Tag Archives: Alaska

Levine: ‘Support the Survival and Prosperity of the Cruise Industry’

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Port of Miami

The future of Miami is tied to the future of the cruise industry writes Phil Levine, the former mayor of Miami Beach and president and CEO of Royal Media Partners in an opinion article in the Miami Herald.

Levine wrote that the cruise companies have provided Florida with more than 154,646 jobs, $7.7 billion in wages and more than $8.5 billion in direct spending. It has brought economic opportunities to thousands of families in Florida as well as small and large businesses, in addition to charities and foundations.

He sees a collective future, that the industry must be supported and encouraged to survive and prosper not just for its own sake but for the sake of everyone who relies on it.

Royal Media Partners provides customized port shopping services for the cruise brands of Royal Caribbean Cruises sailing in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Europe, Mexico and Alaska.

Norwegian Cancels Sun Alaska Program; Drops Prices On Other Ships

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Norwegian Sun

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that the Norwegian Sun’s summer program, ranging from May 21 to October 18, has been cancelled, citing a fleet redeployment. The ship was poised to sail long itineraries to Alaska.

Guests booked on Norwegian Sun departures from May 21 to August 12, 2020:will receive a refund in the form of a future cruise credit worth 125% of the fare paid, which will be valid for a period of one year and can be applied to any future published sailing through December 31, 2022.

Guests booked on cruises from August 13 to October 18 will receive a 100% refund of the fare paid which will be reimbursed to the original form of payment. Additionally, guests who rebook their vacation by April 27, 2020, for any sailing beginning October 1, 2020, will receive a 20% discount off the voyage fare.

“In conjunction with the cancellation of the Norwegian Sun voyages to Alaska, you will notice we have reduced our rates for cruises in July, August and September across the three vessels that will continue to sail Alaska – Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Jewel,” the company said, in a letter sent to travel partners. “We urge you to review the pricing on those dates, as you will likely find extremely favourable fares.”

Europe Bookings Leading the Way for 2021 According to Cruise Planners

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Viking Cruises Ship in Barcelona

“While the numbers are changing daily and being closely monitored, right now, cruise departures for 2021 are leading with Europe as a top destination at 38% of the mix with a large focus on European River cruising, followed by the Caribbean making up 23% of the mix and Alaska trending with 15% according to the company’s latest revenue reports,” said Michelle Fee, Cruise Planners CEO and Founder.

Cruise Planners has a nationwide network of travel agents that are already used to working from home, Fee said.

The company also shifted its marketing approach, according to a statement, shifting to a primarily digital approach of sending heartfelt messages providing hope for the future of travel, exploration and discovery and human connection on behalf of its travel advisor network.

Cruise Planners is also offering advice, tools and support to its travel advisor network to protect client investments and help maintain agent commissions by arming them with the latest supplier cancellation policy updates as well as providing direct access to travel supplier executives. In the last three weeks, advisors have heard from executives at Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Globus Family of Brands and Apple Leisure Group with more to come. They have been sharing what is happening with their brands and what trends they are experiencing.

Travel Agent Cruise Ship Business Vacation, PNG, 1104x556px ...

“There are thousands of people holding on to future travel credits that still need to be rebooked. We are hearing straight from the experts how to adjust travellers’ itineraries and take advantage of the rebooking offers available to them,” added Vicky Garcia, COO and co-owner. “It is a win/win for clients and agents when a client rebooks a future vacation since many suppliers are offering value adds and perks to those who apply their future cruise credit towards an upcoming vacation.”

Cruise Planners did undergo what Fee called a small round of layoffs while maintaining 90 per cent of its workforce. Salaries were reduced on a sliding scale across all departments including executives who are taking the highest pay cut. Fee and co-owner and COO, Vicky Garcia, volunteered to forgo 100% of their salaries and are working hard to lead the company through a full recovery eventually.