Everyone who has ever cruised more than once dreads the life boat drill. You are relaxing by the pool after checking out your cabin and having your first of many enormous lunches on the ship and you hear these loud sirens and announcements. Go to your cabins- get your life vests and report to your muster station!
Royal Caribbean has been exploring the option of having those life jackets at the muster stations instead of in the cabins. Good idea? Bad idea?
"In his blog about the new Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard Fain said the life vests on the ship will be moved from staterooms to mustering stations on deck. He notes that lifeboat drills that occur at the start of every cruise is “a good safety protocol” but one that “is a royal pain in the ass -- an important pain, but a pain nonetheless.” Under the current system throughout the industry, guests must go back to their staterooms to get their lifejackets before heading for their muster stations. “The lifejackets are uncomfortable and bulky and many guests leave the belt hanging,” Fain wrote. “After the drill, they have to take their lifejackets back to their staterooms. It’s also a time-consuming and difficult process for the crew. All in all, it’s a laborious, uncomfortable, manual process that can actually distract from the important safety purposes for which it was designed.”
On Oasis, Fain said, it was decided to work to improve the process. An automated record-keeping system was designed to track which guests were at muster stations. “The team, however, did not stop here and ended up with a dramatically new process that greatly improves the effectiveness and convenience of the drill,” he wrote. “The team quickly realized that the biggest issue was making the guests return to their staterooms to get the life jackets. But there really is no benefit to making them do this and we intend to get away from this practice. On Oasis, they decided to store the lifejackets at the mustering stations instead of the staterooms. This takes up more space at the mustering stations (lifejackets are very bulky) but we have the space. It also frees up a smidgen more space in every stateroom. The advantages are so overwhelming that you have to wonder why we haven’t done this before.”
Fain said the system is being tested. “Just to make sure this is as big an improvement as it seems, we’ve been running extensive testing on other ships. The universal reaction is that this is a dramatically better system. Among other benefits, it is safer -- the guests can go directly from wherever they are to their muster stations, and we don’t have all of the cross traffic with guests wearing bulky lifejackets. Of course, now everyone wants this on all the ships and we intend to do so as quickly as we can.”
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Complimentary Room Upgrades- how do you get them?
Last month, my husband and I stayed at the Occidental Grand Xcaret. We had booked a low level room because it was actually less expensive to book this room than to request a travel agent rate. After booking the vacation package as a regular consumer (just as what I would do for any of my clients), I emailed my contact at Occidental Resorts and asked for the email address of the general manager. I emailed him and told him I was a travel agent staying at his resort. I asked for a full travel agent site inspection and asked if there was any way that I might be upgraded to their Royal Club (concierge class rooms).
Please realize that we booked at a time when the hotels were still reeling from the aftermath of the swine flu hysteria and no one was traveling to Mexico. The hotels were all relatively empty and they were desperate to get guests to their resorts. The general manager promptly replied that they would be happy to upgrade me. I told my husband not to expect the upgrade but if it did, indeed happen, it would be great. Well, we did get the upgrade to the best suite in the Royal Club. I put a review on Trip Advisor, mentioning the upgrade and have gotten no less than 2 dozen private messages asking for the general manager's name so they can also get the upgrade.
I reply to each and every one that I will not give out the email address since it is for travel agents only and that they should contact their travel agents to assist them in contacting the hotel to alert them of any special requests and ask that the clients be considered for any complimentary upgrades that might be available. That is what I do for my clients but I guess I am not your ordinary travel agent.
My clients have received upgrades based on these emails. I always tell my clients to book the room category that they will be happy with and IF they get upgraded, it will be a pleasant surprise.
Geri and group got upgrade to the 1 bedroom suites at Dreams Punta Cana (then Sunscape the Beach) because I met the manager and emailed him of their arrival.
Jessica and Danny honeymooned at Excellence Riviera Cancun and booked the honeymoon suite. They were upgraded to the Presidential suite!
