New To Cruise: The Ultimate Starter Guide For UK Travel Agents
Helping You Build Confidence & Boost Your Cruise Sales
Why Selling Cruises Is Worth It
The UK cruise market is booming, with millions of Brits choosing to holiday at sea every year. Whether it’s adventure-packed family cruises, sophisticated river journeys, or luxury escapes, there’s a cruise for every type of customer — even those who’ve never considered it before.
For agents new to selling cruise, understanding the unique selling points, terminology, booking processes and key suppliers can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. This guide breaks it all down, giving you the tools to confidently match the right cruise to the right customer, overcome objections, and boost your cruise sales.
Understanding The Cruise Market
What Every New-to-Cruise Agent Needs to Know
Key Cruise Types & Who They Suit
Unsure which cruise line and type is best for your customers? Match their personality and preferences with our featured list below.
| Cruise Type | Best For | Example Product |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Cruises | Families, couples, groups, adventure seekers | Royal Caribbean – Anthem of the Seas sailing from Southampton |
| River Cruises | Mature travellers, culture lovers, scenic seekers | Riviera Travel – Danube River Cruise |
| Expedition Cruises | Adventurers, wildlife enthusiasts, eco-conscious travellers | Hurtigruten – Norway Expeditions |
| Luxury Cruises | Honeymooners, special occasions, premium seekers | Silversea – Mediterranean Voyages |
| Solo Cruises | Independent travellers, single holidaymakers | Riviera Travel – Solo Traveller River Cruises |
Cruise Line Cheat Sheet
Discover our top cruise line picks, breaking down their unique offerings to help you understand which one best suits your clients.
Royal Caribbean International
Adventure For All
Unique Selling Points:
- Innovative ships with game-changing features (skydiving simulators, robot bartenders, bumper cars).
- Wide choice of dining, entertainment & accommodation – from studio cabins to family suites.
- Sails from the UK, making it easy to book for customers who prefer no-fly holidays.
- Perfect Day at CocoCay – a private island experience exclusive to Royal Caribbean guests.
Ideal for:
Families, couples, groups, first-time cruisers.
Agent Tip:
Use My Royal Genie for training, offers & incentives. Royal Caribbean’s exciting agent tool allows agents to build the perfect holiday for their customers based on their wishlist, helping you sell like never before.
Riviera Travel
River Cruise Experts
Unique Selling Points:
- Handcrafted itineraries designed specifically for the UK market.
- No hidden costs – excursions, flights & transfers included.
- Dedicated Solo Traveller departures with no single supplements.
- British cruise directors & onboard atmosphere tailored to UK guests.
Ideal for:
Mature travellers, couples, culture lovers, solo travellers.
Agent Tip:
Visit Riviera Explorer, or go to Travel Pursuit’s Riviera Travel Agent Hub for offers, training & toolkits. This ultimate learning portal for UK travel agents is filled with interactive modules covering Riviera’s award-winning river cruises, touring holidays, solo adventures and more.
Key Cruise Selling Tips For New Agents
Just starting out in cruise? Explore our essential selling tips below to help you confidently advise your customers and secure those bookings!
Cruise Booking Process Step-By-Step For Beginners
Your first cruise booking experience can be simple and stress-free – just follow our easy steps below!
- Choose the Itinerary
Recommend destinations to your customers and pick best sailing dates with the best value. - Match the customer to the right ship & cruise line.
Scroll above for ‘Key Cruise Lines & Who They Suit’ to match your customers to the right cruise line. - Pick the cabin type
Choose from Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, Virtual Balcony or Suite. Some cruise lines have Family options available. - Add extras
Choose from drinks packages, speciality dining, WiFi, and/or excursions. - Confirm flights or no-fly sailing.
Always double check with your customers to confirm their preference! - Process the booking & confirm deposits/final payments.
Make sure to double-check figures and get the go-ahead from your customers! - Use cruise line portals (like Royal Genie) for ongoing support.
Useful Tools & Training For UK Travel Agents
Boost your bookings and stay ahead! Explore these essential industry tools and training programmes designed for UK travel agents.
Must-Know Facebook Groups & Forums
All Other Major River & Ocean Cruise Lines*
Overcoming Common Cruise Objections (Agent Cheat Sheet)
Conquer common client hesitations with this agent cheat sheet, designed to help you confidently address concerns and close more cruise sales.
| Objection | Response |
|---|---|
| "I’ll get bored on a ship." | Modern ships like Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas have more entertainment, dining & activities than a land resort. |
| "I don’t like dressing up." | Many cruises, including Royal Caribbean, offer relaxed dining & dress codes – formal nights are optional. |
| "It’s expensive." | Cruises include meals, entertainment, accommodation & transport between destinations – excellent value for money. |
| "It’s all older people." | With waterparks, rock climbing walls, zip lines & more, Royal Caribbean is perfect for families & younger travellers. |
Suggested First-Time Cruise Itineraries To Sell
Check out these highly popular and easy-to-sell ocean and river cruise itineraries from Royal Caribbean and Riviera Travel.
7 nights from £1,880pp
Perfect for: Thrill-seekers, families, couples, groups.
The Blue Danube River Cruise from Budapest
7 nights from £1,799pp
Perfect for: Culture lovers, couples, solo travellers.
Final Tips – Your New To Cruise Action Plan
Now that you're equipped with essential cruise knowledge, here are easy next steps to help you confidently launch your new selling action plan!
- Join CLIA UK & Ireland
- Register for portals like My Royal Genie (Royal Caribbean) & Riviera Explorer (Riviera Travel’s Agent Hub)
- Start with simple products like no-fly cruises from Southampton
- Practice explaining cruise holidays to non-cruisers; focus on value & variety
