AmaWaterways, a luxury river cruise line, has announced a significant change by offering flight-inclusive packages to UK guests.
- The newly launched packages will cover both European and long-haul sailings, providing a comprehensive travel solution.
- This initiative is a direct response to travel agent feedback, aiming to streamline the booking process and enhance convenience.
- Prices for these inclusive packages are set, such as £1,975 for a five-night Danube cruise and £2,549 for a seven-night Holland & Belgium cruise.
- AmaWaterways has seen a marked increase in travel agent bookings, suggesting positive reception to new strategies.
AmaWaterways has taken a forward-thinking step by introducing flight-inclusive packages for UK guests on all its river cruises. This move aims to create a seamless experience for travellers, as they can now enjoy an all-in-one package that includes return flights from major cities like London or Manchester. Additionally, the package covers overseas transfers between airports and ships, simplifying logistics for cruisers.
This development was largely driven by feedback from travel agents who found that offering a complete package including flights would allow them to present a clear and upfront total cost to clients. Previously, flights were offered as optional add-ons, which could complicate the booking process. The new approach not only simplifies this but also enables agents to secure better flight prices.
Packages like the five-night ‘Majestic Capitals of the Danube’ cruise, departing from Vienna to Budapest on 16 December 2024, are competitively priced starting at £1,975 per person. Meanwhile, the seven-night ‘Best of Holland & Belgium’ cruise, beginning on 13 November 2024, is available from £2,549 per person. This clearly demonstrates AmaWaterways’ commitment to offering value while maintaining luxury experiences.
Jamie Loizou, Managing Director of AmaWaterways UK, has stressed the convenience this brings to agents. He highlighted that this change aligns with the desires of most guests who prefer to book flights alongside their river cruise. He remarked, ‘Our mission is to make it as convenient and efficient as possible for agents to reserve an AmaWaterways river cruise for their clients.’
AmaWaterways continues to offer cruise-only options for those who wish to incorporate river cruises into a broader itinerary or require additional flexibility. Despite these new options, the company has noted a significant boost in travel agent bookings, with a reported 78% increase compared to last year and a 46% rise in reservations for any departure year since 2019. This underscores the effectiveness of AmaWaterways’ strategic adjustments in meeting customer needs.
AmaWaterways’ strategic move to incorporate flights into their packages not only simplifies the booking process but also aligns with customer preferences, potentially increasing market competitiveness.
