Royal Caribbean International will hold its largest sale of the year on May 5 and May 6. During the “Two-Day Wow Sale,” deposits will be reduced by 50 percent.
In addition, the line is providing up to a $200 onboard credit for those who book a qualifying cruise or cruise-tour departing on or after Aug. 1. The credit is $50 for a three- to five-night cruise, $100 for six- to nine-cruises and $200 for sailings of 10 nights or longer.
Reduced deposit is $50, $125 and $225, respectively.
Royal Caribbean is sending out a promotional flyer that home based travel agents can customize and forward to clients. For more information, call 800-327-6700 or visit www.cruisingpower.com.
Learn How to Become A Travel Agent... Open your own Home Based Travel Agency
Monday
Cruise Tips to pass along to your clients.
By Arline and Sam Bleecker, Chicago Tribune
If you're taking a cruise, here are some ways to ensure smooth sailing.
Insurance:
Trip cancellation and travel insurance is a small price to pay if you must cancel a cruise because of a crisis, especially now when losing a job looms large for many. Also with medical evacuation costs often running into the tens of thousands of dollars, travel insurance could be a smart investment if, for nothing else, peace of mind.
Packing:
Never pack anything in your luggage you couldn't stand losing forever, and, to save space, don't pack anything you don't intend to wear at least twice or that isn't readily washable. Most ships (especially mega-vessels) provide self-service laundry facilities onboard, so don't be afraid to pack on the light side.
Tape your name, address, phone and cell numbers inside your luggage. Outside labels are as abused as the suitcases themselves and might not survive the journey. Inside, they will.
Stuff an extra collapsible duffel bag or two into your suitcase. At the end of your vacation, you'll be glad to have additional luggage to store your dirty laundry or those never-thought-you'd-buy mementos.
Before your trip, take a snapshot of your luggage inside and out. This will make it easier for airline or cruise personnel to identify your belongings if they are lost. The photos also might prove useful for insurance purposes.
Documents:
Always carry your cruise and airline documents on your person and not in your luggage or carry-on bag, which might easily be misplaced or lost in the confusion and hurry of travel.
Food to go:
In these tight times, penny-pinching makes sense. For instance, before heading off to the beach or excursion, consider packing a lunch. Either ask your ship's waiter or room service to prepare something for you, or head to the buffet and pile on your own favorites for the day's outing. Not only will this save you money and time in scouting for a place to eat, but, in a foreign country, also dealing with currency exchanges.
Sodas:
Are you or the kids hooked on sodas? Instead of running up a large tab for pop, consider purchasing the cruise line's all-you-can-drink sales. Prices vary, but anticipate anything from around $35 and up for a week's worth of never-ending fizzy beverages.
The right cabin:
Hate noise and prefer a calm cabin? Avoid staterooms next to triple and quad cabins, especially during summer and holiday sailings, when you're more likely to find your neighbors are not singles or couples but families with kids.
Also keep away from rooms near elevators and utility rooms (such as the laundry) or those above or below the show lounge, casino or pool deck.
Not all private balconies are private. Check out the printed deck plan in the line's brochure to see if your neighbor above has a bird's-eye view of you and your veranda.
Staying healthy:
Norwalk virus has ruined many a passenger's cruise, and the best way to avoid a few days confined to your cabin is to soap your hands meticulously. Just as important, when you dine at the buffet, either wear gloves or use a napkin to ladle your food into your plate. Don't be embarrassed. Your neighbor on line might smirk inside, but you'll have the last laugh if others wind up catching the highly contagious virus.
Shopping bargains:
One shrewd shopper we know never buys any mementos from the ship's gift shop until the last day of the cruise, when many T-shirts and novelty items are mostly half off.
You might find cheaper excursion bargains ashore than onboard. Lots of savvy cruisers simply step off the gangway and sign up for excursions with the myriad tour operators that typically line the pier.
Sightseeing:
If you want to sightsee during a Caribbean cruise, consider renting a car or hiring a taxi for a guided tour of the island. You'll probably save a bunch over the ship's shore excursions and have a lot more say on how long you want to stay at the beach or linger over lunch.
If you are the go-it-alone type, you might find a cruise guidebook, a book on ports of call and, of course, the Internet invaluable in planning your own adventures.
Onboard art auctions:
You might want to think twice before you shell out hard-earned money for a print or other painting or lithograph at the ship's onboard auction. You can attend the auctions just for the entertainment. No purchases are necessary.
If you're taking a cruise, here are some ways to ensure smooth sailing.
Insurance:
Trip cancellation and travel insurance is a small price to pay if you must cancel a cruise because of a crisis, especially now when losing a job looms large for many. Also with medical evacuation costs often running into the tens of thousands of dollars, travel insurance could be a smart investment if, for nothing else, peace of mind.
