comfort, for people looking for a different experience of disconnection. Both itineraries are perfect to package with a trip to Chile or Argentina.
Hurtigruten
Bestseller:
We are renowned for our polar exploration and have 20 years of experience delivering our Antarctica trips. One of our most popular itineraries is the 23-day in-depth Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia expedition providing the opportunity to really explore the region.
Furthest off-the-beaten track:
Our new West Africa – Cape Verde and Bissagos Islands expedition cruise allows travellers to explore the unique culture and remoteness of these islands on our small 200-passenger ship, and truly feels like an expedition.
Top tip for agents:
Understand the customer and what their needs are, ensuring that their expectations will be met through an expedition cruise vs an ocean/river cruise, and that our itineraries are flexible to deliver the best exploration travel experience.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Bestseller:
Antarctica. We are cruising there with Hanseatic Inspiration from beginning of December until beginning of March each year. The cruises from/to Ushuaia cover the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Furthest off-the-beaten track:
Semi-Circumnavigation Antarctica – from Ushuaia (Argentina) to Lyttelton (New Zealand) in 32 days along the Ross Ice Shelf (next itinerary in 2025) and Northwest Passage – from Seward (Alaska) to Kangerlussuaq (Greenland) in 29 days. It is a living history following the Amundsen expedition (next itinerary in 2025)
Top tip for agents:
Start with trainings that expedition cruise lines or organisations like ECN offer (online/offline). Make yourself familiar with expedition USPs and destination knowledge. The most important and helpful: expedition cruising is living from dreams and emotions. You have to experience an expedition cruise yourself. Take advantage of the offered travel agent rates or try to get on a fam-trip. Then you will be self-confident to recommend this incredible experience in an authentic way to your customers.
Intrepid
Bestseller:
Our 11-day Best of Antarctica voyage on board the Ocean Endeavor. Clients experience the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland islands, heading out on daily Zodiac excursions to discover the region’s incredible wildlife and epic landscapes.
Furthest off-the-beaten track:
Our 14-day Best of Antarctica In Depth voyage allows passengers to visit the remote and rugged Weddell Sea side of the peninsula, home to chains of islands famous for huge penguin colonies and fascinating history.
Top tip for agents:
Our polar team are always available to chat any queries through, but we can also offer agent training and webinars to help you understand the product better. Intrepid also offer agent discounts should you wish to experience a voyage firsthand.
Latin Trails
Bestseller:
The five-day itinerary aboard the Seaman Journey, which visits the islands of San Cristobal, Española, Floreana and Santa Cruz, getting up close to red-footed boobies, sea lions, sea turtles, albatrosses and more species.
Furthest off-the-beaten track:
In the Galapagos Islands, there are clear rules about the places that can be visited during the itineraries. Without a doubt the itinerary that visits the western islands (Isabela and Fernandina) is a unique experience due to the great presence of species and volcanic territory of the archipelago.
Top tip for agents:
The best tip is to know the characteristics and attributes that make the destination unique, as well as to communicate the places to be visited along the itinerary and the daily activities that are unique to a cruise programme.
Ponant
Bestseller:
Antarctica
Furthest off-the-beaten track:
So many but perhaps a standout is our Transarctic quest to both the magnetic and geographic North Pole on the Commandant Charcot in September 2024.
Top tip for agents:
We have lots of ship visits in the spring and summer around the UK & Ireland. If you wish to join one of them to learn more us, contact us via our Ponant UK & Ireland travel trade Facebook page.
Quark Expeditions
Bestseller:
Definitely Antarctica! Antarctica is on many people’s bucket list now especially after such awareness from previous travel blogs or past passenger’s sharing their experience. We are also seeing a huge lift in fly/cruise expeditions in Antarctica in spite of the risk of delays (less than 10%). Many people fear the Drake Passage’s crossing which we recognise that there is a need of education as the Drake’s Passage is not as bad as people think it is (and also part of the experience).
Furthest off-the-beaten track:
Snow Hill, the emperor penguin colony expedition, which Quark confirmed its existence in 2004 by using an icebreaker. This is an itinerary that Quark Expeditions designed and we are very proud to have been the first to accomplish. Since, we offer it once every two-to-three years considering the logistical complexity and also to minimise impact in that region.
