Cruise expert Mary Buckley says potential clients should recognise the big ships packed with high profile attractions can also cater for clients wanting to take it easier.
Buckley was aboard Norwegian Aqua’s shakedown cruise from Portugal to England and while the new Prima Class ship is packed with attractions for kids and fun-loving adults, there’s also plenty of quieter spaces for an increasingly discerning Kiwi cruise market.
The ship has a first-at-sea Aqua Slidecoaster, an expanded game zone and blockbuster shows such as Revolution: A Collaboration of Prince. It’s big enough to have a variety of spaces, venues and shows to give it a small ship feel, too.
. . . Something For All
Buckley, owner of Milford-based Shore Travel, says that was one takeaway from the five-night voyage. “I think an important message which I’ll take home is quite often when you see these big ships with slides twisting around the top some customers say ‘nope that is not for me’ but [NCL] has really catered for every kind of traveller. It’s a nice evolution that these bigger ships are doing.’’
About half Shore Travel’s business is cruise booking during the past few years, as Kiwis are trying different ships on multiple cruises and are increasingly staying loyal to one brand. “Our travellers start exploring the world, work their way through the categories and find the level they like operating at,” adds Buckley.
Cruise clients, she says, are asking her more questions about ships, and cruise lines’ environmental policies right down to specifics about food and drink on board. ‘’We get asked a lot about restaurants, even get down to what Champagne do they serve. There are people who like to know all the detail, and some of that will sway their decision.’’
NCL has expanded its drinks and dining options plus there are shore excursions and improved wifi and air fare deals as part of its new More at Sea programme. Buckley says more travellers are combining back-toback ocean cruises with river cruises in Europe as they moved through their bucket list of experiences