Packing:
Never pack anything in your luggage you couldn't stand losing forever, and, to save space, don't pack anything you don't intend to wear at least twice or that isn't readily washable. Most ships (especially mega-vessels) provide self-service laundry facilities onboard, so don't be afraid to pack on the light side.
Tape your name, address, phone and cell numbers inside your luggage. Outside labels are as abused as the suitcases themselves and might not survive the journey. Inside, they will.
Stuff an extra collapsible duffel bag or two into your suitcase. At the end of your vacation, you'll be glad to have additional luggage to store your dirty laundry or those never-thought-you'd-buy mementos.
Before your trip, take a snapshot of your luggage inside and out. This will make it easier for airline or cruise personnel to identify your belongings if they are lost. The photos also might prove useful for insurance purposes.
Documents:
Always carry your cruise and airline documents on your person and not in your luggage or carry-on bag, which might easily be misplaced or lost in the confusion and hurry of travel.
Food to go:
In these tight times, penny-pinching makes sense. For instance, before heading off to the beach or excursion, consider packing a lunch. Either ask your ship's waiter or room service to prepare something for you, or head to the buffet and pile on your own favorites for the day's outing. Not only will this save you money and time in scouting for a place to eat, but, in a foreign country, also dealing with currency exchanges.
Sodas:
Are you or the kids hooked on sodas? Instead of running up a large tab for pop, consider purchasing the cruise line's all-you-can-drink sales. Prices vary, but anticipate anything from around $35 and up for a week's worth of never-ending fizzy beverages.
The right cabin:
Hate noise and prefer a calm cabin? Avoid staterooms next to triple and quad cabins, especially during summer and holiday sailings, when you're more likely to find your neighbors are not singles or couples but families with kids.
Also keep away from rooms near elevators and utility rooms (such as the laundry) or those above or below the show lounge, casino or pool deck.
Not all private balconies are private. Check out the printed deck plan in the line's brochure to see if your neighbor above has a bird's-eye view of you and your veranda.
Staying healthy:
Norwalk virus has ruined many a passenger's cruise, and the best way to avoid a few days confined to your cabin is to soap your hands meticulously. Just as important, when you dine at the buffet, either wear gloves or use a napkin to ladle your food into your plate. Don't be embarrassed. Your neighbor on line might smirk inside, but you'll have the last laugh if others wind up catching the highly contagious virus.
Shopping bargains:
One shrewd shopper we know never buys any mementos from the ship's gift shop until the last day of the cruise, when many T-shirts and novelty items are mostly half off.
You might find cheaper excursion bargains ashore than onboard. Lots of savvy cruisers simply step off the gangway and sign up for excursions with the myriad tour operators that typically line the pier.
Sightseeing:
If you want to sightsee during a Caribbean cruise, consider renting a car or hiring a taxi for a guided tour of the island. You'll probably save a bunch over the ship's shore excursions and have a lot more say on how long you want to stay at the beach or linger over lunch.
If you are the go-it-alone type, you might find a cruise guidebook, a book on ports of call and, of course, the Internet invaluable in planning your own adventures.
Onboard art auctions:
You might want to think twice before you shell out hard-earned money for a print or other painting or lithograph at the ship's onboard auction. You can attend the auctions just for the entertainment. No purchases are necessary.
Why Book Funjet
A vacation is measured in more than dollars, days and nights. It's measured in the memories it creates that will last a lifetime.
See why Funjet Vacations is The Travel Agent's First Choice! View The Travel Agent's First Choice Video (3min) Visit Our www.FunjetAgentAdvantage.com Sales & Marketing Resource Center.
Add more content to your website by adding a Funjet partner booking website to your website.
See why Funjet Vacations is The Travel Agent's First Choice! View The Travel Agent's First Choice Video (3min) Visit Our www.FunjetAgentAdvantage.com Sales & Marketing Resource Center.
Add more content to your website by adding a Funjet partner booking website to your website.
Travel Agent Training Course for Twitter
Unless you’ve been under a rock for six months, you’ve no doubt heard of Twitter. What is it? How can it help a home-based travel agent find more customers and sell more travel?
Chelle Yarbrough, CTC, will discuss in a one-hour teleconference the specifics of Twitter -- from a travel agent’s perspective. Agents will learn what Twitter is --but more importantly how it can help you find new customers and sell more travel. There are some “rules” to being a good twitizen, and we’ll cover those as well so that you’re not hurting your business more than helping it.
Agents also will learn about hashtags, search options, desktop clients, mobile clients and how to tie your account to other social media networks, like Facebook, Plaxo and LinkedIn.
