travel agent professional feb. 2013

Travel AgentProfessional

February 2013Issue 22

Britain’s Travel

Buzz Goes On

‘The New Mary Rose Museum

Alongside HMS Victory’

www.autoeurope.com

http://issuu.com/action/page?page=16




1

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Ad In

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64 Britain’s Travel Buzz Goes On

ByPaullTickner

68 Look to the Rainbow

ByScottKoepf

VicePresidentofSalesAvoyaTravel/AmericanExpress

12 Disaster Comes In Many Forms

ByLes-LeeRoland

OwnerofThePackageDeal

16 10 Reasons Why!

I like Holland America LineBySherryLaskin

TravelWriter/NACTAWebinarModerator

ShowcaseAvoya Travel® ...............................................15

Travelsavers ...................................................22

February

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February 2013Issue 22

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Cover Art:

‘The New Mary Rose Museum Alongside HMS Victory’

Amadeus ......................................IFCAvoya Travel/American Express.......7Britain Greatdays .........................IBCHostTravelAgency.com ...................9

Oasis .............................................14Royal Caribbean Line ....................BCTravelsavers.....................................3Travel Experts, Inc. ........................11

January 2013 Issue 21

Travel Agent Professional has its roots in Home Based Trade, the firstmagazine of its kind, started by Joel Abels in 2004. Joel and Lenore Abelsran Travel Trade for nearly half a century – it was started by her grandfa-ther, John S. Lewis, and her father, Sidney Lewis, in 1929, and they tookthe publication over after her grandfather’s passing.

Under Joel’s direction, the company grew to be one of the travel agentindustry’s leading publications, reaching more than 45,000 agentsthroughout North America. It spawned a famous series of trade showsand three monthly magazines – Cruise Trade, Tour Trade and HomeBased Trade.

The Abels also garnered enormous respect – Joel received the NealAward, called “the Pulitzer Prize of the business press,” for his hard-hit-ting editorials.

On a personal note, after working with Joel for over a decade and stay-ing with him until the end, I grew to truly care for and respect the man.He was like a second father to me. Joel was old school, he stood by hisword and believed in his work. There will never be another.

While nobody can replace this industry legend, we’re hoping thatthis new publication, which reunites the original Home Based Tradeeditorial board, will be able to carry on his passion for travel andthose who sell it.

Ann M. Hoek

Travel Agent ProfessionalP.O. Box 120198

Staten Island, NY 10312E-mail:

[email protected]:

718.360.3153

Ann M. HoekPublisher/Creative Design

[email protected]

Bonnie WallingEditor

[email protected]

Alan CohenVice President marketing

[email protected]

Meet Our Editorial Board

Mitchell J. SchlesingerVice President, Sales & Marketing

Voyages to Antiquitywww.voyagestoantiquity.com

Rusty Pickett, ECCShellback Cruises

www.shellbackcruises.com

Les-Lee RolandOwner of The Package Deal

Scott KoepfVice President of Sales

Avoya Travel/America’s Vacation Center

www.joinavoya.com/default.cfm?ref=11583

Sherry Laskin, ACCTravel Writer/NACTA Webinar Moderator

www.cruisemaven.com

Paull Tickner,Creator of Special Interest Britain

[email protected]

Sue Sh apiro, PresidentShapiro Travel [email protected]

www.shapirotravelresources.com

Joel M. Abels Legend In the Travel Industry

April 1927 to January 2007

January 2013

This online magazine is dedicated to the memory of Joel Abels, Travel Trade's editor andpublisher. Joel and his life's work may be gone, but with your help it can live on.

Travel AgentProfessional

Over 40 years of travel industry success Full staff of personal business consultants Unique protected territory system Excellent preferred supplier relationships Award-winning suite of marketing programs Social media tools Powerful technology solutions Proprietary cruise booking engine Website and mobile solutions Meeting and incentive resources Hotel program with rich amenities A full suite of corporate travel solutions Over 19 travel brands servicing you daily

We invite you to learn more about why our

The TRAVELSAVERS Difference.

