By Arlene Satchell, Sun Sentinel
Major cruise lines are finding new ways to tap the expertise of local companies and personalities to enhance their shipboard guest offerings.
Royal Caribbean International, for example, formed a partnership with James Beard Award-winning Miami chef Michael Schwartz of Michael's Genuine Food & Drink.
Since October Schwartz has been creating specialty, multi-course tasting menus, which integrate produce and meat sourced from South Florida farmers for 150 Central Park — Oasis of the Seas' fine dining restaurant.
Industry experts say initiatives like these are cruise lines' attempt to cater to a more diverse, discerning and evolving customer, and to find other ways to stand out.
Read more: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-cruise-lines-local-talent-20120820,0,692260.story
Monday, August 20, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Get up to $200 to spend on board Norwegian Epic or Pride of America
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Carnival Cruise Lines to offer early boarding, for a price
By Paul Motter | Cruisin For Deals | Published August 07, 2012 | FoxNews.com
One cruise line is taking a chapter from the airline industry and offering passengers --willing to pay extra -- the chance to board their ship early.
Carnival Cruise Lines announced it will begin testing a new program where all the occupants of a given stateroom can board the cruise ship as soon as it is cleared for new arrivals. The program, called “Faster to the Fun,” also will allow passengers instant access to their staterooms upon boarding and will even have their hand-delivered luggage waiting for them in the stateroom upon arrival.
The program will be available on two Carnival ships: the Carnival Imagination (starting Aug. 20) and Carnival Liberty (Aug. 25) and is limited to a relatively small number of people. It costs $49.95, but only one occupant of the stateroom needs to book it to give the same benefit to everyone staying in the room.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2012/08/07/carnival-cruise-lines-to-offer-early-boarding-for-price/#ixzz22xfLsR3G
One cruise line is taking a chapter from the airline industry and offering passengers --willing to pay extra -- the chance to board their ship early.
Carnival Cruise Lines announced it will begin testing a new program where all the occupants of a given stateroom can board the cruise ship as soon as it is cleared for new arrivals. The program, called “Faster to the Fun,” also will allow passengers instant access to their staterooms upon boarding and will even have their hand-delivered luggage waiting for them in the stateroom upon arrival.
The program will be available on two Carnival ships: the Carnival Imagination (starting Aug. 20) and Carnival Liberty (Aug. 25) and is limited to a relatively small number of people. It costs $49.95, but only one occupant of the stateroom needs to book it to give the same benefit to everyone staying in the room.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2012/08/07/carnival-cruise-lines-to-offer-early-boarding-for-price/#ixzz22xfLsR3G
Huge savings on shorter Crystal Cruises luxury voyages
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| Crystal Serenity off the Greek island of Mykonos, one of the port calls on a short voyage that departs Oct. 30. (Crystal Cruises) |
August 8, 2012
Crystal Cruises, consistently rated among the world’s top luxury lines, upped its game this year by making its voyages “all-inclusive,” with wine and bar service, gratuities for dining and housekeeping staff and more included in fares. Such pampering does not come cheaply. Even with sale pricing, 12-day voyages often start near $4,000 per person. But by choosing shorter trips, you can cut your outlay by half or more.
The deal: “Crystal Getaways” are voyages of five to eight days that start as low as $1,310 per person, double occupancy, plus port charges and other fees, for the cruise only; airfare is extra. The varied itineraries include popular ports in the Mediterranean region.
When: Nine departures are available through Dec. 1. You must book by Aug. 31.
Read more at: http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-crystal-cruises-discounts-20120807,0,541719.story
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Cruise Lines International Association CEO Announces Blog, Twitter Account Launch
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- CLIA CEO Christine Duffy announces the launch of two new social media accounts: a Twitter feed and CEO Blog.
"With such a dynamic, changing industry, CLIA is committed to keeping our members and vacationers informed on every platform possible. I look forward to these new ways to share my thoughts on the industry and the latest news, and engaging with consumers, CLIA members, and news media," Duffy said.
Duffy's Twitter, www.twitter.com/cliaceo , will allow her to interact in real time with members, consumers, and news media.