The seminar will cover followers and following, where to find them and the etiquette for retaining the best ones. Agents will get a good list of followers to get them started as well as website resources to jump start their efforts right away. For more information, visit http://www.hbtanetwork.ning.com/.
Chelle Yarbrough, CTC, will discuss in a one-hour teleconference the specifics of Twitter -- from a travel agent’s perspective. Agents will learn what Twitter is --but more importantly how it can help you find new customers and sell more travel. There are some “rules” to being a good twitizen, and we’ll cover those as well so that you’re not hurting your business more than helping it.
Agents also will learn about hashtags, search options, desktop clients, mobile clients and how to tie your account to other social media networks, like Facebook, Plaxo and LinkedIn.
The seminar will cover followers and following, where to find them and the etiquette for retaining the best ones. Agents will get a good list of followers to get them started as well as website resources to jump start their efforts right away. For more information, visit http://www.hbtanetwork.ning.com/.
FREE Selling Groups Brochure
FREE 36 page brochure titled “Developing Group Business.” The brochure provides information on how to grow agency revenue by booking groups; how to identify, target and sell to those groups. It is also available in a downloadable file.
We’re seeing a steady, growing trend toward affinity group travel, ranging from organizations and family reunions to common-interest groups. Groups are one of the most effective ways for home-based travel agents to increase their profitability so we created this brochure to help them take advantage of this opportunity.
Holland America has created two other great incentives for booking groups. With the Vacation Stimulus Plan, travel sellers can receive reduced tour conductor credits on select 2009 cruises and with the Double GAP Program, agents double the number of points.
The brochure details Holland America’s Group Advantage Program (GAP) and its pre-packaged culinary, wedding, family reunion and charity group programs. It addresses how to identify potential sources of group business -- including incentive and charter sales -- and book them utilizing Holland America Line’s tour credit, upgrades and promotion tools.
These range from onboard credits and co-op marketing dollars to cruise presentations, direct-mail pieces and customizable email campaigns. GAP amenities include private wine tastings, coffee cards and water sports equipment rentals on Half Moon Cay.
With the Family Reunion GAP Package, the “Head of the Family Reward” adds a complimentary upgrade based on availability from outside to verandah stateroom for the designated leader of the group. In addition, the Wedding GAP Package and Culinary Arts Center Program Culinary Arts Center Program offer custom amenities for affinity markets.
Holland America Line is offering 2010 Double GAP Points, a program that doubles the points for all 2010 groups. There are 14 new amenities added for a total of 50 items on the 2010 GAP Menu. New groups must be registered by Aug. 31 through Polar Online.
For the Vacation Stimulus Plan promotion, several 2009 sailings also offer tour conductor credits at one for 10 guests booked or one for 12 instead of the standard 1 for 15 policy. Almost every cruise destination is represented in these selected departures, including Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada/New England, Europe, South America, Asia and Alaska cruises and cruise-tours.
To download the brochure or order a printed copy, visit www.hollandamerica.com and click on the Travel Agent Headquarters link.
We’re seeing a steady, growing trend toward affinity group travel, ranging from organizations and family reunions to common-interest groups. Groups are one of the most effective ways for home-based travel agents to increase their profitability so we created this brochure to help them take advantage of this opportunity.
Holland America has created two other great incentives for booking groups. With the Vacation Stimulus Plan, travel sellers can receive reduced tour conductor credits on select 2009 cruises and with the Double GAP Program, agents double the number of points.
The brochure details Holland America’s Group Advantage Program (GAP) and its pre-packaged culinary, wedding, family reunion and charity group programs. It addresses how to identify potential sources of group business -- including incentive and charter sales -- and book them utilizing Holland America Line’s tour credit, upgrades and promotion tools.
These range from onboard credits and co-op marketing dollars to cruise presentations, direct-mail pieces and customizable email campaigns. GAP amenities include private wine tastings, coffee cards and water sports equipment rentals on Half Moon Cay.
With the Family Reunion GAP Package, the “Head of the Family Reward” adds a complimentary upgrade based on availability from outside to verandah stateroom for the designated leader of the group. In addition, the Wedding GAP Package and Culinary Arts Center Program Culinary Arts Center Program offer custom amenities for affinity markets.
Holland America Line is offering 2010 Double GAP Points, a program that doubles the points for all 2010 groups. There are 14 new amenities added for a total of 50 items on the 2010 GAP Menu. New groups must be registered by Aug. 31 through Polar Online.
For the Vacation Stimulus Plan promotion, several 2009 sailings also offer tour conductor credits at one for 10 guests booked or one for 12 instead of the standard 1 for 15 policy. Almost every cruise destination is represented in these selected departures, including Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada/New England, Europe, South America, Asia and Alaska cruises and cruise-tours.