Two couples went to the same resort and were upgraded to the excellence club rooms. A honeymoon couple went last month and didn't get upgraded but got a corner oceanview junior suite in the excellence club- same category they booked but the best location.
Many of my clients going to Hawaii get upgrades since I have great contacts at many of the resort there.
Can I ever guarantee an upgrade? NO.
Will you have a better chance of an upgrade if you book online? NO
In one article in a travel agent magazine, the writer spoke with many hotel managers who said that they will give a complimentary upgrade to guests who book through travel agents faster than the ones who book on the online booking sites because there will be more loyalty from the guest and travel agent.
Makes sense to me. The morale of the story- book the category of room that you will be ok with and use a travel agent who provides personalized service.
Please realize that we booked at a time when the hotels were still reeling from the aftermath of the swine flu hysteria and no one was traveling to Mexico. The hotels were all relatively empty and they were desperate to get guests to their resorts. The general manager promptly replied that they would be happy to upgrade me. I told my husband not to expect the upgrade but if it did, indeed happen, it would be great. Well, we did get the upgrade to the best suite in the Royal Club. I put a review on Trip Advisor, mentioning the upgrade and have gotten no less than 2 dozen private messages asking for the general manager's name so they can also get the upgrade.
I reply to each and every one that I will not give out the email address since it is for travel agents only and that they should contact their travel agents to assist them in contacting the hotel to alert them of any special requests and ask that the clients be considered for any complimentary upgrades that might be available. That is what I do for my clients but I guess I am not your ordinary travel agent.
My clients have received upgrades based on these emails. I always tell my clients to book the room category that they will be happy with and IF they get upgraded, it will be a pleasant surprise.
Geri and group got upgrade to the 1 bedroom suites at Dreams Punta Cana (then Sunscape the Beach) because I met the manager and emailed him of their arrival.
Jessica and Danny honeymooned at Excellence Riviera Cancun and booked the honeymoon suite. They were upgraded to the Presidential suite!
Two couples went to the same resort and were upgraded to the excellence club rooms. A honeymoon couple went last month and didn't get upgraded but got a corner oceanview junior suite in the excellence club- same category they booked but the best location.
Many of my clients going to Hawaii get upgrades since I have great contacts at many of the resort there.
Can I ever guarantee an upgrade? NO.
Will you have a better chance of an upgrade if you book online? NO
In one article in a travel agent magazine, the writer spoke with many hotel managers who said that they will give a complimentary upgrade to guests who book through travel agents faster than the ones who book on the online booking sites because there will be more loyalty from the guest and travel agent.
Makes sense to me. The morale of the story- book the category of room that you will be ok with and use a travel agent who provides personalized service.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Another Airline Gripe
I don't know why I even bother to write these since every other day, another airline is trying to add on more and higher fees.
This is the latest:
"American Airlines is increasing fees for checked baggage, effective Aug. 14. The changes apply for travel within the United States and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The changes also apply to travelers on American’s regional affiliate, American Eagle, as well as American Connection flights. For tickets purchased on or after the effective date, the first checked bag will be $20 and the charge for a second checked bag will be $30, up from the current charges of $15 and $25, respectively. The current checked bag charges to and from Canada are not changing at this time. AAdvantage Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum as well as oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members are exempt from the fees. Passengers who have bought first and business class or full-fare economy tickets are also exempt. The increased fees do not apply to international flights except for those to and from U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands."
Do the airlines really expect that anyone traveling domestically will not bring luggage with them or will be able to travel with a tiny carry on?
What is next- my guess- charging for the bathrooms, charging to collect trash and next up- additional charge if you want to breathe on the flight.
As I have said numerous times, I would love to be able to work in the travel industry without ever having to deal with airlines but it is hard to get from NYC to Hawaii without flying.
This is the latest:
"American Airlines is increasing fees for checked baggage, effective Aug. 14. The changes apply for travel within the United States and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The changes also apply to travelers on American’s regional affiliate, American Eagle, as well as American Connection flights. For tickets purchased on or after the effective date, the first checked bag will be $20 and the charge for a second checked bag will be $30, up from the current charges of $15 and $25, respectively. The current checked bag charges to and from Canada are not changing at this time. AAdvantage Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum as well as oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members are exempt from the fees. Passengers who have bought first and business class or full-fare economy tickets are also exempt. The increased fees do not apply to international flights except for those to and from U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands."