Februray 2013

By Paull Tickner

Paull Tickner, creator of Special Interest Britain, is affiliated with the Greatdays Travel Group. For over 30 years, he has been developing

and operating customized niche travel programs for the United Kingdom and Ireland. For more information, visit his Web site at

www.greatdays.co.uk and E-mail him at [email protected]

There is still plenty of travel buzz

about Britain. True, the Queen’s

Diamond Jubilee, the Olympic and

Paralympics Games and the Beatles’

50th anniversary, gave Britain

extensive coverage last year.

However, the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty’s

Coronation and the arrival of the royal baby are

still to come — though I believe it is the continu-

ing popularity of Downton Abbey that’s really

keeping it all going.

Unfortunately, demand for admission tickets

to Highclere Castle — where much of the

show’s action takes place — is making access

nigh on impossible unless you know the right

people. (I happen to be one of them.)

It’s relatively easy to put together a conventional

U.K. tour, but why not be more creative with your

offerings and make a name for yourself as the local

travel agent who keeps coming up with Britain-

bound bright ideas?

4Britain’s Travel

Buzz Goes On

From Royals to Beatles to Downton Abbey,

5

For example, for families travelling across the

pond in July and August, offer them a London/Paris

combination, which includes all the must-do sight-

seeing in both capitals, a side trip to The Making of

Harry Potter in England, an adventure on the

Eurostar and Disneyland Paris.

With so much to see in London, to get the most

out of their short time over here, you might sug-

gest they plan some of their days around a theme.

For example:Royal London, courtesy of the Fat Tire Bike

Company. I’d no idea you could see and do so

much by using the Royal Parks and other official

cycle routes, all under the watchful eye of an

entertaining tour guide who’s also on a bike!

Military London, which might bring together

the Cabinet War Rooms, the Household Cavalry

Museum and the Royal Mews;

Dramatic London, with a tour of

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, an actor-led tour of

the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and an evening per-

formance of the hit musical Mathilda;

Discovering the Thames, highlighted by a

roundtrip river cruise and a visit to the National

Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

If you’re based in London for 6-7 nights, let the

train take the strain and give you longer stays in

cities such as:

Salisbury, where you can pick up a circular tour

from the station that takes you to Stonehenge, Old

Sarum and Salisbury Cathedral. You can stay as

long as you like at each place because another bus

will along shortly;

Bath, where the City Sightseeing open top bus

picks up from the station and acts as your ‘taxi’ for

visits to the Roman Baths, the Jane Austen Centre

and other attractions;

Oxford, another city on the list for Harry Potter

fans which also has connections to Alice in

Wonderland and J.R.R. Tolkien;

Portsmouth and the Historic Dockyard,

a must for anyone who likes clambering over his-

toric ships and is interested in 600 years of mar-

itime history.

None of these journeys is difficult. The trains run

frequently, are very easy to deal with and, more

importantly, give your customers much more time

to see and enjoy their chosen destinations. Your

clients dictate the timetable — no tour operators

ordering them to get back on the bus.

(continued on page 20)

Travel Agent Professional

Highclere Castle

Lindisfarne Gospels Durham 1 July to 30 September


In addition, it’s still not too late for

garden-loving clients to take a cus-

tomized tour to the Centenary

Chelsea Flower Show (May 21-25).

Four-star London accommodations

are very scarce at this time, but can

still be found!

Oxford is observing the 50th

anniversary of the passing of C.S.

Lewis, Durham is hosting an amazing exhibition of the Lindisfarne

Gospels from July 1 to Sept. 30 and the Chester Mystery Plays are being

staged in the Cathedral from June 26 to July 13 — and will not be per-

formed again until the summer of 2018.

Railway buffs are getting all steamed up about the unique bringing

together of the six remaining and majestic Mallard Class steam locos at

the National Railway Museum in York.

Liverpool will be celebrating more Beatles anniversaries this year, along

with its annual Mathew Street Music Festival (Aug. 26-27), Europe’s

largest Beatles event.

With the improved exchange rate, shopping is back on the agenda (the

pound was worth U.S. $1.56 on Valentine’s Day). For example, visitors to

Manchester can plan a Girls’ Getaway to china — the breakable kind —

and hunt down internationally known brands such as Wedgwood, Spode,

Portmeirion and Royal Doulton. (Nonstop flights to Manchester are

available from Atlanta, Chicago, Newark, JFK, Philadelphia and

Washington, DC.)

