Cruising with the Big Kids
Looking for an easy way to appeal to teens traveling with their families? Cruises have something for every age group—including those who will be taking advantage of neither the swim-up bar nor the babysitting camp.
Royal Caribbean’s Voyager- and Freedom-class ships offer teen toga parties, sports tournaments and activities for ‘tweens and teens (so the middle school kids won’t annoy their much more sophisticated high school counterparts). Carnival’s Liberty, Splendor and Freedom lines feature teens-only mixers and disco parties, teen spa services and shore excursions for the 13- to 18 year-old crowd. Meanwhile, a number of Princess ships have teen-dedicated facilities that include video arcades and pools devoid of swim-diapers and baby sisters.
The Sweet Suite Life
Fun times at a hotel don’t have to involve a subsequent grounding for bad behavior. Several hotels now offer teen-centered activities that will keep kids so busy and entertained they won’t even bother trying to use 29-year-old cousin Maggie’s expired driver’s license at the lobby lounge when their parents aren’t looking.
A number of Loews properties offer everything from “Teen Bars” (stocked with delicacies designed with underage palettes in mind) and etiquette classes to teen-focused vacation packages, which vary in price and features according to location. At Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego, “My Super Suite Vacation” (starting at $2,000) includes a two-night stay, two spa treatments in the resort’s Teen Spa Room (designed for Loews by Pottery Barn’s PBteen) and private surfing lessons on surfboards that are custom-designed for each teen to take home.
Meanwhile, several Ritz-Carlton properties offer a “teen concierge” and teen-friendly activities including surf lessons, a DJ booth and bike hikes. The Naples property is fully wired with a state-of-the-art entertainment lounge with Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Sony Playstation 3 systems hooked up to 40-inch TVs. For teens more concerned about the environment than interactive entertainment, the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna-Niguel offers an Ambassador Youth Program with ecological expeditions to Southern California’s kelp beds and other natural wonders led by expert naturalists.
Give It the Old College Try
If your kids are in high school, surely the big question of “what happens next” is looming large. Rather than make college tours a rushed, stressful experience, encourage they spend a week touring a region dotted with prospective universities and take in the shopping, restaurants, museums and tours in between. Between Philadelphia’s University of Pennsylvania and Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, Ivy League prospects can delight in everything from Pat’s Cheesesteaks in South Philly to the gorgeous architecture of Providence, R.I. and the natural landscapes of New England.
Seeking a smaller student body? Small liberal arts colleges are often tucked away in quaint little towns with B&Bs, spas and adorable shops (think Vassar College’s Poughkeepsie, NY; Middlebury College’s small-town Vermont; Oberlin College’s little slice of Ohio paradise). Meanwhile, California dreamers can have a blast touring Northern California (surely parents can sneak in a trip to Sonoma after touring Stanford), soaking up the beaches in San Diego or cheering on the Banana Slugs at UC Santa Cruz.
Hot Child in the City
Cities can be the best place for a family traveling with teens. Whether you send families to Manhattan, Chicago, Vancouver—or overseas, to London, Paris or Rome—you can bank on shopping, museums, shows, tours, sport events and other activities offering teenagers plenty of entertainment, stimulation—and even a little education.
Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. Earn extra income and travel the world for pennies on the dollar. Check out our FREE travel School at http://www.HomeBasedTravelAgents.org
Learn How to Become A Travel Agent... Open your own Home Based Travel Agency
Thursday
Wednesday
Carnival Cruise Group News
A reminder that for Group or Individual (FIT) bookings, it is important to submit payments (the required deposits or final balance) to avoid cancellations and the need to re-book the space at a possibly higher rate due to demand on the sailing. Please ensure the required payments on Group or FIT bookings are always submitted in a timely manner.
Coming very shortly, our reservations system will automatically cancel bookings for both FIT and Groups that are held with less than the required amount.
As a refresher, here are some helpful tips about Carnival’s required payments:
FIT bookings require full per-person deposits within 48 hours of booking but we suggest that you secure deposit at time of booking.
Early Saver bookings, which offer our lowest fares and price protection, ALWAYS require the full per-person non-refundable deposit at the time of booking.
Group bookings require initial deposit (within 30 days of booking) and subsequent second deposits (not less than 5 months prior to sailing) to hold the cabin requests.
Group cabins that are berthed require the full per-person deposit to avoid cancellation.
Once a group cabin is berthed into an actual cabin number or TBA basis, funds held at the group level must be transferred to the cabin level to fulfill the required per-person deposit or a credit card payment may be made on that specific cabin.
Final balances must be received by the final payment date.
Any bookings that are cancelled and subsequently reinstated will be subject to prevailing rates and applicable cancellation penalties.