To download the brochure or order a printed copy, visit www.hollandamerica.com and click on the Travel Agent Headquarters link.
Travel Agent School - Selling Group Travel
Join our home-based travel agent webinar and improve your skills in learning how to cater to affinity and special interest groups of all budget levels and of all sizes.
Goway Groups Only have successfully organized and planned group itineraries for a wide variety of interests including government-related businesses, volunteer/charity organizations, educational institutions, sports teams and large sporting events, religious groups and missionary treks, cultural and historical groups, natural history and nature-based clubs, culinary and wine associations, pre/post cruise groups, and many meetings, incentives and conferences... in other words, if a club, association or company etc. has a group traveling to our destinations then we can teach you how to handle it!
Selling Group Travel Webinar Tuesday April 28 2009 1 pm - 2 pm Eastern Daylight Time
Click HERE
Goway Groups Only have successfully organized and planned group itineraries for a wide variety of interests including government-related businesses, volunteer/charity organizations, educational institutions, sports teams and large sporting events, religious groups and missionary treks, cultural and historical groups, natural history and nature-based clubs, culinary and wine associations, pre/post cruise groups, and many meetings, incentives and conferences... in other words, if a club, association or company etc. has a group traveling to our destinations then we can teach you how to handle it!
Selling Group Travel Webinar Tuesday April 28 2009 1 pm - 2 pm Eastern Daylight Time
Click HERE
Friday
How Get your website listed on Google & Yahoo
A site map is a directory of your website. Search engines can use the site map in order to improve their indexing of your website. A site map is automatically generated for you as you edit your site. Below, you will find instructions for submitting this site map to the major search engines.
The URL for your sitemap is http://www.yourdomainname.com.
Google Submission
Sign into "Google Webmaster Tools" with your Google account.(If you do not have a Google account, Click here to sign up for one.)
Add your site to your account if you have not previously done so.
Click the "Add a Sitemap" link beside the site you want to submit.
Choose the "Add General Web Sitemap" option from the dropdown.
Enter the "SiteMap URL" from above into the field labeled "My Sitemap URL is:".
Be sure to replace www.yoursite.com with your website address. Make sure you include the entire URL, including the "http://" portion
Click "Add Web Sitemap".
If you add or remove sections, menu items, or pages, you should re-submit your sitemap in the following manner:
Sign into " Google Webmaster Tools" with your Google account and from the Sitemap Tab, select the checkbox beside it and click the "Resubmit Selected" button. The submitted date will update to reflect this latest submission.
Yahoo Submission
Sign into Yahoo Site Explorer with your Yahoo account. (If you do not have a Yahoo account, Click here to sign up for one.)
Enter the entire SiteMap URL from above into the Submit Site Feed text box.
Click the Submit Feed button.
MSN Submission
Go to the Live Search Webmaster Central and login or create an account. Enter the entire SiteMap URL into the Sitemap address field. Click the Submit button.
The URL for your sitemap is http://www.yourdomainname.com.
Google Submission
Sign into "Google Webmaster Tools" with your Google account.(If you do not have a Google account, Click here to sign up for one.)
Add your site to your account if you have not previously done so.
Click the "Add a Sitemap" link beside the site you want to submit.
Choose the "Add General Web Sitemap" option from the dropdown.
Enter the "SiteMap URL" from above into the field labeled "My Sitemap URL is:".
Be sure to replace www.yoursite.com with your website address. Make sure you include the entire URL, including the "http://" portion
Click "Add Web Sitemap".
If you add or remove sections, menu items, or pages, you should re-submit your sitemap in the following manner:
Sign into " Google Webmaster Tools" with your Google account and from the Sitemap Tab, select the checkbox beside it and click the "Resubmit Selected" button. The submitted date will update to reflect this latest submission.
Yahoo Submission
Sign into Yahoo Site Explorer with your Yahoo account. (If you do not have a Yahoo account, Click here to sign up for one.)
Enter the entire SiteMap URL from above into the Submit Site Feed text box.
Click the Submit Feed button.
MSN Submission
Go to the Live Search Webmaster Central and login or create an account. Enter the entire SiteMap URL into the Sitemap address field. Click the Submit button.
Thursday
FREE Travel Agent School
One of the best things home-based travel agents can do during difficult times is to work on your skills. We’ve recently launched several new seminars at http://mail5.travelagentcommunications.com/t/64436/5603066/16790/0/ that cover Selling Tours (a six part series-first two are up), Selling Destination Weddings and Honeymoons (two part series) and Selling Luxury Travel (two part series).
