Cruise Booking Solutions Have Options

By Author: Glenn Dean
Total Articles: 16
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The cruise booking solutions that are available in the market today are the result of years of technological improvement. As the travel industry scrambled to move sales to online channels, the complexity of selling a cruise brought unique challenges. The initial online cruise booking engines launched in the market had limitations not only with functionality but with the ability for a cruise line to differentiate their brand in the crowded marketplace as well. These applications have evolved over the years and have been a driving force behind the increasing sale of cruises online today.

Today’s cruise booking engine can provide live access to cruise content and provide Users with the most up to date content, availability, and pricing. However, the support for modification of cruise bookings can vary by the cruise line and can further vary by booking status, fare code, and sailing. The modify options available in today’s cruise booking solutions can vary by feature and most modify options are only available to a “logged in” agent User and typically not a consumer using online cruise booking solutions. Fare code, cabin category or actual cabin/stateroom, dining options and guest details are all booking elements where modifications are commonly supported. Many of today’s cruise booking engines even make it easy for a User to review booking activity by maintaining a detailed history.

Cruise lines have turned ships into destinations in their own right, so today’s cruise booking software requires the integration of detailed photo galleries, deck plans and even videos to highlight their distinct features and amenities. The cruise line, cruise ship, and cabin descriptions need to be part of the cruise online booking system and linked to media files & rich content such as cabin photos, ship images, and deck plans to assist Users during the research, shopping, and booking process.

And with so many competitors offering so many deals, cruise booking solutions need to provide an easy and efficient way for you to manage the various special pricing or value add offers for a business to remain competitive. The travel technology solution you choose should include the ability to easily define pre-set business rules so you can manage a specific products’ selling price and include any value add the offer you may have. To reach today’s mobile consumer, you’ll want a mobile-ready online application so you can serve these clients regardless of the type of device they choose to use or when they choose to shop.

Fast and easy to use applications can help reduce the amount of time it takes your agents to research and complete a travel booking. Today’s travel technology solutions provide quick, live access to supplier content and use the most up to date availability and pricing. The application you choose should have a quick response time and supported by a technology partner that is responsive to the needs of your business. Finding a technology solution that will help your travel business reach today’s online consumer is an important decision. Finding the right technology company to partner with can be even more important.