Cruise Lines International Association
member travel agencies last week participated in the annual World's
Largest Cruise Night program, the 24-hour centerpiece of the
organization's National Cruise Vacation Month, otherwise known as
October.
For 24 hours on
Oct. 19, travel agencies and cruise lines partnered to host
promotional cruise events, with many of the cruise lines offered
special deals and value-added incentives to people who booked
cruises by the end of the day.
Here's how some
agencies last week said they planned to get creative in their
participation, why some didn't participate at all and why WLCN is
especially important for both home- and Internet-based agencies.
And also a little about the never-ending allure of free
food.
Lisa Givas of
Academy Travel in Manahawkin, N.J., was participating for the first
time and using Disney as her hook. A four-foot Disney cruise ship
was to be on display, while a Pirates and Princess Tea Party was to
be held for children. Grown ups could listen to a steel-drum band
and enjoy snacks and drinks at the Manahawkin Holiday Inn. Reps
from all the cruise lines they work with were scheduled to be
there, but the focus was geared toward families so Disney was to be
the main attraction.
Cross promotion
Givas wanted to
promote cruising to her clients and guests and cross-promote her
agency's other services. "We are an
Internet-based company, so events like this are a great way to meet
and attract new clients," she said.
Since October is
also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Maureen Peacock, an America's
Vacation Center home-based agent in Las Vegas, planned to focus on
Holland America Line's "On Deck for the Cure" program, which raises
money for breast cancer research.
Alana Owen of
Alana's Adventures in Travel in Haslet, Texas, produced a booklet
for new cruisers and planned to use it as part of her event, in
addition to showing DVDs, giving away prizes provided by the cruise
lines, and serving wine, cheese and beverages.
Valerie Contrino
of Contrino Travel in Staten Island, N.Y., was doing her first-ever
WLCN event. She started her own home-based business in February
2005 and said that it is very important for home-based agents "to
get yourself out and be involved in the community."
"I tout myself on
commitment to service," she said. "You definitely have to get out
there. You can't just sit behind your desk and think everybody's
going to call. I'm out there pounding the pavement. I'm even
thinking about ringing doorbells."
Contrino rented a
local restaurant for the event to serve free dinner and drinks with
reps from MSC, Royal Caribbean, NCL and Carnival. When some cruise
lines didn't immediately offer to send reps, she did not back
down.
"I don't take no
very easily," she said.
G'day, shipmate
Peggy Hoffman of
VacationsByPeggy.com in Arlington, Texas, was holding
her event at Outback Steakhouse, where up to 50 people would be
able to mingle among tables decorated for each participating cruise
line. She was hoping that free appetizers, beverages and one glass
of wine would lure potential cruise buyers and was spreading the
word with flyers and by visiting a local retirement
home.
Others were
getting creative by offering to help passengers file passport
applications, holding events on a ship and offering food in the
theme of particular sailings, such as salmon for Alaska.
Other agents
declined to participate, citing difficulty getting cruise lines and
CLIA to send reps or any promotional materials.
To contact reporter Johanna Jainchill, send e-mail to [email protected].