Small-ship cruise line Azamara has seen a 20% rise in new-to-cruise customers in the past six months.
Speaking to agents onboard Amazara Journey this week, CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler said the increase was down to the work of travel agents.
“Because of our travel advisors, we are now attracting more first-to-cruise,” she said. “I believe that’s because the agent relationships are so strong, they know what we offer and they can bring first-time cruisers to us. Also, our repeat clients are stronger than ever before.”
Dondra also revealed that when Azamara asked customers which company they last cruised with, number one was Silversea and number two was river cruise line AmaWaterways.
“The reason I think they came to us from river is that we are the most like a river cruise in an ocean-going vessel,” she said. “Our captains go up the river in Seville or Bordeaux, and other cruise lines don’t do that.”
Azamara UK Managing Director David Duff added: “We are seeing a lot of growth in our sector. Luxury hotels coming into the market is helping to bring new guests into cruise. It’s all complementary to small-ship cruising.
“Also, when it comes to sustainability issues, small-ship cruising is a perfect antidote to that. We can go to ports that others don’t go to or go at times that are not disruptive to the local community.”
Azamara was hosting agents on Azamara Journey in Barcelona for a meeting of three out of four of its ships. Dondra told them: “My advice is to segment your database into consumers who you know like cruising the smaller ships and want that destination-rich experience, whether they are 40 or 60, that’s the sweet spot for us.”
Picture shows Azamara CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler, furthest left, with UK agents onboard Azamara Journey
