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...
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.
Brett Jardine
General Manager
ICCA
