Collette Reaffirms No Discounting, Bonus Commissions and Other Leisure Travel News
Tour Operator News
Collette Vacations Reaffirms No Discounting Policy
Collette Vacations has reaffirmed the No Discounting Policy that it first officially announced in 2006.
“As a show of support for the many, many agencies across this country that have supported Collette, we are reaffirming our stand against discounting,” said Daniel Sullivan, Jr., CEO and company president in a prepared statement, in which he also said he “adamantly” stands behind the company’s policy that precludes all travel partners from advertising a discounted savings off the Collette published tour price in any marketing vehicle (print or online) as well as advertising an implied discount on a Collette tour in any marketing vehicle (print or online).
“We realize that many larger agencies are offering booking discounts on escorted tour products – but at Collette we want to do whatever we can to ensure that the playing field remains level for the traditional, local, brick and mortar travel agencies that our travelers so depend upon.”
As part of the policy, agency partners cannot offer these types of discounts on any Collette product. Instead, Collette will work with travel partners to provide consistent, timely offers for online and offline promotion.
Collette will monitor discounting through Internet search and mystery shopping to ensure each partner is in compliance with the no discounting policy and will immediately notify any agency that is in violation.
In other Collette news, the company has promoted Kevin Carter to the role of regional sales manager of the Central and Midwest division of the company. He will be responsible for the training, development, mentoring and management of the district sales managers in these two regions. Jim Marini will take over Carter’s old position as senior district sales manager of Southern New England.
Tauck Offers Exclusive Dinner Inside Vatican Museum Gallery
In celebration of its 85th anniversary, Tauck is inviting guests on an exclusive “insider’s” cultural exploration of Rome, personally hosted by members of the Tauck family, including company CEO Dan Mahar.
The six-day Roman Holiday itinerary will provide an in-depth look into the history of the city and will be highlighted by a number of special events from a private fashion show featuring the works of Italian designers to a private operatic performance of Italian arias, to a once-in-a-lifetime evening in the Vatican that includes an exclusive dinner inside a Vatican Museum gallery, along with private guided tours of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
The tour operator will offer two Roman Holiday departures this fall, beginning on Oct. 21 and 26. Along with the private evening at the Vatican, the itinerary includes specially-themed half-day guided tours that explore various aspects of Rome’s history and culture. Guests will also be treated to a number of private lectures, as well as have free time to explore Rome on their own.
Roman Holiday is priced from $4,790 per person, double, land-only. Each departure is limited to 175 guests each, with each departure split into smaller groups of no more than 25 guests for daily sightseeing with a dedicated Tauck director.
For more information, call (800) 468-2825.
Orient Flexi-Pax Offers 2% Bonus Commission
Orient Flexi-Pax Tours, a division of Isramworld, has released its 2010/11 Orient & China brochure, and is offering travel sellers an extra 2% commission on select Asian tours booked by April 15.
Among the packages on offer are three family-friendly tours: Family Fun Japan, 5 nights, from $1,485 pp; Family Fun Thailand, 7 nights, from $1,645 pp; and Family Fun China, 11 nights, from $2,775 pp.
Packages to Japan, Thailand, Indochina, Vietnam and China are also available.
Call (800) 545-5540 to order a copy of the brochure.
Brendan Offers Last Minute Europe, USA Escorted Savings
Brendan Vacations is offering last minute deals on escorted tours to Europe and the U.S.A. on select itineraries booked by March 31.
Last minute specials on European escorted tours, with savings ranging from $190 to $383 pp, include: European Splendor, departing April 14, now $2,639 (promo code LMD152); Great Italian Cities, departing April 15, now $2,519 (LMD163); Best of Italy and Greece, departing April 17, now $3,442 (LMD165); The Treasures of France, departing April 23, now $1,709 (LMD166); Best of Britain, departing April 22, now $2,159 (LMD167); and Highlights of Spain & Portugal, departing April 24, now $2,137 (LMD168).
