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Paperless tickets join downsized ranks
Sadly to some, upscale Cunard has joined the list of cruise lines no longer providing paper tickets to passengers.
The move is part of its ongoing commitment to provide “excellent customer service” and is one of several enhancements to its documentation procedures, according to the cruise line.
Though few travel sellers were surprised by the move, many lamented the passing of an era, and said the move makes more work for them, according to Travel Market Report.
One travel seller said that agents should charge the cruise lines a ticketing fee, while another said she may be forced to start charging her clients a document fee.
“Most of the cruise lines are doing it [switching to e-tickets] because it is another way to cut costs in a poor economic environment,” said Donna Johnson, president of Red Bird Travel Plus.
“I think that it is probably an inevitable change for all the cruise lines, as the mainstream and premium lines have already made that move, and other luxury lines are offering it as an environmentally-sensitive option,” said Amber Blecker of a Colorado CruiseOne agency.
“However, Cunard’s respect for cruising’s great traditions makes me a bit surprised they are the first luxury line to go to fully electronic documents.”
Said Nancy F. Yoffe of Cruise Planners:
“There is a certain excitement and anticipation that comes with receiving cruise tickets. Holland America used to send such beautiful tickets but now, they send nothing.”
“The days of the hallowed tradition of a beautifully-presented cruise documentation package are soon coming to an end,” predicted Blecker.
By David Wilkening
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