Advisors Profit from Custom Pre- and Post- Cruise Trips. Eurobound Offers Tips for Selling Europe

Travel advisors can profit from selling customized pre- and post-cruise itineraries in Europe, say the planning experts at Eurobound.

Pre- and post-cruise private tours can be a lucrative way to earn extra commissions, according to Brigitte Armand, Eurobound president.

“Your client may prefer to book private tours tailored to their wishes, rather than a large group tour,” she says. Among advantages are customized experiences, private port transfers with luggage handling, and early hotel check-ins for overnight flights. Logistics are all taken care of, meaning a seamless, stress-free experience. And the pre-post packages are fully commissionable, she adds.

Paris and Provence
As an example, she cites a new package built around a 7-night river cruise from Paris. The pre-cruise itinerary starts with four nights in Paris, followed by three after-cruise nights in Provence.

Included in the pre-cruise are four-star boutique hotel accommodations, a private tour of Ile de La Cite, and three small-group tours of the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Versailles. Private transfers are provided throughout, from airport arrival to meeting points for all tours, plus to and from the Paris pier for the river cruise.

The post-cruise itinerary centers around the village of Gordes. Located in the heart of the Luberon, Gordes is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. A first-class rail trip from Paris, with direct pier-to-railroad transfer, brings Eurobound guests to a four-star, ten-room, converted country farmhouse for three nights. Following a day to relax, a private, full-day tour visits the villages and gardens of Luberon. The stay concludes with a private transfer to Marseilles airport for the flight home.

Price for the pre-post cruise package is $5,395 per person, based on double occupancy. Included are transfers throughout, four-star accommodations with breakfast, first-class Paris-to-Provence train, and all tours.

Amsterdam and Zurich
Another pre-post cruise package is built around a 7-night river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel for two couples traveling together. The pre-cruise portion includes three nights Amsterdam with a full-day tour of the Dutch countryside, while the post-cruise includes train from Basil to Zurich, and a private, full-day excursion to Rhine Falls, with hiking. Priced at $4,495 per person based on two couples, the itinerary includes premium and superior double-occupancy rooms in four-star hotels with breakfast, first class rail, two private, full-day excursions, and private transfers throughout.

Sales Hints
When advising clients on custom pre- and post-cruise programs in Europe, Jeff Roy, Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Eurobound, recommends a strategic, experience-led approach:

“Reframe the conversation. If clients hesitate to add extra nights, shift the focus to value and ease. A pre-cruise stay minimizes travel risk, protecting against delays, easing jet lag, and ensuring smooth embarkation. Post-cruise extensions, meanwhile, allow clients to unwind and engage more deeply with the destination”.

As Roy advises: “I don’t recommend flying in the same day for a European cruise. It’s the one part of the trip where things can go wrong.”

Sell the experience, not the nights. Move beyond transactional language. Rather than “Two Nights in Rome,” position the stay as “Sunset aperitivo overlooking the Colosseum,” or “Private Vatican access.” In Barcelona, for example, a simple extension becomes a “culinary prelude.”

At Eurobound, itineraries are co-branded, ensuring the travel advisor’s identity remains front and center.

Position yourself as the logistics expert. Many clients underestimate the complexities of European cruise ports. Transfers in cities like Venice and Rome can be involved and time sensitive. This is where your expertise adds measurable value.

Post-cruise packages are easier to upsell. Post-cruise extensions are often the most natural upsell. With the pressure of embarkation behind them, clients are more relaxed and receptive. As Roy notes, “They’re more open to indulge.”

About Eurobound
Eurobound is an award-winning DMC tour operator, specializing in bespoke travel to Europe. Founded in 1996, the company provides distinctive, tailored packages and itineraries for independent travelers and small groups, sold exclusively through travel advisors.

(Advisors Profit from Custom Pre- and Post- Cruise Trips. Eurobound Offers Tips for Selling Europe)