25 November 2009
There’s little doubt that 2009 has been a really tough year for nearly everybody. We felt helpless to do much to try and change the mindset of our customers who were intimidated by the avalanche of news that painted nothing but doom and gloom.
We noted a turning point last June when low prices and pent-up demand seemed to reach a tipping point. Instead of folks planning a cruise six to nine months in advance, we saw customers buying cruises six to nine weeks in advance and sometimes even closer in! We saw a rush which was heartening to our business survival. And even better news, for us, consumer booking patterns are looking more like the traditional model as cruise lines and land based-resorts are offering early booking deals to capture early commitment from vacation buyers!
This is a time of the year to dwell on giving thanks. Cruise Holidays of Woodinville was thrilled to be selected as part of the President’s Circle for 2009, giving us top 20 store status for the year. Both Steve and I give thanks that the folks who work at Cruise Holidays of Woodinville are dedicated travel professionals who are committed to delivering great customer service.
It’s our hope that our Thanksgiving thanks for 2009 will be dwarfed by the potential we see for a great 2010, and we wish that for everyone who comes in contact with us.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Optimism Abounds as Cruise Industry Adds Two
24 November 2009
Maybe you caught the hoopla surrounding the arrival of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Holding more than 5,000 passengers this 220,000 ton megaship has seven neighborhoods instead of mundane decks. So far the reviews have been over the top in praise for this innovative new ship.
Royal’s biggest competitor, Carnival also brought its newest ship, the Dream into operation with a New York arrival. And, early reports sound very good about what this ship features for cruise vacationers.
Between them, they represent more than 8,000 passengers a week. The two biggest cruise companies are confident they can fill their new additions. That’s good news for consumers because prices should remain at their current value levels for the foreseeable future.
Maybe you caught the hoopla surrounding the arrival of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Holding more than 5,000 passengers this 220,000 ton megaship has seven neighborhoods instead of mundane decks. So far the reviews have been over the top in praise for this innovative new ship.
Royal’s biggest competitor, Carnival also brought its newest ship, the Dream into operation with a New York arrival. And, early reports sound very good about what this ship features for cruise vacationers.
Between them, they represent more than 8,000 passengers a week. The two biggest cruise companies are confident they can fill their new additions. That’s good news for consumers because prices should remain at their current value levels for the foreseeable future.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Holiday Travel Rush Underway
20 November 2009
It’s official that the 2009 holiday rush season is now underway. But, for those procrastinators who wait until the last minute there is some good news—it’s not too late to book a Christmas or New Years cruise or land vacation, because space is still available on a limited basis.
Some of Cruise Holidays of Woodinville’s smarter customers take the guesswork out of their gift giving plans by purchasing a gift card with a pre-loaded dollar amount on it which can be redeemed for whatever date or cruise/vacation the recipients might wish. And, what’s nice about the custom gift card is that it never expires and can be used whenever it’s most convenient for the receiver.
The gift of a vacation is a great way to beat the holiday rush.
It’s official that the 2009 holiday rush season is now underway. But, for those procrastinators who wait until the last minute there is some good news—it’s not too late to book a Christmas or New Years cruise or land vacation, because space is still available on a limited basis.
Some of Cruise Holidays of Woodinville’s smarter customers take the guesswork out of their gift giving plans by purchasing a gift card with a pre-loaded dollar amount on it which can be redeemed for whatever date or cruise/vacation the recipients might wish. And, what’s nice about the custom gift card is that it never expires and can be used whenever it’s most convenient for the receiver.
The gift of a vacation is a great way to beat the holiday rush.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Exotic Destinations a Trend
19 November 2009
Yesterday one of our regular customers booked a cruise from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile—a 12-day voyage around the bottom of South America. He’s going in February which is peak summertime in the destination. Some of his stops include Montevideo, Uruguay, the Falkland Islands and Ushuaia, Argentina (the world’s southernmost city), as well as a passage through the Straits of Magellan, before ending in Santiago, Chile.