Do the airlines really expect that anyone traveling domestically will not bring luggage with them or will be able to travel with a tiny carry on?
What is next- my guess- charging for the bathrooms, charging to collect trash and next up- additional charge if you want to breathe on the flight.
As I have said numerous times, I would love to be able to work in the travel industry without ever having to deal with airlines but it is hard to get from NYC to Hawaii without flying.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Why you should book with My Vacation Lady - part 2
These days, everyone is looking for a good price when it comes to their vacation but many times, vacation deals you may see online are not equal and this adds to more confusion and frustration.
A couple of days ago, I took a call from a client who is a first time cruiser. They wanted to try cruising, didn't know anything about the types of cabins, ships or itineraries. We spoke quite a few times and I gave her some options and rough pricing for a couple of different ships and cabins. They ended up booking a balcony cabin on an 8 night cruise out of Baltimore that will hold 4 guests with 2 lower beds, 1 sofa bed and 1 upper berth. The cabin, including taxes and fees, was a good deal less than a similar sailing from NYC and in addition, it came with a $240 on board credit. They liked the price, the ship and the cabin and paid in full yesterday.
I purchased insurance for them at a much lower rate than the cruise line, sent them my first time cruiser's guide, info on each port of call they are visiting, info on the dress code and directions to the cruise pier. They were happy and all was set.
Today, the same client called to tell me that her sister recommended an online website to book the cruise and the price was over $300 less. When I asked what category of cabin they were advertising, all she could tell me was that it was a balcony cabin. I went on the website- one that I never heard of before and saw that yes, they were advertising a balcony guarantee cabin for less money. The category of cabin that they were listing was a BL (in Carnival language- a balcony anywhere on the ship). What my client purchased was a category 8E (6 categories higher).
I tried to explain to this first time cruiser that with a balcony guarantee, you won't necessarily know your cabin # until the day you board, and you won't necessarily know the bedding in the cabin until the same time. Carnival uses roll away beds in some cabins and the cabin that these clients might have gotten on a guarantee basis could have had the 2 lower bed, a sofa bed and a roll away which leaves virtually no room on the floor to walk when that roll away is being used. Since the roll away stores under one of the beds, it also means less room to store your luggage in the cabin. These are the things that the online website doesn't tell you.
Yes, the price looked better but you are not comparing apples to apples. An assigned cabin is a better bet when you want to be sure of the type of bedding, location or category. Can you save a few dollars on a cabin guarantee? Yes, but do you want to chance spending 8 nites in a cabin that is cramped with limited floor space?
When you balance out the on board credit that came with the cabin that I booked for them with the price of the balcony guarantee from the online agency, the difference was less than $10 per day.
With all the deals being emailed to consumers, it can be confusing. We, at My Vacation Lady, will help you sort through the maze of price codes and promotions and help you decide on what will be best for your vacation. If you qualify for promotions, we will be able to get them applied. We provide VALUE plus personalized service- a hard combination to find with the online agencies. We don't charge you to answer questions (yes, some online discounters charge every time you call them) and if we don't know the answer, we will find it for you. You will have some one looking out for your best interests from the minute you begin the planning process until you return home.
Before you jump to book a "special" from an online agency, give us a call to see if you are truly getting the deal you think you are.
A couple of days ago, I took a call from a client who is a first time cruiser. They wanted to try cruising, didn't know anything about the types of cabins, ships or itineraries. We spoke quite a few times and I gave her some options and rough pricing for a couple of different ships and cabins. They ended up booking a balcony cabin on an 8 night cruise out of Baltimore that will hold 4 guests with 2 lower beds, 1 sofa bed and 1 upper berth. The cabin, including taxes and fees, was a good deal less than a similar sailing from NYC and in addition, it came with a $240 on board credit. They liked the price, the ship and the cabin and paid in full yesterday.
