Multigenerational, solo and group travel is booming, and executives at several river and small ship cruise lines attending CruiseWorld Wednesday said they are well positioned to cater to those markets.
"We've seen a huge spike in multigen business after the pause," said Alex Pinelo, AmaWaterways' senior vice president of sales, referring to the pandemic-era halt on cruising. "Grandparents today want to spend their retirement money with their families while they're alive."
During the CruiseWorld conference's "Pitch Perfect" panel, moderators Jill LaBarre, president of Travel Agent Pro, and Danny Genung, owner of Harr Travel, posed a series of questions and client scenarios. And the small ship lines' sales executives responded with itineraries, products and pitches they'd make to land that business.
Responses from panelists have been condensed and edited.
Scenario: Clients celebrating their 50th anniversary with their adult children and 8- and 10-year-old grandchildren.
Brandon Townsley, vice president and managing director of North American, Celestyal
Celestyal can offer a cruise that is both memorable and educational for the whole family. One option is the line's seven-day Greek Isles itinerary on the Celestyal Journey. The ship offers a variety of accommodations, including accommodating thirds and fourths. The itinerary includes Mykonos and Santorini, where the ship will stay late in ports after most cruisers have left.
Another option is an Adriatic itinerary that visits four countries (Greece, Montenegro, Croatia and Italy) in seven days.
Kris Endreson, vice president of sales for North America, Aurora Expeditions
The expedition line welcomes children and multigenerational families and offers an immersive and educational onboard experience.
"I sound like a mom now, but the kids are going to learn while they're onboard" about animals like whales, seals and penguins. The line has an expedition team guests can ask questions of; a science center and a citizen science program; and activities like kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, camping, skiing and trekking.
Alex Pinelo, senior vice president of sales, AmaWaterways
Christmas markets are very popular, so the line is also offering "Taste of Christmas" markets in November. While guests may not be able to visit five markets like they normally would, they can get the opportunity to visit perhaps three markets.
AmaWaterways has a partnership with Adventures by Disney which has led the line since 2016 to build ships with connecting staterooms. It also has cabins that accommodate three and four guests.
Excursions are included, and the line has bicycles on board. Its range of excursions gives families the ability to split up for a gentle city tour for some and an active bike tour for others.
Scenario: How guests can travel "like a local"
Marilyn Conroy, executive vice president of sales and marketing for North America, Riviera River Cruises
With river cruises on 10 major European waterways, many of those itineraries include overnight stays, enabling clients to have dinner ashore, wander and enjoy the local culture.
A couple of shore excursions are included at every port of call, giving clients an opportunity for a taste of the city or the village. "We always try to allow sufficient time for them to really experience the city as a local, so they can take advantage of complementary bicycles and go out on their own." When guests have a special request, an onboard concierge is available to set it up for them.
Riviera also offers six Adriatic yacht cruises with a maximum capacity of 38 people. On occasion, dinner and lunch are not included, which encourages guests to dine in that local village, she said. The yacht also allows the line to dock close to downtown areas, which makes it easy to explore that destination.
Richard Hickey, senior director of key accounts, Avalon Waterways
It's important to know what the guest is looking for in their vacation, like history, art, music, food and wine. Avalon has special-interest cruises for those options and others.
Guests can learn more about the local culture by visiting the World War Two landings on Normandy beaches on a Seine River cruise, for example, or seeing art in Vienna during a Danube River cruise.
Avalon also offers wine-lovers cruises in the Danube and in France's Bordeaux area. It will bring on wine experts to share their experiences, offer wine tastings and pairings and go ashore with passengers.
Scenario: Catering to solo travelers ....
Conroy, Riviera River Cruises
Riviera is the only company that has entire departures dedicated to the solo traveler. The line has dedicated 55 departures between 2025 and 2026 with no single supplement across the ship. "In other words, if you've got a vessel with 80 cabins, then you're going to have 80 guests on board. It's a market that is really, really growing."
Endreson, Aurora Expeditions
"We are seeing such an increase in solo travel." Solo travel is so important to the line's business that Aurora will dedicate eight solo staterooms on its newest ship due out at the end of 2025. In 2026, the line will offer 10 solo staterooms on every itinerary on every ship with zero single supplement.
Scenario: .... and to groups
Townsley, Celestyal
"Groups are great. We love groups." Advisors who book a group with the line will get tour conductor credits for their clients as well as extra commission. Groups can also arrange for a chef's table experience that comes with a wine pairing and five-course meal, and customized shore excursions in most of the line's destinations -- especially those in the Greek Islands.
Correction: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Celestyal.