🚢 Visual Selling That Converts

Interactive Deck Plans

Deck plans transform cabin selection from abstract category names into a visual, intuitive experience.

Image Requirements

For optimal display:

Requirement	Specification
Resolution	Minimum 1920x1080, ideally 4K
Format	PNG with transparency or JPG
One per deck	Separate image for each deck
Consistent orientation	Forward always at same position
Clear cabin outlines	Visible cabin boundaries

Coordinate Mapping

Each cabin needs:

• X/Y position on deck plan image
• Clickable area boundary (polygon or rectangle)
• Link to cabin record with inventory and attributes

Status Colors

Configure visual indicators:

Color	Status
Green	Available
Yellow	On Hold/Option
Red	Booked
Gray	Blocked/Maintenance
Blue	GTY (no specific cabin)

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Cabin Attributes

Rich cabin data enables informed selection and accurate filtering.

Core Attributes

Attribute	Options	Impact
Bed Configuration	Twin, Queen, King, Convertible	Guest preference matching
View Type	Ocean View, Balcony, Interior, Obstructed	Pricing and preference
Location	Forward, Midship, Aft	Motion sensitivity
Deck Level	Upper, Mid, Lower	Convenience, views
Accessibility	Wheelchair, Hearing, Visual	Compliance

Extended Attributes

Attribute	Description
Square Footage	Cabin size for comparison
Connecting	Can connect to adjacent cabin
Balcony Size	Private outdoor space
Bathtub	Tub vs. shower only
Sofa Bed	Third berth available

Obstruction Codes

Be specific about view obstructions:

Code	Description
None	Unobstructed view
Partial	Lifeboat or structure partially blocks
Full	View fully blocked
Solid	No window (interior)

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GTY (Guarantee) Bookings

GTY allows booking without specific cabin assignment.

How GTY Works

1. At Booking: Guest selects category (e.g., “Deluxe Ocean View”)
2. Confirmation: System confirms category guarantee, no cabin number yet
3. Pre-Sailing: Operations assigns specific cabin from available inventory
4. Notification: Guest receives cabin assignment

GTY Benefits

Benefit	Description
Flexibility	Operators assign based on load and upgrades
Overbooking	Category can be oversold with upgrade path
Revenue	Sell specific cabins at premium, GTY at base
Operations	Optimize cabin assignments before sailing

GTY Management

Track GTY inventory separately:

Metric	Description
GTY Sold	Number of unassigned bookings
Category Capacity	Total cabins in category
Specific Sold	Assigned cabin bookings
Available	Remaining for assignment

Assignment Workflow

When assigning GTY bookings:

1. Review GTY queue by sailing
2. Prioritize by booking date, loyalty tier, or upgrade potential
3. Assign cabins from available inventory
4. System updates booking and sends notification
5. Deck plan reflects new assignment

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Upgrade Paths

Define how guests can upgrade between categories.

Upgrade Hierarchy

Example upgrade path:

Interior → Ocean View → Balcony → Mini Suite → Suite → Penthouse

Each step has:

• Price differential (upgrade cost)
• Availability check (target category must have space)
• Eligibility rules (who can upgrade)

Upgrade Types

Type	Description	Tracking
Paid Pre-Sail	Guest pays for upgrade before travel	Revenue tagged as upgrade
Complimentary	Operational or loyalty upgrade	Cost tracked, no revenue
Auction	Guest bids for upgrade	Highest bid wins
Upsell	Agent offers during booking	Sales attribution

Upgrade Tracking

For analysis, track:

• Original category booked
• Final category assigned
• Upgrade revenue (if paid)
• Upgrade reason (loyalty, operational, paid)
• Agent who processed (for upsell attribution)

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Inventory Models

Kaptio supports different approaches to cabin inventory.

Category-Level Inventory

Cabins are interchangeable within category:

• Booking: “I want a Balcony cabin”
• Inventory: Any Balcony cabin counts
• Assignment: At check-in or pre-sailing
• Best for: High-volume, standardized ships

Cabin-Specific Inventory

Each cabin is individually inventoried:

• Booking: “I want cabin 7042”
• Inventory: Only that specific cabin
• Assignment: At booking time
• Best for: Luxury cruises, unique cabins

Hybrid Model

Mix both approaches:

• Standard categories: GTY/category-level
• Premium cabins: Specific selection
• Best for: Ships with both standard and unique inventory

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Best Practices

For Product Managers

1. ✅ Keep deck plan images current with ship refurbishments
2. ✅ Audit cabin attributes annually for accuracy
3. ✅ Define clear upgrade paths with sensible pricing
4. ✅ Set GTY assignment SLAs (e.g., 7 days before sailing)

For Sales Agents

1. ✅ Use deck plans to help guests visualize location
2. ✅ Explain GTY vs. specific cabin trade-offs
3. ✅ Offer upgrades proactively for revenue
4. ✅ Check cabin attributes match guest needs

For Operations

1. ✅ Monitor GTY queue regularly
2. ✅ Assign GTY strategically for revenue optimization
3. ✅ Block cabins promptly for maintenance
4. ✅ Update status immediately on changes