by Matt Wolfe
Keep organized.
The biggest lifestyle change that I have made since I’ve begun blogging is the organizational habits that I have adopted. I’ve gotten in the habit of always keeping everything clean and organized all of the time.
It’s not like I’m constantly cleaning either. I clean up as I go. I make sure anything I take out, I put it away immediately after using it. Every morning when I wake up, I do a real quick room cleaning. It takes me about two minutes.
You have no idea how much stress this relieves. Being clean and organized feels so good and I always know where everything is. I’ve adopted the same philosophy at the office and I’m more productive because of it.
Always be positive.
I am going to finish with this tip but I believe it is the most powerful. I have made a real conscious effort to be positive about everything. Even when things get stressful or deadlines get tight, I honestly try to stay positive.
Sometimes it’s hard but it makes people like to be around me more, it helps others around me stay positive and with a can-do attitude, things get done.
If you believe in the “law of attraction” type stuff (like I do), there are only benefits to always being positive. Good things come to people who are positive and never lose focus. I see nothing but good things in my future.
Learn How to Become A Travel Agent... Open your own Home Based Travel Agency
Friday
Make Your Clients Feel Special
The single most important thing that you can do for your clients is to make them feel special. Online services are not going to make them feel in any way exceptional. In fact, most of the service suppliers that your clients come into contact with every day do nothing to make them seem special - it is business as usual.
That is why the exceptional service provider get's noticed. Think of the way in which certain exclusive hotel chains have built stories around themselves by doing no more than communicating the name of its guest to all of its personnel and then making sure the bellmen, the maids, the service staff all address the client by name.
There are a lot of ways to make clients feel special. A good CRM program is a must. You need to remember birthdays, holidays, children's names and other important information about your clients as well as all of their travel history and ambitions.
When discussing their travels with them, discuss your recommendations not just in terms of the features of the property you have chosen but in terms of the benefits to them and their particular preferences as you know them.
When you ask clients for a referral, let them know that you are looking for discriminating clients just like them, who know what they want and who understand the essence of travel.
Will this apply to every client? Not necessarily, but why not? One of your own goals is most likely to build up a client base with discriminating tastes, an above average disposable income, and some loyalty to you as a travel planner.
You need to cultivate that type of client and to create the appropriate conditions for them to feel comfortable working with you. So in your meetings with them, dress to convey an appropriate image, whether that be in a suit or in comfortable Columbia outdoor clothing - you know best. Be neat, be organized. Be prepared. In fact, the best way to make a client feel special, is to be special yourself.
Make the discussion client-centric. Discuss interesting options and ideas with your clients - safaris and Antarctic cruises and antique shopping in Belgium. Let them know the latest trends and interesting new places where their neighbors have not been just the year before. Be their conduit to the travel world at large. Be a consultant to them.
In other words, make your clients feel special, because you are special.
That is why the exceptional service provider get's noticed. Think of the way in which certain exclusive hotel chains have built stories around themselves by doing no more than communicating the name of its guest to all of its personnel and then making sure the bellmen, the maids, the service staff all address the client by name.
There are a lot of ways to make clients feel special. A good CRM program is a must. You need to remember birthdays, holidays, children's names and other important information about your clients as well as all of their travel history and ambitions.
When discussing their travels with them, discuss your recommendations not just in terms of the features of the property you have chosen but in terms of the benefits to them and their particular preferences as you know them.
When you ask clients for a referral, let them know that you are looking for discriminating clients just like them, who know what they want and who understand the essence of travel.
Will this apply to every client? Not necessarily, but why not? One of your own goals is most likely to build up a client base with discriminating tastes, an above average disposable income, and some loyalty to you as a travel planner.
You need to cultivate that type of client and to create the appropriate conditions for them to feel comfortable working with you. So in your meetings with them, dress to convey an appropriate image, whether that be in a suit or in comfortable Columbia outdoor clothing - you know best. Be neat, be organized. Be prepared. In fact, the best way to make a client feel special, is to be special yourself.
Make the discussion client-centric. Discuss interesting options and ideas with your clients - safaris and Antarctic cruises and antique shopping in Belgium. Let them know the latest trends and interesting new places where their neighbors have not been just the year before. Be their conduit to the travel world at large. Be a consultant to them.
In other words, make your clients feel special, because you are special.
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Please join the Globus family of brands for our webinar training session!
Date: March 11, 2008Time: 3:00pm ESTCall Instructions: 866.516.5393 (Access code: 81399279)
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/821762165
*Each agent that attends will be entered to win a land only Monograms Montréal vacation for two! Agents will be entered into the drawing upon conclusion of the webinar. Be sure to enter a valid email address upon registration.
Thursday
NCL Reports Year-to-Year, 4th Quarter Losses
NCL Corporation Ltd., parent company of NCL, reported that its net loss grew to $227 million in 2007 from $130.9 million a year earlier.
Note To All Agents:
If you sell NCL to your clients, do NOT buy cancellation insurance from NCL. If they go under so does the NCL insurance. Make SURE your clients buy travel insurance, but use another insurer.
Note To All Agents:
If you sell NCL to your clients, do NOT buy cancellation insurance from NCL. If they go under so does the NCL insurance. Make SURE your clients buy travel insurance, but use another insurer.
Wednesday
Airlines Charging for Second Bags
Airlines will start charging fliers $25 to check a second bag. This is the airlines latest effort to raise revenue and deal with rising costs. The charge will begin May 5 for tickets bought after 2/27/08.
Customers who checked three to nine bags will be charged $100 per extra bag. Airlines expected $100 million a year in new revenue and cost savings from the baggage charge.
Customers who checked three to nine bags will be charged $100 per extra bag. Airlines expected $100 million a year in new revenue and cost savings from the baggage charge.
Travel Tips
By Anita Dunham-Potter Travel columnist for Tripso.com
Lost Luggage:
There is nothing worse than being the last one standing at the luggage carousel, anxiety mounting and no bags in sight. This has happened to me on my last two cruises! You can't keep the airlines from losing your bags, but you can keep yourself clothed — and sane — over the next couple of days if you follow these four simple rules.
Pack smart:
Before you zip up your checked luggage, print out your cruise itinerary and contact information, and put a copy inside each bag. This will help the airline get in touch with you quickly and get the bags to your ship.
Report the lost luggage to the airline immediately:
If you flew on more than one carrier, the airline responsible for processing you claim is usually the one you flew last — even if another carrier lost the bag. When you file the claim, write down the tracking number and the airline's phone number. If the airline has set up a Web site for tracking the status of lost luggage online (and most have), write that down too.
Carry some essentials with you:
Pack a two-day supply of clothes in your carry-on luggage, along with your tickets, cruise documents, jewelry, medication, eyeglasses, makeup, camera, computer and anything else you can't live without for a day or two.
Notify the cruise line staff:
They can help you keep in touch with the airline about the status of your luggage. Most cruise ships also have a small supply of clothing on board that guests can borrow, and some have formal attire for both men and women to rent.
Missed the Ship:
If you live far from the embarkation port, get there a day early. I've heard too many stories of people traveling on embarkation day, arriving late and literally standing at the pier, watching their ship sail off without them. Padding your travel time may cost a bit more, but it pays off in the assurance of a stress-free start to your vacation.
Catching a norovirus:
Getting violently sick with an intestinal virus is a misery whether you're on land or at sea. Seasoned travelers know all too well the importance of watching what they eat and washing their hands: It keeps the bugs at bay. Still, some of our fellow travelers aren't so vigilant about hand washing, and they put us all at risk.
Poor hygiene spreads one of travelers' worst enemies: noroviruses, also known as Norwalk virus and NLV, a group of viruses that can cause severe diarrhea, nausea and vomiting over a 48- to 60-hour period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 23 million people, or 8 percent of the U.S. population, develop symptoms of norovirus each year. Less than 1 percent of cruise passengers are affected by norovirus, but you don't want to be one of them, do you?
So, remember what your mother told you:
Wash your hands. For best results, says the CDC, moisten your hands with warm water before applying soap, then rub your hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds. It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that loosens and removes the germs from your hands.
That's all there is to it — 20 seconds of insurance that can literally save your health and your cruise.
DON'T Skip the Travel Insurance:
In the 18 years I've been cruising, I've seen many people fall ill and be taken off the ship in port or even evacuated by helicopter at sea. While always hoping for their speedy recovery, I have also wondered if they had purchased travel insurance. Most cruise lines offer travel insurance, as do several independent third-party insurers like Access America, Travel Guard and Travelex, to name a few.
Most travel insurance policies include coverage for five kinds of problems: trip cancellation (or interruption), trip delay, emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation and lost or stolen luggage. It's important to understand that ordinary medical insurance coverage doesn't travel the same way aboard ship as it does within the United States. Sometimes coverage doesn't extend to foreign travel at all. Medicare beneficiaries should always purchase travel insurance when they cruise, because they do not have Medicare coverage outside the country.
Another consideration:
medical evacuation and transportation services, which are seldom covered by ordinary medical insurance policies. According to MedjetAssist, an Alabama-based evacuation operation, domestic air medical evacuation services average $10,000 to $20,000, while international transports can exceed $75,000. If you travel more than once a year, consider buying an annual policy; both MedjetAssist and Travel Guard offer this kind of policy, which can be purchased for as little as $185 a year. I don't travel without it.
Getting Robbed in Port:
Last year a group of 12 American tourists from the Carnival Liberty hired a van driver to explore Limon, Costa Rica. As they were climbing out of their van to visit a beach, they were ambushed by three masked men. Two wielded knives and one held a gun.