We appreciate your help in securing the required deposits from your clients at time of booking. This will offer them the best selection of cabins and confirm their dining preference.
You can manage your groups & individual bookings in the most efficient manner on bookccl.com or any other GDS tools. To learn more, join my webinar series next Monday & Tuesday, July 26 & 27 at 10:30 am (on Monday), 9:30 am (on Tuesday), 2pm or 7pm. Just RSVP to me via email with your desired date/time.
Coming very shortly, our reservations system will automatically cancel bookings for both FIT and Groups that are held with less than the required amount.
As a refresher, here are some helpful tips about Carnival’s required payments:
FIT bookings require full per-person deposits within 48 hours of booking but we suggest that you secure deposit at time of booking.
Early Saver bookings, which offer our lowest fares and price protection, ALWAYS require the full per-person non-refundable deposit at the time of booking.
Group bookings require initial deposit (within 30 days of booking) and subsequent second deposits (not less than 5 months prior to sailing) to hold the cabin requests.
Group cabins that are berthed require the full per-person deposit to avoid cancellation.
Once a group cabin is berthed into an actual cabin number or TBA basis, funds held at the group level must be transferred to the cabin level to fulfill the required per-person deposit or a credit card payment may be made on that specific cabin.
Final balances must be received by the final payment date.
Any bookings that are cancelled and subsequently reinstated will be subject to prevailing rates and applicable cancellation penalties.
We appreciate your help in securing the required deposits from your clients at time of booking. This will offer them the best selection of cabins and confirm their dining preference.
You can manage your groups & individual bookings in the most efficient manner on bookccl.com or any other GDS tools. To learn more, join my webinar series next Monday & Tuesday, July 26 & 27 at 10:30 am (on Monday), 9:30 am (on Tuesday), 2pm or 7pm. Just RSVP to me via email with your desired date/time.
Monday
Travel Agent Training, Become a Certified Sandals Specialist!
Attending a half day workshop is one of the requirements that is necessary to earn this very impressive credential! Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn about Sandals, Beaches, Royal Plantation and Grand Pineapple Resorts!
There are five workshops coming up in Northern California! These Workshops that have been posted online in our travel agent portal at www.sandals.com/tas and are now available to accept RSVP’s. Travel Agents that are interested in attending one of these workshops must RSVP online.
Please keep in mind that workshops on other dates and in other cities will be offered. Workshops are normally posted online approximately 6-8 weeks prior to the workshop date, so if your city is not currently being offered please keep checking our website.
Free travel agent school, learn how to become a travel agent and open your own on line travel agency.
http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/
There are five workshops coming up in Northern California! These Workshops that have been posted online in our travel agent portal at www.sandals.com/tas and are now available to accept RSVP’s. Travel Agents that are interested in attending one of these workshops must RSVP online.
Please keep in mind that workshops on other dates and in other cities will be offered. Workshops are normally posted online approximately 6-8 weeks prior to the workshop date, so if your city is not currently being offered please keep checking our website.
Free travel agent school, learn how to become a travel agent and open your own on line travel agency.
http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org/
Travel Agent Education Program
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) will embark on an aggressive month-long agent Wish You Were Here education series, including 24 local market events from mid-July to mid-August, followed by a 2,000-agent fly-in during the fall.
Both programs give agents an opportunity to learn about Jamaica’s new product offerings and to interact with travel partners. The first event kicked off in Boston on July 12 and culminates in Providence on Thursday, August 12. About 2,000 agents are expected to attend over the course of the series.
“In this challenging economic environment, we are always looking for ways in which to reach new audiences, so that Jamaica remains the destination of choice for U.S. travelers,” said Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch in a written release. “We have exciting product offerings and developments to share, making it easier for our partners to reach new and loyal travel audiences.”
New properties like the Secrets Resort & Spa and The Palmyra, A Solis Resort & Spa join the existing portfolio of hotels, while Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours has been added to Jamaica’s wide range of adventure tourism outfitters. Jamaica’s Montego Bay Convention Centre, which will host CHA Marketplace in January, expands the traveler base into the larger groups and conventions market.
Wish You Were Here Education Series
Each seminar, all of which run from 6-9 p.m., will include an audio/visual presentation, an update on what’s new, Jamaican food and music, as well as an interactive trade show with partner hotels, airlines and attractions. Attendees will also receive a DVD copy of Peter Greenberg’s Hidden Gems of Jamaica, a feature of the island that was filmed last month showcasing its best tourism and cultural offerings. The seminars are all designed so travel agents can hit the ground running with exciting and diverse offerings to their clients
Schedule of Cities
Fall Travel Agent Fly-Ins
The Jamaica Tourist Board is also organizing a series of fly-ins targeting travel agents in the United States and Canada, following two fly-ins that took place end of June. Roughly 2,000 travel agents will be flown to the island to experience and learn first-hand about the new product offerings found in the various resort areas. The fly-ins are part of a campaign to maintain awareness and bookings to Jamaica during the Fall and Winter seasons. The agent program will take place September 10-13, September 17-20, September 24-27 and October 1-4. Interested agents should contact the Jamaica Tourist Board.
