I needed to research African photo safaris that could be linked to cruises. It would be a 2–3-week vacation with a budget of about $25,000 per couple. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to try out ChatGPT, and this looked like it would be a perfect test.
ChatGPT is a new computer program that can assist travel advisors—or middle school students, physicians, politicians, or anyone else—by helping them answer questions and provide client information. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to understand and respond to text messages in a way that mimics human conversation.
I downloaded the free program from www.OpenAI.com and watched a brief video on how to use it. Ten minutes later, it was up and running. I typed in four questions that it answered in seconds.
From this point on, down to the summary at the end, this article was written by ChatGPT.
What are five kinds of clients who will enjoy cruise travel more than hotels?
- Adventure seekers: Cruises offer a variety of exciting activities and excursions, such as snorkeling, kayaking and zip lining, that may appeal to those who enjoy thrilling experiences.
- Foodies: Many cruises offer a wide variety of dining options, including gourmet restaurants, buffets, and specialty cafes, which may appeal to those who enjoy trying new foods and exploring different cuisines.
- Culture buffs: Cruises often visit multiple destinations in a single trip, allowing travelers to experience a variety of cultures and histories in one vacation.
- Families: Cruises offer activities and amenities for people of all ages, making them a convenient and enjoyable option for families with children.
- Relaxation seekers: Cruises provide a relaxing and stress-free vacation experience with plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation, such as spas, pools, and onboard entertainment.
What are the best months go on safaris in South Africa?
The best time to go on a safari in South Africa depends on a number of factors, including your personal preferences and the specific region you plan to visit. Here are a few general guidelines to consider:
- Dry season: The dry season, which runs from May to September, is generally considered the best time to go on a safari in South Africa. During this time, the weather is generally dry and sunny, making it easier to spot wildlife and more comfortable to travel.
- Winter: The winter months, which run from June to August, can also be a good time to go on a safari in South Africa. The weather is cooler and drier during this time making the vegetation more sparse, which can make it easier to spot wildlife.
- Spring: The spring months, from September to November, can also be a good time to go on a safari in South Africa. During this time, the weather is warm and dry, and the vegetation is starting to green up, making it a beautiful time to visit.
It’s important to note that South Africa has a diverse climate, and the weather can vary significantly from region to region. It’s always a good idea to check the forecast for the specific area you’ll be visiting and pack accordingly.
What cruise lines combine sailings with safaris?
There are several cruise lines that offer safari experiences as part of their itineraries or as optional excursions. Some options may include:
- Silversea: Silversea offers a variety of cruises that include land-based safaris in Africa. These cruises typically visit countries such as South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, and may include game drives, guided nature walks, and other safari activities.
- Seabourn: Seabourn offers cruises to destinations in Africa that include optional safari excursions. These excursions may be offered in partnership with local safari companies and may include game drives, nature walks, and other activities.
- Regent Seven Seas: Regent Seven Seas offers a number of cruises that include land-based safaris in Africa as part of their itineraries. These cruises typically visit countries such as South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania, and may include game drives, cultural experiences, and other activities.
- Abercrombie & Kent: Abercrombie & Kent offers a number of cruises that include land-based safaris in Africa as part of their itineraries. These cruises typically visit countries such as South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania, and may include game drives, cultural experiences, and other activities.
It’s a good idea to research and compare different cruise lines and itineraries to find the best option for your interests and budget. Keep in mind that these types of cruises may be more expensive than standard cruises and may also be more popular, so it’s a good idea to book well in advance to secure your spot.
Are there any safari companies that work with cruise lines?
Yes, there are several safari companies that work with cruise lines to provide land-based safari experiences as part of their itineraries or as optional excursions. These companies typically offer a range of safari activities, such as game drives, guided nature walks, and cultural experiences, and may operate in different regions of Africa.
Here are a few examples of safari companies that work with cruise lines:
- Africa Journey: Africa Journey is a safari company that works with a number of cruise lines to offer land-based safaris in Africa. The company operates in countries such as South Africa, Botswana and Zambia, and offers a variety of safari activities, such as game drives, cultural experiences, and nature walks.
- Safari Professionals: Safari Professionals is a safari company that works with cruise lines to provide land-based safari experiences in Africa. The company operates in countries such as South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, and offers a variety of safari activities, including game drives, cultural experiences, and nature walks.
- Safari 365: Safari 365 is a safari company that works with cruise lines to offer land-based safari experiences in Africa. The company operates in countries such as South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya, and offers a variety of safari activities, including game drives, cultural experiences, and nature walks.
It’s a good idea to research and compare different safari companies and their offerings to find the best option for your interests and budget. You may also want to consider working with a travel agent or consulting with the cruise line directly to help you plan your safari experience.
Summary
Except for some minor formatting errors, the text above could have been written by me. It is good! All I would have to do to include it in an article (or a note to a client) is add some more detail by asking a few more questions, cut-and-pasting the responses, and running it through the www.grammarly.com software to double-check the spelling, grammar, and style.
Since the content has not been developed from an individual author’s work, I don’t think it’s plagiarism. Rather, it’s a unique work based on the research provided by the software. We can dispute this ethical problem—especially when students use these programs—but it’s indisputable that this is high-value software whose potential contributions rival those of Google.
Also, I will use it for more than written products. By opening the software on a separate laptop or iPad, I can respond in real-time to most questions my clients ask me without having to close out any programs or notes I’m taking on my primary computer. This will also automatically provide me with a complete record of all the questions and answers to each client.
Does ChatGPT mean that columnists and travel advisors will become obsolete? Not at all. It has some infallibilities, as evidenced by this dialog:
Who won the 2022 World Cup?
I’m sorry, but I am not able to provide information about events that have not yet occurred. My training data only goes up until 2021, so I am not able to provide information about events that have happened after that time.
In other words, the software cannot (yet) update itself by going to other software, such as Google. Answering queries requiring the most recent information still requires the human touch. This means that the responses to the questions involving cruises and safaris should be reviewed for accuracy in 2023.
Also, the software warns that it can’t mitigate its responses, so some answers may be considered insensitive or offensive. The developers say they are working to correct this, but they warn against providing information that hasn’t been reviewed. Travel advisors must work to make their writing style consistent and double-check all information.
Programs such as ChatGPT empower travel advisors and those in many other pursuits. First drafts or preliminary responses to complex questions can be produced in minutes, if you learn how to phrase questions. Staff selling on order lines or providing user assistance will be able to respond in seconds to complex issues. This will inevitably revolutionize how we work.
Dr. Steve Frankel and his wife have cruised on most of the Seabourn, Silversea, Crystal, Azamara, Oceania, Regent, and Windstar ships. Steve is the founder of Cruises & Cameras Travel Services, LLC. He has been recognized as a “2021 Top Travel Specialist” by Conde Nast Traveler magazine and a “Travel Expert Select “by the Signature Travel Network. His specialties are luxury small-ship cruises and COVID-19 safety measures, and has a doctorate in Educational Research with minors in Marketing and Quantitative Business Analysis. He’s also earned a Certificate in Epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University. Previously, he managed qualitative and quantitative research in the private & public sectors. He’s a member of the Los Angeles Press Club, and has written 13 books and hundreds of articles. His email address is steve@cruisesandcameras.com.