One of the tourists, a retired U.S. military serviceman trained in self-defense, tackled and killed the gunman; the other attackers fled. This group of tourists was extremely lucky, for the encounter could just as easily have been deadly for one of the passengers.
To avoid this kind of danger, follow all the cruise line's instructions before setting out on a shore excursion. Try to go out in groups and use only the recommended tour providers.
Be sure to take all the usual precautions:
Watch out for your wallet; carry only small amounts of cash; wear little jewelry; and don't go flaunting expensive electronics such as iPods, cell phones and cameras.
If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, then a little research and preparation can go a long way toward keeping your cruise vacation hassle-free
Lost Luggage:
There is nothing worse than being the last one standing at the luggage carousel, anxiety mounting and no bags in sight. This has happened to me on my last two cruises! You can't keep the airlines from losing your bags, but you can keep yourself clothed — and sane — over the next couple of days if you follow these four simple rules.
Pack smart:
Before you zip up your checked luggage, print out your cruise itinerary and contact information, and put a copy inside each bag. This will help the airline get in touch with you quickly and get the bags to your ship.
Report the lost luggage to the airline immediately:
If you flew on more than one carrier, the airline responsible for processing you claim is usually the one you flew last — even if another carrier lost the bag. When you file the claim, write down the tracking number and the airline's phone number. If the airline has set up a Web site for tracking the status of lost luggage online (and most have), write that down too.
Carry some essentials with you:
Pack a two-day supply of clothes in your carry-on luggage, along with your tickets, cruise documents, jewelry, medication, eyeglasses, makeup, camera, computer and anything else you can't live without for a day or two.
Notify the cruise line staff:
They can help you keep in touch with the airline about the status of your luggage. Most cruise ships also have a small supply of clothing on board that guests can borrow, and some have formal attire for both men and women to rent.
Missed the Ship:
If you live far from the embarkation port, get there a day early. I've heard too many stories of people traveling on embarkation day, arriving late and literally standing at the pier, watching their ship sail off without them. Padding your travel time may cost a bit more, but it pays off in the assurance of a stress-free start to your vacation.
Catching a norovirus:
Getting violently sick with an intestinal virus is a misery whether you're on land or at sea. Seasoned travelers know all too well the importance of watching what they eat and washing their hands: It keeps the bugs at bay. Still, some of our fellow travelers aren't so vigilant about hand washing, and they put us all at risk.
Poor hygiene spreads one of travelers' worst enemies: noroviruses, also known as Norwalk virus and NLV, a group of viruses that can cause severe diarrhea, nausea and vomiting over a 48- to 60-hour period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 23 million people, or 8 percent of the U.S. population, develop symptoms of norovirus each year. Less than 1 percent of cruise passengers are affected by norovirus, but you don't want to be one of them, do you?
So, remember what your mother told you:
Wash your hands. For best results, says the CDC, moisten your hands with warm water before applying soap, then rub your hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds. It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that loosens and removes the germs from your hands.
That's all there is to it — 20 seconds of insurance that can literally save your health and your cruise.
DON'T Skip the Travel Insurance:
In the 18 years I've been cruising, I've seen many people fall ill and be taken off the ship in port or even evacuated by helicopter at sea. While always hoping for their speedy recovery, I have also wondered if they had purchased travel insurance. Most cruise lines offer travel insurance, as do several independent third-party insurers like Access America, Travel Guard and Travelex, to name a few.
Most travel insurance policies include coverage for five kinds of problems: trip cancellation (or interruption), trip delay, emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation and lost or stolen luggage. It's important to understand that ordinary medical insurance coverage doesn't travel the same way aboard ship as it does within the United States. Sometimes coverage doesn't extend to foreign travel at all. Medicare beneficiaries should always purchase travel insurance when they cruise, because they do not have Medicare coverage outside the country.
Another consideration:
medical evacuation and transportation services, which are seldom covered by ordinary medical insurance policies. According to MedjetAssist, an Alabama-based evacuation operation, domestic air medical evacuation services average $10,000 to $20,000, while international transports can exceed $75,000. If you travel more than once a year, consider buying an annual policy; both MedjetAssist and Travel Guard offer this kind of policy, which can be purchased for as little as $185 a year. I don't travel without it.
Getting Robbed in Port:
Last year a group of 12 American tourists from the Carnival Liberty hired a van driver to explore Limon, Costa Rica. As they were climbing out of their van to visit a beach, they were ambushed by three masked men. Two wielded knives and one held a gun.
One of the tourists, a retired U.S. military serviceman trained in self-defense, tackled and killed the gunman; the other attackers fled. This group of tourists was extremely lucky, for the encounter could just as easily have been deadly for one of the passengers.
To avoid this kind of danger, follow all the cruise line's instructions before setting out on a shore excursion. Try to go out in groups and use only the recommended tour providers.
Be sure to take all the usual precautions:
Watch out for your wallet; carry only small amounts of cash; wear little jewelry; and don't go flaunting expensive electronics such as iPods, cell phones and cameras.
If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, then a little research and preparation can go a long way toward keeping your cruise vacation hassle-free
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We Offer:
Trained Golf Vacation Specialists
FREE 48 page Golf Vacation Guide
Customized Trips
Accommodations
Pre-Booked Daily Golf
Secured Golf Carts
Rental Vehicles or Airport Transfers that fit your needs
Travel Protection Program
All Price Ranges & Skill Levels
Groups of One to 100
Group Leader Perks (starting at 20 pax)
FREE Golf Merchandise available.
We represent over 50 Destinations, 120 Resorts and 600 Golf Courses worldwide. Let us find the perfect Golf Vacation for your clients.
1 800 946 5318
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Tuesday
Cruise Groups Plus on AgentNet
The next time you log into AgentNet you’ll find a new tab on the Quick Links section. "Cruise Groups Plus". Cruise Groups Plus is your destination for Blocked Amenity Departures and Vacation Vignettes.
BLOCKED AMENITY DEPARTURES
Vacation.com has blocked exclusive group space for our members on more than 500 cruise departures with itineraries around the world on six of the leading cruise lines. When you book a client on one of these departures, not only do they receive competitive pricing, but you can delight them with special amenities like shipboard credit, free specialty restaurant meals or prepaid gratuities– all at no cost to you or your clients!
Once you have selected your ideal group departure by searching on VacationPort, simply book directly with the cruise line using your preferred method of booking and the Vacation.com Group Code associated with that departure.
CALL THESE CRUISE LINES DIRECTLY TO BOOKGROUP SPACE:
Crystal
Cunard
Holland America
Princess
Regent
Silversea
VACATION VIGNETTES
These exclusive vacation packages, created by Vacation.com and sold only through our members, feature the services of a concierge host, bon voyage cocktail reception, exclusive shore event and onboard departure gifts delivered to the client on your behalf. Optional unique pre-cruise land package add-ons are available.
Click here to learn more about Cruise Groups Plus
Click here to search Blocked Amenity Departures
Click here to search Vacation Vignettes
BLOCKED AMENITY DEPARTURES
Vacation.com has blocked exclusive group space for our members on more than 500 cruise departures with itineraries around the world on six of the leading cruise lines. When you book a client on one of these departures, not only do they receive competitive pricing, but you can delight them with special amenities like shipboard credit, free specialty restaurant meals or prepaid gratuities– all at no cost to you or your clients!
Once you have selected your ideal group departure by searching on VacationPort, simply book directly with the cruise line using your preferred method of booking and the Vacation.com Group Code associated with that departure.
CALL THESE CRUISE LINES DIRECTLY TO BOOKGROUP SPACE:
Crystal
Cunard
Holland America
Princess
Regent
Silversea
VACATION VIGNETTES
These exclusive vacation packages, created by Vacation.com and sold only through our members, feature the services of a concierge host, bon voyage cocktail reception, exclusive shore event and onboard departure gifts delivered to the client on your behalf. Optional unique pre-cruise land package add-ons are available.
Click here to learn more about Cruise Groups Plus
Click here to search Blocked Amenity Departures
Click here to search Vacation Vignettes
Monday
What are your clients buying?
What are your clients buying from you? The simple answer is, of course, travel, but is that the right answer? They could buy travel from any travel agent, or on their own on the internet, or from an ad in a magazine. Yet, for some reason, they turn over a large percentage of their annual earnings to you. What are they buying and why?
Certainly your clients are are buying your expertise, your presentation, the confidence you instill. They are buying your business relationships, your consortia memberships, your vendor connections. They are buying your inside knowledge, your ability to use the resources at your disposal to find exactly the right trip for them. Here's the really good news: YOU are not available anywhere else but you. If YOU are the key ingredient of the experience, you can not be bought cheaper online.
But remember this: your clients buy their travel through you the first time for any number of reasons, some of which is nothing more than luck. They buy through you the second time, however, because of their first experience with you, because you developed a relationship with them, and that relationship demonstrated that you valued them as individuals.
Because as much as anything, our choices in travel reveal something about us as individuals. And that is the other half of the relationship. Just as YOU can not be found anywhere else, neither can any of your clients.
As individuals, you have to spend time with them to know them as people, to assist them in better understanding what they want out of the travel experience. As a facilitator of that experience, you have to understand that even the client does not always know what they want. They need you to help them to understand the possibilities.
With that in mind, one of the best ways of getting to know you clients is to spend some time interviewing them. Where have they been in the past? What do they enjoy most about travel? Least? Where do they want to go this year? Next year? Ten years from now? What are their travel ambitions?
Is it too early to work on a ten year, a twenty year, travel plan?
That little bit of extra time spent getting to know the client as an individual will prove to them that their interests are at heart. Because what your clients are buying from you is not travel, but a relationship - and that is a two-way street if it is to be a long one.
