Viator is claiming to be able to undercut typical cruise line shore excursion prices by more than 40% with a dedicated new website.
Viator launches shore excursion site
Viator is claiming to be able to undercut typical cruise line shore excursion prices by more than 40% with a dedicated new website.
The tours and activities booking specialist is making its new shore excursion offering available to select travel agent and affiliate partners through the Viator Partner Programme.
More than 500 excursions in over 80 ports are featured at shoreexcursions.viator.com offering relevant tours and activities based on the specific itinerary of the cruise ship. Viator’s shore excursions are commissionable for participating partners.
Trips are available on itineraries offered by Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.
Once a cruise line, ship name and departure date are selected, Viator will instantly load the itinerary and present only those excursions that can specifically work for each port of call based on arrival and departure times, and availability.
The new site also provides unbiased cruise traveller reviews, photos and star ratings.
Company president and chief executive Barrie Seidenberg said: “The new Viator shore excursion offering for partners couples our selection of on-shore activities in ports worldwide with the technology necessary to complete more complicated shore excursion bookings.
“Presenting our partners with a compelling selection of shore excursions independent of those offered by the cruise lines enables them to deliver added value to their customers who’ll be able to save money, avoid the crowds and create experiences that will be envied by their shipmates.”
A new study by PhoCusWright into travel agents and ancillaries, shows that almost one in four US leisure retail agents and 41% of home-based agents often book shore excursions for their clients independently of cruise lines.
This is due in part to the fact that many cruise lines have stopped paying commissions on some cruise components, including shore excursions.
