Mexico Booking Bonuses, and Other Leisure News
Travel Impressions Offers Bonus for Mexico Bookings
Travel Impressions has launched its annual More, More Mexico promotion featuring a variety of value added offers for guests and American Express Gift Cheque bonuses for travel sellers.
Among the value-adds being offered at more than 100 Mexico hotels are free nights; reduced rates; kids stay free; spa, resort and food and beverage credits; and guaranteed room upgrades.
Examples of offers include: Riu Emerald Bay in Mazatlan is offering reduced rates, up to a $25 massage credit and kids 12 and under stay free; Paradisus Riviera Cancun is offering reduced rates, up to $150 resort credit and kids 12 and under stay free; and the Hilton Los Cabos is offering a fifth night free and kids 12 and under stay free.
As an incentive for booking the More, More Mexico promotion, travel agents will receive a $25 American Express Gift Cheque for booking select properties for a minimum of five nights. Agents should visit the agent and incentive section of Travel Impressions’ Web site for details on how to redeem. As always, agents can earn an extra 1% commission when booking packages online at www.TravelImpressions.com.
The More, More Mexico promotion is valid on reservations (minimum of three nights) made by May 7, for travel May 1 to Dec. 20.
Sandals Launches 2010 Workshop Schedule
Sandals Resorts has launched its 2010 Travel Workshop series across the United States and Canada, which consists of some 200 half-day workshops expected to attract more than 15,000 travel agents.
Themed “A New Era, A New Decade, A New Level of Luxury,” the workshops are open to all agents for $25 and feature a workbook and collateral materials, a $1,500 booking incentive, and a chance for agents to win a three-night getaway of their own.
All workshops feature an in-depth look at the latest developments across the Sandals Resorts portfolios.
Travel sellers will also have the opportunity earn their Certified Sandals Specialist (CSS) certification when they attend the workshop. The certification provides several benefits including marketing tips and techniques, bonus commissions, and business tools such as co-branded collateral, Web sites and advertising opportunities.
For more information and to register, visit www.sandals.com/tas.
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Latour Offers 5% Bonus on Chilean Cruise
Latour is offering agents the chance to earn an extra 5% on all four- or five-day Patagonia Expedition cruises on either the M/V Mare Australis, M/V Via Australis or M/V Stella Australis, featuring Cape Horn & the Chilean Fjords.
To qualify, bookings must be made between now and July 31 for travel any time. Restrictions apply; call (800) 825-0825 for more information.
Hotels & Resort Deals
Grenada’s Hotels Offer Discounts
The fully inclusive Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada is offering its annual Summer Promotion, including free nights and a complimentary Swedish massage.
Through the promotion, travelers who stay at the resort of a minimum of seven nights will pay for only six, while those interested in staying longer can stay for 14 and pay for 12 or book 21 nights and stay for 18.
Additionally, guests receive one free Swedish massage per booking.
The Summer Promotion is valid on new reservations in all categories for travel through Dec. 15. To book, e-mail spiceisl@spiceisle.com or call (473) 444-4258.
Also in Grenada, the Blue Horizons Garden Resort is launching its Getaway Special, featuring 30% off rack rates for new bookings made after April 24, for travel in May, June, September and October.
All bookings include self-catering accommodations, welcome drink, complimentary dinner at La Belle Creole with glass of wine (seven-night minimum required), complimentary use of chaise lounges at Grand Anse Beach, and complimentary green fees at the Grenada Golf Club.
For more information, e-mail blue@spiceisle.com, call (473) 444-4316 or fax (473) 444-2815.
Travel Impressions/Royal Hideaway Playacar Offers Discount
Travel Impressions and Royal Hideaway Playacar are offering a limited time sale featuring savings of up to $440 per couple in celebration of the all-inclusive property’s brand new extended beach area. The offer is valid on reservations, minimum of three nights, in a luxury room category for travel May 1 to June 26.
As always, travel agents earn an extra 1% commission when booking online at www.TravelImpressions.com.
Sheraton Nassau Beach Offers Wedding Bonus
In addition to the variety of wedding packages designed to fit any budget, the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort is offering couples who book their wedding there by June 30 several special bonuses.
Among the value-adds couples will receive are: a one-level room upgrade for the bride and groom; $100 resort credit per room for guests who stay four nights or more; $650 off a wedding package for weddings held Monday through Thursday; complimentary two-night stay for the wedding couple who spends $120 per person for the reception, as well as books a minimum five-night stay; 5,000 Starpoints awarded upon departure for every 10 room nights used in the guest block; one Starpoint for every dollar in contracted food and beverage and room rental, up to 100,000 Starpoints; and the option to use earned Starpoints immediately, which includes using the earned points toward the honeymoon.