Certainly your clients are are buying your expertise, your presentation, the confidence you instill. They are buying your business relationships, your consortia memberships, your vendor connections. They are buying your inside knowledge, your ability to use the resources at your disposal to find exactly the right trip for them. Here's the really good news: YOU are not available anywhere else but you. If YOU are the key ingredient of the experience, you can not be bought cheaper online.
But remember this: your clients buy their travel through you the first time for any number of reasons, some of which is nothing more than luck. They buy through you the second time, however, because of their first experience with you, because you developed a relationship with them, and that relationship demonstrated that you valued them as individuals.
Because as much as anything, our choices in travel reveal something about us as individuals. And that is the other half of the relationship. Just as YOU can not be found anywhere else, neither can any of your clients.
As individuals, you have to spend time with them to know them as people, to assist them in better understanding what they want out of the travel experience. As a facilitator of that experience, you have to understand that even the client does not always know what they want. They need you to help them to understand the possibilities.
With that in mind, one of the best ways of getting to know you clients is to spend some time interviewing them. Where have they been in the past? What do they enjoy most about travel? Least? Where do they want to go this year? Next year? Ten years from now? What are their travel ambitions?
Is it too early to work on a ten year, a twenty year, travel plan?
That little bit of extra time spent getting to know the client as an individual will prove to them that their interests are at heart. Because what your clients are buying from you is not travel, but a relationship - and that is a two-way street if it is to be a long one.
Friday
Start a Travel Article Library
You should send your clients a Travel Newsletter each month. Not just a sales letter. Most agents make the mistake of sending clients a sales letter each month with a list of specials. From the clients point of view, you are just trying to sell them something and they might put a block on all your emails and you now have lost years of repeat sales from that client.
But if you send a news letter each month with an interesting, funny or useful travel article they will be looking forward to your next news letter. Of course at the end of your news article you can include 3 to 5 of our great travel specials.
You can use agentnet.com to do this. Open agentnet click marketing then click VacationPort Email Marketing. Choose 3 to 5 specials by adding them to your clipboard. click next. Change the heading to something like "Your Name" Travel News Letter. In the message box past one of the articles you have saved in your article file.
If you don't have a article file start one today. It's very simple, if you see a great article on travel that is funny or educational just cut and past into a new file and call it "Travel Articles." Then each month cut and past one article into your news letter. To start your article file steal 2 or 3 articles from our blog. Look at some of our older blogs for articles.
After you pasted the martial click next, Put in your contact information. Then send the News Letter to yourself. Read it make sure you like it, if not you can change it before you send it out to your clients.
You should be saving every client or potential clients email address. Put them in to groups of no more than 50 per group. It is best to put clients in groups with similar interest like: families with small kids, families with teens, singles, couples with no kids, cruisers, and seniors. You could than pick different specials for each group.
Always put a note in newsletter asking them if there is a special destination the would like to hear about.
Keeping your name in front of your clients with interesting, fun or educational monthly newsletters is the best way to keep your clients buying there vacations from YOU year after year.
PS
It is much harder to get new clients than to keep them. Yet most agents lose over 50% of there clients each year. When clients were asked why they changed agents they said it was because the agent NEVER contacted them after the sale was made.
A simple thank you card for the sale or a call asking how the trip went, is all they wanted from the agent. Don't lose your Clients.
But if you send a news letter each month with an interesting, funny or useful travel article they will be looking forward to your next news letter. Of course at the end of your news article you can include 3 to 5 of our great travel specials.
You can use agentnet.com to do this. Open agentnet click marketing then click VacationPort Email Marketing. Choose 3 to 5 specials by adding them to your clipboard. click next. Change the heading to something like "Your Name" Travel News Letter. In the message box past one of the articles you have saved in your article file.
If you don't have a article file start one today. It's very simple, if you see a great article on travel that is funny or educational just cut and past into a new file and call it "Travel Articles." Then each month cut and past one article into your news letter. To start your article file steal 2 or 3 articles from our blog. Look at some of our older blogs for articles.
After you pasted the martial click next, Put in your contact information. Then send the News Letter to yourself. Read it make sure you like it, if not you can change it before you send it out to your clients.
You should be saving every client or potential clients email address. Put them in to groups of no more than 50 per group. It is best to put clients in groups with similar interest like: families with small kids, families with teens, singles, couples with no kids, cruisers, and seniors. You could than pick different specials for each group.
Always put a note in newsletter asking them if there is a special destination the would like to hear about.
Keeping your name in front of your clients with interesting, fun or educational monthly newsletters is the best way to keep your clients buying there vacations from YOU year after year.
PS
It is much harder to get new clients than to keep them. Yet most agents lose over 50% of there clients each year. When clients were asked why they changed agents they said it was because the agent NEVER contacted them after the sale was made.
A simple thank you card for the sale or a call asking how the trip went, is all they wanted from the agent. Don't lose your Clients.
Tips for Cruising with Kids
Readers share savvy tactics for smoother sailing.
By www.wejustgotback.com
1. If your toddler isn’t yet potty trained, she will not be allowed in the swimming pools on most cruise ships. When we took a cruise last year, I brought a small, inflatable kiddie pool for my daughter to play in so she could keep cool. (This one from Oriental Trading Company cost less than $6.) — Diana from Annapolis, Md.
2. Need a quick way to get organized before your next trip? Try IndependentTraveler.com’s handy, dandy interactive packing list. Just tick the listed items you want to bring, and you can even add some of your own. The site comes up with a printable version of your list, and will even e-mail it to you. — Editor
3. I’ve discovered that a 6-foot extension cord can be very useful on a cruise. Quite often, there’s only one pair of outlets in your cabin and they’re usually not positioned in a handy spot. — Lynn from Peoria, Ill.
4. Let your little one chronicle your vacation from her point of view! Have her take pictures along the way. The pictures will make great keepsakes and create another busy-bee project for later: A scrapbook. — Amy from Aurora, Colo.(Editor's Note: If you don't trust your kids with your expensive digital camera, consider buying a disposable camera for each child at the start of your trip.)
5. I’ve found that blue, low-tack painter’s tape is a handy take-along. This can be used to (a) child-proof electrical sockets, (b) hang up kid’s artwork in your stateroom, and (c) prevent a camera lens from opening while you travel (just place tape over the closed shutter). — Beverly from San Diego, Calif.
6. Inflatable toys are easy to pack and so inexpensive that you don’t mind leaving them behind after your vacation. I especially love Oriental Trading Company for its huge assortment of cheap blow-up beach gear, including beach balls and zoo animals. — Lila from Tempe, Ariz.
7. One of our favorite bring-alongs is those small bottles of bubbles that come in packs (the kind that kids get in goodie bags at birthday parties). Whenever we’re waiting in a long line, I blow bubbles for the kids to pop. All of the parents around us always think it’s such a great idea because it keeps everyone entertained. Their kids always call me “the bubble lady.” — Jennifer from Owassa, Okla.
8. If you’re going on a cruise with a kid’s camp, bring a package of inexpensive, new white tee-shirts—I typically can get a 3-pack for around $11. Inevitably, the kids will wind up making tie-dye tee-shirts as an activity one day and you’ll end up paying $10/each if you buy one on the spot. — Diane from Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.
9. I always tuck a crushable duffle bag into an outside zippered compartment on my largest suitcase, and we have yet to return home without using it. If I check my bag and it happens to be over the weight limit, I just take out the duffle and transfer some of my belongings into it so I can avoid the penalty. Other times, we use it to bring back souvenirs that we bought on vacation. — Jodi from Milford, Ohio
10. My son just loves doing word search puzzles. Before we go on a family vacation, I make up customized word search puzzles for him to do on the plane or the ship, using words about our trip and destination. DiscoverySchool.com’s Puzzlemaker makes this simple and fast. You just type in words that you want included, and the program generates a word search puzzle that can be printed out. Easy and fun! — Kirsten from Eau Claire, Wis.
Do you have a great family travel tip? Please share it with us at whatatrip@optonline.net with your tip and be sure to note your first name, city, and state.
WeJustGotBack.com is an authoritative online guide to family trip-planning. The site features reviews of kid-friendly hotels and resorts, expert planning advice, readers' travel tips, destination insider guides, vacation deals, and more. Subscribe to there newsletter to hear about resort specials and exclusive, money-saving offers.
By www.wejustgotback.com
1. If your toddler isn’t yet potty trained, she will not be allowed in the swimming pools on most cruise ships. When we took a cruise last year, I brought a small, inflatable kiddie pool for my daughter to play in so she could keep cool. (This one from Oriental Trading Company cost less than $6.) — Diana from Annapolis, Md.
2. Need a quick way to get organized before your next trip? Try IndependentTraveler.com’s handy, dandy interactive packing list. Just tick the listed items you want to bring, and you can even add some of your own. The site comes up with a printable version of your list, and will even e-mail it to you. — Editor
3. I’ve discovered that a 6-foot extension cord can be very useful on a cruise. Quite often, there’s only one pair of outlets in your cabin and they’re usually not positioned in a handy spot. — Lynn from Peoria, Ill.
4. Let your little one chronicle your vacation from her point of view! Have her take pictures along the way. The pictures will make great keepsakes and create another busy-bee project for later: A scrapbook. — Amy from Aurora, Colo.(Editor's Note: If you don't trust your kids with your expensive digital camera, consider buying a disposable camera for each child at the start of your trip.)
5. I’ve found that blue, low-tack painter’s tape is a handy take-along. This can be used to (a) child-proof electrical sockets, (b) hang up kid’s artwork in your stateroom, and (c) prevent a camera lens from opening while you travel (just place tape over the closed shutter). — Beverly from San Diego, Calif.
