MUSCAT: In the two accords signed with the Ministry of Manpower today, Oman LNG has earmarked almost half a million rials for the Oman Tourism College (OTC) Muscat and College of
Technology, Ibri in Ad Dhahirah Governorate.
For the Tourism College, a sum of RO 156,464 will go towards setting up two new high-tech laboratories and equipping the institution’s Hotel Management Training Centre.
The College caters to between 650 and 850 students annually. It teaches subjects required in the hospitality industry and also broadly suited to the service sector.
Among the priorities of the funding programme are two essential computer software — Sabre and Galileo — developed specifically for the travel and tourism sectors to serve customers in “searching, pricing and booking for services provided by airlines, hotels, car rental companies, rail providers and tour operators”.
As many as 160 multimedia computers will be provided with accompanying chairs and tables, printers, scanners, projectors and white boards, all of which will further students’ learning experience at the school.
The funds will also provide for Symposium Live multimedia facilities that support the delivery of high quality audio, video and PowerPoint presentations from any location around the world.
“The infrastructure funding provided by Oman LNG’s funding will further our college’s ability to train its students effectively, enabling them master many important skills required of operators in today’s dynamic hospitality industry,” said Bernhard Klefasz, Oman Tourism College’s International Advisor.
At the College of Technology, Ibri, RO283,513 has been earmarked for equipping laboratories and workshops at the school’s Engineering Department.
The main items to be funded under the plan include 44 electrostatic discharge (ESD) workstations for students, 38 side workstations, 99 laboratory desks and over a 100 flat screen and computer holders.
“Today’s agreements tie-up reflects with Oman LNG’s ultimate goal of contributing to the country’s development, especially in the push to provide our youths with quality education and modern skills that make them employable and ready to support the country’s growth and aspirations,” said Amor Al Matani, Oman LNG’s deputy general manager after signing the agreement.
The company has signed a string of agreements with relevant government agencies and private bodies to support a broad-scope of development initiatives in child care, women’s development, irrigation and water conservation, as part of its comprehensive Social Investment Programme (SIP).
The Oman Tourism College was established in 2011 in cooperation with an Austrian education consortium that consist the International College of Tourism and Management (ITC), the University of Applied Sciences, Austria among others. The Ibri College of Technology for its part is only one of seven Colleges of Technology under the supervision of the Ministry.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Preview 2012: Technology -
From the possibility of a renewed American Airlines push for Direct Connect to agency desktop changes and the specter of Google Flight Search, 2012 is shaping up as a year of challenge and opportunity for agents on the technology front.
Last summer's anticipated showdown between American Airlines and the GDSs -- with agents caught in the middle -- was put off for another day as contracts were extended, lawsuits were filed and a Department of Justice antitrust investigation ensued.
With American Airlines/GDS negotiations now extended until court actions have been resolved, it appears things should heat up again in late spring and summer. That's when edicts are expected in fast-tracked antitrust lawsuits filed by American Airlines in state and federal courts against Sabre and Travelport, although AMR Corp.'s Chapter 11 filing in November has cast much doubt on how the airline's battle to lower its distribution costs will play out.
Sabre has filed a motion in the bankruptcy proceeding to enable it to make counterclaims against American in the antitrust suits. The petition is necessary because a Chapter 11 filing usually stays such actions. Sabre says American backs its move to let the antitrust claims proceed.
Summer showdown
So the questions weighing on agents are, first, will they again find themselves facing booking surcharges from American by next fall if they don't implement the airline's Direct Connect solution and, second, will the airline's content be available to agents in GDSs or be biased into oblivion?
Given the court cases, the possibility of negotiated settlements, the bankruptcy filing and the under-the-covers DOJ antitrust investigation, no one can say for sure.
American says that Direct Connect remains a viable option. But it's unclear whether a reorganized airline would emerge stronger and emboldened, seeing Direct Connect as a clear priority, or become distracted by more pressing financial matters.
Other airlines, which are working on XML connectivity standards in the Open AXIS Group, are assuredly watching and will take their cues based on what happens with American's Direct Connect initiative. For example, Delta has expressed direct-connect ambitions, although it is taking an approach that is much less aggressive than American's.
Desktops and ancillaries
On the agency desktop front, Travelport is proceeding, albeit somewhat slowly, with the global rollout of its Agencia desktop, and Sabre has been busy updating the features of its Sabre Red Workspace, which debuted midway through 2010.
Both desktops offer graphical features, add nontraditional content and are positioned as tools for improving agency productivity.
Both GDSs will have something to prove about their desktop initiatives in 2012.