Finally, for a truly memorable England experience of real ales, sensibly

priced menus and charming cozy bedrooms in picture perfect surround-

ings, find out about some new Country Pub based tours. You can sell

these not only as customized land-only tours, but also as pre- and post-

cruise extensions.

So, capitalize on the continuing buzz about Britain. Consider taking Visit

Britain’s BritAgent online course and be more imaginative with your pro-

posals to England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Februray 2013

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By Scott Koepf

Februray 2013

Scott KoepfVP of Sales Avoya Travel/American Express

www.JoinAvoya.com

8 Look to theRainbow

For years, there have been many

pundits who have predicted the

demise of travel agents. Many of

these same clairvoyants have

claimed that they lead companies

that hold the secret to success. It

can be daunting to determine

who to believe and more impor-

tantly who to align yourself with.

This is not a business anyone

should try to conquer alone.

There are excellent consortia,

franchises, and host agencies who

can help you reach your goals

through support and unique ser-

vices. The question is which com-

pany should you make a signifi-

cant commitment to?

The obvious answer, which I have

suggested numerous times, is to

do your research and ask as many

questions as you can possibly think

of. No doubt that will help you

hone in on the right organizations

in terms of what they currently

offer. However, it may not shed

light on where they are going.

When pondering these weighty issues, I turn to the

resource that can bring true clarity: musical theatre. I

believe the lessons we can garner from these entertaining

performances can serve us well in our lives and our busi-

nesses. In this case, it is imperative to understand that

where a company is going may be much more important

than where it is at.

Having sat on innumerable panels over the years, I have

spouted out the features and benefits of my company

alongside my friendly competitors who do the same. When

the panels are done it is clear that we all have solid compa-

nies that provide excellent service and support. So what

then should you look for to help determine the direction

to take with your business?


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Februray 2013

In a word: Leadership. In a song:Look, look

Look to the rainbow.

Follow it over the hill

And the stream.

Look, look

Look to the rainbow.

Follow the fellow

Who follows a dream.

Follow the fellow,

Follow the fellow,

Follow the fellow

Who follows a dream.

Finian’s Rainbow is a musical filled

with fantasy, but it also provides sage

wisdom as to who to follow. In other

words, beyond the programs, educa-

tion and technology, ask about what

the vision is for the company. There

is no shortage of great books on

leadership and when they list the

most valuable traits for a great

leader, usually at the top of the list is

vision. So why “follow the fellow who

follows a dream”? Because vision is a

dream defined.

Look for leadership, & when you find it —“Glory time’s coming for to stay”!

When you look for a company to align with or even who

to listen to for advice, ask them about their vision. All of

your choices and decisions in your business should not be

about today, but where will it take you in the future.

When a leader has vision and can articulate it, then follow-

ing becomes enjoyable and exciting. Another song from this

musical perfectly describes what you can look forward to if

you do indeed, “follow the fellow who follows a dream”!

On that great come and get it day,

Won’t it be fun when worry is done and money is hay.

That’s the time things’ll come your way

On that great, great come and get it day.

Glory time’s comin’ for to stay

“Come and get it” day.

Look for leadership, and when you find it —“Glory time’s coming for to stay”!

Februray 2013

12

Here we go again, another cruise

line disaster. The media coverage is escalating, and

many agents are going to get phone calls asking about safe-

ty, cancelling cruises, and maybe asking when the rates are

going to drop.

By Les-Lee Roland

Les-Lee Roland

Owner of The Package Deal

Disaster Comes

In Many Forms

How many more disasters can Carnival

handle? This is the 3rd fire in recent years, and

along with the Costa Concordia, it affects our

business as well. The Costa accident has certainly

affected the European cruise pricing means

European cruise prices are lower than ever.

In addition, media coverage of that disaster, cou-

pled with the high air flight costs, means cruise

lines have to offer deals in order to fill those

berths. One example is Celebrity’s recent offer-

ing of pre-paid gratuities, $300 onboard credit,

and a beverage package. This can total over

$1,700 per cabin in perks. I don’t know about

you, but my clients don’t spend over $1,200 on

beverages — but that’s the value Celebrity

quotes, and it did work.

