| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 22/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 26 |
| Copyright: Other |
Airtours/Carnival add WestCoast
AIRTOURS and Carnival Cruise Line have launched US West Coast cruises to their joint UK programme for the first time.Carnival Elation, which operates cruises out of Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, has been included in the newly published summer 2001 Cruise and Stay brochure.
Prices start at £959 for a 14-night flydrive/cruise holiday, and £1,269 for a 14-night trip including a stay in Las Vegas.
Carnival UK sales and marketing director Lynn Narraway said: “This is the first time Airtours has done cruises on the West Coast. The company told me its California programme had done well last year and we thought it was time to expand the product.”
She believes that Airtours will generate 10,000 bookings for Carnival next year, compared to a forecast of 6,000 for this year. Meanwhile, Carnival is trying to boost its group business by encouraging agents to take an allocation and sell it off either to separate couples or to a larger party.
Narraway claims agents can boost business by promoting cruising to big families, sports and hobby clubs.
“I really feel Carnival has a good opportunity to increase its groups business,” she said. “A lot of people go to Florida in groups, particularly largefamilies.”
Carnival has launched a special groups offer for September departures on Carnival Sensation, which allows every sixth person in a party to sail for free.