TripAdvisor expands reach, adding cruise to its database

Dejima Wharf - ocean view of Nagasaki port at summer day in Japan

TripAdvisor (TA) will incorporate cruise travel experiences into its reviews database, allowing travellers around the world to compare maritime trips.

Currently only available in the United States and United Kingdom, TripAdvisor Cruises will give travellers the TripAdvisor treatment: the ability to review and post photographs of cruise trips, by expanding maritime getaways to an audience of up to half a billion monthly users.

The database will expand to other markets in the coming months, TripAdvisor said in a release, with additional cruise lines, cruise ships, cruise ship deck plans, features and content to be on offer.

TripAdvisor Cruises will also give travellers the ability to compare prices and filter from a database of more than 70 thousand cruises, including ocean, luxury and river offerings, while also providing users a glimpse of a ship’s amenities and itineraries.

“The cruise industry is growing at an incredible pace,” Gordon Ho chief marketing officer of Princess Cruises said. “Having cruise represented on TripAdvisor acknowledges the growth of the sector as a vacation option.”

The introduction of TripAdvisor Cruises comes as the platform celebrates 15 years of Cruise Critic, parented by TripAdvisor, which will continue to operate independently of the new platform.

It is believed that TripAdvisor anticipates a few opportunities for additional revenue, Skift reported, with the travel site considering the possibility of cross-selling suggestions on its site and in email marketing.

The idea stems from the needs of travellers when booking cruises; once a maritime adventure is agreed, the traveller will need flights: which is where TripAdvisor could come in, Skift reported.

In the future, TripAdvisor may launch review collection programs with cruise companies, a spokesperson said to Skift.

For more information regarding TripAdvisor Cruises, click here.

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