I’ve personally put these together for our travel agent audience and encourage you to check them out. Each seminar is approximately ten to fifteen minutes long and can be accessed via your browser at http://mail5.travelagentcommunications.com/t/64436/5603066/16790/0/, without ever leaving home.Here’s to some good selling.
Best Regards,
Mark A. MurphyPresident/CEO
Performance Media Group, LLC.
I’ve personally put these together for our travel agent audience and encourage you to check them out. Each seminar is approximately ten to fifteen minutes long and can be accessed via your browser at http://mail5.travelagentcommunications.com/t/64436/5603066/16790/0/, without ever leaving home.Here’s to some good selling.
Best Regards,
Mark A. MurphyPresident/CEO
Performance Media Group, LLC.
Tuesday
Travel Agent 7-Night Bermuda Cruise
MSC 7-Night Bermuda Cruise from $280.
Book early to get the best stateroom in your category Oceanview Staterooms from $350
To Book: Simply download form, fill-out and fax. You will receive an e-mail confirmation within two business days of receiving your request. Due to heavy phone volume, it is recommended that you contact us via e-mail for any questions you may have: salesservice@msccruisesusa.com
Book early to get the best stateroom in your category Oceanview Staterooms from $350
To Book: Simply download form, fill-out and fax. You will receive an e-mail confirmation within two business days of receiving your request. Due to heavy phone volume, it is recommended that you contact us via e-mail for any questions you may have: salesservice@msccruisesusa.com
Thursday
Travel Agents, Take a cruise for $29.
NCL has just reduced the rates on upcoming one nighter from NY. Please forward the email to your clients!
$99 Oceanview Staterooms from... $109 Balcony Staterooms from... $129Suites from... $179
Round-trip New YorkOvernight from New York on Norwegian Dawn
BUT first forward it to yourself and input your agency name and contact info.
NCL has opened up TRAVEL AGENT RATES on this sailing. 1st come, 1st serve.
Rates are $29 inside; $39 ocean view; $49 balcony. Add $20 ncf and $62.10 taxes.
Remember to request reduced rates and acquire the form, you have to register on
http://www.bookncl.com/ and http://www.ncluniversity.com/.
$99 Oceanview Staterooms from... $109 Balcony Staterooms from... $129Suites from... $179
Round-trip New YorkOvernight from New York on Norwegian Dawn
BUT first forward it to yourself and input your agency name and contact info.
NCL has opened up TRAVEL AGENT RATES on this sailing. 1st come, 1st serve.
Rates are $29 inside; $39 ocean view; $49 balcony. Add $20 ncf and $62.10 taxes.
Remember to request reduced rates and acquire the form, you have to register on
http://www.bookncl.com/ and http://www.ncluniversity.com/.
Disney Cruise Sale
Kids 17 and under sail FREE, on most 7-Night Caribbean Cruises 6/6/09-8/29/09, with two full-fare Guests in the same stateroom.SEastern Itineraries include: St. Thomas, St. Maarten or a special stop at Tortola. Western Itineraries include: Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Key West.All Itineraries include: Disney's private island, Castaway Cay! Order your FREE DVD to learn more. Click Here
Tuesday
Become a SuperClubs Specialist
SuperClubs has a resort for everyone, five distinct brands with amenities, activities and programs to meet all your clients’ needs.What are the benefits of becoming a certified SuperClubs Specialist?
Be best equipped to take advantage of SuperClubs’ upcoming NEW SuperAgency incentive program, Cash Online, which provides CASH for EVERY booking, a bonus for every 10 bookings by brand and much more!
Promote your new expertise with a SuperClubs Partner web content added to your website.
Graduates, participating in The Travel Institute’s continuing education program, also are eligible to receive 3CEU credits.
Graduates, participating in The Travel Institute’s continuing education program, also are eligible to receive 3CEU credits.
Click here to become a SuperClubs Specialist
Poll finds Americans still traveling
Most people are still planning a trip this year. Did you know that there is one new 'Baby-Boomer' retiering every 9 seconds?... This Huge market will be expanding your travel sales for next 15+ years... Boomers are financially resilient... Boomers like small-group exotic travel and Cruises. Asia will be the next Boomers big destination.Virtual Tradeshow
Family Travel & Summer Deals live event kicks off April 14th and continues through April 15th. This exciting event features two days of education, networking and deals.
This is your opportunity to learn from the industry leaders and executives with our carefully selected educational topics; check out our pavilions to find fantastic deals for your clients; a chance for you to win amazing prizes; and chat with our award-winning editorial staff.