While his itinerary is rather routine for a South America cruise, it is symbolic of a larger trend of cruisers who want to visit more unusual places on their cruise vacation. And the cruise lines are adding new destinations at a record pace to satisfy the increased in interest in new ports to visit and experience. New additions might be Longyearben Island in the far north, or a port in Greenland, or Iceland. The options continue to expand for 2010.
Other places seeing significant expansion include cruises to Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Greece and Italy, or to the Black Sea and the Crimea. With the growth in fleet size the cruise lines are scrambling to find places they can send their older ships that will keep them full, and the winner is all of us.
While these more exotic cruises are becoming more prevalent, they do tend to be longer and a little more complex to book and experience. They might require special visas, inoculations, or other details, but, with enough planning time, none of those things is a problem.
Yesterday one of our regular customers booked a cruise from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile—a 12-day voyage around the bottom of South America. He’s going in February which is peak summertime in the destination. Some of his stops include Montevideo, Uruguay, the Falkland Islands and Ushuaia, Argentina (the world’s southernmost city), as well as a passage through the Straits of Magellan, before ending in Santiago, Chile.
While his itinerary is rather routine for a South America cruise, it is symbolic of a larger trend of cruisers who want to visit more unusual places on their cruise vacation. And the cruise lines are adding new destinations at a record pace to satisfy the increased in interest in new ports to visit and experience. New additions might be Longyearben Island in the far north, or a port in Greenland, or Iceland. The options continue to expand for 2010.
Other places seeing significant expansion include cruises to Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Greece and Italy, or to the Black Sea and the Crimea. With the growth in fleet size the cruise lines are scrambling to find places they can send their older ships that will keep them full, and the winner is all of us.
While these more exotic cruises are becoming more prevalent, they do tend to be longer and a little more complex to book and experience. They might require special visas, inoculations, or other details, but, with enough planning time, none of those things is a problem.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Water Slides, Zip Lines, Outdoor Aqua Theatres and Rooms for Five
18 November 2009
The new Carnival Dream has a 300 foot long waterslide in its onboard Aqua Park, the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas features both a bow to stern zip line along the top of the ship and the first outdoor performance aqua theatre in cruise history. But, even with these amazing bells and whistles, more mundane improvements such as staterooms holding five people and two bathroom staterooms may have a bigger impact on customer preference for the future.
Ever since Ted Arison, founder of Carnival Cruise Line pioneered the “build it and they will come” theory of cruise line expansion in the 1980s, the industry has invested billions of dollars in new and exciting ships, as well as a slightly lesser amount in the retrofitting of older ships with updates and improvements. And, while the big boys like Carnival and Royal Caribbean are bringing out their latest mega-ships, top-end luxury cruise lines such as Silversea Cruises and Seabourn Cruises have also upped the ante with new and exciting additions to their own fleets.
Bottom line is that the consumer today has more choice and value than ever before and the cruising industry is banking on that strategy for the long-term. What’s next, who can say, but it will probably be pretty exciting if the past is any indication.
Anybody in the Woodinville home area of Cruise Holidays of Woodinville is invited to hear more about Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas debut in a special story event on December 8th from 6-7:30 PM. Vikki Knudsen, regional sales manager for Royal Caribbean will bring her first-hand account of the inaugural activities for the world’s largest cruise ship. Please RSVP if you’d like to attend.
The new Carnival Dream has a 300 foot long waterslide in its onboard Aqua Park, the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas features both a bow to stern zip line along the top of the ship and the first outdoor performance aqua theatre in cruise history. But, even with these amazing bells and whistles, more mundane improvements such as staterooms holding five people and two bathroom staterooms may have a bigger impact on customer preference for the future.
Ever since Ted Arison, founder of Carnival Cruise Line pioneered the “build it and they will come” theory of cruise line expansion in the 1980s, the industry has invested billions of dollars in new and exciting ships, as well as a slightly lesser amount in the retrofitting of older ships with updates and improvements. And, while the big boys like Carnival and Royal Caribbean are bringing out their latest mega-ships, top-end luxury cruise lines such as Silversea Cruises and Seabourn Cruises have also upped the ante with new and exciting additions to their own fleets.