6. Inflatable toys are easy to pack and so inexpensive that you don’t mind leaving them behind after your vacation. I especially love Oriental Trading Company for its huge assortment of cheap blow-up beach gear, including beach balls and zoo animals. — Lila from Tempe, Ariz.
7. One of our favorite bring-alongs is those small bottles of bubbles that come in packs (the kind that kids get in goodie bags at birthday parties). Whenever we’re waiting in a long line, I blow bubbles for the kids to pop. All of the parents around us always think it’s such a great idea because it keeps everyone entertained. Their kids always call me “the bubble lady.” — Jennifer from Owassa, Okla.
8. If you’re going on a cruise with a kid’s camp, bring a package of inexpensive, new white tee-shirts—I typically can get a 3-pack for around $11. Inevitably, the kids will wind up making tie-dye tee-shirts as an activity one day and you’ll end up paying $10/each if you buy one on the spot. — Diane from Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.
9. I always tuck a crushable duffle bag into an outside zippered compartment on my largest suitcase, and we have yet to return home without using it. If I check my bag and it happens to be over the weight limit, I just take out the duffle and transfer some of my belongings into it so I can avoid the penalty. Other times, we use it to bring back souvenirs that we bought on vacation. — Jodi from Milford, Ohio
10. My son just loves doing word search puzzles. Before we go on a family vacation, I make up customized word search puzzles for him to do on the plane or the ship, using words about our trip and destination. DiscoverySchool.com’s Puzzlemaker makes this simple and fast. You just type in words that you want included, and the program generates a word search puzzle that can be printed out. Easy and fun! — Kirsten from Eau Claire, Wis.
Do you have a great family travel tip? Please share it with us at whatatrip@optonline.net with your tip and be sure to note your first name, city, and state.
WeJustGotBack.com is an authoritative online guide to family trip-planning. The site features reviews of kid-friendly hotels and resorts, expert planning advice, readers' travel tips, destination insider guides, vacation deals, and more. Subscribe to there newsletter to hear about resort specials and exclusive, money-saving offers.
Holland America Redesigns Agent Website
Holland America Line redesigned its website so it can be used as a selling tool offering a detailed virtual sampling of the line's premium cruise vacations.
They redesigned the site to offer a virtual experience that offers a true flavor of the cruise that awaits our guests, from what their stateroom looks like to activities in port.
With more rich media features, http://www.hollandamerica.com/ combines updated graphics, reorganized information and search tools. An interactive map lets users click on a continent and zoom in on a particular destination with access to port details, shore excursions, and itineraries.
A video gallery is filled with snapshots, video clips, virtual tours, ebrochures and podcasts. Content covers destinations, ship details and activities. Video clips give an overview of dining options, show the range of shipboard activities and highlight global destinations. Podcasts narrate the collection of art and antiques displayed on each ship.
A new Cruise Finder tool helps visitors narrow down options on their desired itinerary. Visitors may select up to three itineraries to compare side-by-side. After choosing to view details on one, adjoining tabs display a map, destination information, available shore excursions and ship information. By creating an account, visitors may save favorites to review later.
Agents can use the new Alaska Tour Guide tool to help guide clients toward choosing the right cruise tour out of the myriad options available. Visitors are asked to rate an array of photos based on their personal preferences. Is it important to see tidewater glaciers or visit the Yukon? After rating photos, the guide recommends three cruise-tours based on responses.
A new My Account feature allows visitors to set up an account with their personal profile where they can save favorite cruises and shore excursions for later review. Visitors can also book shore excursions, check-in online and buy onboard gifts. The website will return information to the visitor based on their identified interest. For example, current promotions available in Europe are displayed for a visitor looking at European destinations.
Travel agents will find selling tools and other resources online in the revamped Travel Agent Headquarters. Registered agents can make reservations with POLAR Online, manage groups, access sales tools and promotions, order sales materials and register for training with HAL Academy.
Agents can sign up online. http://www.travelagentheadquarters.com/.
For more information, call 877-SAIL-HAL or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com/.
They redesigned the site to offer a virtual experience that offers a true flavor of the cruise that awaits our guests, from what their stateroom looks like to activities in port.
With more rich media features, http://www.hollandamerica.com/ combines updated graphics, reorganized information and search tools. An interactive map lets users click on a continent and zoom in on a particular destination with access to port details, shore excursions, and itineraries.
A video gallery is filled with snapshots, video clips, virtual tours, ebrochures and podcasts. Content covers destinations, ship details and activities. Video clips give an overview of dining options, show the range of shipboard activities and highlight global destinations. Podcasts narrate the collection of art and antiques displayed on each ship.
A new Cruise Finder tool helps visitors narrow down options on their desired itinerary. Visitors may select up to three itineraries to compare side-by-side. After choosing to view details on one, adjoining tabs display a map, destination information, available shore excursions and ship information. By creating an account, visitors may save favorites to review later.
Agents can use the new Alaska Tour Guide tool to help guide clients toward choosing the right cruise tour out of the myriad options available. Visitors are asked to rate an array of photos based on their personal preferences. Is it important to see tidewater glaciers or visit the Yukon? After rating photos, the guide recommends three cruise-tours based on responses.
A new My Account feature allows visitors to set up an account with their personal profile where they can save favorite cruises and shore excursions for later review. Visitors can also book shore excursions, check-in online and buy onboard gifts. The website will return information to the visitor based on their identified interest. For example, current promotions available in Europe are displayed for a visitor looking at European destinations.
Travel agents will find selling tools and other resources online in the revamped Travel Agent Headquarters. Registered agents can make reservations with POLAR Online, manage groups, access sales tools and promotions, order sales materials and register for training with HAL Academy.
Agents can sign up online. http://www.travelagentheadquarters.com/.
For more information, call 877-SAIL-HAL or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com/.
Thursday
Simple is Good
Good marketing does not have to be clever. It is more important for your marketing to be simple, effective and memorable. How many times have you seen a commercial on television that you enjoyed but later could not remember which company sponsored the commercial? Or thought that some other company was responsible? Companies spend billions of dollars each year trying to grab consumer's attention. You can do so in a much quieter, more simple way: Simply be extraordinary.
Go the extra mile in everything you do. Make one additional phone call to a client to wish them well. Send them birthday cards and remember their children's names. Give them destination reports (free to travel agents at TRO). Spend additional time becoming familiar with their travel ambitions and demonstrating your willingness to helping them achieve their goals. Add "little touches" to your presentation and work product that will set you apart as a professional.
Here is a little touch that is simple, useful and will be much appreciated. From any office supply shop, obtain a box of the "do-it-yourself" blank business cards, the type you can feed through your printer. Using the software that comes with such cards, or your word processor, print up a card for your client to take with them on their trip. Include the number of the embassy of your country in the destination, include the telephone number and address of their hotel. Include your own telephone number and logo. On the other side of the card, print your client's names, addresses and phone numbers to place in checked baggage in the event their luggage is lost. Make up several of them for your clients to place in their wallets during the trip. They can easily use the card as they travel as it is small and portable.
Simple? Yes, very much so. Exactly the kind of small, extra touch that costs you very little but that will pay off big from a client service experience.
Simple is Good.
Go the extra mile in everything you do. Make one additional phone call to a client to wish them well. Send them birthday cards and remember their children's names. Give them destination reports (free to travel agents at TRO). Spend additional time becoming familiar with their travel ambitions and demonstrating your willingness to helping them achieve their goals. Add "little touches" to your presentation and work product that will set you apart as a professional.
Here is a little touch that is simple, useful and will be much appreciated. From any office supply shop, obtain a box of the "do-it-yourself" blank business cards, the type you can feed through your printer. Using the software that comes with such cards, or your word processor, print up a card for your client to take with them on their trip. Include the number of the embassy of your country in the destination, include the telephone number and address of their hotel. Include your own telephone number and logo. On the other side of the card, print your client's names, addresses and phone numbers to place in checked baggage in the event their luggage is lost. Make up several of them for your clients to place in their wallets during the trip. They can easily use the card as they travel as it is small and portable.
Simple? Yes, very much so. Exactly the kind of small, extra touch that costs you very little but that will pay off big from a client service experience.
Simple is Good.
Wednesday
Carnival 2008 Seminars at Sea!
Good Morning, Travel Partners,
Here's what many of you have been asking for....our 2008 Seminars at Sea! Please jump on these quickly as space is very limited and always sells out quickly. These are open to qualified agents (with at least 5 bookings on Carnival in 2007 or 2008) and their guests in same cabin. If you don't have 5 bookings but have a great plan in place to grow your Carnival sales or are working on a group lead (s), please be in touch with me to see if you qualify for an exception. Susan Glaze Business Development Specialist 800-327-7276 ext 26022
This exclusive program - provided by Carnival's sales team - features comprehensive product and program training as well as the latest business development strategies. The program includes: a question and answer session, one-on-one opportunities with Carnival business development managers, a cocktail party and various networking opportunities with fellow travel professionals. This program is designed for travel professionals looking to grow their business, learn proven sales techniques and gain an updated understanding of Today's Carnival.
Contact our Business Development Services Dept at (800) 327-7276
The Business Development Services Dept is open Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 8:00pm e.s.t.
Here's what many of you have been asking for....our 2008 Seminars at Sea! Please jump on these quickly as space is very limited and always sells out quickly. These are open to qualified agents (with at least 5 bookings on Carnival in 2007 or 2008) and their guests in same cabin. If you don't have 5 bookings but have a great plan in place to grow your Carnival sales or are working on a group lead (s), please be in touch with me to see if you qualify for an exception. Susan Glaze Business Development Specialist 800-327-7276 ext 26022
This exclusive program - provided by Carnival's sales team - features comprehensive product and program training as well as the latest business development strategies. The program includes: a question and answer session, one-on-one opportunities with Carnival business development managers, a cocktail party and various networking opportunities with fellow travel professionals. This program is designed for travel professionals looking to grow their business, learn proven sales techniques and gain an updated understanding of Today's Carnival.