Last minute specials on U.S.A. escorted tours, with savings of $190 to $250 pp, include: Hawaiian Explorer Moderate, departing May 23, now $1,875 (promo code LMDUSA163); Hawaiian Explorer First Class, departing May 23, now $2,010 (LMDUSA164); Hawaiian Explorer Premier, departing May 23, now $2,249 (LMDUSA165); and Best of Eastern Canada, departing May 28, now $1,709 (LMDUSA166).
Travel agents must mention promo code when booking. Visit www.BrendanVacations.com.
Pleasant Holidays Offers Three-Day Sandos Playacar Special
Pleasant Holidays is offering savings on three-day vacations to Sandos Playacar in the Riviera Maya. Reduced rates start at $228 per person and up to two kids under 12 can stay free when sharing accommodations with two paying adults.
Bookings must be made by March 31 for travel May 1 to July 7. Visit www.PleasantAgent.com.
Cruise News
Norwegian Cruise Line to Enhance Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Cruise Line announced that it will make major enhancements to its private island, Great Stirrup Cay. The 250-acre island will undergo a two-phase renovation that will cost in excess of $20 million and span 22 months.
Highlights of the enhancements, scheduled for completion by the end of 2011, include an expanded beach front, new island excursions, additional dining facilities, private beachside cabanas and a new kids’ area.
The first phase of improvements is already underway and includes the excavation and formation of a new entrance channel for tenders, marina basin and arrival area with welcome pavilion that will be the site for new tender landings and docks. Once this is complete, the island’s current beach front will be expanded to accommodate significantly more guests.
The second phase will include new dining and bar facilities, several comfort stations, a band stand, cruise program activity area, private cabanas, kids’ play area, straw market and beach volleyball courts.
Several new island activities and shore excursions will be added including wave runners, a floating AquaPark and a variety of water toys, kayak tours, an eco-cruise and a stingray encounter experience.
In other Norwegian news, the line announced that its new Norwegian Epic, scheduled for delivery in , will feature what it calls the largest spa at sea.
The 31-000 square foot Mandara Spa will feature 24 treatment rooms, two private couple’s villas, two exotic steam Rasul rooms, a DIY Scrub Experience, Hydrotherapy Courtyard & Thermal Suite, full-service salon, fitness center and barber shop.
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The Epic will also feature 39 spa suites, a first for the line, which offer complimentary access to the enclave surrounding the Hydrotherapy Courtyard & Thermal Suite and fitness center. Eight of the spa suites each feature an in-room whirlpool.
The Rasul rooms are purpose-built steam rooms that provide guests with organic muds, exfoliants and oils to purify their skin.
In keeping with the family and kid-friendly theme found on board Norwegian Epic, the spa offers several treatments for younger cruisers including the ME! Bath Ice Cream Manicure and Pedicure. Also available are Mother-Daughter Paradise Massage and Father-Son Chill Out Massage options.
For more information, visit epic.ncl.com.
Royal Caribbean Unveils 2011 Europe Cruises, Cruise/Tours
Royal Caribbean International announced the cruise line’s 2011 Europe cruise and cruise/tour season. According to the line, 2011 will be its biggest ever European deployment with 10 ships slated to sail Baltic and Mediterranean waters.
The 2011 European deployment will offer 109 unique itineraries, ranging from three- to 15-nights and will visit 27 countries and 79 ports.
Liberty of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas will sail maiden Europe seasons from Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, respectively. Liberty of the Seas will sail nine four- or five-night Western Med itineraries, as well as repeating seven-night Western Med itineraries for most of its season. Grandeur of the Seas will offer two new alternating seven-night itineraries, Western Mediterranean and Italian Mediterranean.
Independence of the Seas will continue its year-round service from Southampton, beginning with alternating 14-night roundtrip Eastern and Western Mediterranean sailings. The ship will then sail 11-night Canary Islands itineraries in the fall and 18-night Ultimate Mediterranean sailings during the winter months.
Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas will sail a variety of Mediterranean itineraries, while Jewel of the Seas and Vision of the Seas will sail Baltic and North Sea cruises.