The most important message for agents to give to

their clients is percentages. The latest fire affected

4,000 people. That sounds like a lot, and I am cer-

tainly not dismissing what people are going

through. But considering how many thousand

people are cruising throughout the world each

week, this is a rogue happening. It is still the safest

mode of travel.

Your clients may ask you about travel insurance.

Guess what — policies don’t cover what the

Triumph passengers went through, since it’s not

technically an interruption. Carnival is picking up

the tabs for travel delay for return flights, as well

as compensation for this cruise, a future cruise,

some shipboard expenses, as well as an additional

$500 bonus.

Let me compare this to another disaster I recent-

ly experienced with a cruise line — not Carnival. I

define disaster as any serious problem, beyond my

control, but I still have to bear the fallout of it.

Last April, after I escorted eight group leaders on


13

a sailing, I contracted for group space, with meet-

ing areas reserved at designated times, throughout

the cruise. Everything was spelled out. I even

increased the size of the groups, since I sold the

benefits of sailing on this particular cruise line. It’s

known for great service, great food, and wonder-

ful entertainment.

I will say that working with the group department

had been easy. When rates came down for the

sailing, some people were rebooked at the new

rate, while others got upgrades. However, the

people who had booked balconies got nothing.

First complaint!

The second complaint was brought to my atten-

tion 4 days before the sailing, when I asked for a

complete printout of everything, including the

meeting space. That’s when my life was turned

upside down.

I found that the meeting room in my contract — I

emphasize the word “contract” — had been taken

away. Why? Because a full-ship charter was booked

following my sailing, and that company needed the

meeting space.

When I complained about it, I was told there was

small print on the contract stating the cruise line

had the right to change or cancel meeting space as

needed, which they did after they had received all

the final payments. Furthermore, the cruise line

advocate assigned to my account never had the

decency to even call me.

Now my group, along with another agency’s group,

were out in the cold, affecting over 200 people. I

couldn’t get anywhere with the group department,

so I sent panic E-mails to very high people at the

cruise line, begging for help. I immediately got

responses and carbon copies of E-mails they sent

out ordering various departments to work on this

24/7 for the few days left before the sailing. I admit

I was impressed with their taking action.

This, along with an emergency at home, put me

into such distress, that I had to make a Sophie’s

Choice to either not go on the cruise and have

someone else in charge, or keep my commitment

to my clients. I opted for the latter, escorting one

of my three chartered buses, driving the five hours

to the ship, thinking I could work out the problem,

and immediately leave and go back home.

Not too easy. The group coordinator on board

was torn, working with a wedding party, the two

groups being affected by this change, and the

future full ship charter.

Well, the charter won. I never got the contracted

group space. My clients did get an additional ship-

board credit. Some of the events I had scheduled

had to be cancelled. The food was mediocre, the

service in the dining room below what we had

experienced previously from that line.

The clients who paid full rates were very upset

that no compensation was given to them since the

rates were lowered — a lot — after final payment,

Disaster Comes

In Many Forms

(continued on page

14

Februray 2013

and the cruise line no longer protects them.

I wound up sailing with the group — they would

have caused havoc onboard if I had left. No one

booked on the two future group dates I had

arranged in advance. No one even bought future

cruise certificates. When escorting my groups in

the past, I have always had 80% or more in sales

from those certificates.

Even the end of the cruise was deplorable. For dis-

embarking, my clients were assigned a meeting

place so we could all leave together to get onto

our chartered buses. I arrived early to reconfirm

the wheelchairs needed for this elderly group, and

I found the room locked. I was told everyone had

to get off on their own, right away. No wheelchairs

were available. They had to get the ship ready for

the full ship charter.

I am still getting calls with complaints. I have proba-

bly lost a few of these clients. This has affected my

bottom line, my sanity, and my confidence in ever

booking groups with this major cruise line.

This disaster was not due to a fire, lack of food,

smelly halls, and no air conditioning. This was due

to the fact that two agents with over 200 clients

on board meant nothing to the cruise line when a

full ship charter, sailing after us, decided to book

after our contracts were signed.

So much for a cruise line being our partner and lov-

ing to work with travel agents. It is still a disaster.

