I’ve just come back from a lovely Eastern Mediterranean cruise.
I’ve been on a few cruises now, and it’s fast becoming one of my favourite types of holidays – your hotel moves with you!
But as easy as a cruise is, not every element is friction-free, especially when it comes to booking the spa.
Having a pedicure and a massage is a key part of my relaxation strategy, but usually, getting an appointment is anything but relaxing.
Some cruise companies don’t let you pay for a treatment online before you board.
Others do let you pay, but you still have to turn up at the desk and fight for a good time slot when you get on board.
Not with Norwegian Cruise Line, who I’m travelling with in the autumn.
After booking the trip, I hopped online to see what the spa situation was, and not only could I choose the treatment, but I also saw the exact price and could book a time there and then.
Not only did it let me get the best value (sea days are more expensive until 6pm, when the price drops), but it also means I already have slots booked in my “cruise diary” and don’t need to think about it again.
And it’s a win for the cruise line, which can organise staff levels ahead of time.
It’s a great example of a company in an industry taking a small frustration or an element that doesn’t work as well as it should and taking action to transform it and reflect the way people want to buy in 2026 and beyond.
It certainly inspired me to think about my own business, and hopefully it does for you too:
What booking or ordering systems do you have that still rely on outmoded processes, when you could be making everyone’s lives easier, including your own?
