ResortForaDay, the shore excursion product line created by industry veteran Stuart Cohen, will expand its reach in the Caribbean in 2012.
The company, which operates a booking site at www.resortforaday.com, already offers its commissionable land excursion program at six destinations: Cozumel, Jamaica, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Barbados and St. Maarten.
"We are in the final stages of contract talks now with a very major island where we'll offer multiple resorts to choose from," said Cohen, who wouldn't divulge the location. "Our mission is to launch three new ResortForaDay islands in 2012."
The product provides cruise passengers with all-day access to a land resort -- in some cases, a choice of resorts -- on each of the island destinations.
Prices, which vary by resort, include a room for the day where clients can rest, shower and change before heading back to their ship after enjoying the resort's pool or beach.
According to Cohen, agents "love the simplicity of the product."
"They love offering this to their cruise clients who have done everything else or who want to enjoy a special day away from the crowds. And they love the value," said Cohen, who added that the product is particularly suited for groups.
Pricing, in many cases, is based on a group rate. For example, at the Westin Casaurina Resort and Spa in Grand Cayman, the rate of $149 covers up to four people sharing one room.
I recently sampled the ResortForaDay excursion during a port call in Grand Cayman. ResortForaDay does not include transfers for that location, but a $5 taxi ride (it was $8 for the return) brought me to the front doors of the Westin.
After checking in at the front desk with a ResortForaDay receipt, I was given access to a spacious room with two king-size beds, wooden ceiling fans and a private patio that opened onto the pool area.
Some of the resort packages are priced per person. At Jamaica's Hilton Rose Hall in Montego Bay, for example, rates are $75 per adult and $55 per child under age 17.
In Nassau, the price is $50 per adult and $45 for children under 15 at the Paradise Island Harbour Resort.
Some of the products offer roundtrip transfers, and certain rates are inclusive of food and beverages at the chosen resort. That wasn’t the case at the Westin in Grand Cayman, where my lunch tab, for a party of two, came to $45 for two sandwiches, two sodas and one cocktail.
ResortForaDay's agency commission ranges from 10% to 14%, based on the number of passengers on each booking. Groups of 16 or more will earn 12%, Cohen said, and groups of 32 or more earn 14%.
Cohen said he sets "very high standards" for the resorts he includes in his product line.
"These resorts must provide a memorable 'daycation.' We look for resorts that are 30 minutes or less drive time, so that guests can maximize their time on the property," Cohen said. "And we look for enthusiasm. We choose resorts that truly welcome cruisers because it gives them a great opportunity to showcase their properties."
Correction: Some products include transfers.
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