I purchased insurance for them at a much lower rate than the cruise line, sent them my first time cruiser's guide, info on each port of call they are visiting, info on the dress code and directions to the cruise pier. They were happy and all was set.
Today, the same client called to tell me that her sister recommended an online website to book the cruise and the price was over $300 less. When I asked what category of cabin they were advertising, all she could tell me was that it was a balcony cabin. I went on the website- one that I never heard of before and saw that yes, they were advertising a balcony guarantee cabin for less money. The category of cabin that they were listing was a BL (in Carnival language- a balcony anywhere on the ship). What my client purchased was a category 8E (6 categories higher).
I tried to explain to this first time cruiser that with a balcony guarantee, you won't necessarily know your cabin # until the day you board, and you won't necessarily know the bedding in the cabin until the same time. Carnival uses roll away beds in some cabins and the cabin that these clients might have gotten on a guarantee basis could have had the 2 lower bed, a sofa bed and a roll away which leaves virtually no room on the floor to walk when that roll away is being used. Since the roll away stores under one of the beds, it also means less room to store your luggage in the cabin. These are the things that the online website doesn't tell you.
Yes, the price looked better but you are not comparing apples to apples. An assigned cabin is a better bet when you want to be sure of the type of bedding, location or category. Can you save a few dollars on a cabin guarantee? Yes, but do you want to chance spending 8 nites in a cabin that is cramped with limited floor space?
When you balance out the on board credit that came with the cabin that I booked for them with the price of the balcony guarantee from the online agency, the difference was less than $10 per day.
With all the deals being emailed to consumers, it can be confusing. We, at My Vacation Lady, will help you sort through the maze of price codes and promotions and help you decide on what will be best for your vacation. If you qualify for promotions, we will be able to get them applied. We provide VALUE plus personalized service- a hard combination to find with the online agencies. We don't charge you to answer questions (yes, some online discounters charge every time you call them) and if we don't know the answer, we will find it for you. You will have some one looking out for your best interests from the minute you begin the planning process until you return home.
Before you jump to book a "special" from an online agency, give us a call to see if you are truly getting the deal you think you are.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Why you should book your vacation with My Vacation Lady- Part 1
There are many ways to book your travel these days and the major online agencies are blasting out specials to you on a minute to minute basis. Wow, some of those specials look so great that they are hard to pass up. Do you really know what you are getting? What if you have a question- do you get an answer from the same person every time? Are you charged for those questions?
One of the benefits of planning your vacation with My Vacation Lady is that you will get VALUE for your travel dollars.
In addition to great pricing, we offer our knowledge and expertise to make sure that you are booking the property, resort, tour or cruise that is right for YOU! We also offer very personalized service and often have INSIDER SECRETS about the property or destination that you will be visiting.
A couple of weeks ago, I put reviews of a property that we stayed at on a couple of different online review sites. Prior to our vacation, I emailed my contact at the resort (as I will do for my clients) to request any complimentary upgrades that might be available, as well as to advise them of our special requests (non smoking room, king bed and we are celebrating our anniversary). We got a fabulous upgraded room, as some of my clients have also experienced on their vacations, as well as a bottle of champagne to celebrate our anniversary.
I received no fewer than 2 dozen requests from people reading those reviews asking for the email address so that they, too, can get upgraded.
I replied to each and every one with the same response. This request should come from your travel professional. I always recommend that my clients book the category of room that they will be happy with since upgrades are never guaranteed.
When you book online on one of the big online agencies or with the hotel or resort directly, there is no one there to personally contact the hotel on your behalf. Your chances of being upgraded to a higher level room category are much smaller than when you book your vacation with a travel professional, like My Vacation Lady, that provides personalized service.
Is "doing it yourself" so much better than using a travel professional?
More reasons to book with My Vacation Lady will follow in the days and weeks to come.
One of the benefits of planning your vacation with My Vacation Lady is that you will get VALUE for your travel dollars.
