Rivers’ low water ranges will be your alternative to shine: Journey Weekly

Jamie Biesiada

Low water ranges in Europe’s rivers typically influence river cruises. And whereas recent rainfall in Europe has alleviated immediate concerns of last-minute changes, it is a difficulty advisors will inevitably should cope with in some unspecified time in the future.

This is how one, Suzy Schreiner, proprietor of Azure Blue Holidays in Seattle, turns what could possibly be a unfavorable right into a optimistic.

“It has been one thing I have been paying shut consideration to, however what I have been capable of make the most of that for is additional connections with my purchasers,” Schreiner stated.

She begins far earlier than journey by mentally getting ready them for plenty of totally different situations: Is there a risk of an interruption to their journey? If there may be an interruption, what does that seem like? What occurs if there’s a full cessation of journey? What’s the backup plan?

“I’ve discovered, particularly the final two years, when folks journey there are all types of random issues that come up,” she stated. “Individuals take a look at optimistic for Covid, or no matter. Me serving to put together them for what’s a attainable factor to count on helps them get pleasure from their journey extra. After they really feel like they’ve a plan, they really feel safer.”

That method, Schreiner stated, they go into their journey feeling assured, and if an interruption does happen, they already know the backup plan.

Final week, she had purchasers having fun with Italy precruise earlier than boarding an Avalon Waterways ship for a river cruise.

Whereas they have been having fun with the nation, Schreiner was in lively contact with Avalon asking about river ranges and the way their ships have been working.

“Then I am going again and I am speaking these items with my purchasers, little notes on their journey, simply in order that they know I am maintaining a watch out for them,” she stated. “I am checking up on issues for them. So they do not have a fear on the planet, they only know that Susie’s keeping track of issues for them.”

In addition they know if an interruption does occur, Schreiner will likely be there to assist.

To date, Schreiner has not had any cancellations for worry of low-water-related interruptions, she stated.

“Nevertheless it’s been an incredible alternative for me to arrange purchasers and actually shine so far as my service stage,” Schreiner stated.

It is a tactic that appears to be working: For the reason that pandemic started, her consumer base has grown steadily, principally by referrals.

“It was the referrals that have been coming my method as a result of my purchasers felt so taken care of,” she stated. “They only felt like they don’t seem to be swimming alone within the deep waters of Covid.”