Presentation Schedule:
Day 1, Tuesday, April 14
1:00 p.m. EST Top 10 Reasons to be in Travel -- Right Now
2:30 p.m. EST Trends, Technology and Taking the Lead
4:00 p.m. EST Insights on Family Travel & Summer Deals
Click here to register
This is your opportunity to learn from the industry leaders and executives with our carefully selected educational topics; check out our pavilions to find fantastic deals for your clients; a chance for you to win amazing prizes; and chat with our award-winning editorial staff.
Presentation Schedule:
Day 1, Tuesday, April 14
1:00 p.m. EST Top 10 Reasons to be in Travel -- Right Now
2:30 p.m. EST Trends, Technology and Taking the Lead
4:00 p.m. EST Insights on Family Travel & Summer Deals
Click here to register
Air Sale
West Coast fares from New YorkCity were reduced to $109-$119 each way in a new saleannounced today by Virgin America. The reduced-price flightscost up to $100 less than other airlines' roundtrip fares.The sale includes travel from April 14 to June 10, and Aug.25 to Oct. 14. Tickets must be purchased by April 20, thoughsome of the routes might sell out quickly.Sample fares from JFK (each way):- Las Vegas ... $109-$119*- Los Angeles ... $109-$119*- Orange County ... $109-$119* (service begins April 30)- San Diego ... $109-$119*- San Francisco ... $109-$119*- Seattle ... $109-$119**$119 is for travel on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunda
Become a USVI Specialist
Learn how to effectively communicate what America’s Caribbean has to offer for your clients.
What are the benefits of becoming a certified USVI Specialist? 
Opportunity to win an all-inclusive trip to the USVI
Be eligible to benefit from the USVI Rewards Program
Priority invitation to in-market events (when available)
Eligible to receive 2 CEU's with the Travel Institute
Opportunity to win an all-inclusive trip to the USVI
Be eligible to benefit from the USVI Rewards Program
Priority invitation to in-market events (when available)
Eligible to receive 2 CEU's with the Travel Institute
Click here to become a USVI Specialist
Monday
Sandals to Offer FREE Travel Agent School
Beginning April 21, not only is Sandals Resorts International (SRI) reaching out to home based travel agents through a multi-city North American tour, but the resort company will also be hosting Certified Sandals Specialist (CSS) travel agent school on-site at Beaches Turks & Caicos’ new Italian Village, while offering agents exclusive incentives of up to $4,000.
Available from Philadelphia, Toronto, Chicago and Atlanta during select dates in April, May and June for just $149 per person (including taxes and transportation on private charter plane), the two-day getaways include the opportunity to experience Beaches Turks & Caicos’ new Italian Village, from its 162 family suites and retail area to its five additional restaurants and expanded Pirate’s Island Waterpark; participate in exclusive events including a White Party in the new Pirate’s Island Waterpark and a sail-away on the Kitty Katt, Beaches’ exclusive catamaran; fly on a private charter flight direct to Providenciales; plus become a Certified Sandals Specialist
Home based travel agents who attend are also eligible to receive exclusive incentives offered by both Unique Vacations, Inc. (worldwide sales and marketing representatives of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts) and participating tour operators.
Agents who book a Luxury Included vacation within 60 days of attending a workshop can receive up to $1,500 ($100 for each concierge-level room and $200 for each butler-level rooms), while tour operators will additionally offer bonuses of up to $2,400 to participating agents.
Upcoming dates and departing airports for the on-site training opportunities include: April 21 to 22, private charter airfare from Chicago (ORD); April 28 to 29, private charter airfare from Philadelphia (PHL); May 26 to 27, private charter airfare from Philadelphia (PHL); June 2 to 3, private charter airfare from Atlanta (ATL); and June 9 to 10, private charter airfare from Toronto (YYZ). For more information, visit www.sandals.com/tas.
Available from Philadelphia, Toronto, Chicago and Atlanta during select dates in April, May and June for just $149 per person (including taxes and transportation on private charter plane), the two-day getaways include the opportunity to experience Beaches Turks & Caicos’ new Italian Village, from its 162 family suites and retail area to its five additional restaurants and expanded Pirate’s Island Waterpark; participate in exclusive events including a White Party in the new Pirate’s Island Waterpark and a sail-away on the Kitty Katt, Beaches’ exclusive catamaran; fly on a private charter flight direct to Providenciales; plus become a Certified Sandals Specialist
Home based travel agents who attend are also eligible to receive exclusive incentives offered by both Unique Vacations, Inc. (worldwide sales and marketing representatives of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts) and participating tour operators.
Agents who book a Luxury Included vacation within 60 days of attending a workshop can receive up to $1,500 ($100 for each concierge-level room and $200 for each butler-level rooms), while tour operators will additionally offer bonuses of up to $2,400 to participating agents.