Most 2011 RCI Europe cruise and cruise/tours are now open for booking. For more information travel agents should visit visit www.cruisingpower.com or call (800) 327-2056.
In other RCI news, the line announced its schedule of 2011/12 Bermuda, Caribbean and Canada/New England cruises, sailing from three U.S. Northeast ports.
In 2011, Enchantment of the Seas will continue year-round service from Baltimore, Explorer of the Seas will sail from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, N.J., and Jewel of the Seas will offer a short season from Boston.
Both the Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas will offer cruises to Bermuda and the Caribbean. From Cape Liberty, Explorer of the Seas will alternate between five-night Bermuda and nine-night Bermuda and Caribbean itineraries. From Baltimore, the Enchantment of the Seas will alternated a five-night Bermuda and a nine-night Easter Caribbean itinerary. Both ships’ short Bermuda itineraries include an overnight in King’s Wharf.
During the 2011/12 winter months, the line also will offer 10-night Easter Caribbean and 11-night Southern Caribbean sailings from Cape Liberty, and nine-night Bahamas and 12-night Southern Caribbean sailings from Baltimore.
Sixteen Canada and New England voyages will be offered including seven-night sailings on the Jewel of the Seas from Boston and nine-night sailings on the Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.
The 2011/12 Bermuda, Caribbean and Canada/New England cruises from the Northeast are now open for booking.
For more information, visit www.cruisingpower.com or call (800) 327-2056.
Crystal Cruises Announces Perfect Choice Dining
Crystal Cruises is expanding its fine dining options, beginning January 2011, with Perfect Choice Dining, which will offer passengers more flexibility and choice.
Offered on a complimentary basis in the Crystal Dining Room, Perfect Choice Dining allows guests to select open dining, by reservation only. The new open dining option is in addition to Classic main and late seating time slots. Guests must select which option they want at the time of booking. Clients already booked on 2011 World Cruise voyages will automatically retain their previous selection of Main or Late Seating. Travel agents can switch them to Open Dining upon request.
A new online Priority Check-in and Planning Center (PCPC) launching in July will enable fully paid guests who have opted for Open Dining by Reservation to make nightly reservations in the main dining room in advance of their cruise – in addition to their reservation in each of the Crystal’s specialty restaurants.
Tables for two, four, six or eight are available for dinner reservations and reservation times and table size can vary each night. If a specific time is unavailable the Open Dining by Reservation system will suggest an alternative.
More information on the new service is available at www.CrystalCruises.com/PerfectChoiceDining.
Cunard Announces 2011/2012 Itineraries
Cunard has announced what it calls the most extensive range of voyages with a greater choice of itineraries, departure dates and overnight stays.
The line’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, will continue to offer extended trans-Atlantic crossings between New York and Southampton, 21 in total, as well as to Hamburg. While most voyages are seven days, longer sailings between New York and Hamburg will also be available. The ship will also offer voyages to the Atlantic Islands and Iberia, itineraries in Northern Europe with trips to Norway from Southampton and Hamburg, and an eight-day Around the British Isles voyage. Also, in fall the ship will sail an enhanced 10-day Canada & New England voyage.
The Queen Victoria begins its 2011 season with a series of voyages to the Mediterranean and Canary Islands, roundtrip from Southampton. Additionally, it will sail five cruises to Northern Europe. The ship will then reposition to Venice for a series of 12-day sailings between Venice, Rome and Athens.
New for 2011 is a 12-day Holy Land Explorer voyage, roundtrip from Rome, with stops in Egypt and Israel. The Queen Victoria will also sail a second Americas season in 2012, including the 17-day Los Angeles to New York itinerary, 15-day Panama Canal transits, 14-day voyages to ,Hawaii, and an 11-day partial Canal voyage roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale.
