Land and Cruise Tours Combine Best of Both Worlds
Russian River Boat
I recently sat down with Manny Paulo, Collette’s product manager for Greece/Turkey/Egypt/Jordan/Scandinavia/Russia, to talk about land/cruise programs for 2011 and why they are definitely worth taking a look at when planning your next vacation.
Q. Why does Collette combine land and cruise components into some of its itineraries?
Manny: Cruising has experienced 10 – 15% growth year over year – there is something about taking a 3, 4, or even 7-day cruise that appeals to travelers. And with Collette’s expertise in escorted touring, it really is a win-win for our clients.
Q. What appeals to travelers when it comes to cruising?
Manny: I’d have to say the leisurely pace and opportunity to unpack once during the cruise portion. Having the opportunity to do as you please is very appealing for anyone going on vacation. Plus, having all meals included on board and nightly entertainment offer great value for the budget conscious; and amenities like casinos, spas and wellness centers have their own appeal, too.
Q. Any other insight to offer prospective travelers who are deciding on their next vacation?
Manny: For the traveler who is still not sure that a land/cruise tours is right for them, I would say that this travel segment offers plenty of choice when it comes to destinations (including exotic), duration, ships utilized, cabin categories and prices that cater to all market segments. In addition, the land component always includes the ‘must-see’ attractions of the region you visit. For relaxation, visiting exciting destinations and value for the money, it’s certainly worth looking into.
Q. Why not just take an ocean cruise-only vacation?
Manny: The disadvantage that I see in doing that is you have so little on shore time to explore the destination. In contrast, a Collette land/cruise itinerary combines the best of both land and see. These tours feature all the qualities of our traditional escorted tours, including a Tour Manager, local experts, No Worries Cancellation Waiver, and complimentary roundtrip home to airport sedan service on all of Collette’s air-inclusive tours. Combine all this with an in-depth exploration of the destination by land, and either an ocean vessel or small river vessel and you have the makings of an ideal vacation.
Q. Your title encompasses a large geographic region. What are some land/cruise tours that you are responsible for developing?
Manny: The land/cruise programs I manage are:
- Russian River Cruise, featuring a 9-night cruise aboard M/S Maxim Litvinov;
- Splendors of the Nile, featuring a 4-night cruise aboard
Mirage 1; - Journey through Jordan & Egypt , featuring a 3-night cruise aboard Mirage 1;
- Greece: Cruising Greece & Turkey, featuring a 7-night cruise aboard Cristal Ship;
- Cruising the Best of Scandinavia, featuring a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise aboard the Costa Atlantica.
Outside of my region, we also offer cruise-land tours of China’s Yangtze River; Antarctica; and Alaska to name a few.
posted by Melissa McKee
Collette Vacations
Tags: 2010, Collette, Cruise-Land Tours, Dream Destination, Escorted Tours, Ocean Cruises
