CCS Cruise Products & Services 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On a river cruise, what does 'all-inclusive' typically encompass that differentiates it from most ocean cruise packages?
- Airfare and hotel stays
- Shore excursions, wine/beer with meals, and gratuities (Correct answer)
- Unlimited specialty dining and casino credits
- Private transfer from any US city
Correct answer: Shore excursions, wine/beer with meals, and gratuities
River cruise lines like Viking and Avalon routinely bundle guided shore excursions, beer and wine with meals, and crew gratuities into their base fares.
Question 2: What is an 'expedition cruise' best known for in terms of onboard product offerings?
- Broadway-caliber shows and large casinos
- Zodiac landings, naturalist lecturers, and citizen-science activities (Correct answer)
- Caribbean private island beach clubs
- 24-hour specialty dining restaurants
Correct answer: Zodiac landings, naturalist lecturers, and citizen-science activities
Expedition cruises (Lindblad, Hurtigruten, Ponant) focus on remote destination immersion with Zodiac/kayak excursions, expert naturalists, and science programming rather than mainstream entertainment.
Question 3: A cruise line's loyalty program 'status match' offer primarily benefits which type of client?
- First-time cruisers with no sailing history
- Passengers holding elite status on a competing cruise line (Correct answer)
- Guests booking inside cabins only
- Travel agents booking group business
Correct answer: Passengers holding elite status on a competing cruise line
Status match programs let loyal customers of one cruise line claim a comparable tier on a new line, making it easier to switch brands without starting at the lowest tier.
Question 4: Which dining format, found on cruise ships, allows passengers to dine at any time within restaurant hours rather than at assigned seating times?
- Traditional fixed dining
- Chef's Table
- Anytime / My Time / Freestyle Dining (Correct answer)
- Specialty restaurant dining
Correct answer: Anytime / My Time / Freestyle Dining
Anytime dining (called My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean, Freestyle Dining on Norwegian) lets guests choose when to dine without a set reservation time or assigned tablemates.
Question 5: What does 'FCC' stand for in the context of cruise products, and when is it typically issued?
- First Class Cabin; issued at booking
- Future Cruise Credit; issued when a sailing is cancelled or a guest cancels under certain policies (Correct answer)
- Fleet Courtesy Credit; applied to onboard spending
- Full Cancellation Charge; the fee retained by the line
Correct answer: Future Cruise Credit; issued when a sailing is cancelled or a guest cancels under certain policies
Future Cruise Credits (FCCs) are certificates issued when cruises are cancelled (by the line or guest under eligible policies) that can be applied to a future booking.
Question 6: A 'repositioning cruise' offers travelers which distinctive product advantage?
- Shorter 3-4 night itineraries with frequent port calls
- Longer sea-day heavy voyages at significantly reduced per-night rates (Correct answer)
- Guaranteed suite upgrades on all sailings
- Access to private island destinations
Correct answer: Longer sea-day heavy voyages at significantly reduced per-night rates
Repositioning cruises move ships between seasonal markets (e.g., Caribbean to Mediterranean), creating longer, sea-day-heavy itineraries sold at lower per-night prices to fill inventory.
Question 7: Which cruise product is specifically designed for guests who want to experience multiple ships or itineraries in a single trip booked as one package?
- Back-to-Back (B2B) Cruise (Correct answer)
- Cruise & Stay Package
- Land & Sea Voyage
- Segment Cruise
Correct answer: Back-to-Back (B2B) Cruise
A back-to-back cruise involves booking consecutive sailings (often on the same ship) as separate voyages, allowing guests to extend their trip while remaining aboard during turnaround.
CCS Cruise Products & Services 3
On a river cruise, what does 'all-inclusive' typically encompass that differentiates it from most ocean cruise packages?