FTA Launches Travel Advisor Ocean Cruise Guide
Zip lining with MSC Cruises
Cruise vacations are an incredible option for families. In fact, the Cruise Lines International Association estimates that 32 percent of families with children under the age of 18 have taken a cruise vacation, while another 14 percent of families with children 18 years or older have.
But very often families are overwhelmed by the wide range of ship classes, onboard experiences and itineraries available to them. That’s where high-quality travel advisors can make a difference.
According to the Family Travel Association’s (FTA) 2018 Family Travel Survey, 42 percent of families who have taken a cruise also have used a travel agent in the last three years, versus just 20 percent of all families who travel.
That’s why the FTA has produced a 19-page guide for travel advisors filled with insights to inspire clients and prospects to take a cruise, qualify them and overcome objections when a client hesitates. The Guide is for members only.
Relaxing with a view of the Carnival Breeze
This guide was developed with the assistance of leading experts in the field, including:
- Sally Black, Vactionkids.com & FTA Director of Travel Advisor Initiatives
- Lauren Goldenberg, Owner, The Family Traveler travel agency
- Ron Gulaskey, AVP, National Account Sales & Trade Associations, Celebrity Cruises
- Anthony Meloro, Director, Business Development Support & Host Travel Partner, Royal Caribbean
- Alicia Steuart, Senior Sales Director, Key Accounts, Carnival Cruise Line
Go kart racing aboard the Norwegian Bliss Ketchikan, Alaska
Since travel is a highly visual sale, we’ve included a special 4-page section about how agents can visually inspire their clients through social media. To do that, the FTA tapped into the experience and expertise of four of our Media Center Members.
Using some of their highest performing posts, these top bloggers and influencers walk agents through ways to engage your followers and make them dream about booking a cruise vacation with you. They offer tips on composition, point-of-view, filtering and contrast.
We want to thank the following for their generous contribution:
- Shellie Bailey-Shah, Editor, KidTripster,
- LiLing Pang Co-founder and CEO, Trekaroo,
- Lucee Santini, Blogger/Author, MomJunky.com, and
- Nancy Schretter, Managing Editor, Family Travel Network
The FTA Travel Advisor Guide to Ocean Cruises is the second in a series of guides the FTA is creating for different supplier/destination categories represented by our members. We’re currently developing a Tour Operator Guide scheduled to be published in July, with a soon to follow River Cruise Guide.