For more information, visit www.sheratonnassau.com or call (877) 782-0149.
Cruise and Tour News
Brendan Offers Last Minute USA/Canada Deals
Brendan Vacations is offering last minute deals – must be booked by April 30 – for escorted tours to the USA and Canada.
Packages include: Best of Canada’s West, departs May 4, $2,090 includes $235 pp savings, promo code LMDUSA179; Best of Eastern Canada, May 28, $1,709 includes $190 pp savings; LMDUSA180; Canadian Rockies, May 31, $1,259 includes $140 pp savings, LMDUSA181; California Dreamin’, June 25, $1,595 includes $180 pp savings, LMDUSA182; Hawaii 4 Island Adventure Moderate, June 25, $2,990 includes $335 pp savings; LMDUSA183M; Hawaii 4 Island Adventure First Class, June 25, $3,170 includes $355 pp savings, LMDUSA183F; and Hawaii 4 Island Adventure Premier, June 25, $3,485 includes $390 pp savings, LMDUSA183P.
Also the Hawaiian Explorer escorted tour, in moderate, first class and premier options, which departs on June 27 and includes savings from $210 to $250 per person – LMDUSA184M, LMDUSA184F, LMDUSA184P.
For more information, visit www.BrendanVacations.com or call (800) 421-8446.
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Norwegian Offers $99 Kids Fare
Norwegian Cruise Line has kicked off its Summer Blockbuster event with a special kids’ fare of $99 each when booked as a third through eighth guest on select 2010 sailings for new reservations made now through May 31.
In addition, reduced cruise deposits are offered on new summer bookings through May 2.
The Summer Blockbuster event will feature rolling promotions through May 31.
Princess Launches ‘World of Savings’ Promo
Princess Cruises has launched its “World of Savings” promotion, which offers customers significant discounts on select 2010 voyages to many of the line’s worldwide destinations.
The promotion runs through May 31 and features savings of up to $1,000 per couple off Launch Fares.
Examples include: Asia & Africa, 15 days from $1,599 pp; Canada & New England, seven days from $549 per person; Caribbean, seven days from $499 pp; Europe, seven days from $1,099 pp; Hawaii & South Pacific, 10 days from $1,099 pp; and Panama Canal, 10 days from $899 pp.
Additional information can be found at www.princess.com/worldofsavings.page .
Royal Caribbean Unveils 2011/12 Australia and South Pacific Itineraries
Royal Caribbean International announced the 2011/12 Australia and South Pacific cruise and cruise/tour season. Highlights include Radiance of the Seas debut in Sydney, joining Rhapsody of the Seas for the winter, thus doubling the line’s capacity in the region.
Both ships will offer a total of 29 sailings, comprising 13 unique itineraries that range from two- to 18-nights and call at 50 ports in nine countries. Additionally, the line will offer 19 escorted cruise/tours.
Radiance of the Seas will offer a wide array of Australia and New Zealand sailings, ranging from two to 18 nights, departing mostly from Sydney. Clients can choose among four sailings to explore New Zealand on 14-night itineraries, or have two opportunities to circumnavigate the Australian continent, by combining a new 16-night westbound voyage to Perth with a new 18-night southern return voyage to Sydney via New Zealand.
Rhapsody of the Seas will offer seven- to 12-night cruises out of Sydney to the South Pacific, as well as four 11-night Queensland sailings.
Royal Caribbean has also unveiled its 2011/12 Caribbean deployment. Liberty of the Seas will be the first Freedom-class ship to offer short itineraries from Port Everglades, while the Jewel of the Seas will debut in Nov. 2011 at is new seasonal homeport of Tampa. Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas will continue seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages, while Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas will sail year-round short Bahamas getaways.
In total the seven ships will offer 439 sailings that call at 18 Caribbean ports on 55 unique itineraries.
All sailings are open for booking. Visit www.cruisingpower.com or call (800) 327-2056.
Victoria Cruises Boosts Internet Speed on Yangtze River Cruises
Victoria Cruises has increased Internet speeds and reliability on its Yangtze River cruises via 3G Wireless technology. In addition to boosting the Internet speed of its public computers, passengers traveling with their own laptops can now rent Wireless 3G USB modems through which they can access the Internet from most areas of the ship.
For the three- or four-night Three Gorges Highlights program Internet access costs $22 for the duration of the cruise, or Wireless 3G USB modems can be rented for $51 per laptop. Guests sailing in one of the line’s new Executive Suites can access the Internet for free via computers in the VIP lounge.
