Service is key to Crystal Cruises
More than one-third of agents (39%) rated service as the most important aspect of the Crystal Cruises’ experience in a survey by the cruiseline. Others rated space (25%), itineraries (21%) and choice (15%). Some 22% of retailers said training was most important when it comes to closing a sale, followed by pre or post-cruise promotions(18%).
Herod launches Voyages to Antiquity
Gerry Herod, founder of Orient Lines and Discovery World Cruises, known as Voyages of Discovery in the UK, is starting a new cruiseline, Voyages to Antiquity. It will be headed in the UK by David Yellow, former Voyages of Discovery managing director. The cruiseline will have one 380-passenger ship, the former Aegean I, which was previously operated by Renaissance Cruises.
Sign up for ship visits
Costa Cruises has ship visits to Costa Atlantica, Costa Luminosa, Costa Magica and Costa Mediterranea next month, when the four vessels will be in Dover or Harwich. During the day there will be a guided visit, a presentation about the company and lunch. To secure a place, contact Costa Cruises at sales@uk.costa.it
Louis Cruises offers winter in the Med
Louis Cruises will be offering winter cruises in the Mediterranean for the first time in 2009/10 with the launch of Louis Majesty on December 4. The 1,790-passenger ship, formerly Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Majesty, will be sailing eight and 12-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Genoa or Marseilles. Prices start from £319 per person cruise-only.
ACE promotion pack for Cruise Week
The Association of Cruise Experts has launched an ideas and promotions pack for ACE agents who want to be involved in the second National Cruise Week, from September 20-27. The week is designed to raise consumer awareness of cruising through special promotions and sales events.