HO

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Top Travel Agency AwardAvoya Named Overall National Accounts Partner of the Year

Avoya Travel®, one of the leading trav-el companies in North America andbeyond, today announced thatCelebrity Cruises named the companyits 2012 Overall National AccountsPartner of the Year. This is the highestTravel Partner of the Year award givenby Celebrity Cruises. Avoya® receivedthe honor based on the company’sunparalleled sales performance in2012, outstanding customer service,and professional Network ofIndependent Agencies.

“Avoya Travel and its elite Network ofIndependent Agencies is an essentialelement of Celebrity Cruises’ successand they are well-deserving of our topaward,” said Dondra Ritzenthaler,Senior Vice President of Sales forCelebrity Cruises. “Avoya Travel con-tinues to impress us with remarkablesales, customer service, and innova-tion; and we look forward to continu-ing to work together to create extraor-dinary cruise vacation experiences forcustomers around the globe.”

Dondra Ritzenthaler and CrisDeSouza, Channel Strategy Managerfor Celebrity Cruises presented theaward to Avoya Co-Presidents Bradand Van Anderson during the compa-ny’s National Conference inDecember. It is the second time Avoyahas received Celebrity Cruises’Overall National Accounts Partner ofthe Year award, previously being rec-ognized in 2009.

“Avoya focuses on offering uniqueadvantages to its preferred supplierpartners and Network of IndependentAgencies that facilitate greater successas well as provide customers with thebest value and experience possible,”said Brad Anderson. “This award signi-fies Celebrity Cruises’ continued sup-port for their travel agency partnersand on behalf of our Network, we arehonored to be named Overall NationalAccounts Partner of the Year.”

Avoya (www.JoinAvoya.com) has along-standing reputation in the travelindustry for being one of the top-pro-ducing and most innovative travelcompanies worldwide. The companyhas been a part of the AmericanExpress Travel Representative Networkfor 25 years and has an elite Networkof independently owned and operatedtravel agencies.

Avoya has received other notable acco-

lades, including being named ‘TravelAgency of the Year’, by CelebrityCruises, Norwegian Cruise Line,Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean,American Express, Oceania Cruises,MSC Cruises, and Brendan Vacations.Avoya has also been featured for itsgroundbreaking technology, innovativeLive Leads™ program, and leadershipin travel by top industry publications,including Agent @ Home, Travel Agent,Travel Pulse, Travel Weekly, TravelAgeWest, Vacation Agent, and more.

Travel agency owners and profession-als interested in growing their businessshould contact Avoya Travel at 800-

521-2597 or visitwww.JoinAvoya.com. Travelers inter-ested in booking their next vacationwith Avoya Travel, should call 800-

753-1463 or visitwww.AvoyaTravel.com, or for cus-tomers located in Canada, call 866-

935-4051 or visit ca.AvoyaTravel.com.

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Travelers interested in booking their next vacation should call 800-753-1463 or visit www.AvoyaTravel.com. For customers located inCanada, call 866-935-4051 or visit ca.AvoyaTravel.com. Travel agency owners and professionals interested in growing their businessshould contact JoinAvoya at 800-521-2597 or visit www.JoinAvoya.com.

About Avoya Travel

Avoya Travel® (www.JoinAvoya.com) is one of the largest and most awarded

travel companies in North America and beyond. As an American Express

Travel Representative for 25 years, Avoya® is deeply committed to Integrity

and Professionalism™, quality service, and success in every aspect of plan-

ning cruises and vacations. With hundreds of Independent Agencies in its

Network, Avoya provides exclusive discounts, amenities, and first-class cus-

tomer service to travelers worldwide.

January 2013

16I’m often asked what cruise line I like

best…and why. Truth be told, I don’t have a

“favorite” cruise line, but I do have cruise line

favorites. Meaning, each cruise line has its own

unique features and amenities. It is this list of

strengths that enable each cruise line to stand

out from the leisure armada circumnavigating

the globe at any given moment.

I’ve sailed on Holland America ships quite a bit

in the last few months so I’ve been able to

track consistency within a short period of time.

