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Cruise Newsletter - November 2005
The most recent ship inspection reports added to our library: Wind Surf in the Mediterranean - Submitted by Jim Huff Enchantment of the Seas - Submitted by Jim Castle
Big Hike In Fuel
Surcharges
CARNIVAL'S in the news again: Fun ship FANTASY undergoes a multimillion dollar makeover during 21 day refurbishment.
Carnival Cruise Lines' 2,056-passenger Fantasy recently underwent a
multi-million-dollar refurbishment and emerged with a host of new
and updated features and facilities, including new photo and art
galleries, a nine-hole miniature golf course, and completely
renovated health and fitness center.
I had hope this headline was going to be a short
lived item of the newsletter, but as the whole world knows, more
hurricanes have swept across Florida and other parts of the country.
Devastation and upheaval of peoples lives and families seem to be
have been reduced to a small item in the back of the newspaper these
days as they are now so common day. However, we must not lose
sight of the fact that so many of our colleagues and friends and
their families too, have been very badly effected by the storms.
I would ask you to consider these people and if the opportunity
arises try to pass whatever business one can along to them. From time to time Worldwide features a particulate cruise line or a particular segment of the cruise industry - this issue shines the spot light on River & Canal cruising.
When we run our various reports one item that never ceases to surprise me is the number of enquiries we field for River Cruising and to a lesser extent Canal Barging, and how dismal our closing rate is on these products. I say it surprises me for the simple reason that many of the offerings in this area are such great products doing truly delightful itineraries, plus they are so easy to tailor to our market and yet they continue to fare badly with our buyers.
Enquiring into the reasons a particular program did not get accepted usually elicits the following answers in one form or another.
A: The Corporate buyer thinks it does not have enough pizzazz. B: The Corporate buyer does not understand river cruises. C: The Corporate buyer thinks river cruising is for retired people and would not suit their young go getters who are going to be the winning participants of the program. D: Not enough going on on-board, no casino's, spa's, nightlife.
Now, one can interpret this in a number of ways.. A: Our sales people are not getting the information across to their contacts well enough for the contact to make a good presentation to the buyer - definitely a possibility. B: The contact, has a pre-set view of river cruising and really does to want to be bothered making a decent presentation - preferring to pitch something they know and understand as being easier. C: The buyer has an erroneous mind set as to what river cruising is about and really does not focus on the benefits of the product for their program.
Of course we hear other reason, but basically it comes down to the above issues most of the time...
So, how to get over these hurdles... I believe we need to educate our people and I mean ours as well as yours and your buyer as to what a great program they can built around the fabulous destinations these vessels visit. We need to educate them about the hardware - the ships themselves and what the on-board experience is really like, the quality of the service, the often exceptional cuisine, the local wines, cheeses and produce of the region, as well as a little of the history behind the places they will visit and the purchases they will make. We need to get across the point that these vessels are best considered as floating hotels. Any form of entertainment can be arranged, on or off the ship, one new ship we know of is even incorporating a full blown spa as well as a serious gymnasium into the accommodation space. There is really not much that cannot be programmed into the cruise which one would have in any another environment. Add to all the above potential cost savings of doing over a river cruise compared to doing a traditional land based European program due to the exchange rates, lack of VAT taxes as well as being able to pre-purchase cocktail parties, liquor packages and tours etc., all in USD
Worldwide is in negotiation with its cruise line partners to put together some product familiarization cruises so our staff and buyers can get up to speed on the ships and the best way they can use them for their clients programs. In the months to come as this program moves ahead we will keep you advised of any opportunities that we are able to negotiate. Should you have any interest in this program for yourself and/or a corporate buyer please contact - Jim Castle.
Watch this space for more interesting information on river cruise products. you can visit our web-site where much more information is available and being added to constantly. Sea Cloud - 3 x 1 week Charter Opportunities available through Worldwide (Eastern Aegean). Radisson Seven Seas Navigator - Special 3 day charter opportunity (Rome/Rome) Great pre or post program opportunity.
Call us for full
details... Coming up soon are several sporting events which our clients should be focusing on:
Monaco Grand Prix - this event is held annually in Monte Carlo - call us for ideas, we have already signed two charter contract for 2006. Due to limited port space it is imperative to move early on any plans you may have for a ship charter. Group space is very limited also and increases in cost the closer it gets to race time.
Grand Prix Tours - who have the Le Ponant chartered for the 2006 race are already working on their 2006 program and are able to discuss a re-charter or group booking at this stage. As they sell out the cabins - the opportunity to do something becomes less viable and the cost increases accordingly. They have a very extensive package which include a cruise, the race, cocktail parties with the drivers et all. They can be reached at (949) 719-3350.
2006 Ryder Cup - This event is being held in Ireland at the prestigious Kildare Golf and Country Club, Straffan, Co. Kildare, between Friday 22nd and Sunday 24th September. Our client has chartered the Seabourn Pride and will bring the ship into the port of Dublin with pre & post cruises planned around the event. Call us if you have any clients interested in this very exclusive golf/cruise program. We have now signed a contract for the Seabourn Pride - call us if you have any interest in purchasing a block of staterooms for your group.
Superbowl in Miami 2007 True to form, just as soon as this years Superbowl was over, our telephones started to ring for Superbowl 2007. Call us for some ideas, we are happy to chat about options and who and what might be available in Miami.
Worldwide continues to bring this event to your attention. We are currently working on programs for some of our clients who recognizes the corporate potential the event holds and the up market image it projects - especially for multi-national corporations.
Check the latest news and race results on our web site
· Steve Bloss (954) 452-8800, ext. 26 - email Steve · Jim Huff (954) 452-8800, ext. 28 - email Jim · Leon Banossian (954) 452-8800, ext. 29 - email Leon · Martin Dock +44 (0)1794 514336 - email Martin · Jim Castle (954) 452 8800. ext.25 - email Jim
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