In addition to great pricing, we offer our knowledge and expertise to make sure that you are booking the property, resort, tour or cruise that is right for YOU! We also offer very personalized service and often have INSIDER SECRETS about the property or destination that you will be visiting.
A couple of weeks ago, I put reviews of a property that we stayed at on a couple of different online review sites. Prior to our vacation, I emailed my contact at the resort (as I will do for my clients) to request any complimentary upgrades that might be available, as well as to advise them of our special requests (non smoking room, king bed and we are celebrating our anniversary). We got a fabulous upgraded room, as some of my clients have also experienced on their vacations, as well as a bottle of champagne to celebrate our anniversary.
I received no fewer than 2 dozen requests from people reading those reviews asking for the email address so that they, too, can get upgraded.
I replied to each and every one with the same response. This request should come from your travel professional. I always recommend that my clients book the category of room that they will be happy with since upgrades are never guaranteed.
When you book online on one of the big online agencies or with the hotel or resort directly, there is no one there to personally contact the hotel on your behalf. Your chances of being upgraded to a higher level room category are much smaller than when you book your vacation with a travel professional, like My Vacation Lady, that provides personalized service.
Is "doing it yourself" so much better than using a travel professional?
More reasons to book with My Vacation Lady will follow in the days and weeks to come.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Celebrity Takes Delivery of the New Equinox
After the first Solstice class cruise ship was delivered in early November, it had a successful winter season in the Caribbean and is now cruising 10 and 11 night Italy and Greek Island cruises in the Mediterranean.
It's first sister ship was delivered to Celebrity this week- only 8 months after the introduction of the Solstice.
"Celebrity Cruises took delivery of the 122,000-ton, 2,850-guest Celebrity Equinox from shipbuilder Meyer Werft at a ceremony in Emshaven, Netherlands. Following inspections, Celebrity Equinox will host a series of promotional activities from Southampton, England, for press, travel agents and other audiences. The ship will be formally named July 29, and will enter service July 31 on an eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise.
Celebrity Equinox features a Lawn Club, a half-acre of real grass; 10 dining venues; AquaClass staterooms offering access to the Mediterranean-influenced restaurant Blu; a hot glass show at sea, presented in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass; and more. Meyer Werft said the ship is eco-friendly, saving about 30 percent of the energy used on similar ships. Energy-efficient components include a photovoltaic system, optimized hull design, an efficient underwater coating and an energy-saving lighting system.
Following the Norwegian Fjords cruise, Equinox will depart Southampton on Aug. 8 on a 10-night “Best of Europe” itinerary to Rome, calling on ports in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Gibraltar. The ship then will sail 13- and 14-night “Ancient Empires” cruises through October, featuring two new ports of call: Haifa and Ashdod, Israel. These voyages also include an overnight stay in Alexandria, Egypt. On Nov. 5, the ship will sail a trans-Atlantic voyage to Fort Lauderdale to begin alternating 10- and 11-night “Ultimate Caribbean” voyages through April 2010. The 11-night voyages will stop in Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. The 10-night sailings visit St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Barbados, Dominica and St. Maarten."
For more information and reservations, contact me at mindy@myvacationlady.com.
It's first sister ship was delivered to Celebrity this week- only 8 months after the introduction of the Solstice.
"Celebrity Cruises took delivery of the 122,000-ton, 2,850-guest Celebrity Equinox from shipbuilder Meyer Werft at a ceremony in Emshaven, Netherlands. Following inspections, Celebrity Equinox will host a series of promotional activities from Southampton, England, for press, travel agents and other audiences. The ship will be formally named July 29, and will enter service July 31 on an eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise.
Celebrity Equinox features a Lawn Club, a half-acre of real grass; 10 dining venues; AquaClass staterooms offering access to the Mediterranean-influenced restaurant Blu; a hot glass show at sea, presented in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass; and more. Meyer Werft said the ship is eco-friendly, saving about 30 percent of the energy used on similar ships. Energy-efficient components include a photovoltaic system, optimized hull design, an efficient underwater coating and an energy-saving lighting system.
