DTM1501/2022

STUDY UNIT 11
CRUISES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
11.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 130

11.2 LEARNING OUTCOMES .................................................................................................................. 130

11.3 TYPES OF CRUISES ......................................................................................................................... 130

11.4 LIFE ON BOARD A CONVENTIONAL CRUISE SHIP .......................................................................... 131

11.5 CRUISE FARES ................................................................................................................................ 132

11.6 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS USED IN SHIPPING SECTOR ................................................................. 133

11.7 SELECTING APPROPRIATE ACCOMMODATION FROM DECK PLANS ............................................. 135

11.8 RESERVATION PROCEDURES ......................................................................................................... 137

11.9 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................. 139

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11.1 INTRODUCTION
Towards the end of 19th century and the beginning of 19th century, long haul travel was done mainly by
ship, by people wealthy enough to travel in luxury and style. Passenger ships became progressively
grander and bigger as American, British, German and French companies all competed to build the
fastest and most luxurious ships. However, towards the middle of 19th century the high cost of
operating these ships and the introduction of mass air travel made travelling by passenger ship much
less attractive. Air travel became the transport mode of choice as it is much faster and much more
accessible, since airports can be built anywhere, whereas people need to still travel overland to the
coast in order to board a ship.

Fortunately, ocean travel as such did not disappear, as most passenger ships could be converted into
present-day cruise ships. Cruise ships are used specifically for pleasure cruising, rather than point-to-
point transportation. Today a conventional cruise is typically a planned return voyage, with
entertainment on board and optional shore excursions at the different ports of call.

11.2 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this study unit you should be able to:
• identify different types of cruises available
• define and interpret various nautical terms
• discuss the facilities and services available on board a conventional cruise ship
• be familiar with the factors that determine the cost of a cruise
• know how to select appropriate accommodation from deck plans
• discuss the reservation procedures for cruise bookings

11.3 TYPES OF CRUISES

There are many different types of cruises, including cruises with themes, upmarket expensive cruises,
budget-priced cruises, cruises for under-30s, cruises for over-50s and family-oriented cruises. Cruise
ships vary in size and a broadly classified as larger, carrying between 1 500 and 2 500 passengers,
medium-sized, carrying between 500 and 1 500 passengers and small, carrying less than 100 passengers.

Other types of cruising include river cruising, sailing on tall ships, clipper sailing, flotilla sailing, barge and
canal cruising and cargo boats.

Activity 11.1
Do you know what a barge canal or river cruise is?
Do some research on the internet and see whether you can find out what a barge is.

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Feedback on activity 11.1

Were you able to complete activity 11.1?
Do you know what a barge is? Will you be able to sell a barge canal or river cruise to a client?
If you are still unsure, visit the following webpages for more information on barge cruising:
• http://www.francecruises.com/

• http://www.canalbargecruises.com/
Watch some of the videos on: http://www.bellefrance.co.uk which show what the inside of a barge
looks like.

11.4 LIFE ON BOARD A CONVENTIONAL CRUISE SHIP

Cruise ships are often referred to as floating cities. Modern cruise ships are larger, and known as
“superliners” or “megaships”, with every imaginable amenity on board. Usually there is a wide choice of
sleeping accommodation. Budget cabins are located towards the middle of the ship and on the lower
levels, sleeping two people. Mid-range cabins are situated more on the sides of the ship and on the
middle levels, sleeping two to four people with an en-suite bathroom. Expensive cabins are situated on
the outside of the ship with a porthole or balcony, on the upper-levels of the ship, sleeping two to six
people, with an en-suite bathroom and in some cases a separate sitting room.

Facilities on board usually include different dining rooms or restaurants. Meals are offered throughout
the day in a variety of forms, ranging from several course meals to theme event dinners. Food is usually
of outstanding quality and variety on board. On larger ships, the main meals are served in 2 sittings,
early and late. For example, dinner may open from 17h00 and close at 22h00. In this case you may find
that the first sitting is from 17h00 to 19h30 and the second sitting may be from 20h00 to 22h00. The
preferred sitting is stated at the time you make the reservation for your client. Other facilities include
banks, beauty salons and spas, a gym, and various clothing, gift and souvenir shops.

Almost all cruise ships have casinos on board. Smaller casinos may offer only slot machines while larger
casinos offer slot machines and roulette, blackjack and other games. As with bars, there is a minimum
age restriction for gambling. However, the age restriction is at the discretion of the captain, and is
usually 18 years.

Entertainment is varied and can include swimming pools, volleyball courts, deck games, a theatre with
live shows, a club, disco or ballroom dancing hall, a casino, film shows, libraries and self-improvement
courses such as flower arranging or pottery. A full programme is worked out to entertain passengers
while on board.