Top tip for agents:
Don’t be afraid to offer this type of experience to any of your clients. Expedition cruising is for everyone, as long as they are aware of the expectations and how flexible you must be during that trip. Remember, this is not a cruise! The ship is simply your base where you will eat, sleep and be entertained at night time; the rest of your client’s time will be outside the ship and explore. One last tip, make sure you understand the key differences between ships and companies, as your client will most likely travel to those places once in their lifetime so it is important to choose carefully. The expertise of the company and guides is instrumental for your client’s experience.
Seabourn
Bestseller:
The demand for Antarctica expeditions means that Seabourn will operate both Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit in the region during winter 2023/4, offering everything from an 11-night voyage featuring a five-day Antarctica experience to an incredible 21-night Antarctica, South Georgia and Falklands itinerary.
Furthest off-the-beaten track:
New for summer 2024, Seabourn Pursuit will offer 10-night voyages to Western Australia’s remote Kimberley, renowned for its otherworldly landscape, wildlife and ancient Aboriginal culture and rock art.
Top tip for agents:
Make sure you know your clients’ bucket list destinations (as well as their special milestones and celebrations). Then invest in the time to learn about that destination and the ‘best’ way for them to have the most immersive adventure!
Silversea Expeditions
Bestseller:
Based on guest bookings, among other factors, we have identified the most popular expedition sailing regions include Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands.
Furthest off-the-beaten track:
We always try to find that new destination or a new way of interpreting a destination. An example of an unusual itinerary is our two-week voyage to Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands and French Polynesia that delves deep into the lifestyles of the locals and a wealth of island communities that tourists don’t usually see.
Top tip for agents:
When selling Silversea Expeditions, always remember it is all about destinations, expedition team expertise, and that we are one of few expedition cruising brands in luxury. Our expedition guests are curious about nature, culture and embrace adventure, whilst also enjoying the finer things in life!
Swan Hellenic
Bestseller:
Antarctica, and in particular our itinerary Beyond the Antarctic Circle is our best-selling expedition itinerary as the White Continent draws a lot of curious minds who want to discover the last great wilderness in comfort and safety.
Furthest off-the-beaten track:
The West Coast of Africa and particularly the stretch from Luanda to Dakar, including the Conkouati-Douli National park in Congo Brazzaville, Loango National park in Gabon and the Bijagos Archipelago belonging to Guinea Bissau appeal to the most adventurous amongst our guests. Operating in the West Coast of Africa is not easy but has a great potential as an expedition destination.
Top tip for agents:
Product and destination knowledge is key. It’s important for agents to understand what’s unique about the different expedition cruise brands and the uniqueness of each destination they visit.
'Make sure the itinerary does full justice to the destination'
Martin Johnson, chairman of the Expedition Cruise Network, shares these tips:
- Make sure you are clear about the kind of experience your client is going to receive onboard their expedition cruise. Some expedition cruise lines will have your client off the ship and climbing mountains at every opportunity, whereas some will offer a much softer style expedition, with more to do onboard. Is the expedition cruise line going to be the right fit for your client?
- A lot of expedition cruise destinations are once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list kind of places. So make sure the length and itinerary you’re choosing do full justice to the destination. Longer itineraries also have the benefit of offering more flexibility if the itinerary needs to be changed due to local conditions. You really don’t want your client to come back and say they didn’t get enough time to see what they wanted to see!
- Local expertise counts for a lot in expedition cruising, and there are a large amount of niche expedition cruise operators that only operate in one particular area or region. They can be easy to overlook but will often offer the very best insight into the area your clients will be travelling to, so make sure you check them out.
- It is very common for expedition cruise clients to want to further explore before and/or after their cruise. Make sure you are discussing the whole holiday experience with your client, and not just the expedition cruise part.
- Make sure you join the Expedition Cruise Network to learn all about the expedition cruising experience and meet our 16 fantastic expedition cruise members:
AE Expeditions; Albatros Expeditions; Australis; Hapag-Lloyd Cruises; Heritage Expeditions; Hurtigruten Expeditions; Intrepid; Latin Trails; Linblad Expeditions; Oceanside Expeditions; Polar Latitudes; Ponant; Quark Expeditions; Seabourn; Silversea Expeditions; and Swan Hellenic (expeditioncruisenetwork.com).
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Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
