THIS week, I’m continuing on from last week’s column where the focus was on how shore excursions are operated by cruise lines in conjunction with Inbound Tours Operators (ITO’s). Aside from understanding how shore excursions operate behind the scenes, it is just as important that agents and consumers are also...
THIS week, I’m continuing on from last
week’s column where the focus was on how
shore excursions are operated by cruise lines
in conjunction with Inbound Tours Operators
(ITO’s).
Aside from understanding how shore
excursions operate behind the scenes, it is
just as important that agents and consumers
are also aware that the actual price cruise
lines sell shore excursions at does include
many components that we often don’t stop
to consider.
It is true that cruise passengers do have
the ability to research and book their own
(in some cases private) tours at ports they
will be visiting. However, when discussing
shore excursion options with your clients it is
important to ensure a few issues are clearly
understood.
Flexibility: If a ship is late or unable to dock
at a particular port due to inclement weather,
your clients that have booked through the
cruise line will get a full refund if their chosen
shore excursion is unable to operate.
Insurance: All suppliers of product sold
through ITO’s and offered to cruise line
passengers must hold appropriate public
liability insurance and a certificate of
currency will be sighted by the ITO before an
operator can be included in the cruise lines
program.
Don’t miss the boat!: Passengers who
have booked a shore excursion through the
cruise line have peace of mind knowing that
if there is a delay in getting back to the ship,
the ship will delay departure to ensure their
passengers get back on board.
Passengers who choose to research
and make their own shore excursion
arrangements direct with local suppliers, run
the risk of financial and emotional loss if any
of the three scenarios above work against
them!
