Cruise
Retailers Say Low Fares Will Be Key To Cruise Recovery
A veteran Toronto travel agent says cruise companies should consider cutting their rates after international travel again gets the green light from authorities, saying offering financial incentives could win back passengers to a segment of the travel industry that has seen its image battered by the coronavirus pandemic, reports Press Today's Ian Stalker. Rudolph Nareen of Astor Travels says lowering cruise fares would be one of several measures that could help attract clients. The industry has had to cope with weeks of grim news accounts of passengers quarantined in their cabins...
Cruise Update – Carnival, Celebrity, Silversea, More
Continuing its long-standing tradition of supporting travel agents, Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled details of a variety of enhancements to its Onboard with You pledge to travel partners designed to support and sustain them during this unprecedented pause in operations. The enhancements include an additional 1% bonus commission on new retail bookings made through www.GoCCL.com or other online booking tools through June 30, 2020. As well, Carnival will maintain agencies’ current 2020 commission rates for 2021, regardless of whether they meet the necessary criteria for this...
Social Distancing Creating New Ways To Test The Waters
European Waterways says after months of practicing social distancing, some people may "test the waters" by going to the less crowded destinations first, adding they may hold off on Paris, for example, and check out the South of France. Luxury hotel barge specialist European Waterways says it and other boutique operators may be among the beneficiaries of this early trend. The company has a fleet of luxury hotel barges in the European countryside, each with a capacity of just six to 12 guests. And it offers six-night all-inclusive cruises that take the “path less travelled” of...
Pack Your Bags With AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is introducing a virtual Marketing Suitcase in partnership with Sandra McLemore, travel business growth strategist with Travel Marketing & Media. Designed to help travel advisors build their individual brands and market one of the fastest growing segments in travel – river cruising – the virtual suitcase will be filled with expert knowledge and tips from Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways; customizable blog posts; a month’s worth of social media posts; and other marketing materials. Said Karst in launching the innovative...
Holland America Continues To Pause Operations
With continued port closures, including Canada’s cruise ship suspension until July 1, along with other travel restrictions due to global health concerns, Holland America Line is extending its pause of global cruise operations and cancelling all sailings scheduled to depart through June 30, 2020. This includes Alaska, Canada/New England and Europe cruises. In Alaska, the cruise line is cancelling all of its Alaska sailings for summer 2020 on Maasdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Volendam and Westerdam. In addition, all Land+Sea Journeys are cancelled. A Land+Sea Journey combines a Holland...
Princess Cancels All Voyages Through June 30
Princess Cruises is canceling all voyages through June 30, 2020 in response to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 global outbreak and the recent order from the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/index.html) Previously, the cruise line had announced a voluntary pause for two months (60 days), impacting voyages departing March 12 to May 10, 2020. As well, Princess Cruises is confirming modifications to its Alaska season, which includes the cancellation of all Princess Alaska Gulf cruise...
COVID-19 UPDATE: Celebrity, GBTA, Crystal And More
The Celebrity Cruises team is bringing Canadian agents a great message to start the week with in this video of motivational speaker, Dr. Rick Rigsby. He knows Celebrity’s passion for its agency partners and he’ll give you goosebumps with his presentation. So top up your coffee and enjoy, Dr. Rigsby, courtesy of your friends at Celebrity Cruises. GBTA COO Has A Message For Members These are difficult days for the travel and tourism industry and business travel has certainly been hit hard. Last week, the Global Business Travel Association made it abundantly clear,...
Crystal Plan Supports Agents Now And Later
Crystal Cruises has reaffirmed its commitment to support the travel advisor community and offer luxury travellers value, guaranteed savings and choice, announcing its new Crystal Assured Savings program. The program invites travellers to make an open booking deposit of $500 per person by June 30, 2020, locking in additional savings of 2.5% -- that’s an extra savings from $50 to over $6,000 or more, depending on sailing and category -- for any seven-night or longer itinerary on the Crystal Experience of their choice including Ocean, River, Yacht or Expedition in 2020, 2021 or...