At each port of call, passengers usually have a choice of three or four optional shore excursions which is
usually for an additional fee. If the ship is docked for more than a day, passengers who disembark will
return to the ship at night for the overnight stay.

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All ships have medical staff to tend to emergencies from sea sickness to broken limbs. The cost of
medical treatment and medication is not included in the fare.

Each cruise line also provides an “at sea address, telephone, fax and email” facility. Although this facility
is not included in the cruise fare, passengers should contact the steward for assistance on sea-to-shore
communication.

Activity 11.2
Visit the following website: http://www.crystalcruises.com.
Answer the following questions based on the website.
1. Which destinations does this cruise company sail to?
2. Find the cruise calendar on the website. Where would you be able to sail to during the month of
June?
3. What kind of activities for children between 3 and 17 years would you generally find on board a
Crystal Cruise ship?
4. Crystal Cruises offer several themed cruises each year. List at least five different theme cruises.

Activity 11.3
The Disney Cruise Line has contacted your travel agency. They would like to sponsor you and a partner
to go on any of the cruises that they offer worldwide.
Visit http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/ and pick the cruise that you would like to
go on. Motivate your choice.

11.5 CRUISE FARES

At first glance, a cruise may seem to be an expensive holiday, but one should bear in mind that the price
usually includes transportation costs, accommodation, meals and entertainment and also the
opportunity to travel to exciting foreign ports.

The following factors determine the cost of a cruise:

• Length of the cruise – the longer the cruise the higher the fare.
• Type of cabin and size – some cabins have upper and lower berths, which will be lower priced.
Larger cabins on higher decks, provide wonderful views and are therefore more expensive.
• Position of cabins – inside cabins and cabins on the lower decks are cheaper than outside cabins
with views, on higher decks and in the centre of the ship (amidships). Passengers who struggle with
seasickness often prefer midship cabins as this is where the ship’s motion is felt least.
• Season of travel – fares are more expensive during peak season as a result of high demand. In low
season, fares are lowered to attract passengers.

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• Number of persons in the cabin – prices are quoted on a per person sharing basis; a passenger
travelling alone must pay a single supplement, while the price is lower per person when three or
four passengers share a cabin.
• Density of passengers and crew on ship – the more crew per passenger, the more expensive the
fare.

Generally, the cost of a cruise includes all meals, but alcoholic beverages are usually not included in the
cruise fare and should be purchased separately. Some cruise ships offer more expensive packages where
local alcoholic beverages are included and only imported alcoholic drinks are charged for separately.
Almost all ships have one or more bars, lounges and clubs on board. Passengers can choose those that
suit them. The bars are not usually open when the ship is docked at a port, because obviously each port
would want the passengers to spend their money ashore.

Another expense that is not included in the package price is tipping of ship personnel. Tipping is always
at the passenger’s discretion. Tips to bartenders, wine stewards and hair stylists are given at the time of
service while cabin stewards are tipped at the end of the cruise. The cruise line will usually suggest a
specific tipping policy. However, some cruise companies now include a mandatory service fee in the
cruise rate.

Cruise lines often offer incredible specials for passengers willing to book very early or very late, or to go
on standby arrangement. These specials could include reduced fares on flights and hotels before or after
the cruise, consecutive cruise discounts, newcomers' discounts, on-board vouchers and special cruise
promotions. Sometimes the cost of a cruise could total only 20% of the original price after all the
discounts have been factored in.

11.6 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS USED IN THE SHIPPING SECTOR

The travel industry speaks its own language, which is made up of acronyms, codes, words and terms that
are unique to it. Before you can learn about the industry, you must know these terms and definitions so
that you can understand and speak the language of the industry. You must know the following terms
and definitions commonly used in the shipping sector:

Voyage: Transportation on water from port of origin to destination, for example from Cape Town
harbour to Durban harbour.

Cruise: Transportation from port of origin back to port of origin, normally a circular route including
several ports of call at islands or mainland, where sightseeing trips are arranged, for example Caribbean
Sea, Mediterranean Sea.

Aft: Stern (rear) of the ship

(A)midships: In the middle of the vessel

Air/sea: Cruise fare that includes air transportation from the passengers' home city to the port city

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Berth: A term used for both the bed in a cabin on board the ship, as well as a space for a ship in a port

Bow: Front of the ship

Bridge: Command post of the ship

Cabin: The bedroom on board a ship, also known as a stateroom

Cruise line: Company that operates a cruise ship

Deck: Various levels or floors of a ship, for example main deck

Deck plan: Layout of a cruise ship showing the location of cabins and public rooms on each deck

Disembark: to go ashore from the ship

Embark: To board the ship from the shore

Forrard: The front part of the ship

Gangway: Opening in the ship’s hull and the walkway for passengers to enter the ship

Hold: Cargo storage room

Inside cabin: Located in the interior of the ship, or facing onto the deck

Knot: Unit of speed, equivalent to one nautical mile per hour (1852 metres)

Manifest: List of ship’s passengers, crew and cargo

Outside cabin: Cabin with porthole (window) situated at the side of the ship

Passage: Reservation to travel on a ship

Port side: Left side of the ship when looking forward to the front of the ship

Porthole: Round cabin window

Ports-of-call: Ports at which a ship stops along its itinerary

Port taxes: Fees imposed by the government of each port of call. These fees are collected by the cruise
line in advance of sailing and is paid to each port of call.

