The Best Ships for First-Time Cruisers
by John Hawks

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If your clients want to bring their kids, pick family-friendly ships.

Check ahead with the cruise lines known for their children's programming -- especially Carnival and Royal Caribbean (both of which are OSSN supplier members!), as well as Disney -- to ask about their holiday activities for children. Take special care of youngsters on holiday cruises, because this trip may be their first time away from home during the year-end season.

Remember this rule of thumb: The bigger the ship, the bigger the festivities.

While extended families will appreciate lots of hoopla on their holiday cruises, couples traveling without children and seniors cruising solo may prefer a smaller luxury ship where the holidays will be celebrated in an understated manner.

If your clients will be traveling with kids, check cruise line limits on children for some holiday sailings.

To "protect" other passengers cruising without kids during the year-end season, some cruise lines actually place an upper limit on the total number of children who can be booked on the more popular holiday sailings. It pays to ask -- and to book as far ahead as possible!

On the actual holiday dates, shore excursions may be limited options.

Because Christmas is a global holiday nowadays, remind your clients not to expect too much if their ship actually makes a port call on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, as many attractions and shops may offer limited hours or close altogether.

Don't forget to market New Year's cruises -- it's not just Christmas any more!

The 2000 millennial celebrations made New Year's an even bigger cruising holiday than ever before. It's the perfect safe getaway for young couples traveling together, or couples of any age ringing in the New Year without worrying about their travel arrangements.

(Note: One of the biggest advantages of belonging to OSSN is networking -- exchanging opinions and ideas with other agents. Do YOU have suggestions for selling holiday cruises? Send them to us! We'll gladly share your thoughts in a future article.

* John Hawks -- OSSN's news editor -- was the founding editor of "Bank Travel Management," the national trade magazine for bank loyalty program directors.