Following the Norwegian Fjords cruise, Equinox will depart Southampton on Aug. 8 on a 10-night “Best of Europe” itinerary to Rome, calling on ports in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Gibraltar. The ship then will sail 13- and 14-night “Ancient Empires” cruises through October, featuring two new ports of call: Haifa and Ashdod, Israel. These voyages also include an overnight stay in Alexandria, Egypt. On Nov. 5, the ship will sail a trans-Atlantic voyage to Fort Lauderdale to begin alternating 10- and 11-night “Ultimate Caribbean” voyages through April 2010. The 11-night voyages will stop in Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. The 10-night sailings visit St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Barbados, Dominica and St. Maarten."
For more information and reservations, contact me at mindy@myvacationlady.com.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Tour operators cancelling tours?
2009 has proven to be one of the most frustrating years in the travel business. Between the economy, swine flu, travel alerts and more, travel agents have been working overtime to accommodate clients whose vacation plans needed to be changed.
Now add to the mix- the tour operators are cancelling tours...
This week alone, I have been working on 2 issues involving tours being cancelled. The first is for an elderly client going on a 31 night cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney. They booked a 3 night post cruise tour to the Outback thru Holland America. I received an email on Tuesday saying that the tour was cancelled due to lack of participation. I'm not so sure it was lack of participation or rather Quantas cancelling flights that would make the tour operate smoothly.
The 2nd was from a friend of a client. She booked her Galapagos cruise with an online agency along with a post cruise tour. That tour was cancelled and now she is asking for my help to fill in the week that they now have open since their airfare was pre-arranged. This is much harder since they leave in 2 weeks.
More fun and joy in the life of a travel professional.
Now add to the mix- the tour operators are cancelling tours...
This week alone, I have been working on 2 issues involving tours being cancelled. The first is for an elderly client going on a 31 night cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney. They booked a 3 night post cruise tour to the Outback thru Holland America. I received an email on Tuesday saying that the tour was cancelled due to lack of participation. I'm not so sure it was lack of participation or rather Quantas cancelling flights that would make the tour operate smoothly.
The 2nd was from a friend of a client. She booked her Galapagos cruise with an online agency along with a post cruise tour. That tour was cancelled and now she is asking for my help to fill in the week that they now have open since their airfare was pre-arranged. This is much harder since they leave in 2 weeks.
More fun and joy in the life of a travel professional.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
More Perks of Celebrity Captain's Club Membership
When you sail on Celebrity cruises and get to the Elite Status with Celebrity Cruises, there are many added perks not available to your Captain Club benefits.
"Our Elite members are true cruise aficionados and our most loyal guests. If you're a part of this special group, we're going to bend over backwards to ensure that each and every cruise experience offers you all the recognition and rewards you so richly deserve.
That means unprecedented levels of service, access and rewards. And as part of the new Captain's Club launch, we've added some rich new benefits designed to make your cruise with us even more convenient, exclusive and enjoyable.
For those interested in a quiet haven of their own, Celebrity is pleased to introduce the Captain's Club Lounge at Michael's Club, exclusively for Elite members and their stateroom/suite companions each morning and early evening. This new lounge will offer a casual coffeehouse-style experience from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., with complimentary espressos, teas and other menu items, a variety of reading materials, and, on Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox, wi-fi access. Every evening from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Captain's Club Elite members and their stateroom/suite companions can return to the Lounge to enjoy socializing with fellow members, participate in a wine tasting event, or simply relax and enjoy a quiet, complimentary drink before dinner.
And this is only the beginning. So come aboard, and let us remind you once again how much our most loyal members mean to us.
