St Peter Port gives a perfect snapshot of what the Islands of Guernsey have to offer, from shopping and island hopping, to a taste of our history, culture and delicious local food.
With a little creative thinking, there are plenty of ways for Guernsey's businesses to benefit from cruise ship passengers, and ensure that they want to come back again and again.
Shopping Destinations
On cruise ship days, our high street is filled with new faces - so make the most of it to do something extra to tempt people in. Try:
Setting up something outside to draw them in
Decorating your store or dress up the window
Offering a free taster
Putting on a small discount or a 'buy one, get one free' promotion for cruise visitors.
Creating an experience or a destination can really make a difference to your foot traffic.
Make it Personal
A warm welcome can make all the difference.
Try adding a personalised sign welcoming the passengers of the day's ship to your display. It's simple, but it can be a great way to engage directly with passengers. It will stand out and be appreciated.
Furthermore, if you have social media channels (many cruise lines have Twitter), tag the ship in your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram posts for added engagement. Something simple like ‘Looking forward to welcoming you today’ is all it takes.
See the most up to date cruise ship schedule here.
A Taste of Island Life
Cruise ship passengers arrive in search of island delicacies and experiences that are unique to the Bailiwick.
If you can offer a fresh pot of tea with freshly-baked gâche and Guernsey butter, or a classic British scone coated in thick Guernsey cream, you will be on to a winner!
On a warm day, Guernsey ice-cream is also a sure hit - and the more Instagram-able you make it, the more it will sell.
Local seafood is a given but bear in mind, passengers might not want to sit down to a full 3-course meal. Try offering a tasting menu filled with light bites.
Finally, don't forget that many passengers will be looking for gifts, or a delicious treat to enjoy the taste of island life at home. If you can make something that travels well - cake in a jar? Cheese on a stick? - you will further increase your sales.
Things to Do
Last but by no means least, consider that cruise visitors will want to discover the island - making activity providers essential.
Why not create a themed tour or experience to help cruise visitors explore? You can also try partnering with another supplier to add value to your offering, either by giving more choice or creating a tiered pricing option.
For example, a company offering boat tours could partner with a local seafood restaurant:
'Fresh off the boat!' coastal tour and dinner. Enjoy a coastal tour followed by a catch of the day seafood platter, served with a local cocktail.
If you have a tour or activity tailored for cruise ship passengers please get in touch and we can feature it on the dedicated cruise page on VisitGuernsey.com. We can also brief our team at the information centre and the meet and greet team who work on the pier.
