Cunard launched a new marketing slogan, "Feel Famous. Sail Cunard." The theme ties in with a series of tools for the retail trade that the line said will help sell its three ships: the Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. New tools include a "Feel Famous" Web video with Pass It On email functionality; a "Legendary Liners" DVD that can be customized with an agency's brand information and sent to clients; and a PDF e-flyer, "101 Ways to Feel Famous," that also can be personalized by an agency. The Pass It On email functionality was added to Cunard's travel agent video library at www.onesourcecruises.com.
Also for agents, Cunard updated its printed brochures. The brochures are: 2012 Transatlantic Crossings, 2012 Europe, 2011-12 Queen Victoria Americas and Queens Grill & Princess Grill Suites. A set of special fares also is part of the promotion. Feel Famous Fares are offered on all three Cunard liners.
HAL's how-to videos
Holland America Line introduced short training videos for agents who need instruction about Polar Online, the cruise line's booking tool. Located on HAL's Travel Agent HQ link on the home page, www.hollandamerica.com, the videos are designed to help retailers complete a variety of tasks without calling the line's reservation center, officials said. There are 17 videos available, focusing on such tasks as making a booking and changing a bed configuration or a cabin number.
Rapid refunds
Princess Cruises and Cunard Line began paying agencies their tour conductor refunds prior to departure. Agencies earn tour conductor funds equal to one passenger fare for every 16 people booked into a group and can choose to apply the value as a credit to the booking or receive the money as a refund. Agencies choosing the refund will now receive payment seven to 10 days before the cruise departs.
Making charity a Breeze
Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Breeze, which will enter service in June 2012, now is a featured item on the line's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/carnival. The line launched "Live the Carnival Breeze Life," a social media campaign designed to spur interest in the new ship. The Facebook tab has a "Meet the Carnival Breeze" area with renderings of the ship's public spaces. By visiting the Carnival Breeze tab, said the line, "fans can declare 'I Will Live the Carnival Breeze Life' to join the movement while also raising money for a great cause." For each person who joins, Carnival will donate $1, up to $20,000 total, to its charitable partner, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Meanwhile, at www.carnivalbreeze.com, visitor will find a "How It's Made" section, featuring a ship construction timeline and images and videos of the shipbuilding process. Following an inaugural 12-day cruise from Venice departing June 3, the Carnival Breeze will operate a series of 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona through Oct. 25. After its transatlantic crossing, the Breeze will sail year-round from Miami beginning Nov. 24, 2012, offering six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises.