Travel Agent Professional February 2013 Issue 22 Britain’s Travel Buzz Goes On ‘The New Mary Rose Museum Alongside HMS Victory’
Mar 19, 2016
Travel AgentProfessional
February 2013Issue 22
Britain’s Travel
Buzz Goes On
‘The New Mary Rose Museum
Alongside HMS Victory’
www.autoeurope.com
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1
Travel Agent Professional TA
P2013
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
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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:
718.360.3153
Ann M. HoekPublisher/Creative Design
Bonnie WallingEditor
Alan CohenVice President marketing
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
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
(continued on page 6)
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?
(continued on page 10)
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10
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”!
Travel Agent Professional
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
Travel Agent Professional
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.
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12y Guide 20
Avoya Travel Wins Celebrity Cruises’
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
Travel Agent Professional
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!
(continued on page 18)
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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
Travel Agent Professional
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.
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Travel Agent Professional
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
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Travel Agent Professional
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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).
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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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