Cruise
AMERICAN QUEEN UNVEILS GUEST LOYALTY PROGRAM
The American Queen Steamboat Company has introduced a new guest loyalty program, the Steamboat Society of America, offering returning guests special benefits and rewards on the American Queen and soon-to-be sailing American Empress (April 2014). Among the many benefits, guests receive their 10th cruise free. Other benefits to the free loyalty program include: !!! A $100 per guest credit on each cruise and $200 per guest credit towards a future cruise fare when booked with deposit while onboard. !!! Priority check-in and early vessel pre-boarding. !!! Member access for breakfast or lunch when...
ROYAL CARIBBEAN MILESTONE
Excitement was in the air at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, on Aug. 2, as Royal Caribbean International marked two important milestones in the development of its Quantum class of ships. Quantum of the Seas, scheduled to be delivered in the fall of 2014, received its first block as the keel was officially lowered and put into place. In conjunction, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum's sister ship, had its first piece of steel cut, signaling the first step in the ship's construction. "Today is a very special day in the development of our new Quantum class, as we are now two steps...
SUNQUEST HAS LONG WEEKEND CRUISE SPECIALS
For all new bookings made by Aug. 9, Sunquest Cruises is offering special savings on a selection of its long duration cruise holiday packages. Valid on all departures between Aug. 1 and March 31, 2014, travellers can book a 15-day Mediterranean cruise package from $2,149 plus taxes p.p., with departures available as early as Aug. 31. There are also departures on Sept. 11 and Sept. 22. The package includes return air from Toronto to Italy, transfers in destination, a two-night pre-cruise tour in Rome, including a stay at a centrally located four-star hotel, a city tour and finally the 11-night...
CRYSTAL UNVEILS ENHANCED CRUISEBUILDER
Crystal Cruises has introduced an enhanced 2.2 version of CruiseBuilder, the line's time-saving online booking portal for travel agents. More convenient site navigation and new search options now ensure an even more efficient cruise reservation process. Anticipating an exceptionally busy booking period two weeks prior to its Aug. 30 "Book Now"fare deadline, Crystal is encouraging agents to log into CruiseBuilder 2.2 to check availability and fares, make new reservations, view existing reservations, handle payments, change staterooms, and other booking processes, all online 24/7. Added...
PRINCESS LAUNCHES ‘FALL SAVINGS SPECTACULAR’
Princess Cruises is gearing up for fall with a special "Fall Savings Spectacular"sale on autumn cruise departures. Offering fall cruise deals with savings of up to 55%, the sales event, available through Aug. 20, also features up to $100 free onboard spending money. More than 100 cruise departures are featured, including such destinations as the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Hawaii, Tahiti & the South Pacific, Europe, Canada & New England, Asia, the California Coast, and Mexico. Princess' new three- and four-day Getaway cruises are also included for convenient roundtrip sailings from Los Angeles....
ROYAL CARIBBEAN OFFERS AUGUST UPGRADES
Royal Caribbean is offering travellers the opportunity to "upgrade their view"when making a new booking in August. From Aug. 1-31, vacationers can enjoy a Balcony stateroom for the price of an Ocean View on most ships, and an Ocean View category stateroom for the price of an Inside stateroom on all of these sailings. The Upgrade Your View offer applies for all new, individual bookings on three- to 10-night Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda cruises departing Sept. 1 through April 30, 2014....
CELEBRITY MIXES IT UP
Celebrity Cruises is shaking up the bar scene onboard by significantly expanding its selections of the beverage world's favourite comeback kid - the cocktail - with a selection of 30 entirely new craft cocktails offered exclusively on Celebrity's ships. Already known for its popular Molecular and Martini Bars, Celebrity's new craft cocktail experience was developed through an alliance with artisanal cocktail developers Hawthorn Beverage Group, founded by noted cocktail creator Josh Durr. The new craft cocktails blend vintage-style liqueurs with fresh ingredients, organic juices and the finest...
AVALON LAUNCHES SPECIALIST PROGRAM
Agents who want to get on the wave of demand for river cruises - and close more sales with confidence - now have the chance to do so thanks to Avalon Waterways. The company, which offers an array of European itineraries on its own ships as well as cruises in the Mekong, Amazon, Mississippi, Galapagos and the Nile, has launched a learn-at-your-own-pace Specialist Program. There are four modules to the online program, which will not only familiarize agents with Avalon's ships, itineraries and range of inclusions, but also give tips on how to overcome any objections. "There are a number of great...