Upcoming dates and departing airports for the on-site training opportunities include: April 21 to 22, private charter airfare from Chicago (ORD); April 28 to 29, private charter airfare from Philadelphia (PHL); May 26 to 27, private charter airfare from Philadelphia (PHL); June 2 to 3, private charter airfare from Atlanta (ATL); and June 9 to 10, private charter airfare from Toronto (YYZ). For more information, visit www.sandals.com/tas.
Travel Agent Appreciation Month
Royal Caribbean International announced enhanced programs as part of its Travel Agent Appreciation Month, including new fam weekends and enhancements to the University of WOW! training program.
We are offering Travel Agent Appreciation promotions in April, such as travel agent rates of 25 percent off, and two additional Group Amenities Plus points on many itineraries from September 2009 onwards
New eConnect enhancements help travel agents create interactive and personalized eQuotes. EQuotes include travel agency details and logo, pricing, send-to-a-friend functionality and now single, triple, and quad pricing in a professional design that agents can send directly to their clients from www.CruisingPower.com.
In addition, new Royal Caribbean webinars will feature advanced topics such as using CruiseMatch, developing and selling themed cruises, and strategies during economic downturns. All webinars are archived so travel agents can access the informative sessions at their convenience or return to a past session to review when needed. Webinars are scheduled every month.
Royal Caribbean’s new fam weekends will help time-strapped travel professionals experience the cruise line without actually taking a cruise. Fam weekends bring travel agents to port cities throughout the country to meet with executives, learn more about the cruise line, and tour ships. A nominal participation fee covers the cost of transfers, lodging, and most meals during the weekend.
For more information, call 800-327-2056 or visit www.cruisingpower.com.
We are offering Travel Agent Appreciation promotions in April, such as travel agent rates of 25 percent off, and two additional Group Amenities Plus points on many itineraries from September 2009 onwards
New eConnect enhancements help travel agents create interactive and personalized eQuotes. EQuotes include travel agency details and logo, pricing, send-to-a-friend functionality and now single, triple, and quad pricing in a professional design that agents can send directly to their clients from www.CruisingPower.com.
In addition, new Royal Caribbean webinars will feature advanced topics such as using CruiseMatch, developing and selling themed cruises, and strategies during economic downturns. All webinars are archived so travel agents can access the informative sessions at their convenience or return to a past session to review when needed. Webinars are scheduled every month.
Royal Caribbean’s new fam weekends will help time-strapped travel professionals experience the cruise line without actually taking a cruise. Fam weekends bring travel agents to port cities throughout the country to meet with executives, learn more about the cruise line, and tour ships. A nominal participation fee covers the cost of transfers, lodging, and most meals during the weekend.
For more information, call 800-327-2056 or visit www.cruisingpower.com.
Book Your Inaugural MSC Poesia Caribbean Season
Enjoy all of the benefits that MSC Cruises offers you and your clients! Simplified Mega-category pricing means that your clients receive the best available stateroom within a category (interior, oceanview, etc.) at the time of booking. This coupled with our standard policy of kids 17 and younger sail free with MSC allows you to provide your clients the value they seek.
Your hard work and dedication is rewarded. Group commissions begin at 15% and go up to 18% with an additional 10% commission paid on airfare, pre-booked shore excursions, spa packages, and pre/post stays. Up to $50 pp shipboard credits. Points for additional amenities Free Motorcoach (10 night sailings ) Dedicated travel agent website (www.msccruisesagent.com) MSC Rewards True Partner Loyalty Club. These are just some of the benefits of booking your groups with MSC.
Your hard work and dedication is rewarded. Group commissions begin at 15% and go up to 18% with an additional 10% commission paid on airfare, pre-booked shore excursions, spa packages, and pre/post stays. Up to $50 pp shipboard credits. Points for additional amenities Free Motorcoach (10 night sailings ) Dedicated travel agent website (www.msccruisesagent.com) MSC Rewards True Partner Loyalty Club. These are just some of the benefits of booking your groups with MSC.
Friday
Mysteries & Magic of Egypt Webinar
Egypt is much more than Pyramids and monuments. It is also Red Sea scuba diving, hot night spots, luxury hotels and five star restaurants. It is romantic cruises down the Nile on festive river boats and it is a cultural experience. Egypt is a land bustling with life, sound, visual beauty and excitement.
Join our AfricaExperts webinar to learn 'what's new' for 2009 and discover for yourself how exotic and rewarding selling Egypt by Goway can be. Click Here
Join our AfricaExperts webinar to learn 'what's new' for 2009 and discover for yourself how exotic and rewarding selling Egypt by Goway can be. Click Here
Thursday
Agentnet.com Adds Royal Caribbean to Vignettes
Agentnet.com said Royal Caribbean International will join its concierge-hosted Vacation Vignettes program, now representing more than 100 exclusive sailings for the year. Vacation Vignettes are a select group of sailings with value-added amenities offered exclusively through agents.
