Cruise
Smooth Sailing With Vacation.com
Vacation.com kicked off its 17th annual International Conference & Trade Show this past weekend aboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas with several major announcements, including the launch of a new charitable program, Family Bonds, reports Press Today's Greg Coates from the event. With just over 1,200 travel agent members and leading travel suppliers on board (including about 140 from Canada), the event has been billed as the “largest travel industry event ever at sea,” reflecting this year’s conference theme, “Think Bigger.” Over the eight-day cruise (New...
TDC Agents Connect With Cruising
Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) is continuing to provide its members with in-depth cruise product training forums. This spring, it introduced the TDC Cruise Connect Roadshow in conjunction with 18 cruise partners to over 250 TDC delegates across five cities. The training events -- held in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Quebec City and Montreal – offered TDC members hands-on workshops, presentations, panel discussions and the opportunity to dialogue with TDC's preferred suppliers at an exclusive TDC trade show. Susan Bowman, vice-president marketing and industry relations, TDC, said:...
Passport to Carnival
Carnival has assembled a comprehensive new library of ship tutorials from which travel agents can learn detailed facts and features of all 24 ships in the “Fun Ship” fleet. The tutorials are located within Carnival Passport, the line’s training portal for agents, and feature a wide range of sales and marketing information related to each ship, all in one convenient, centralized location. Specific details in each tutorial include: Ship facts including tonnage, number of staterooms and basis-two capacity; Information regarding dining, entertainment, onboard activities, public...
Making Memories With Hurtigruten
Based on its record sales growth in 2014, Hurtigruten is convinced that the popularity of its Antarctica voyages is directly related to a demand for travel that provides both remarkable moments and memories. Hurtigruten is offering the “Great Antarctica Expedition” in 2015, with the 20-day adventure set to depart on Nov. 29. Fares for the trip range from $11,783 to $21,579 per person, double. The same itinerary is available for Nov. 27, 2016. Gordon Dirker, managing director for Hurtigruten USA, observed: “For years Antarctica was perceived as an extreme, inaccessible and...
Exclusive Anthem Offer From Encore
With Royal Caribbean International preparing for the inaugural sailing of the Anthem of the Seas at the end of the month, Encore Cruises has unveiled an exclusive offer that features free prepaid gratuities on Nov. 10, 2015 through April 18, 2016 sailings on the Anthem of the Seas. The offer is valid on all new bookings made between April 23 and May 31 on the Anthem of the Seas on Caribbean and Bahamas sailings in any category, with Encore Cruises giving prepaid gratuities to the first and second passenger. RCI will also offer a free upgrade from an oceanview stateroom to a balcony and...
MSC Suspends Ukraine, Egypt Calls
MSC Cruises is suspending calls in Ukraine and Egypt by its ships, the Sinfonia, Opera, Fantasia and Musica. As a result, MSC will be offering its passengers a choice of a number of Mediterranean destinations as alternatives. The cruise company noted that it was making the change “in response to clear market demand” and as a result from the autumn of 2015 to the winter of 2016, the Sinfonia, Opera, Fantasia and Musica will variously incorporate the Greek islands of Rhodes and Crete, as well as Cyprus and Israel into their sailings. MSC said that the itinerary changes attest to...
NCL Expands Its All-Inclusive Offerings
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is expanding its all-inclusive offerings beginning in January when Norwegian Sky guests (21 and over) sailing out of Miami will enjoy free unlimited beer, wine and premium spirits. “We’re taking Freestyle Cruising to the next level to provide our guests with an experience unmatched by any other contemporary cruise line,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief operating officer for NCL. “Norwegian Sky guests will have the freedom to enjoy a cruise vacation the way they desire – whether it’s lounging by the pool with a margarita, having a laugh at a...
CLIA Unveils New E-Learning Courses
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has unveiled eight new training and professional development e-learning courses for travel agents, all of which will be available online as of April 29. Created by CLIA’s professional development team, the courses offer business, niche, geography, sales and professional development content. The courses are easily accessible via computer anytime on CLIA’s web site. “CLIA is excited to unveil our new Career Seascape e-learning offerings to help advance the expertise of our travel agent community,” said Cindy D’Aoust, CLIA...