Visit http://www.visitjamaica.com/, or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422).
Learn how to become a travel agent http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
Both programs give agents an opportunity to learn about Jamaica’s new product offerings and to interact with travel partners. The first event kicked off in Boston on July 12 and culminates in Providence on Thursday, August 12. About 2,000 agents are expected to attend over the course of the series.
“In this challenging economic environment, we are always looking for ways in which to reach new audiences, so that Jamaica remains the destination of choice for U.S. travelers,” said Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch in a written release. “We have exciting product offerings and developments to share, making it easier for our partners to reach new and loyal travel audiences.”
New properties like the Secrets Resort & Spa and The Palmyra, A Solis Resort & Spa join the existing portfolio of hotels, while Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours has been added to Jamaica’s wide range of adventure tourism outfitters. Jamaica’s Montego Bay Convention Centre, which will host CHA Marketplace in January, expands the traveler base into the larger groups and conventions market.
Wish You Were Here Education Series
Each seminar, all of which run from 6-9 p.m., will include an audio/visual presentation, an update on what’s new, Jamaican food and music, as well as an interactive trade show with partner hotels, airlines and attractions. Attendees will also receive a DVD copy of Peter Greenberg’s Hidden Gems of Jamaica, a feature of the island that was filmed last month showcasing its best tourism and cultural offerings. The seminars are all designed so travel agents can hit the ground running with exciting and diverse offerings to their clients
Schedule of Cities
- Baltimore, July 19 at Pier 5 Hotel
- Arlington, VA, July 20 at Sheraton Crystal City
- Orlando, July 19 at Hilton Orlando Altamont Springs
- Atlanta, July 20 at The Westin Buckhead Atlanta
- Charlotte, NC, July 21 Charlotte Marriott Executive Park
- Houston, July 19 Sheraton Houston Brookhollow
- Dallas, July 20 at The Westin Park Central
- Phoenix, July 21 at Phoenix Airport Marriott
- Denver, July 22 at The Wellshire Inn
- Orange County, CA, July 27 at Irvine Marriott
- Los Angeles, July 28 at Olympic Collection Banquet
- St. Louis, July 20 at Orlando Gardens Banquet
- Chicago, July 21 at Drury Lane
- Detroit, July 22 at Andiamo’s Italiano Banquet Center
- Minneapolis, July 27 at Minneapolis Airport Marriott
- Milwaukee, July 28 at Marriott Milwaukee West
- South Portland, ME, August 9 at Wyndham Portland Hotel
- Nashua, NH, August 10 at Crowne Plaza Nashua
- Worcester, MA, August 11 at The Beechwood Hotel
- Providence, August 12 at Providence Marriott Downtown
Fall Travel Agent Fly-Ins
The Jamaica Tourist Board is also organizing a series of fly-ins targeting travel agents in the United States and Canada, following two fly-ins that took place end of June. Roughly 2,000 travel agents will be flown to the island to experience and learn first-hand about the new product offerings found in the various resort areas. The fly-ins are part of a campaign to maintain awareness and bookings to Jamaica during the Fall and Winter seasons. The agent program will take place September 10-13, September 17-20, September 24-27 and October 1-4. Interested agents should contact the Jamaica Tourist Board.
Visit http://www.visitjamaica.com/, or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422).
Learn how to become a travel agent http://www.homebasedtravelagents.org
Thursday
Travel Leads
TripAtlas PRO is the most comprehensive online platform for travel professionals. Lead generation, online marketing and customer relationship management. All-in-one.
Leads. Lots of 'em.
Access hundreds of travel leads ranging from basic all-inclusive trips to complex, group requests. You choose which leads to respond to. Start with 30 complimentary leads & you receive 10 complimentary leads at the beginning of each month. That's 150 complimentary leads!
Go to http://tripatlas.com/pro
Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. http://www.homebased-travelagents.com/
Leads. Lots of 'em.
Access hundreds of travel leads ranging from basic all-inclusive trips to complex, group requests. You choose which leads to respond to. Start with 30 complimentary leads & you receive 10 complimentary leads at the beginning of each month. That's 150 complimentary leads!
Go to http://tripatlas.com/pro
Learn how to become a travel agent and open your own online travel agency. http://www.homebased-travelagents.com/
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