Contact our Business Development Services Dept at (800) 327-7276
The Business Development Services Dept is open Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 8:00pm e.s.t.
Tuesday
Travel Humor
A lady came in to our office to buy an air ticket to her sons wedding in another state. She told us that this would be her first time flying, but she wasn't nervous about it. But she wanted to make sure she had isle seat. Because she didn't want her hair messed up if one of the passengers opened one of the windows during the flight.
A man came to our office to plan a trip to Russia. We told him, he would have to get a Visa. No I don't he said. I've traveled all over the world and they accept Master Card everywhere.
A man from NY came into our office and told us he drove across the USA to here in California. He now wanted to drive to Hawaii, his question to us was. "how much is the toll on the Golden Gate bridge from California to Hawaii".
A lady called last week. She needed to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:20 am and got into Chicago at 8:33 am. I tried to explain that Michigan was an hour ahead of Illinois, but she could not understand the concept of time zones. Finally, I told her the plane went very fast, and she bought that!
An elderly doctor and a Presbyterian minister were seated next to each other on the plane. The plane was delayed at the start due to some technical problems. Just after taking off, the pilot offered his apologies to the passengers and announced that a round of free drinks would be served. When the charming air-hostess came around with the trolley, the doctor ordered a gin and tonic for himself. The hostess then asked the minister whether he wanted anything. He replied, "Oh no thank you. I would rather commit adultery than drink alcohol". The elderly doctor promptly handed back his gin and tonic to the air-hostess and said, "Madam, I did not know there was a choice."
If you look like your passport photo, you're too ill to travel.
A man came to our office to plan a trip to Russia. We told him, he would have to get a Visa. No I don't he said. I've traveled all over the world and they accept Master Card everywhere.
A man from NY came into our office and told us he drove across the USA to here in California. He now wanted to drive to Hawaii, his question to us was. "how much is the toll on the Golden Gate bridge from California to Hawaii".
A lady called last week. She needed to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:20 am and got into Chicago at 8:33 am. I tried to explain that Michigan was an hour ahead of Illinois, but she could not understand the concept of time zones. Finally, I told her the plane went very fast, and she bought that!
An elderly doctor and a Presbyterian minister were seated next to each other on the plane. The plane was delayed at the start due to some technical problems. Just after taking off, the pilot offered his apologies to the passengers and announced that a round of free drinks would be served. When the charming air-hostess came around with the trolley, the doctor ordered a gin and tonic for himself. The hostess then asked the minister whether he wanted anything. He replied, "Oh no thank you. I would rather commit adultery than drink alcohol". The elderly doctor promptly handed back his gin and tonic to the air-hostess and said, "Madam, I did not know there was a choice."
If you look like your passport photo, you're too ill to travel.
Monday
Celebrity Training for Home Based Travel Agents
Celebrity Cruises' new "Starring You@Home" program includes regional learning opportunities, online training, and a ship tour and luncheon for home based travel agents .
Throughout March and June, more than 500 agents and prospective guests will take part in 11 events on six ships in five North American homeports. "One of the things we know from listening intently to our travel partners is their interest in gaining access to our incredible ships," said Dondra Ritzenthaler, Celebrity's senior vice president-sales.
"But they've also expressed interest in bringing prospective clients onboard, so they can see firsthand what we have to offer."Each program includes an escorted tour of the ship by a CLIA-certified sales representative, a brand update presentation, lunch, and a booking incentive and gift.
Travel partners can find further details at www.CruisingPower.com, and clicking on the "Working-With-Us," "Event-Management" navigation links. After entering the Event Management screen, agents can select "Register for an Event Open to the Public" to see the schedule of tours in their region. Events are scheduled to take place in San Francisco, Vancouver, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Seattle.
Complementing the program are regional learning opportunities including "The Home Based Success Series: Power Up with Technology and Marketing" in conjunction with NACTA, visiting six cities through June (Miami, Anaheim, Houston, Baltimore, Sacramento and Chicago), and "It's Your Ship: Navigate Your Way to Profits At Home" training at the Home-Based Agent Show on April 27 in San Diego, where Celebrity and Azamara Cruises President and CEO Dan Hanrahan will deliver the keynote address.
Additionally, Celebrity and Azamara are offering a new series of online training with the National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA) and Outside Supplier Support Network (OSSN) on topics including "Double Your Profits with Celebrity Cruise-tours," "Untapping the Meeting/Incentive Group Market," brand training, "Selling to the Deluxe Market," and destination and technology training.
For more information on the online training, visit www.nacta.com and www.ossn.com. For more information, call 800-437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.
Throughout March and June, more than 500 agents and prospective guests will take part in 11 events on six ships in five North American homeports. "One of the things we know from listening intently to our travel partners is their interest in gaining access to our incredible ships," said Dondra Ritzenthaler, Celebrity's senior vice president-sales.
"But they've also expressed interest in bringing prospective clients onboard, so they can see firsthand what we have to offer."Each program includes an escorted tour of the ship by a CLIA-certified sales representative, a brand update presentation, lunch, and a booking incentive and gift.
Travel partners can find further details at www.CruisingPower.com, and clicking on the "Working-With-Us," "Event-Management" navigation links. After entering the Event Management screen, agents can select "Register for an Event Open to the Public" to see the schedule of tours in their region. Events are scheduled to take place in San Francisco, Vancouver, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Seattle.
Complementing the program are regional learning opportunities including "The Home Based Success Series: Power Up with Technology and Marketing" in conjunction with NACTA, visiting six cities through June (Miami, Anaheim, Houston, Baltimore, Sacramento and Chicago), and "It's Your Ship: Navigate Your Way to Profits At Home" training at the Home-Based Agent Show on April 27 in San Diego, where Celebrity and Azamara Cruises President and CEO Dan Hanrahan will deliver the keynote address.
Additionally, Celebrity and Azamara are offering a new series of online training with the National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA) and Outside Supplier Support Network (OSSN) on topics including "Double Your Profits with Celebrity Cruise-tours," "Untapping the Meeting/Incentive Group Market," brand training, "Selling to the Deluxe Market," and destination and technology training.
For more information on the online training, visit www.nacta.com and www.ossn.com. For more information, call 800-437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.
Friday
Royal Caribbean Special offert
Book an ocean view or above stateroom and receive a Pair of Robes (Option Code: RNAH)
Booking Window:
February 05 through February 19, 2008
Applicable Sailings:
ANY 5-Night or Longer Royal Caribbean sailing departing in March 2008!Click here for list of sailings.
Terms & Conditions:
Robe offer valid for ocean view or above staterooms booked between February 05 and February 19, 2008 on any 5-night or longer Royal Caribbean sailing departing in March 2008.
Limit two robes per stateroom paid in full. Applicable to New Individual Reservations ONLY. Offer not applicable to Groups. Robes will be sent to booking agent separate from cruise documents. Booking agent must redeem offer on CruisingPower.com, via email or via fax to apply. Robes will arrive post-sailing for bookings redeemed within 1 week of sailing.
Click here for redemption form
Booking Window:
February 05 through February 19, 2008
Applicable Sailings:
ANY 5-Night or Longer Royal Caribbean sailing departing in March 2008!Click here for list of sailings.
Terms & Conditions:
Robe offer valid for ocean view or above staterooms booked between February 05 and February 19, 2008 on any 5-night or longer Royal Caribbean sailing departing in March 2008.
Limit two robes per stateroom paid in full. Applicable to New Individual Reservations ONLY. Offer not applicable to Groups. Robes will be sent to booking agent separate from cruise documents. Booking agent must redeem offer on CruisingPower.com, via email or via fax to apply. Robes will arrive post-sailing for bookings redeemed within 1 week of sailing.
Click here for redemption form
Networking
Networking, the art of generating new clients through social and business contacts, is easier for some travel agents than others. Extroverts have it made – meeting and talking with others at social functions, volunteer opportunities and community gatherings is a cinch to some outgoing souls.
Others find socializing a bit more difficult, however. Regardless of our personality type, taking the time to meet new people, outside of the confines of your office, is a key tactic for any marketing strategy.
Widening your "circle of influence" is an absolutely crucial component to growing a business. One of the best ways to network is to volunteer. By joining others for good causes or civic committees, you not only work toward a positive goal in your community, but you also earn the opportunity to let new people know about your travel practice, your attention to detail, and the personality behind your skill set.
As others get to know you in a volunteer setting, their understanding of you in a charitable context serves to create a bond that can translate in a very positive way into a personal or business relationship.
You will discover that much of the pressure is off of you to "market" as you provide your services to the community. Knowledge of you and your business is a happy by-product of your central mission of giving to others.
In most communities, volunteer opportunities abound – so you should be able to identify at least one that you relate to and are passionate about.
From "Race for the Cure" to charity work or participation on committees for organizations such as your local United Way, PTA, Hospice, and more, you contribute and widen your circle of acquaintances. It's the best of both worlds.
Others find socializing a bit more difficult, however. Regardless of our personality type, taking the time to meet new people, outside of the confines of your office, is a key tactic for any marketing strategy.
Widening your "circle of influence" is an absolutely crucial component to growing a business. One of the best ways to network is to volunteer. By joining others for good causes or civic committees, you not only work toward a positive goal in your community, but you also earn the opportunity to let new people know about your travel practice, your attention to detail, and the personality behind your skill set.