For the six- or eight-night Grand Yangtze Discovery sailing, Internet access costs $44, while the 3G USB modems rent for $88 per laptop. (www.VictoriaCruises.com)
Regent Announces Space on Europe Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises said that it has limited space on this summer’s cruises on Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner to the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Black Sea, Holy Land, Scandinavia and Russia.
Guests who book by June 30 will receive bonus savings of up to $1,000 per person. Fares include free roundtrip air from 22 cities, free unlimited shore excursions, open bars throughout the ships, and open-seating, gourmet dining with no surcharges. Staff gratuities, airline fees and government taxes are also included in the fare. Business Class Air Upgrades are available.
Space remains on the following cruises:
Eastern Mediterranean: June 28, 12 nights Istanbul to Rome; July 10, 11 nights from Rome to Venice; July 21, 10 nights from Venice to Barcelona; Aug 7, 12 nights from Rome to Venice; Aug 19, 7 nights from Venice to Athens; Oct. 17, 10 nights from Venice to Athens.
Western Mediterranean: Sept 22, 10 nights from Istanbul to Monte Carlo; Oct 2, 7 nights from Monte Carlo to Rome Oct 9, 12 nights from Rome to Istanbul Oct 27, 12 nights from Athens to Barcelona.
Scandinavia and Russia: June 19, 15 nights roundtrip from Copenhagen; July 28, 7 nights from Stockholm to Copenhagen, operates in reverse Aug 4 and 21.
Black Sea and Holy Land: June 11, 10 nights from Istanbul to Athens, departing (operates in reverse Aug 26); Sept. 5, 10 nights from Istanbul to Athens.
Visit www.RSSC.com or call (800) 285-1835.
Central Has Spring Savings Promo
Central Holidays announced a Spring Savings promotion on individual and group programs to Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and river cruises and Mediterranean cruises with Louis Cruises.
Central is offering $100 per person off motorcoach and escorted tour programs, a $50 per person discount on Independent and River Cruise Programs and more for select tours included in this offer.
For groups, families and friends, one free land or land/cruise for every 15 paid adult passengers traveling together on Louis Cruises; one free cruise for every nine paid adult passengers traveling together on select Europe river cruises; kids 16 years and under cruise free when sharing a cabin with two adults for cruises throughout the Mediterranean via Louis Cruises; and one night free for every two or three purchased at select hotels in Rome, Florence, Venice, Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Seville and Valencia.
The promotion is valid for new bookings received through April 30 for travel through March 31, 2011.
For more information, call (800) 935-5000 or visit www.centralholidays.com.
Crystal Eco-Adventures in Med
This summer, Crystal Cruises’ guests on Mediterranean voyages can explore national parks, the fragile ecosystems and various wildlife habitats with Crystal Eco-Adventures.
Among the eco-adventures are: Horseback Riding at Montseny National a UNESCO declared Biosphere Reserve from Barcelona; L’Albufera Nature Reserve (Valencia, Spain); and Krka National Park (Trogir, Croatia).
The Crystal Serenity sails 19 voyages in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Canary Islands ranging from seven to 12 days. In March, Crystal Serenity was awarded the Venice Blue Flag environmental award for its earth-friendly practices in the Adriatic port.
Visit www.crystalcruises.com.
Destination News
Spring to Barbados
Barbados is offering its “Spring to Barbados” promotion on bookings made now through May 30 for travel through Aug. 30.
The special package invites visitors to customize vacations directly with their travel agent, selecting options from a full range of hotels, attractions and activities available on the island.
Visitors on the Spring to Barbados program can take advantage of the following: booking credit of up to $300 per booking; complimentary breakfast daily at participating EP Hotels; buy one and get 2nd at 25% or more off at participating ground activities; one free day car rental on minimal three-day rental; and one Barbados Gourmet Card that offers 25% off at participating restaurants.
For more information, visit www.visitbarbados.org.
North Americans Tops Visitors to Antigua and Barbuda
For the first time since the global recession, the twin islands of Antigua and Barbuda have seen a turnaround in stay-over visitor arrivals. Specifically the numbers of tourists who arrived in March was 12% higher than the same time last year. Year-to-date stay-over arrivals are already 1.2% higher than 2009’s figures.
The most significant increase in stay-over arrivals is coming out of the United States and Canada. This upward trend, which was noted at the end of 2009, continues in the first quarter of 2010, showing three consecutive months of positive growth.
“The destination’s focus on increasing airlift from the USA has proven to be right on target,” said Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism John Maginely.