Promenade deck: Entertainment area including cinema, casino and restaurants

Purser: Ship’s officer who deals with enquiries on board

Shore excursion: When a ship docks at a port-of-call, tours are arranged for passengers to go ashore to
sightsee and/or do shopping. Shore excursions are optional and usually not included in the cruise fare.

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Stabilisers: Devices fixed under the ship to stop it rolling from side to side

Starboard side: Right side of the ship when looking towards the front of the ship

Stern: Rear end of ship

Activity 11.4
Visit the website: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships
“Meet the world's biggest, boldest ships”
These engineering wonders take home awards every year for their cutting-edge design, first-of-their-
kind attractions, world class dining and accommodations, and unforgettable experiences.
In this section you learned various nautical terms. Can you identify certain areas of the ship on this site?

11.7 SELECTING APPROPRIATE ACCOMMODATION FROM DECK PLANS

Although the internet is used to sell cruises, a brochure is still a popular tool used for selling cruises and
the layout of the brochure is very similar for all cruise lines, especially used by travel agents. Several
pages of photographs and information about the ship are included in the first few pages: activities, food,
ports of call and the age group of passengers catered for.

After that, itineraries, cabin category prices and deck plans are included. The last few pages of the cruise
brochure detail the booking conditions and conditions of passage. Cabin categories and rates are often
colour-coded on brochures to facilitate cabin position and associated costs.

Once your clients have selected a cruise, you may want to assist them in selecting a cabin that will best
suit their budget, needs and preferences. The following questions could be asked to give you the right
information in order to assist them in choosing a cabin:

1. Do you suffer from sea sickness?

Cabins on lower decks toward the centre of the ship have the least amount of movement and are
best for those that easily become seasick.

2. What would you like to spend?

Cabins vary in price depending on the size and position on board the ship. Most passenger ships
have at least ten different price classes. Assist your clients in finding the best value for the amount
of money that they would like to spend.

3. What would you like to do on board? Party, relax and have your kids entertained?

Depending on what their primary motivations are on board, choose a cabin closest or farthest from
certain facilities. For example, if your clients want to party while they are onboard, a cabin closest to

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the club may be preferable. If your clients will be travelling with young children, they may want to
be situated close to children’s entertainment facilities. If you your clients struggle to sleep and want
a quiet cabin, selecting one far away from entertainment facilities such as the club, casino and
restaurants will be preferable. If your clients are travelling on a strict budget and can only afford the
lower decks but want to have a quiet cabin, choose one that is furthest from the engine room and
anchor.

4. How much time are you planning to spend on board the ship?

Some passengers will only use the ship as a place to sleep and have breakfast. They will spend most
of their time on shore at the various different ports-of-call. Disembarking as soon as the ship moors
and embarking just as the ship is about to set sail again.

Other passengers, especially older people, will spend most of their time on the ship. They choose to
partake in the different forms of entertainment offered on board and will seldom go ashore.
Passengers that will spend most of their time on board should opt for the best cabin that they can
afford. Passengers that will only be sleeping in their cabins can afford to take a budget option and
spend their money on different facets of their holiday.

Table 11.1 below gives descriptions of cabins and is an example of what may be available on a cruise
ship.

Table 11.1: Cabin descriptions

Size
Name Description (Average Deck
square feet)

Penthouse suite Twin beds that convert to king, large private Cabin: 345 Empress
balcony, sitting area with two armchairs and Balcony: 85
coffee table, desk, double sofa bed, dressing area
with vanity, walk-in closet, safe, refrigerator, mini
bar, private bath with whirlpool tub and shower,
phone, television and hair dryer.

Suite Twin beds that convert to king, large balcony, Cabin: 275 Lido and Empress
sitting area with armchair and coffee table, sofa, Balcony: 65
dressing area with vanity, two large closets, wall
safe, refrigerator, mini bar, private bath with
whirlpool tub and shower, phone, television and
hair dryer.

Premium balcony Twin beds that convert to king, wrap around Cabin: 185 Verandah,
balcony, private bath with shower, mini bar, safe, Balcony: 75 Empress and
phone, television, sitting area with chair and Upper
coffee table, sofa and hair dryer.