Travelport will introduce its new desktop in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the U.K. A foundation of the new technology is Travelport's Universal API, a system that enables low-cost carriers, rail providers and other nontraditional suppliers to connect to the agency desktop.
As Travelport continues its rollout, it remains to be seen how much traction the new API will get with large agencies and suppliers.
Sabre, too, has embarked on an interesting tech experiment related to the Sabre Red Workspace.
With app development all the rage for Apple iOS, Android and other mobile devices, Sabre is gambling that travel agencies, too, will want to get in on some of the developer action. It is thus opening the Sabre Red App Centre, an initiative designed to get developers to create and market apps to Sabre-connected travel agencies through the Sabre Red Workspace.
The idea is for developers to create apps that in theory could facilitate anything from restaurant reservations to hotel reviews and integrate them tightly into agents' workflow as they use the desktop.
Sabre is vetting developers and giving them the opportunity to sell these apps geared specifically for the Sabre agency desktop, with code-writers earning a 70/30 split on app sales.
Even before the introduction of the app center, Sabre had developer agreements with about 130 companies. Now, with the Sabre Red Workspace rolled out to some 165,000 installations in 116 countries, it is hoping the market opportunity is large enough to attract a significant amount of app-development activity.
One thing that is crystal clear about 2012 is that agents will increasingly have access to airlines' ancillary services, although the pace and scope are to be determined.
For years, airlines offered bag fees and premium seats, as a rule, on their websites only. When GDS vendors managed to strike agreements to access those fees for travel agents, it was accomplished through one-off technologies and workarounds.
The research firm IdeaWorks estimates that global airlines were on pace to attract $32.5 billion in ancillary revenue in 2011, and the recent introduction of an IATA standard for Electronic Miscellaneous Documents will hasten the distribution of these services to the travel agency channel.
These still are early days for the implementation of EMDs, however.
"Three airlines [Finnair, Iberia and Japan Airlines] have used EMDs for travel agency transactions, and 25 airlines have developed the capability to use their first EMD," IdeaWorks reported.
The DOT, meanwhile, is considering new rules that would require airlines to make their ancillary services available to agencies through the GDSs.
Google Flight Search
In 2012, travel agents should get a much better handle on any threats from Google's recently launched Flight Search, an airfare search solution powered by the search giant's recent acquisition of ITA Software.
For now, Google Flight Search is a very limited product, offering a less-than-complete roster of domestic fares and from airline sites only. Google Flight Search is notable for its exclusion of online travel agency and travel metasearch sites in the core search results, and it allows them only a minor presence in tiny advertisements on the bottom of the results page.
Extremely fast in spitting out flight results, Flight Search today is very limited in scope, but Google will certainly broaden its domestic coverage and has already announced that it intends to introduce international fares early in the new year.
Given Google's power with consumers, coupled with the launch of Google Hotel Finder, a hotel meta-search product, there is always the threat that the search giant will make further inroads and take share away from travel agents.
Agent 3.0
Tom Cates, chief commercial officer of Amadeus North America, believes such marketplace developments, including the advent of social media and mobile apps, will require the evolution of a "next-generation agent," which Amadeus dubs Agent 3.0.
"Agent 3.0 embraces the traditional tools, role and value of the travel agent," Cates said. But he added that this new breed of agent is "also adapting to new traveler preferences, new tools and new ways of doing business. Agent 3.0 provides superior guidance on the best destinations and expertly handles travel arrangements for their clients as agents always have. But they are also active in new channels, such as social and mobile, to best serve their customers while also expanding their business opportunities."
Dennis Schaal is North America editor of Tnooz.
Last summer's anticipated showdown between American Airlines and the GDSs -- with agents caught in the middle -- was put off for another day as contracts were extended, lawsuits were filed and a Department of Justice antitrust investigation ensued.
With American Airlines/GDS negotiations now extended until court actions have been resolved, it appears things should heat up again in late spring and summer. That's when edicts are expected in fast-tracked antitrust lawsuits filed by American Airlines in state and federal courts against Sabre and Travelport, although AMR Corp.'s Chapter 11 filing in November has cast much doubt on how the airline's battle to lower its distribution costs will play out.
Sabre has filed a motion in the bankruptcy proceeding to enable it to make counterclaims against American in the antitrust suits. The petition is necessary because a Chapter 11 filing usually stays such actions. Sabre says American backs its move to let the antitrust claims proceed.
Summer showdown
So the questions weighing on agents are, first, will they again find themselves facing booking surcharges from American by next fall if they don't implement the airline's Direct Connect solution and, second, will the airline's content be available to agents in GDSs or be biased into oblivion?