Read more at: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cruise-lines-international-association-ceo-announces-blog-twitter-account-launch-2012-08-01
"With such a dynamic, changing industry, CLIA is committed to keeping our members and vacationers informed on every platform possible. I look forward to these new ways to share my thoughts on the industry and the latest news, and engaging with consumers, CLIA members, and news media," Duffy said.
Duffy's Twitter, www.twitter.com/cliaceo , will allow her to interact in real time with members, consumers, and news media.
Read more at: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cruise-lines-international-association-ceo-announces-blog-twitter-account-launch-2012-08-01
Cruise Lines Are Welcoming Meeting Planners Aboard
ST. LOUIS, August 2012
Former meetings industry executive Christine Duffy, now the president and CEO of the Cruise Lines Industry Association (CLIA), made big strides toward meeting planners considering cruise ships and river boats more often for their meetings during MPI’s World Education Conference July 28-31 in St. Louis.
During a press conference at the event, Duffy announced that 13 members of CLIA have agreed to host one MPI chapter meeting annually—for each chapter that expresses interest—aboard one of their ships. She also led a session on cruises as viable meeting options and noted that CLIA will be exhibiting at IMEX, taking place in Las Vegas this October. Finally, Duffy noted that CLIA will be hosting groups of planners aboard ships during two industry conferences next year: CLIA’s annual conference, taking place in June in Vancouver; and the SITE Global Conference, which will be held in Orlando in Dec. 2013.
Read more at: http://www.meetingsfocus.com/NewsEvents/IndustryNews/IndustryNewsDetails/tabid/138/ArticleID/19022/Default.aspx
Former meetings industry executive Christine Duffy, now the president and CEO of the Cruise Lines Industry Association (CLIA), made big strides toward meeting planners considering cruise ships and river boats more often for their meetings during MPI’s World Education Conference July 28-31 in St. Louis.
During a press conference at the event, Duffy announced that 13 members of CLIA have agreed to host one MPI chapter meeting annually—for each chapter that expresses interest—aboard one of their ships. She also led a session on cruises as viable meeting options and noted that CLIA will be exhibiting at IMEX, taking place in Las Vegas this October. Finally, Duffy noted that CLIA will be hosting groups of planners aboard ships during two industry conferences next year: CLIA’s annual conference, taking place in June in Vancouver; and the SITE Global Conference, which will be held in Orlando in Dec. 2013.
Read more at: http://www.meetingsfocus.com/NewsEvents/IndustryNews/IndustryNewsDetails/tabid/138/ArticleID/19022/Default.aspx
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Priceline introduces Express Deals for hotels
By Terry Gardner | Special to Tribune Newspapers
If you hate paying retail hotel rates but need to know whether your lodging will be pet-friendly or have two beds, Priceline’s new Express Deals may be for you.
“We know some travelers are traveling with kids and need two beds or a pool or a gym, so we developed Express Deals over the last six months to help those travelers,” said Christopher L. Soder, CEO of Priceline North America.
Unlike Name Your Own Price deals where bidders only know a hotel’s star level and neighborhood in advance, Express Deals reveal hotel amenities, star level, neighborhood and guest ratings up front. Instead of bidding, customers choose the deal they want, pay for it, and then Priceline reveals the hotel’s identity.
Read more at: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-06-25/travel/ct-taking-off-priceline-express-deals-for-hotels-20120625_1_hotel-names-rates-priceline-negotiator
If you hate paying retail hotel rates but need to know whether your lodging will be pet-friendly or have two beds, Priceline’s new Express Deals may be for you.
“We know some travelers are traveling with kids and need two beds or a pool or a gym, so we developed Express Deals over the last six months to help those travelers,” said Christopher L. Soder, CEO of Priceline North America.
Unlike Name Your Own Price deals where bidders only know a hotel’s star level and neighborhood in advance, Express Deals reveal hotel amenities, star level, neighborhood and guest ratings up front. Instead of bidding, customers choose the deal they want, pay for it, and then Priceline reveals the hotel’s identity.
Read more at: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-06-25/travel/ct-taking-off-priceline-express-deals-for-hotels-20120625_1_hotel-names-rates-priceline-negotiator
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