As others get to know you in a volunteer setting, their understanding of you in a charitable context serves to create a bond that can translate in a very positive way into a personal or business relationship.
You will discover that much of the pressure is off of you to "market" as you provide your services to the community. Knowledge of you and your business is a happy by-product of your central mission of giving to others.
In most communities, volunteer opportunities abound – so you should be able to identify at least one that you relate to and are passionate about.
From "Race for the Cure" to charity work or participation on committees for organizations such as your local United Way, PTA, Hospice, and more, you contribute and widen your circle of acquaintances. It's the best of both worlds.
Thursday
Vegasology
Over 10,000 Vegas Certified agents have realized that to earn more, you must learn more.Earning your Las Vegas Travel Trade Certification is easy, educational, and action-packed.
When you've successfully finished the certification process, not only will you be a Las Vegas expert, but you'll have access to e-tools to help you be the go-to expert on all things Vegas.
The toolkit holds an array of Las Vegas-based marketing tools such as templates for e-blasts, a masthead for fax blasts, newsletters and postcards to help you sell Vegas to your clients.
To keep your Vegasology up-to-date, a Bonus Module focusing on newer products in Las Vegas is offered to agents that have completed the program.To find out more about the Vegas Certified program and for a chance to win $100, go to LVCVA.com.
When you've successfully finished the certification process, not only will you be a Las Vegas expert, but you'll have access to e-tools to help you be the go-to expert on all things Vegas.
The toolkit holds an array of Las Vegas-based marketing tools such as templates for e-blasts, a masthead for fax blasts, newsletters and postcards to help you sell Vegas to your clients.
To keep your Vegasology up-to-date, a Bonus Module focusing on newer products in Las Vegas is offered to agents that have completed the program.To find out more about the Vegas Certified program and for a chance to win $100, go to LVCVA.com.
Carnival Enhances Online Pre-Cruise Registration System
Carnival Cruise Lines has enhanced its "Fun Pass" online embarkation portal to allow guests to register for the shipboard credit card system and electronically accept the Terms and Conditions of Passage prior to their cruise.
Guests sailing with Carnival can submit credit card information for their onboard "Sail & Sign" accounts via a secure encryption method and review/acknowledge the line's ticket contract, both of which previously had to be completed manually during the check-in process at the cruise terminal.
Another new feature enables guests to designate a responsible party and pre-register up to three cabins at the same time in one session. Carnival's online embarkation portal, located at www.carnival.com/mycruise, was launched in 2003 to comply with the data-gathering requirements of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
With FunPass, guests can register up to the day prior to sailing and are provided with a printable document allowing them to fast-track through embarkation. "Currently, nearly 90 percent of all Carnival guests take advantage of the convenient online ‘Fun Pass' system, and these new enhancements will serve to further expedite the boarding process for embarking on their ‘Fun Ship' cruise," said Vicky Rey, Carnival's vice president of reservations administration. For more information, call 800-327-9501 or visit www.bookccl.com.
Guests sailing with Carnival can submit credit card information for their onboard "Sail & Sign" accounts via a secure encryption method and review/acknowledge the line's ticket contract, both of which previously had to be completed manually during the check-in process at the cruise terminal.
Another new feature enables guests to designate a responsible party and pre-register up to three cabins at the same time in one session. Carnival's online embarkation portal, located at www.carnival.com/mycruise, was launched in 2003 to comply with the data-gathering requirements of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
With FunPass, guests can register up to the day prior to sailing and are provided with a printable document allowing them to fast-track through embarkation. "Currently, nearly 90 percent of all Carnival guests take advantage of the convenient online ‘Fun Pass' system, and these new enhancements will serve to further expedite the boarding process for embarking on their ‘Fun Ship' cruise," said Vicky Rey, Carnival's vice president of reservations administration. For more information, call 800-327-9501 or visit www.bookccl.com.
Wednesday
Happy Valentines Day
To all our Travel Agent Friends,
All of us here at the Home Based Travel Agents corporate headquaters would like to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day.
To Your Success,
Paul Davis, President
Sue Russo, General Manager
and staff
All of us here at the Home Based Travel Agents corporate headquaters would like to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day.
To Your Success,
Paul Davis, President
Sue Russo, General Manager
and staff
Display Your Expertise for Your Clients!
Cunard Academy graduates now have access to another business-building opportunity with an exclusive online marketing kit filled with tools to help the line's "Commodores" promote themselves as "Certified Experts."
Once Travel Professionals have reached the Commodore level in Cunard's lauded online training programme, they'll be able to access a series of new tools that enable them to display their achievement and identify them as Travel Professionals that can help provide their clients with a most memorable voyage aboard one of the company's legendary ocean liners, Queen Mary 2, QE2 and Queen Victoria.
Accessible only to Cunard Academy Commodores through an exclusive link on the line's OneSource agent website, the new marketing kit includes:
1. "Certified Expert" Logo
A downloadable image that Travel Professionals can use as part of newspaper advertising, agency collateral, signage or other materials where they want to promote their expert status.
2. Press Release
An easy-to-use template that enables Travel Professionals to add their agency information to a formatted press release that can be distributed to clients and media outlets.
3. Computer Desktop Wallpaper
Travel Professionals receive two wallpaper options featuring the ocean liners of Cunard with the Cunard Academy "Certified Expert" logo featured.
4. "Certified Expert" Screensaver
An animated presentation alternating between Cunard onboard amenities and spectacular ship-destination photos that liven up any agent's office and provide an intriguing backdrop when clients are in the office.
"We wanted to ensure that our Commodores are recognized by their customers as experts with in-depth expertise about the legacy, traditions and unique voyage experiences of Cunard Line," said Jan Swartz, senior vice president of customer service and sales for Cunard.
"We designed these exciting new tools to support our Travel Professional's' selling efforts, just one more example of our commitment to be the industry's most enthusiastic cruise line advocate for our agent partners.
"The new kit is now available to Active Commodore-level agents and agencies.
Go to Cunard Academy to view these valuable materials!
Once Travel Professionals have reached the Commodore level in Cunard's lauded online training programme, they'll be able to access a series of new tools that enable them to display their achievement and identify them as Travel Professionals that can help provide their clients with a most memorable voyage aboard one of the company's legendary ocean liners, Queen Mary 2, QE2 and Queen Victoria.
Accessible only to Cunard Academy Commodores through an exclusive link on the line's OneSource agent website, the new marketing kit includes:
1. "Certified Expert" Logo
A downloadable image that Travel Professionals can use as part of newspaper advertising, agency collateral, signage or other materials where they want to promote their expert status.
2. Press Release
An easy-to-use template that enables Travel Professionals to add their agency information to a formatted press release that can be distributed to clients and media outlets.
3. Computer Desktop Wallpaper
Travel Professionals receive two wallpaper options featuring the ocean liners of Cunard with the Cunard Academy "Certified Expert" logo featured.
4. "Certified Expert" Screensaver
An animated presentation alternating between Cunard onboard amenities and spectacular ship-destination photos that liven up any agent's office and provide an intriguing backdrop when clients are in the office.
"We wanted to ensure that our Commodores are recognized by their customers as experts with in-depth expertise about the legacy, traditions and unique voyage experiences of Cunard Line," said Jan Swartz, senior vice president of customer service and sales for Cunard.
"We designed these exciting new tools to support our Travel Professional's' selling efforts, just one more example of our commitment to be the industry's most enthusiastic cruise line advocate for our agent partners.
"The new kit is now available to Active Commodore-level agents and agencies.
Go to Cunard Academy to view these valuable materials!
What's A Webinar?
Webinars bring traditional teleconference and modern web technology together for an enhanced training experience. Webinars allow you to participate in training events remotely (e.g. at your home or office!) by using your computer and telephone to listen, view, and discuss topics in a live, instructor-led environment. You must enroll for courses in advance, as there is limited space available for each session.
You need to have a high speed internet connection for this technology to work properly, and a phone line for the audio portion of the class.
If you have any questions how to attend Vacation.com webinars (supported by GoToWebinar), try reading the Attendee Quick Reference Guides for PC users click here, or Mac users click here.
You need to have a high speed internet connection for this technology to work properly, and a phone line for the audio portion of the class.
If you have any questions how to attend Vacation.com webinars (supported by GoToWebinar), try reading the Attendee Quick Reference Guides for PC users click here, or Mac users click here.
Tuesday
AAC gets a Fresh New Start
We all need a holiday and a chance to freshen-up, and the Agent Advancement Center (AAC) is no different!
The AAC, your one-stop spot for Vacation.com training and continuing education, just got a new look and a new address! What's new at the Agent Advancement Center?
Easier navigation - find the information you need quickly and easily.
More recorded webinars - and all of them updated for 2008!
Training Tuesdays - the weekly Vcom Learning Forum allows you to ask your questions to a vacation.com Training Specialist with a small group of colleagues.
No more clicking! And much more! New URL - just type www.agentnet.com/aac and you're there!
The AAC, your one-stop spot for Vacation.com training and continuing education, just got a new look and a new address! What's new at the Agent Advancement Center?
Easier navigation - find the information you need quickly and easily.
More recorded webinars - and all of them updated for 2008!
Training Tuesdays - the weekly Vcom Learning Forum allows you to ask your questions to a vacation.com Training Specialist with a small group of colleagues.
No more clicking! And much more! New URL - just type www.agentnet.com/aac and you're there!
Monday
Cruise Groups Plus on AgentNet
The next time you log into AgentNet you?ll find a new tab on the Quick Links section?Cruise Groups Plus. Cruise Groups Plus is your destination for Blocked Amenity Departures and Vacation Vignettes.