Elite Member Benefits (*After 10 earned tier credits)
Existing Benefits
• Complimentary use of the Loyalty Desk member service center between cruises
• Complimentary access to the onboard Loyalty Host during your cruise
• A premium onboard discount booklet filled with special offers during each cruise
• Complimentary custom air request when booking your cruise
• Pre-sailing specialty restaurant reservations available before your cruise
• Annual member reunion cruises which include member events and dicounts
• One category upgrade prior to sailing (when available)
• Complimentary online Captain's Club newsletter with the latest program news and information
• Priority embarkation while boarding the ship
• Invitation to a complimentary wine seminar event
• Priority status on the shore excursion waitlist
• Invitation to the exclusive Senior Officer's Cockatil Party
• Access to the private shipboard departure lounge with continental breakfast during disembarkation
• Priority tender service status
• Priority waitlist status for dining room seating
• Invitation to attend the Elegant Tea Service event
• Complimentary use of the Thalassotherapy Pool. (Celebrity Mercury only)
• Ability to enroll in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society Diamond Tier
Added Benefits (Available on All Celebrity Cruises EXCEPT Celebrity Xpedition)
• Exclusive Captain's Club Celebration event
• Complimentary pressing of 2 garment items*
• One complimentary bag of laundry (wash, dry, fold) on every sailing (**item counts may vary based on itinerary water usage restrictions)
• One standard bag of laundry (wash, dry, fold) at a discounted price of $20 on all Celebrity cruises of 12 nights or longer
• Complimentary dry cleaning of 1 garment item
• 90 complimentary Internet minutes (can be applied to any Internet package of equal or greater value)
• Access to the Captain's Club Lounge at Michael's Club for daily coffeehouse style breakfast and evening social hour
• Complimentary access to Persian Garden (port days only) "
I haven't reached Elite Status yet but do look forward to the benefits when I do.
"Our Elite members are true cruise aficionados and our most loyal guests. If you're a part of this special group, we're going to bend over backwards to ensure that each and every cruise experience offers you all the recognition and rewards you so richly deserve.
That means unprecedented levels of service, access and rewards. And as part of the new Captain's Club launch, we've added some rich new benefits designed to make your cruise with us even more convenient, exclusive and enjoyable.
For those interested in a quiet haven of their own, Celebrity is pleased to introduce the Captain's Club Lounge at Michael's Club, exclusively for Elite members and their stateroom/suite companions each morning and early evening. This new lounge will offer a casual coffeehouse-style experience from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., with complimentary espressos, teas and other menu items, a variety of reading materials, and, on Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox, wi-fi access. Every evening from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Captain's Club Elite members and their stateroom/suite companions can return to the Lounge to enjoy socializing with fellow members, participate in a wine tasting event, or simply relax and enjoy a quiet, complimentary drink before dinner.
And this is only the beginning. So come aboard, and let us remind you once again how much our most loyal members mean to us.
Elite Member Benefits (*After 10 earned tier credits)
Existing Benefits
• Complimentary use of the Loyalty Desk member service center between cruises
• Complimentary access to the onboard Loyalty Host during your cruise
• A premium onboard discount booklet filled with special offers during each cruise
• Complimentary custom air request when booking your cruise
• Pre-sailing specialty restaurant reservations available before your cruise
• Annual member reunion cruises which include member events and dicounts
• One category upgrade prior to sailing (when available)
• Complimentary online Captain's Club newsletter with the latest program news and information
• Priority embarkation while boarding the ship
• Invitation to a complimentary wine seminar event
• Priority status on the shore excursion waitlist
• Invitation to the exclusive Senior Officer's Cockatil Party
• Access to the private shipboard departure lounge with continental breakfast during disembarkation
• Priority tender service status
• Priority waitlist status for dining room seating
• Invitation to attend the Elegant Tea Service event
• Complimentary use of the Thalassotherapy Pool. (Celebrity Mercury only)
• Ability to enroll in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society Diamond Tier
Added Benefits (Available on All Celebrity Cruises EXCEPT Celebrity Xpedition)
• Exclusive Captain's Club Celebration event
• Complimentary pressing of 2 garment items*
• One complimentary bag of laundry (wash, dry, fold) on every sailing (**item counts may vary based on itinerary water usage restrictions)
• One standard bag of laundry (wash, dry, fold) at a discounted price of $20 on all Celebrity cruises of 12 nights or longer
• Complimentary dry cleaning of 1 garment item
• 90 complimentary Internet minutes (can be applied to any Internet package of equal or greater value)
• Access to the Captain's Club Lounge at Michael's Club for daily coffeehouse style breakfast and evening social hour
• Complimentary access to Persian Garden (port days only) "
I haven't reached Elite Status yet but do look forward to the benefits when I do.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Carnival to buy Royal Caribbean International?
