Cruise lines are pulling out all the stops to curate voyages that cater for those more unusual requests.

Are your clients looking to escape on a romantic break, or perhaps celebrate a wedding or second honeymoon?

Have you found it a challenge putting together packages for clients looking to holiday with all the family, grandparents, nieces and nephews?

Or do you need inspiration on which experience to suggest for clients who have saved for years for that once-in-a-lifetime luxury trip?

We discover what special occasion voyages are available for experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.

Multigenerational holidays

If you have clients who are reluctant cruisers but want to take their extended family away on a holiday, a river cruise is a great introduction to cruising.

And specialists such as Uniworld are ticking all the boxes when it comes to catering for the needs of all the family.

The operator has a whole programme of Generations cruises, which feature a raft of itineraries, excursions and on-board activities that meet the demands of every member of the family, from kids to octogenarians.

The cruises are available for families on selected departures of the brand’s most popular routes, taking in the sights and cultural highlights of the Danube, the Seine and the Rhine, alongside explorations of Italy.

The departures have on-board Family Hosts for Junior (4-11 years) and Young (12-18 years) cruisers and offer activities such as cooking classes, soda sommelier sessions, behind-the-scenes tours with the captain, craft workshops and local language classes.

How much? Prices for the 10-day Danube Discovery & Prague voyage on 6 August lead in at £3,419 per person based on double occupancy, with a 50% discount for young travellers aged 4-18 years.

To book: uniworld.com/uk/

Second honeymoons

The number of people getting hitched for the second – and third – time is on the increase, so to tap into this growing market, Tauck has put together the perfect river cruise itinerary.

The 14-day French Escapade cruises along the Rhone River and the Saone, taking in romantic European cities such as Monte-Carlo, Provence, Lyon, Burgundy, and the city of love, Paris.

Loved-up couples will have the chance to travel into the countryside to visit some of the world’s best vineyards, discover river towns with Roman roots and lingering traces of medieval magic in their streets, experience the cowboy traditions and cuisine of La Camargue, explore a palace fit for a pope and see an abbey that was once one of the most powerful buildings in Europe.

How much? Prices start at £4,360 per person.

To book: tauck.co.uk

Nature crusaders 

Are your clients looking for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise that also provides unbeatable views of a major natural event? Azamara Club Cruises has put together an 11-night Arabia and India Holiday Voyage timed to sail across the Indian Ocean from Muscat to Mumbai just as the total solar eclipse takes place on 26 December 2019.

The voyage begins in Dubai on 17 December with an overnight on-board stay before setting sale for Doha, then on to Abu Dhabi, where guests can race on a Formula One Track. A day at sea follows before docking in Muscat to explore the preserved old city, splendid beaches and traditional souks during an overnight stay.

The Azamara Quest then sets sail for Mumbai, with the solar eclipse on the agenda for the second night at sea – definitely a once-in a-lifetime opportunity.

How much? Prices for the 11-night cruise lead in at £2,437 per person (flights excluded).

To book: azamaraclubcruises.co.uk

Happy hens

If your hens are looking for a cruise that will leave them feeling chilled and revitalised, give them the heads-up on Seabourn Odyssey, which is launching Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, a mindful living programme offering guests a holistic spa and wellness experience.

The first-ever programme of its kind available at sea, and destined for every ship in the fleet, it will be led by the on-board Mindful Living Coach, and there will be daily practice of mindful meditation and yoga, with some sessions on a complimentary basis.

The programme will also offer guests some complimentary Mind and Body seminars such as Spontaneous Happiness & Spontaneous Healing; Anti-Inflammatory Foods; and an Introduction to Mindful Meditation.

How much? Prices for a seven-day cruise departing on 3 February 2018 start from £2,199 per person, sharing a suite.

To book: seabourn.com

SELL IT

With tips from Seabourn’s Concierge team…

1 After the cruise, if your clients are on an evening flight why not book them a day room to relax?  They will then be collected by car and taken to the airport for their flight home.

2 Because of her size, Seabourn Odyssey can get into the Caribbean ports and islands that larger ships cannot.

3 Make sure clients tell you their favourite tipple so that you can request ahead, and ensure that the mini-bar is filled with their choice of alcohol.

4 If it’s a real special occasion such as a birthday or wedding anniversary, let Seabourn know and it will help your client celebrate, whether with champagne on deck, a cake, or their suite decked out with rose petals, balloons and towel animal creations.