The Queen Elizabeth will sail its maiden voyage out of Southampton in 2011with a total of 52 maiden calls in its first full season, including sailings to the Med, the Holy Land, the Baltic, the British Isles, the North Cape and the Atlantic Isles and Canary Islands. Rounding out the 2011 season will be a series of five-day Getaway voyages and two visits to the U.S.
Cunard’s 2011/2012 schedule will open for sale on April 27.
Resort News
Disneyland Resort Offers Free Days, Nights
Disneyland Resort in Southern California is offering guests two extra nights of hotel accommodations and two more days of fun added to their theme park adventures for free, when they book a three-night, three-day Disneyland Resort vacation package.
Or, for clients who already have their theme park admission tickets so don’t need the full package, the Disneyland Resort is offering savings at its onsite resort hotels. Clients can take 40% off their room rate at Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa; 35% off at the Disneyland Hotel; and 30% off at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. Each of these offers requires a two-night minimum.
Travel agents can book their clients with either offer through Sept. 1 for travel between May 1 and Sept. 26.
The ‘Two More Days & Nights Free’ package, when you buy three days/nights is valid at all three Disneyland Resort Hotels, as well as at participating Anaheim-area Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels. Upon the purchase of the three-night package, with three-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper tickets, two consecutive free nights will be added to the hotel stay and two days added to the tickets.
To book, visit www.disneytravelagents.com or call (800) 854-3104.
Breezes Resorts’ Rebranding Results in Increased Bookings
According to Breezes Resorts & Spas, the company’s 2009 rebranding has resulted in increased bookings.
At Breezes Rio Bueno, formerly the Grand Lido Braco, located in Jamaica, the company saw a 9% increase in February occupancy rates compared to last year, while March is already up 25% in bookings over 2009.
Breezes Panama, which opened in October 2009, got off to a solid start with a near sell out during its introductory weekend and 100% occupancy during both Christmas week and over Valentine’s Day weekend.
Other resorts that saw increases include Breezes Grand Negril and Breezes Trelawny.
For more information, visit www.breezes.com.
Spice Island Beach Resort Offers Savings, Value-Adds
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The fully-inclusive Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada is offering added incentives as part of its Summer Promotion, including free night(s) and one complimentary Swedish massage on new bookings (minimum seven nights) for travel April 15 to Dec. 15.
Through the promotion travelers who stay for seven nights will pay for six, while those who stay 14 nights pay for 12 and those who book 21 nights pay for 18, for savings between $1,390 and $4,170.
Additionally, guests receive one Swedish massage per booking.
The promotion is valid on new reservations in all room categories. Agents should e-mail spiceisl@spiceisle.com or call (473) 444-4258. For more information about the resort, visit www.SpiceIslandBeachResort.com.
Airline News
Continental Limits Free Food Policy
Continental Airlines is finally succumbing to economic pressure and will change its in-flight meal service this fall by introducing a variety of food choices for purchase in economy class on many U.S./Canada and certain Latin American routes.
The airline will continue to offer complimentary food in the economy cabin on all intercontinental and certain other international routes, and on long-haul domestic routes over six hours.
Continental is the last of the legacy airlines to stop offering free food in economy class on all its flights. The airline will also continue its complimentary food in the front cabin (first class and BusinessFirst) on routes worldwide.
Traditional non-alcoholic beverages and accompanying snacks like pretzels will continue to be complimentary on every Continental flight.
JetBlue Doubles Daily Nonstops between JFK and LAX
Beginning July 1 JetBlue Airways will increase its nonstop flights from New York’s JFK Airport to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from two to four daily flights.
The new schedule will be as follows: Flights from New York JFK will depart at: 7:05 a.m., arriving at 10:03 a.m.; 11 a.m., arriving at 1:51 p.m.; 4:59 p.m., arriving at 8:05 p.m.; and 7:55 p.m., arriving 11:02 p.m.
Flights from LAX will depart at: 7:30 a.m., arriving 3:57 p.m.; 10:55 a.m., arriving 7:25 p.m., 2:45 p.m., arriving 11:12 p.m., and 9:25 p.m., arriving 5:51 a.m. the next day.