Here goes:10. An Evening at Le Cirque in

The Pinnacle Grill Specialty Restaurant: Under the guidance of Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, Holland

America already has a winner with their award-winning Pinnacle

Grill restaurant aboard all of their fifteen ships. Now, in a new

collaboration with famed restauranteur and founder of Le

Cirque Restaurants, Sirio Macciono, at least one night during a

cruise, the Pinnacle Grill is transformed into an at-sea version of

New York’s legendary Le Cirque restaurant. Every facet of the

dining experience, from menu creations, wine selections, place

settings and the restaurant ambiance all work in together to

recreate a true Le Cirque dining experience. Even the incredible

Crème Brûlée was as close to the real deal at Le Cirque as I

remembered from a few years back. Not to be missed, if it’s in

your budget. $79 per-person for the dinner. Wine is additional.

By Sherry Laskin, A

CC

Sherry LaskinTravel Writer/NACTA Webinar Moderator

www.cruisemaven.com

10 Reasons Why!

17


9. The Traditional Wrap-Around Promenade Deck:

With so many new super-huge ships appearing on the scene, it’s a wonder how the cruise lines manage to

pay for them. One way is to do away with public spaces and install more cabins and more pay-per-use (i.e.

nickel and dime) venues to increase revenue. While that is all lovely and nice and a sure money stream,

it’s nice to see that one cruise line is keeping with seagoing tradition. Holland America Line can boast of

having a wrap-around promenade deck on all of their ships. Not just a narrow outdoor passageway or a

walk-around interjected with mandatory stair climbing. This wrap-around teak deck is as wide and open-

air as promenades were in the days of the grand ocean liners.

10 Reasons Why!


18

Februray 2013

8. On Deck For the Cure:Once on every cruise, passengers can lace

up their walking shoes and participate in the

Susan G. Komen “On Deck for the Cure”

5K fundraising walk. This philanthropic event

takes place where else, but on the beautiful

Promenade. There is no speed record to be

set, and it’s ok not to complete the 3.125

miles. There are water stations along the

way, you don’t have to worry about veering

off course and Rosie Ruiz isn’t there to

short-cut through the doors from one side

of the ship to the other. There are no win-

ners or losers. It’s a great way to donate and

get in some much needed exercise after eat-

ing your way through your cruise. The cost

is $15 and you’ll receive an On Deck for the

Cruise t-shirt and a pink rubber wrist-

band. Holland America will donate at least

75% of the total donation to Susan G.

Komen Foundation.

7. The Neptune Lounge:Everyone likes a little pampering and special

treatment. Suite guests are no different. So

to give the Deluxe Verandah Suite and

Penthouse Verandah Suite guests a place to

call home, Holland America has the exclusive Neptune Lounge just for them. The Neptune Lounge

offers a continental breakfast, snacks, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments at various times of the the day.

There is a large screen television, plush chairs and sofas, a small library and it’s wifi-enabled. Similar in

concept to Royal Caribbean‘s overly popular and at times overly crowded Concierge Lounge for top-

tier past passengers and suite guests. The Neptune Lounge is much more plush and low-key and from

what I observed, has a larger selection of refreshments and light snacks than Royal Caribbean or even

Celebrity. But then again, the Neptune Lounge serves only those in the highest suites, while Royal

Caribbean and Celebrity offer this to a wider range of guests.

19


6. Age Demographic:For years, Holland America has always been thought to cater to the older guest. By older, I mean 65 and

up. And up. Not so true anymore. On a recent Halloween cruise aboard the young Eurodam, the scene

on All Hallo’s Eve looked more like Bourbon Street than a cruise ship. It was a partyer’s haven, but noth-

ing raucous or rambunctious. Just amazingly clever costumes (more than a few Carmen Mirandas) and

good times. Ok…I’ll admit it. I’m getting older with each passing cruise. I like to head back to my cabin

before midnight and get there without staggering and bouncing off of the cabin doors in the hallway. So,

while the demographic for Holland America may seem older than, say, Carnival or Norwegian Cruise

Lines, it depends on the season, the holidays and your frame of mind. I’m tired of hairy chest and belly

flop contests (though they can be fun to watch.) Holland America’s passengers are generally fun, well-

traveled, young at heart and well-mannered and mostly over 50.

