|
|
Seattle, October 1, 2009 – To assist travel sellers, Holland America Line will provide promotions, sales tools and special incentives in support of the fifth annual World’s Largest Cruise Night (WLCN) to be held on October 14. In addition to holding a three-day sale with early advantage fares and reduced deposits, the premium line will feature promotional materials that include e-tools on successful selling and a guide on how to create profitable cruise nights.
he company’s reservations hours will be expanded October 14 until midnight Eastern time to provide real-time booking assistance for travel sellers to close sales immediately at their cruise nights across North America.
“Cruise Lines International’s World’s Largest Cruise Night event creates sales momentum and gives travel sellers a focus for fall cruise promotions,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “Holland America Line is committed to supporting travel sellers and helping them achieve success with a host of innovative tools and incentives.”
Extra Incentives to Book Oct. 14 to 16
Travel sellers will also be equipped with a wide array of booking incentives to help close sales from October 14 to 16. Early advantage fares will be communicated to travel sellers on a wide variety of destinations, such as Alaska, Caribbean and Europe. All guests who book from October 14 through 16 will enjoy a reduced deposit of 50 percent of the normal amount required to hold bookings. And several sailings will feature reduced third and fourth guest fares when staying in same stateroom.
Aboard ships, any travel seller’s guests that book a new cruise while sailing aboard ship from Oct. 14 to 16 will receive double the normal shipboard credit on select sailings. Credits can be up to US$400 per stateroom and include select dates on 2010 Panama Canal, Europe, Alaska CruiseTours and Grand Voyages. Travel sellers are notified of all guests who make bookings while sailing.
Tools of the Trade to Make the Night a Success
Holland America Line is equipping agents with materials to help plan and support their WLCN events, including mini-brochures on the company and cruise brand, cruise planners, 60 Second to Success fliers and A Guide to Profitable Cruise Nights. “Our sales team use Profitable Cruise Nights guides to ensure that travel sellers have all their bases covered when it comes to implementing all the important aspects of a Cruise Night,” said Meadows. Electronic tools available at www.travelagentheadquarters.com include an e-version of 60 Seconds to Success, e-mail invitations inviting clients to attend cruise events, and a host of other collateral materials.
On Wednesday, October 14, the line’s 46 business development managers in the U.S. and Canada will participate with local travel sellers in their territories. The line will launch four On Stage Alaska presentations for WLCN agent cruise nights. The live events deliver exciting overviews of Alaska cruises and tour options with performances that entertain and relay stories about the Great Land. Cruise nights will also take place on all ships in the fleet from Tahiti to Turkey to the Caribbean.
Travel sellers are encouraged to take advantage of the wide variety of sales tools and incentives that are at their disposal for WLCN promotions, including the Holland America Line Cruise Night Planning Kit. During the World’s Largest Cruise Night promotion, travel sellers can conveniently book their clients using POLAR online, where they can make a booking in seven easy steps, including booking and managing groups.
For more information, contact the business development manager for your region, call 800-544-0443 or visit www.travelagentheadquarters.com.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at www.hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet in 2010.
Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine - a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes - Explorations Café powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.
Worlds Leading Cruise Lines
The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. The World's Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.