Rumors are flying in the travel world that Carnival Corporation is trying to buy Royal Caribbean. If it does happen, Carnival would own over 80% of the cruise berths. Good thing or bad? Not a good thing in my eyes.
"Cruise industry insiders are buzzing about a rumored takeover bid by Carnival Corp. & PLC for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. at a purported $35.00/share in cash and Carnival Corp & PLC stock.
At a premium of nearly 180% over it's current trading price of $12.60-$12.80 per share, the $35.00 per share cash/stock tender offer for RCCL represents a market value of USD $7.57 billion.
With the recent softness in the cruise market, this potential merging of the top two industry leaders would create a near monopoly with nearly 82% of the North American market, that is estimated to result in cost savings in excess of $300 million per year for the combined entity.
This offer will, most likely, force NCL parent company Star Cruises, Inc., to make a bid for RCCL. An NCL/RCCL combined company would be much closer in market share to the current Carnival Corp. and would increase competition in the industry.
However, Daily Cruise News wonders if the $35.00 per share will be enough for shareholders who have seen RCCL stock routinely trade in the $40.00-$50.00/share range over the past 5 years, and which has only been trading under $35.00/share for a little over a year. We would expect a successful acquisition in the $40.00-$45.00 per share range.
This merger of the top two companies in the cruise industry has been quietly discussed and supposed ever since Carnival Corp. & PLC beat our RCCL in the acquisition of P&O / Princess cruises in 2002. It seems that it has taken the current economic downturn to have all the players in this drama come to the table.
At Daily Cruise News, where our #1 priority is the travel agent and the travel agent distribution system, we vehemently oppose this CCL/RCCL proposed merger and would back only the NCL / RCCL option if it arises.
The former would damage the future of travel agents and would jeopardize the commission levels currently earned, whereas the latter would increase competition and solidify our distribution system."
"Cruise industry insiders are buzzing about a rumored takeover bid by Carnival Corp. & PLC for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. at a purported $35.00/share in cash and Carnival Corp & PLC stock.
At a premium of nearly 180% over it's current trading price of $12.60-$12.80 per share, the $35.00 per share cash/stock tender offer for RCCL represents a market value of USD $7.57 billion.
With the recent softness in the cruise market, this potential merging of the top two industry leaders would create a near monopoly with nearly 82% of the North American market, that is estimated to result in cost savings in excess of $300 million per year for the combined entity.
This offer will, most likely, force NCL parent company Star Cruises, Inc., to make a bid for RCCL. An NCL/RCCL combined company would be much closer in market share to the current Carnival Corp. and would increase competition in the industry.
However, Daily Cruise News wonders if the $35.00 per share will be enough for shareholders who have seen RCCL stock routinely trade in the $40.00-$50.00/share range over the past 5 years, and which has only been trading under $35.00/share for a little over a year. We would expect a successful acquisition in the $40.00-$45.00 per share range.
This merger of the top two companies in the cruise industry has been quietly discussed and supposed ever since Carnival Corp. & PLC beat our RCCL in the acquisition of P&O / Princess cruises in 2002. It seems that it has taken the current economic downturn to have all the players in this drama come to the table.
At Daily Cruise News, where our #1 priority is the travel agent and the travel agent distribution system, we vehemently oppose this CCL/RCCL proposed merger and would back only the NCL / RCCL option if it arises.
The former would damage the future of travel agents and would jeopardize the commission levels currently earned, whereas the latter would increase competition and solidify our distribution system."
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