Dearture features the services of a concierge host, a “Bon Voyage” cocktail reception and an exclusive shore event. The four itineraries from RCI include a 14-night South America, 10-night Caribbean and Panama Canal, 10-night Canary Islands and Morocco and seven-night Classic Mediterranean. The exclusive shore events range from a Special City Tour of Punta Arenas to a Sloth Sanctuary and Canoe Adventure.
It is only through Vacation Vignettes that consumers would have access to these unique cultural experiences. RCI’s inclusion in the program bolsters an impressive lineup that includes Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Viking River Cruises and Windstar Cruises
Dearture features the services of a concierge host, a “Bon Voyage” cocktail reception and an exclusive shore event. The four itineraries from RCI include a 14-night South America, 10-night Caribbean and Panama Canal, 10-night Canary Islands and Morocco and seven-night Classic Mediterranean. The exclusive shore events range from a Special City Tour of Punta Arenas to a Sloth Sanctuary and Canoe Adventure.
It is only through Vacation Vignettes that consumers would have access to these unique cultural experiences. RCI’s inclusion in the program bolsters an impressive lineup that includes Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Viking River Cruises and Windstar Cruises
Free Training in Meetings & Events
American Marketing Group, is conducting free training for home based travel agents in the lucrative meeting and events business. The seminars will take place over the coming weeks to provide agents with the end-to-end strategies, resources and education they need to successfully capture this market segment.
Travel agents have the opportunity to increase their revenue potential by learning meeting planning skills through hands-on demonstrations, all without ever having to leave their offices.
The next sessions are scheduled for April 9 and April 30. Launched last year, Acclaim Meetings is a travel agency marketing organization dedicated exclusively to the meeting and events business. The group provides the strategies, services, resources and training to help home based travel agents begin or increase their meeting and events planning services.
For more information, call 303-876-4111 or email info@acclaimmeetings.com.
Travel agents have the opportunity to increase their revenue potential by learning meeting planning skills through hands-on demonstrations, all without ever having to leave their offices.
The next sessions are scheduled for April 9 and April 30. Launched last year, Acclaim Meetings is a travel agency marketing organization dedicated exclusively to the meeting and events business. The group provides the strategies, services, resources and training to help home based travel agents begin or increase their meeting and events planning services.
For more information, call 303-876-4111 or email info@acclaimmeetings.com.
Wednesday
EZGuider Adds Viking River Cruises & Tours
EZ Guider is now offering real-time cabin pricing and booking capabilities for both Viking River Cruises and Viking Tours directly through EZguider. “There is not a more complete leisure platform in the marketplace than EZguider, which is free of charge to our members.
EZguider is currently the only option for agents to book Viking products online. In addition to Viking, the EZguider platform includes most major cruise lines, numerous tour operators, third-party insurance providers and in the coming months, scheduled airline booking capabilities.
There will be over 75 suppliers available to our members on EZguider. Agents can visit www.EZguider.net to learn more about the leisure-selling tool.
EZguider is currently the only option for agents to book Viking products online. In addition to Viking, the EZguider platform includes most major cruise lines, numerous tour operators, third-party insurance providers and in the coming months, scheduled airline booking capabilities.
There will be over 75 suppliers available to our members on EZguider. Agents can visit www.EZguider.net to learn more about the leisure-selling tool.
River Cruise Specialist Program
Uniworld's home based travel agent course offers special benefits for graduates. Upon completing the program, the agent earns the opportunity for complimentary cruises, special travel agent rates, bonus commissions, client referral program, booking contests, marketing collateral and savings and/or promotions on selected departures.
The educational portion has been enhanced and is broken into seven modules. The first two modules outline river cruising in general, while the following modules focus on ships and in-depth 2009 product information.
This comprehensive program provides home based travel agents with the knowledge and sales tools essential to promoting and selling the growing market of river cruising. We know that in the current environment, it is vital to sell harder and smarter in order to maintain a solid business.
It is our intent to give our travel partners the tools needed to achieve this goal.” For more information, call 800-733-7820 or visit www.uniworld.com/agency.
The educational portion has been enhanced and is broken into seven modules. The first two modules outline river cruising in general, while the following modules focus on ships and in-depth 2009 product information.
This comprehensive program provides home based travel agents with the knowledge and sales tools essential to promoting and selling the growing market of river cruising. We know that in the current environment, it is vital to sell harder and smarter in order to maintain a solid business.
It is our intent to give our travel partners the tools needed to achieve this goal.” For more information, call 800-733-7820 or visit www.uniworld.com/agency.
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