When my wife and I boarded Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony in Singapore last year, we asked the maître d’ to find us an interesting dining room table. He was a master arranger. During our 12-day cruise in and around the South China Sea, we thoroughly enjoyed lively dinner conversations and laughter at our table for eight — four couples who still swap emails in attempts to arrange a reprise.
Cruise line leaders and travel agents know that many vacationers choose their ships for more than the amenities onboard and the destination itineraries. A primary goal is to match potential cruisers to a ship that will provide them with the experience they desire, along with like-minded fellow passengers.
Companies in the cruise industry do not want vacationers on the wrong ship, because they might lose that client forever.
For instance, passengers on smaller, intimate ships typically place high value on opportunities for conversations and shared travel experiences with engaging fellow passengers.