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Ocean iew Twin beds that convert to king, picture window, Cabin: 220 Spa, Panorama,
television, private bath with shower, safe, mini Lido, Empress,
bar, phone, television, sitting area, sofa and hair and Upper Main
dryer. Category 6E has floor to ceiling window. Riviera

Porthole Twin beds that convert to king, two porthole Cabin: 220 Main Riviera
windows, television, private bath with shower,
safe, mini bar, phone, television, sitting area and
hair dryer.

Interior Twin beds that convert to king, television, private Cabin: 185 Panorama, Lido
bath with shower, safe, mini bar, phone, Verandah,
television, sitting area with chair and hair dryer. Empress, and
Upper Main
Riviera

Activity 11.5
1. Visit the www.cruisecritic.com website.
2. Browse through the different cruise ship deck plans.
3. Notice the different coloured cabins and their locations.
4. Pick out a cabin that you would like to stay in. Motivate your choice.

11.8 RESERVATION PROCEDURES

Once the client has chosen the cabin category for the cruise he or she would like to be booked on, a
reservation can be made. However, before the tour operator or cruise line is contacted to place the
reservation, it is extremely important to explain the conditions of booking, passage and carriage of
baggage to the passengers. The passenger must be made aware of the following important points:

• Deposit
A deposit is required within a certain period of time to secure the reservation. The date by which the
deposit must be received by the cruise line is called the option date.

• Balance of fares
The balance of fares, less any deposit paid, is due to the cruise line 60 days prior to sailing date. The
travel agency will also deduct the commission at the time the final payment is made to the cruise line.
• Cancellation
Cancellation fees are applicable from the time the deposit is received by the cruise line. The deposit is
non-refundable. Should a passenger cancel his passage, cancellation fees levied will be a certain
percentage of the fare, depending on how long before the sailing date the cruise is cancelled. The
passenger is liable for these charges, even if he or she has not paid for the cruise. It is advisable for

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passengers to take out cancellation and curtailment insurance immediately on making travel
arrangements, as cancellation and curtailment insurance becomes effective as soon as the policy is
issued.
Although the abovementioned conditions are only a few of the terms listed by the cruise company, it is
important that the passengers are aware of all the conditions. Passengers are required to sign a booking
form where they state that they have read and understood all the conditions. This signed reservation
form must be sent with the deposit to the cruise line.
Reservations can be made by telephone or email and the following information should be supplied when
making a booking:
• passenger name(s)
• date of sailing/cruise number
• cabin category/specific cabin number on ship
• preference for early or late meal sittings
• the name of the travel agent, the agency' name and contact numbers

Some cruise lines allow passengers to state their preference for early or late meal sittings, specific table
requests, for example a table for two persons or six persons. Some cruise lines do not assign a specific
cabin number prior to sailing, but offer a rate category guarantee.

Many cruise itineraries include foreign ports of call requiring the passengers to hold valid passports, and
in some instances, visas. The visas are not the responsibility of the cruise line, and the travel agent
should obtain the visas for the passengers before departure. Similarly, countries may also have health
requirements, and it is the passengers’ responsibility to be inoculated before departure. The travel
agent should check the TIM for details about every country visited, and advise the passengers
accordingly.

Activity 11.6
Visit www.msccruises.co.za
1. Navigate to “Booking terms and conditions”.
2. Download the booking terms and conditions of MSC Cruises.
3. Read through the document.

Most cruising companies have similar booking terms and conditions to that of MSC Cruises. However, it
is still very important that you are aware of the terms and conditions of the cruise line with whom you
make a booking for clients. Be sure to inform your clients of these terms and conditions and make sure
that they understand them before paying a deposit.

Activity 11.7
A client has just purchased a ten-day Atlantic Ocean cruise from you. Explain the need for cancellation
insurance to this client.

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11.9 REFERENCES
GSA. Available at: www.thegsa.co.za (accessed on 10/07/2021).

Official Steamship Guide International. 2018. Available at: www.officialsteamshipguide.com (accessed

on 10/07/2021).

Rubacky, T. 2013. How do I pick a cabin? Available at: http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/before/

cabins.cfm (accessed on 10/07/2021).

Spencer Brown, C. 2009. How to pick the right cruise cabin. 16 July, Budget Travel. Available at:
http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/090716_CruiseCabin,4907/ (accessed on 10/07/2021).

Syratt, G & Archer, J. 2003. 3rd edition. Manual of Travel Agency Practice. Available at: https://0-www-
sciencedirect-com.oasis.unisa.ac.za/book/9780750656894/manual-of-travel-agency-practice
(accessed on 10/07/2021).

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