5. Bread Pudding:I’m sure there’s something that your mom cooked that to you was the perfect comfort food, time and

time again. Holland America has something similar with the rich and buttery Bread Pudding. Offered

every afternoon at lunch, this is another reason why people enjoy returning to Holland America; for their

favorite comfort food. This infamous and sweet Bread Pudding has been a staple in the Lido Buffet for as

long as I can remember. Presented in a covered tray and accompanied by a slightly warm, light vanilla

sauce, it’s nearly a food group unto itself. (continued on page 20)

20

Februray 2013

4. Signature of Excellence:A $566 million investment to renovate, refurbish and

enhance each and every ship with upgraded plush Euro-

top mattress and high-count cotton bed linens, flat-

screen TVs and bathroom enhancements ranging from

deluxe bathrobes to lighted, magnifying make-up mir-

rors to new shower heads and granite counter tops.

Public areas on some of the older ships now have the

same lounges and show venues as their newer counter-

parts. What were once smaller, boxy public areas (bars,

especially) have been modified and are now more open,

have a wonderful traffic flow and a feeling of spacious-

ness. The new mattresses, called the Mariner Dream

Beds, are as comfy and cozy as the top of the line bed-

ding at any upscale hotel.

3. Cabana Club:This is probably one of my favorite features and it’s only

offered on a couple of Holland America ships. They’ve

gone the extra yard to create a very private area where

you can rent your own cabana for a day or the entire

cruise. There are only maybe a couple of dozen of

these highly sought-after cabanas on the Eurodam and

Nieuw Amsterdam. For only $199/week, you can rent

your own covered shelter on either the pool deck or

overlooking the pool deck. You’ll get bar service, cush-

ioned lounge chairs and a sort-of bed, fresh fruit, bot-

tled water, clean towels and a sense of exclusivity. If

you like to be outdoors but far from the madding

crowd, this is the best deal ever. Think about. You can

book an inside or oceanview stateroom to save money,

and then rent a beautifully designed cabana where you

can spend as much time taking in the sun and sea air as

you’d like to do. This is truly a special feature and one

that you need to reserve either online before you leave

or immediately upon boarding.

21


2. The 48-Hour Rule:That’s my nickname for what I think is a stroke of genius by Holland America. During the first 48-hours

of the cruise, self-service at the Lido Buffet is off-limits to all passengers. You’re not allowed to even pick

up a plate! Everything is handed to you as you request it and then when you reach the end of the buffet

line, you take your plate (or someone can assist) and enjoy your meal. This is such a brilliant idea that I

don’t know why all cruise lines don’t adapt to it. It’s the first 48-hours that’s the crucial incubation time

for Norwalk (norovirus.) By not allowing snotty, soiled hands grabbing the serving utensils or the tantaliz-

ing fruit tart sans tongs, so much of the spreading of germs is certainly avoided.

And, my # 1 favorite reason to sail Holland America?

You Can Get a Full Breakfast from Room Service on Debarkation Morning!: Debarkation morning is

always stressful. Last minute late night packing, organizing and settling accounts and then to trudge up to

the Lido Buffet or sit patiently in the main dining room isn’t my preference. It’s such a relief to put the

hangtag breakfast order on the doorknob at night and know that I can still have a somewhat unfettered

couple of hours in my cabin to enjoy my coffee et al. Eggs, lox and bagels, croissants and fresh OJ and cof-

fee – it’s a full menu, not just a roll, a pat of butter and lukewarm coffee. Saying goodbye to your ship is

tough enough. Having a nice breakfast in your cabin or on the verandah at the end of your cruise eases

the passage from vacation to home.

Februray 2013

TRAVELSAVERS Travel ProfessionalsExplore The Other Side Of The World On A Spectacular

New Zealand Experience

TRAVELSAVERS travel professionals from the US and Canada recently enjoyed an 8 day educational expe-rience through New Zealand. Sponsored by Tourism New Zealand, ATEED, Destination Queenstown,Northland, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism and Rotorua Tourism, the 16 Canadianand US TRAVELSAVERS travel professionals in attendance experienced many ofthe very best sights, sounds and experiences the country has to offer.

