Alex O'Brien
Cruising

Cruise lines offer virtual reality teaser to get bookings

We’ve heard of product demonstrations, but this is something else! Cruise lines are now using virtual reality experiences to snag new cruisers.

A variety of lines are offering in-store virtual reality experiences, allowing potential customers to explore what the cruise ship has to offer without ever having to leave dry land. Seasoned cruisers will be able to explore new ships, while inexperienced passengers will be able to get a valuable taste of what the cruise experience is all about.

Cruiseabout, a travel agency specialising in the world of cruising and operated by Flight Centre, is one of the first companies to offer these virtual reality experiences in Australia.

“This will be a game changer for the cruise booking process that is already a highly collaborative interactive process, and we see access to virtual reality vision as a way to enhance the in-store experience for our customers,” said Mr Jarrod Pask, Cruiseabout General Manager. “For travellers who are new to cruise and unfamiliar with ships, cabin types, and the onboard experience, the vision will be a huge asset as they have the ability to get a taste for it virtually before stepping on board in real life.”

And it makes quite a lot of sense. It’s one thing reading about the facilities of a cruise ship or having them explained to you by a travel agent, and quite another thing being able to witness them for yourself.

These virtual reality experiences will also be quite useful, when it comes to upgrades. After seeing the standard suite, you may feel compelled to upgrade to a more deluxe option, and vice versa.

Cruiseabout has already made two of these virtual reality experiences available online.

To experience a virtual reality tour of Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas, click here.

To experience a virtual reality tour of Carnival Cruises’ Carnival Spirit, click here.

These interactive videos let you experience the cruise ships from a range of different angles and really give you a taster of cruising on these vessels.

For more information, and to visit the Cruiseabout website click here.

Related links:

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Inside one of the world’s biggest cruise ships

Can the historic Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship be saved?

Tags:
cruising, cruise ship, virtual reality