Hendrik Jan Dadema, Patrice Geske, Marketing Manager Globus family of brands and Stéphanie Bishop
What better way to learn about the ins and outs of a European river cruise than to spend some time with a cruise director. Hendrik Jan Dadema has been at the helm of Avalon Waterways ships for the past decade. Add to that the 20 years he was a tour director with Globus and you've got a fellow armed with a wealth of information and interesting stories about the company and cruising.
For the past two weeks Jan Dadema has been in Canada touring the major cities, meeting with agents, engaging in the promotion of the product, and witnessing what agents do on their end. "Tour directors see that the ships are full, people are happy, but have little idea about how bookings are made. This has been an eye opener," says Jan Dadema. The visit has been mutually beneficial. “This really closes the circle,” says Stéphanie Bishop, managing director, Globus family of brands. “Agents have been grateful, especially those who have not experienced a river cruise. It gives them an insider view [of what it’s like].”
River cruising is a hot trend right now and popular with Canadians country wide. The characteristics of a client are those who are well travelled, have seen a lot and are looking for something more. “84% of river cruisers come from ocean cruising so this is a natural evolution,” says Bishop. It is a luxury vacation so clients will most likely be retired, have the financial resources and time. Jan Dadema’s suggestion to agents when making bookings is to encourage longer durations. “Guests on short cruises always regret not staying longer.” He also suggests having guests arrive at the departure destination at least a day or two before to recover from jet lag. “They get more out of the experience when they’re not tired!”
Cruisers on Avalon will not be disappointed. 80% of staterooms have a panorama river view outfitted with the largest windows available on river cruise ships anywhere. Ships built from 2011 onwards also provide more livable space. “Balconies are so small that no one uses them. We took them out and put that space back into the room so the whole cabin is like a balcony, it’s unique in the trade,” says Bishop. The fleet is also the youngest in the industry which is a big draw.
Ships carry a maximum of 140 to 160 passengers making for a much more personal experience than an ocean cruise. The cruise director is always within easy access to answer questions and offer comments about the sights.
Onboard experiences include the Open-Air Bistro, locally sourced food, wine and beer. Clients interested in a behind the scenes view can meet the ship’s chef and get a tour of the kitchen. Theme cruises, to mention a few, include golf cruises, Jewish heritage cruises and WWI & European History cruises, and the big seller, beer tasting cruises. When asked about his favourite route, Jan Dadema mentioned two: The Rhine & Moselle, and the Blue Danube to the Black Sea, both of which he feels are undervalued. “They sail thru the most beautiful parts of Europe that noone really knows about.”
To learn more, agents are encouraged to sign up for the Avalon Waterways Specialist Program. Launched a few years ago, the program is now enhanced with video and includes 4 modules. The course can be taken online at the agents’ preferred pace, and a score of 90% or more on the exam grants the agent a certificate of completion, the use of a specialist logo, CLIA credits, CEUs, plus more perks.