Bottom line is that the consumer today has more choice and value than ever before and the cruising industry is banking on that strategy for the long-term. What’s next, who can say, but it will probably be pretty exciting if the past is any indication.
Anybody in the Woodinville home area of Cruise Holidays of Woodinville is invited to hear more about Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas debut in a special story event on December 8th from 6-7:30 PM. Vikki Knudsen, regional sales manager for Royal Caribbean will bring her first-hand account of the inaugural activities for the world’s largest cruise ship. Please RSVP if you’d like to attend.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Live Longer, and Better—Cruise More
17 November 2009
This morning one of the internet feature articles was about “things men should do to prevent premature aging.” The story recommended cutting out fat, salt, sugar and alcohol as a strategy to keep aging at bay. It also recommended keeping an even temper and getting enough rest to keep harmful chemicals from entering your bloodstream.
The thought struck me that while a healthy diet and eating might not be a primary reason for taking a cruise, the maintenance of a good and restful attitude certainly is. And, with spa menus, special diets, great workout facilities etc. it certainly is possible to maintain a healthy approach to dining and exercise with only a minimal effort. The total impact of a cruise vacation is mirrored by industry statistic which, for more than 25 years, has shown a better than 90% satisfaction rate with quality of a cruise vacation.
So, not only is a cruise a great value, it’s great therapy as well. Just another reason why cruising is a great choice for a rejuvenating vacation.
This morning one of the internet feature articles was about “things men should do to prevent premature aging.” The story recommended cutting out fat, salt, sugar and alcohol as a strategy to keep aging at bay. It also recommended keeping an even temper and getting enough rest to keep harmful chemicals from entering your bloodstream.
The thought struck me that while a healthy diet and eating might not be a primary reason for taking a cruise, the maintenance of a good and restful attitude certainly is. And, with spa menus, special diets, great workout facilities etc. it certainly is possible to maintain a healthy approach to dining and exercise with only a minimal effort. The total impact of a cruise vacation is mirrored by industry statistic which, for more than 25 years, has shown a better than 90% satisfaction rate with quality of a cruise vacation.
So, not only is a cruise a great value, it’s great therapy as well. Just another reason why cruising is a great choice for a rejuvenating vacation.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
All-Inclusives are Great Vacation Option
14 November 2009
One of the reasons that cruises have grown so much in popularity is partially due to their inclusive nature and the value that represents. Meals, entertainment, and other goodies are often seen as great reasons for taking a cruise vacation—especially in the light of how meal, hotel and theatre prices have escalated over the past decade or so.
But, apart from cruise ships, many land-based resorts are also going the route of the all-inclusive. Many great new resorts in places like Mexico and the Caribbean have captured a lot of vacation business with the emphasis on one price pays for everything. Some places in Mexico even offer free land excursions to local attractions and privileges at sister resorts in the area.
One cruise line that has embraced the all-inclusive proposition is Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Because they operate in the luxury end of the business they have recently added free shore excursions and onboard beverages to their complimentary list. There’s little doubt that the attraction of inclusivity has a strong appeal for many value seeking vacationers, and why not?
One of the reasons that cruises have grown so much in popularity is partially due to their inclusive nature and the value that represents. Meals, entertainment, and other goodies are often seen as great reasons for taking a cruise vacation—especially in the light of how meal, hotel and theatre prices have escalated over the past decade or so.
But, apart from cruise ships, many land-based resorts are also going the route of the all-inclusive. Many great new resorts in places like Mexico and the Caribbean have captured a lot of vacation business with the emphasis on one price pays for everything. Some places in Mexico even offer free land excursions to local attractions and privileges at sister resorts in the area.
One cruise line that has embraced the all-inclusive proposition is Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Because they operate in the luxury end of the business they have recently added free shore excursions and onboard beverages to their complimentary list. There’s little doubt that the attraction of inclusivity has a strong appeal for many value seeking vacationers, and why not?
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