From left to right: Joan MacKenzie, TRAVELSAVERS, Paul Goetz, Preston Travel,Doris Stephenson, Vista Travel, Ken Stewart, Crowfoot Travel

Participants arrived via Air New Zealand and kicked off the FAM with a few daysin Auckland before splitting up into two groups. The groups enjoyed accommoda-tions at Novotel Auckland Airport Hotel, SKYCITY Hotel, Great Sights on Ipipiri,Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands, Millennium Hotel Rotorua, Crown PlazaQueenstown and Millbrook Resort. Trip highlights included:

North IslandGuided tour - Auckland War Memorial MuseumSky Tower Walk/Jump – SkyCity Hotel, AucklandAmerica’s Cup Match Racing - Explore New Zealand, AucklandWaiheke Island Wine Tour - FullersIpipiri overnight cruise - Fullers GreatSights, Bay of IslandsCopthorne Hotel Restaurant – Waitangi Treaty groundInteractive, cultural - Taiamai Tours & Heritage Journey, Bay of IslandsHobbiton Movie Set Tour, Waikato regionVolcanic Air Safari, RotoruaEco Thermal Tour - Elite Adventures, RotoruaNative forest zip line tour - Rotorua Canopy ToursRotorua catamaran tour onboard luxury yacht - Pure Sale AwayPolynesian Spa, RotoruaAuthentic Maori dinner/evening show – Te Po - Te Puia, Rotorua

South IslandSkyline Gondola and Luge, QueenstownDart River Jet Safari, QueenstownCruise of Millford Sound fiords – Southern DiscoveriesWine cave and cheesery tour - Gibson Valley WineryLord of the Rings Wakatipu Basin tour - Nomad SafarisMillbrook Resort, 5 star, 4 season, golf and spa resort

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To find out more about how to become part of the TWIN global network, independent travel agencies can visitwww.twintravelmanagement.com, email [email protected], or call 516-624-0500 x5080.

“New Zealand is a spectacular

destination that does an excel-

lent job integrating its culture

into a fun and memorable

vacation,” says Kathryn Mazza-

Burney, Executive Vice

President of Sales and Service

for TRAVELSAVERS. “Travel

professionals can expect to

find something to suit the

tastes of all travelers in New

Zealand, and can be reassured

that their clients will be in

good hands with friendly peo-

ple, breathtaking surroundings

and exceptional experiences.”


Welcome to the exciting world of Special Interest Britain, which will help you to identify, develop and convertuntapped sources of new business into high yield, customised groups, both large and small.

We’re the experts you’ve been looking for if your niche markets include:

• Girls Getaways3-6 night itineraries to London, Bath & the Cotswolds; quilting, embroidery and needlework.

• Gardens, Stately Homes and CastlesGarden clubs; herb, rose and other specialist societies; Master Gardeners; flower arrangers.

• Literary BritainRegular and specialist bookstores for murder/mystery; friends of libraries; English teachers.

• The Performing ArtsFund raisers for friends of the theatre, symphony, and opera; Gilbert and Sullivan societies.

• The Visual ArtsMuseums and art galleries; watercolour painters; continuing education college.

• Christian Heritage Episcopal, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian choirs and congregations.

• Family travelTailor made itineraries to London and the countryside.

• Pre and post cruise extensionsAdd-ons for Southampton, Dover and Harwich arrivals and departures

• The Great OutdoorsGolf, cycling, walking, steam train enthusiasts.

For over 35 years, we’ve been gaining EXPERIENCE through designing and operating oftencomplex tailor made programmes and we have acquired an almost encyclopedicKNOWLEDGE of Britain, both on and off the beaten track. We also have a very long list ofUK/Ireland CONNECTIONS who deliver those special touches to your chosen itineraries, andsome GREAT RATES thanks to our handling over 80,000 passengers each year.

Our tours carry three distinctive hall marks:

• They TRAVEL LESS so that your customers can SEE MORE

• Are enhanced by memorable VALUE ADDED EXPERIENCES

• Are often for SMALL GROUPS of 15-20 people

As everything we do is designed to meet your client’s interests, time frame and budget, let’sstart talking about how we can help you to harness the potential from your chosen nichemarket(s).

For further information please email: [email protected]

Greatdays UK Incomingwhere travel agents ALWAYS come first

Offices in London and Manchester, Great Britain Tel: +44 161 928 9286 Fax: +44 161 928 9911 www.greatdays.co.uk

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