BLOCKED AMENITY DEPARTURESVacation.com has blocked exclusive group space for our members on more than 500 cruise departures with itineraries around the world on six of the leading cruise lines. When you book a client on one of these departures, not only do they receive competitive pricing, but you can delight them with special amenities like shipboard credit, free specialty restaurant meals or prepaid gratuities? all at no cost to you or your clients!
Once you have selected your ideal group departure by searching on VacationPort, simply book directly with the cruise line using your preferred method of booking and the Vacation.com Group Code associated with that departure.
CALL THESE CRUISE LINES DIRECTLY TO BOOKGROUP SPACE:
Crystal
Cunard
Holland America
Princess
Regent
Silversea
VACATION VIGNETTESThese exclusive vacation packages, created by Vacation.com and sold only through our members, feature the services of a concierge host, bon voyage cocktail reception, exclusive shore event and onboard departure gifts delivered to the client on your behalf. Optional unique pre-cruise land package add-ons are available.
Click here to learn more about Cruise Groups Plus
Click here to search Blocked Amenity Departures
Click here to search Vacation Vignettes
BLOCKED AMENITY DEPARTURESVacation.com has blocked exclusive group space for our members on more than 500 cruise departures with itineraries around the world on six of the leading cruise lines. When you book a client on one of these departures, not only do they receive competitive pricing, but you can delight them with special amenities like shipboard credit, free specialty restaurant meals or prepaid gratuities? all at no cost to you or your clients!
Once you have selected your ideal group departure by searching on VacationPort, simply book directly with the cruise line using your preferred method of booking and the Vacation.com Group Code associated with that departure.
CALL THESE CRUISE LINES DIRECTLY TO BOOKGROUP SPACE:
Crystal
Cunard
Holland America
Princess
Regent
Silversea
VACATION VIGNETTESThese exclusive vacation packages, created by Vacation.com and sold only through our members, feature the services of a concierge host, bon voyage cocktail reception, exclusive shore event and onboard departure gifts delivered to the client on your behalf. Optional unique pre-cruise land package add-ons are available.
Click here to learn more about Cruise Groups Plus
Click here to search Blocked Amenity Departures
Click here to search Vacation Vignettes
Saturday
Advertising Your Home Business on a Budget.
When you are starting out in a new home business and no one knows who you are, one of the greatest challenges you will face is how to drum up new business.
If there were not people in your community or marketplace that you knew who needed your products or services, you probably would not have started your business to begin with. But, once you have talked to those who you personally knew who needed your what you offer, then your next task is to find others who will help keep your doors open.
Many people know that they must turn to advertising at some point in the future, but they hope that day will be long down the road. For some, this utopian concept will come to fruition. But for the rest of us in the real world, we must come up with creative solutions for meeting our home business advertising needs while working within our budget.
Most people have a misconception about having to spend lots of money in order to advertise their home business. When you start out, you honestly will not have much money available for advertising, and if you do, you should still spend it wisely. Before you jump headfirst into the world of advertising, let me share some of the lessons I have learned concerning this most important topic.
LESSON #1
It does not have to cost an arm and a leg to advertise your home business, unless you fail to plan and fail to test.
As much as is possible, you should always test your advertising. If you jump in and start dumping tons of money in to advertising without first testing your advertising, you might find yourself broke and without sales at the end of the road. Most people who commit this error write off their failure on the home business they chose or the economy or any of a hundred other excuses. But, if they are unwilling to take responsibility for their mistake, they will never learn from their mistake. Don't let this be you.
LESSON #2
All testing should be done in blocks. If you begin to advertise simultaneously in newspapers, radio and television, how will you know which advertising is bringing people to your cash register? You won't. All you will know that something might be working, but you will not know what is actually doing the trick.
Even if you tell people in your advertising to tell you how they found you, my experience shows that fewer than 10% of the people ever will tell you anything --- and those people who do may not even get the facts straight! You cannot rely on your customers to tell you what advertising is working for your home business. You must put in the extra effort to know for yourself.
LESSON #3
Only when you have a proven and solid advertising portfolio should you venture to drop big bucks in an advertising campaign. Even then, you should be careful to keep further measurements to determine how much the maximum advantage of an ad would be.
Sometimes you might be able to reach ten times as many people, but depending on the kind of media and other factors, the additional exposure will only generate twice as many sales. Keep your eye attuned to situations like this to get the most from your advertising dollars.
LESSON #4
As Lesson #3 illustrates, sometimes your best advertising investment may actually cost you less money. When you are first starting out, whether you are running a home business or a business outside of your home, you need to be able to get people talking and thinking about your business. If you are busy testing ads in media's such as the newspaper, magazines, radio, and television, you need to learn ways of promoting your business that do not require large cash expenditures.
A few examples are:
· Word of Mouth
· Business Cards
· Press Releases
· Non-Primetime Ads on Radio and Television
Here is more information about each type of low-cost advertising:
WORD OF MOUTH
This of course is the cheapest kind of advertising on the planet --- it does not cost you anything. Ask your customers if they know anyone who could also use your products or services. When they are happy with your offerings and service, they will be willing to tell you whom you can contact, and they will pass the word for you.
BUSINESS CARDS
You can usually pick up 500 business cards for about $20. When you do, hand them out. Do not give more than a couple of cards to each person. If they need more cards from you, they will ask.
Some people are known to network with others on a regular basis. Some of these people are also known to be always looking for an extra few bucks. With these people, you can suggest to them that if they write their name on the back of one of your business cards and the card is presented to you, then you will pay a referral fee to them. You do not have to offer much --- sometimes one dollar is enough. Look at your home business and your offerings and decide how much would be a good referral fee.
PRESS RELEASES.
Press Releases are a good source for generating news about your home business. The business editor at your local newspaper is always on the lookout for a good business story to fill the business news section of the newspaper. Of course, the business editor understands the economics of running a paper and is more inclined to run your story if you buy advertising in his/her publication, but will still print stories for special events and openings.
The important thing to remember about Press Releases is that it must be constructed in the form of a news story. Even if you are a sole proprietorship, quotes from you should be written in a third person format: John Doe said, "Your quote here."
A Press Release should pack the most important information at the beginning of the copy, and leave extra details towards the end. You should always provide the reporter who gets the task a simple and easy way for him/her to contact you directly. Often the reporter will want to contact you to get details that will enhance their take on your story.
NON-PRIMETIME ADS ON RADIO AND TELEVISION
Believe it or not, some of the best rates for radio and television are on the overnight and non-primetime venues. These target times are not a total waste as they can easily keep the infomercial people in business.
These off-hours are just less populated than the primetime hours. Don't be afraid to check your local radio and television rates for non-primetime hours to see what bargains may exist.
With television, primetime is 7 pm to 10 pm. With radio, primetime is 8 am to 5 pm. This sure leaves a whole lot of hours available to advertise your home business at discount rates!
IN CONCLUSION
When it comes down to it, there is a lot to understand about advertising, but when you have the basic knowledge down pat, everything will fall into place and bring more dollars to your bank account.
Reprinted with permission from Retire Rich - Not Old Web Site
If there were not people in your community or marketplace that you knew who needed your products or services, you probably would not have started your business to begin with. But, once you have talked to those who you personally knew who needed your what you offer, then your next task is to find others who will help keep your doors open.
Many people know that they must turn to advertising at some point in the future, but they hope that day will be long down the road. For some, this utopian concept will come to fruition. But for the rest of us in the real world, we must come up with creative solutions for meeting our home business advertising needs while working within our budget.
Most people have a misconception about having to spend lots of money in order to advertise their home business. When you start out, you honestly will not have much money available for advertising, and if you do, you should still spend it wisely. Before you jump headfirst into the world of advertising, let me share some of the lessons I have learned concerning this most important topic.
LESSON #1
It does not have to cost an arm and a leg to advertise your home business, unless you fail to plan and fail to test.
As much as is possible, you should always test your advertising. If you jump in and start dumping tons of money in to advertising without first testing your advertising, you might find yourself broke and without sales at the end of the road. Most people who commit this error write off their failure on the home business they chose or the economy or any of a hundred other excuses. But, if they are unwilling to take responsibility for their mistake, they will never learn from their mistake. Don't let this be you.
LESSON #2
All testing should be done in blocks. If you begin to advertise simultaneously in newspapers, radio and television, how will you know which advertising is bringing people to your cash register? You won't. All you will know that something might be working, but you will not know what is actually doing the trick.
Even if you tell people in your advertising to tell you how they found you, my experience shows that fewer than 10% of the people ever will tell you anything --- and those people who do may not even get the facts straight! You cannot rely on your customers to tell you what advertising is working for your home business. You must put in the extra effort to know for yourself.
LESSON #3
Only when you have a proven and solid advertising portfolio should you venture to drop big bucks in an advertising campaign. Even then, you should be careful to keep further measurements to determine how much the maximum advantage of an ad would be.
Sometimes you might be able to reach ten times as many people, but depending on the kind of media and other factors, the additional exposure will only generate twice as many sales. Keep your eye attuned to situations like this to get the most from your advertising dollars.
LESSON #4
As Lesson #3 illustrates, sometimes your best advertising investment may actually cost you less money. When you are first starting out, whether you are running a home business or a business outside of your home, you need to be able to get people talking and thinking about your business. If you are busy testing ads in media's such as the newspaper, magazines, radio, and television, you need to learn ways of promoting your business that do not require large cash expenditures.
A few examples are:
· Word of Mouth
· Business Cards
· Press Releases
· Non-Primetime Ads on Radio and Television
Here is more information about each type of low-cost advertising:
WORD OF MOUTH
This of course is the cheapest kind of advertising on the planet --- it does not cost you anything. Ask your customers if they know anyone who could also use your products or services. When they are happy with your offerings and service, they will be willing to tell you whom you can contact, and they will pass the word for you.
