Jamie Biesiada

Jamie Biesiada

Placing collectively an affinity cruise isn’t any small job, however ultimately, it may be a rewarding one for advisors, particularly financially.

Reece Oslinker, proprietor of Easy Crusing Cruises in Stroudsburg, Pa., organized his first affinity cruise in 2010, the Softball Cruise Clinic, and he is making ready to carry it again for its fourth iteration subsequent yr.

The goal market are women fast-pitch softball gamers and their households. Again when he began the cruise, Oslinker stated, his personal daughter was closely concerned in softball.

“Softball was a giant a part of my life, and clearly I had my journey enterprise,” he stated. “In the future I stated, ‘How can I mix this sport with my journey enterprise?'”

The reply was, in fact, the Softball Cruise Clinic. 

Every time he organizes the cruise, he ensures the ship calls in Nassau within the Bahamas. Oslinker has developed a relationship with the Bahamas Softball Federation, and the gamers take to the sector on that day in port and play with locals.

Reece Oslinker (center, in white T-shirt), owner of Smooth Sailing Cruises in Stroudsburg, Pa., during the 2020 Softball Cruise Clinic.

Reece Oslinker (heart, in white T-shirt), proprietor of Easy Crusing Cruises in Stroudsburg, Pa., throughout the 2020 Softball Cruise Clinic. Picture Credit score: Courtesy of Reece Oslinker

Oslinker additionally arranges numerous onboard actions, together with mild drills, workout routines and sophistication periods.

“It is really fairly superb how a lot you are able to do on a cruise ship,” Oslinker stated. “Individuals at all times snigger and say, ‘You may’t play a softball recreation on a cruise ship.’ I stated that’s true, however you are able to do, really, some very mild pitching and throwing, and even some hitting into nets onboard a cruise ship.”

The following softball Cruise Clinic is about for August aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Bookings are already coming in, and it is shaping as much as be a stable cruise, Oslinker stated.

He usually begins planning round one yr out from the sail date. He primarily markets by way of Fb, along with some in-person advertising and marketing at softball occasions. Referrals have a tendency to come back in as soon as some gamers and their households begin reserving.

Proper now, Oslinker is in search of presenters who may not be the game’s greatest names (previously, he is had Olympic gold medalists converse), however who’ve networks and might promote the cruise to their communities.

So far as recommendation for different advisors contemplating affinity cruises, Oslinker recommended organizing the cruise round one thing you are concerned in, whether or not or not it’s sports activities, music or one thing else.

“It is superb how many individuals prefer to attend group cruises, and even land holidays, with different individuals which can be concerned in the identical ardour that they’re,” he stated.

Oslinker, a Nexion Journey Group affiliate who additionally holds his personal IATA quantity, began his company in 2003. He transitioned to journey from {the electrical} and lighting business, the place he labored for greater than 20 years.


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