BUSINESS CARDS
You can usually pick up 500 business cards for about $20. When you do, hand them out. Do not give more than a couple of cards to each person. If they need more cards from you, they will ask.
Some people are known to network with others on a regular basis. Some of these people are also known to be always looking for an extra few bucks. With these people, you can suggest to them that if they write their name on the back of one of your business cards and the card is presented to you, then you will pay a referral fee to them. You do not have to offer much --- sometimes one dollar is enough. Look at your home business and your offerings and decide how much would be a good referral fee.
PRESS RELEASES.
Press Releases are a good source for generating news about your home business. The business editor at your local newspaper is always on the lookout for a good business story to fill the business news section of the newspaper. Of course, the business editor understands the economics of running a paper and is more inclined to run your story if you buy advertising in his/her publication, but will still print stories for special events and openings.
The important thing to remember about Press Releases is that it must be constructed in the form of a news story. Even if you are a sole proprietorship, quotes from you should be written in a third person format: John Doe said, "Your quote here."
A Press Release should pack the most important information at the beginning of the copy, and leave extra details towards the end. You should always provide the reporter who gets the task a simple and easy way for him/her to contact you directly. Often the reporter will want to contact you to get details that will enhance their take on your story.
NON-PRIMETIME ADS ON RADIO AND TELEVISION
Believe it or not, some of the best rates for radio and television are on the overnight and non-primetime venues. These target times are not a total waste as they can easily keep the infomercial people in business.
These off-hours are just less populated than the primetime hours. Don't be afraid to check your local radio and television rates for non-primetime hours to see what bargains may exist.
With television, primetime is 7 pm to 10 pm. With radio, primetime is 8 am to 5 pm. This sure leaves a whole lot of hours available to advertise your home business at discount rates!
IN CONCLUSION
When it comes down to it, there is a lot to understand about advertising, but when you have the basic knowledge down pat, everything will fall into place and bring more dollars to your bank account.
Reprinted with permission from Retire Rich - Not Old Web Site
Friday
EZguider Online Classroom
www.agentnet.com/aac, the ACC features an EZguider Online Classroom, live and recorded webinars for all Vacation.com tools, interactive "Training Tuesdays," preferred supplier webinars and training programs, downloadable user guides and pertinent documents, details on upcoming regional events and much more.
The EZGuider Online Classroom shows agents how to utilize and navigate the revolutionary new leisure-selling solution. The online classroom will feature EZguider Web Based Training (WBT); EZguider Forum hosted by a Vacation.com Training Specialist; an Introduction to EZguider webinar designed for new, existing and potential users of EZguider; and downloadable user guides.
Training Tuesdays is a weekly forum for members where they can ask questions to a Vacation.com Training Specialist with a group of colleagues. The Online Training Calendar is a calendar where members can search and register for webinars and other training events in a simple "at-a-glance" format.
The calendar can be added to a "Favorites" menu for quick referral, or can be accessed from the AAC itself. Once registered, members can participate in educational and training sessions from their office or home. Preferred suppliers also host webinars to assist members who wish to learn more about a product.
Its Leisure University features suppliers' additional certification and training programs to enhance sales and boost profits.
The EZGuider Online Classroom shows agents how to utilize and navigate the revolutionary new leisure-selling solution. The online classroom will feature EZguider Web Based Training (WBT); EZguider Forum hosted by a Vacation.com Training Specialist; an Introduction to EZguider webinar designed for new, existing and potential users of EZguider; and downloadable user guides.
Training Tuesdays is a weekly forum for members where they can ask questions to a Vacation.com Training Specialist with a group of colleagues. The Online Training Calendar is a calendar where members can search and register for webinars and other training events in a simple "at-a-glance" format.
The calendar can be added to a "Favorites" menu for quick referral, or can be accessed from the AAC itself. Once registered, members can participate in educational and training sessions from their office or home. Preferred suppliers also host webinars to assist members who wish to learn more about a product.
Its Leisure University features suppliers' additional certification and training programs to enhance sales and boost profits.
Tuesday
Holland America Webinar
Attend the Holland America webinar fora chance to win a free Caribbean cruisefor 2 valued at $1899 confirmed space!
Learn more about Holland America, and you will have a chance to win a free Caribbean cruise for 2 valued at $1899 confirmed space for those who attend.
Holland America will be conducting a product overview via the web exclusively for Vacation.com member agents. We’ll highlight the following:
What’s new with Holland America Line
Ship Review
On Board Enhancements
Eurodam – details of new ship
Signature of Excellence update
Itinerary Review 2008/ 2009
Profiles of Travelers on Holland America Line and demographics
Travel Agent Tools & programs to support you.
If you sell Holland America, you won’t want to miss this session. You could be the lucky winner of a free Caribbean cruise for 2 valued at $1899 confirmed space for those who attend!
Register Now.
Date: Tuesday, February 12, 2008Time: 2:00-3:00pm ESTCall: 1.866.516.5393 access code 80711011
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/448831782
Learn more about Holland America, and you will have a chance to win a free Caribbean cruise for 2 valued at $1899 confirmed space for those who attend.
Holland America will be conducting a product overview via the web exclusively for Vacation.com member agents. We’ll highlight the following:
What’s new with Holland America Line
Ship Review
On Board Enhancements
Eurodam – details of new ship
Signature of Excellence update
Itinerary Review 2008/ 2009
Profiles of Travelers on Holland America Line and demographics
Travel Agent Tools & programs to support you.
If you sell Holland America, you won’t want to miss this session. You could be the lucky winner of a free Caribbean cruise for 2 valued at $1899 confirmed space for those who attend!
Register Now.
Date: Tuesday, February 12, 2008Time: 2:00-3:00pm ESTCall: 1.866.516.5393 access code 80711011
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/448831782
Friday
Incentive Cruise Certificates
Celebrity Cruises is now offering individual incentive travel certificates for a range of sailings that include three-, four-, five- and seven-night cruises for two. The certificates are designed as a way for companies to award employees, vendors and customers with a premium travel certificate.
"For years, many leading incentive houses, corporate travel agencies and corporations have begged us to launch a certificate program so they could reward their employees and vendors with a premium cruise line gift. Our Individual Incentive Travel cruise gift certificates are the answer," said Ron Gulaskey, director of corporate sales and charters for Celebrity.
The certificates are valid for a stateroom for two on cruises departing from many gateways in North America or Puerto Rico. They can be purchased in any quantity well in advance of awarding them. This fixed-price system allows the purchaser to budget for the incentive certificates.
Certificates are available at six levels, ranging from "Ultra Class," which is valid for three- to seven-night trips on Celebrity's Solstice, Millennium and Century classes of ships, and boasts a two-week blackout period at the end of December, to "first rate," which is valid for three- and four-night sailings on Celebrity's Millennium or Century classes of ships.
The certificates provide recognition for achievement of targeted sales goals; motivation for non-sales goals such as productivity, safety, attendance or customer service objectives.
They also can be valuable tools for Realtors who wish to use them as a closing gift for homebuyers, or for car dealers who wish to use them in tandem with a sales promotion.
The certificates also can be used to help stimulate donations to charities."When a company is looking for the ultimate in an individual award, the criteria they want include flexibility, cost-effectiveness, variety, ease of implementation, limited blackout dates, extended expiration dates and, of course, an outstanding experience for the recipient.
Our program satisfies all of these criteria and more," Gulaskey said. "We can even provide a customized cover letter that corporations can use to accompany a certificate."
To book an awarded cruise, a recipient of an Individual Incentive Travel certificate calls Celebrity's dedicated redemption service desk, saving corporate travel agencies and incentive planners the step of booking the travel on the recipient's behalf. The recipient can choose from a variety of stateroom categories. For more information, visit www.celebritycorporatekit.com.
"For years, many leading incentive houses, corporate travel agencies and corporations have begged us to launch a certificate program so they could reward their employees and vendors with a premium cruise line gift. Our Individual Incentive Travel cruise gift certificates are the answer," said Ron Gulaskey, director of corporate sales and charters for Celebrity.
The certificates are valid for a stateroom for two on cruises departing from many gateways in North America or Puerto Rico. They can be purchased in any quantity well in advance of awarding them. This fixed-price system allows the purchaser to budget for the incentive certificates.
Certificates are available at six levels, ranging from "Ultra Class," which is valid for three- to seven-night trips on Celebrity's Solstice, Millennium and Century classes of ships, and boasts a two-week blackout period at the end of December, to "first rate," which is valid for three- and four-night sailings on Celebrity's Millennium or Century classes of ships.
The certificates provide recognition for achievement of targeted sales goals; motivation for non-sales goals such as productivity, safety, attendance or customer service objectives.
They also can be valuable tools for Realtors who wish to use them as a closing gift for homebuyers, or for car dealers who wish to use them in tandem with a sales promotion.
The certificates also can be used to help stimulate donations to charities."When a company is looking for the ultimate in an individual award, the criteria they want include flexibility, cost-effectiveness, variety, ease of implementation, limited blackout dates, extended expiration dates and, of course, an outstanding experience for the recipient.
Our program satisfies all of these criteria and more," Gulaskey said. "We can even provide a customized cover letter that corporations can use to accompany a certificate."
To book an awarded cruise, a recipient of an Individual Incentive Travel certificate calls Celebrity's dedicated redemption service desk, saving corporate travel agencies and incentive planners the step of booking the travel on the recipient's behalf. The recipient can choose from a variety of stateroom categories. For more information, visit www.celebritycorporatekit.com.
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