Given the court cases, the possibility of negotiated settlements, the bankruptcy filing and the under-the-covers DOJ antitrust investigation, no one can say for sure.
American says that Direct Connect remains a viable option. But it's unclear whether a reorganized airline would emerge stronger and emboldened, seeing Direct Connect as a clear priority, or become distracted by more pressing financial matters.Other airlines, which are working on XML connectivity standards in the Open AXIS Group, are assuredly watching and will take their cues based on what happens with American's Direct Connect initiative. For example, Delta has expressed direct-connect ambitions, although it is taking an approach that is much less aggressive than American's.
Desktops and ancillaries
On the agency desktop front, Travelport is proceeding, albeit somewhat slowly, with the global rollout of its Agencia desktop, and Sabre has been busy updating the features of its Sabre Red Workspace, which debuted midway through 2010.
Both desktops offer graphical features, add nontraditional content and are positioned as tools for improving agency productivity.
Both GDSs will have something to prove about their desktop initiatives in 2012.
Travelport will introduce its new desktop in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the U.K. A foundation of the new technology is Travelport's Universal API, a system that enables low-cost carriers, rail providers and other nontraditional suppliers to connect to the agency desktop.
As Travelport continues its rollout, it remains to be seen how much traction the new API will get with large agencies and suppliers.
Sabre, too, has embarked on an interesting tech experiment related to the Sabre Red Workspace.
With app development all the rage for Apple iOS, Android and other mobile devices, Sabre is gambling that travel agencies, too, will want to get in on some of the developer action. It is thus opening the Sabre Red App Centre, an initiative designed to get developers to create and market apps to Sabre-connected travel agencies through the Sabre Red Workspace.
The idea is for developers to create apps that in theory could facilitate anything from restaurant reservations to hotel reviews and integrate them tightly into agents' workflow as they use the desktop.
Sabre is vetting developers and giving them the opportunity to sell these apps geared specifically for the Sabre agency desktop, with code-writers earning a 70/30 split on app sales.
Even before the introduction of the app center, Sabre had developer agreements with about 130 companies. Now, with the Sabre Red Workspace rolled out to some 165,000 installations in 116 countries, it is hoping the market opportunity is large enough to attract a significant amount of app-development activity.
One thing that is crystal clear about 2012 is that agents will increasingly have access to airlines' ancillary services, although the pace and scope are to be determined.
For years, airlines offered bag fees and premium seats, as a rule, on their websites only. When GDS vendors managed to strike agreements to access those fees for travel agents, it was accomplished through one-off technologies and workarounds.
The research firm IdeaWorks estimates that global airlines were on pace to attract $32.5 billion in ancillary revenue in 2011, and the recent introduction of an IATA standard for Electronic Miscellaneous Documents will hasten the distribution of these services to the travel agency channel.
These still are early days for the implementation of EMDs, however.
"Three airlines [Finnair, Iberia and Japan Airlines] have used EMDs for travel agency transactions, and 25 airlines have developed the capability to use their first EMD," IdeaWorks reported.
The DOT, meanwhile, is considering new rules that would require airlines to make their ancillary services available to agencies through the GDSs.
Google Flight Search
In 2012, travel agents should get a much better handle on any threats from Google's recently launched Flight Search, an airfare search solution powered by the search giant's recent acquisition of ITA Software.
For now, Google Flight Search is a very limited product, offering a less-than-complete roster of domestic fares and from airline sites only. Google Flight Search is notable for its exclusion of online travel agency and travel metasearch sites in the core search results, and it allows them only a minor presence in tiny advertisements on the bottom of the results page.
Extremely fast in spitting out flight results, Flight Search today is very limited in scope, but Google will certainly broaden its domestic coverage and has already announced that it intends to introduce international fares early in the new year.
Given Google's power with consumers, coupled with the launch of Google Hotel Finder, a hotel meta-search product, there is always the threat that the search giant will make further inroads and take share away from travel agents.
Agent 3.0
Tom Cates, chief commercial officer of Amadeus North America, believes such marketplace developments, including the advent of social media and mobile apps, will require the evolution of a "next-generation agent," which Amadeus dubs Agent 3.0.
"Agent 3.0 embraces the traditional tools, role and value of the travel agent," Cates said. But he added that this new breed of agent is "also adapting to new traveler preferences, new tools and new ways of doing business. Agent 3.0 provides superior guidance on the best destinations and expertly handles travel arrangements for their clients as agents always have. But they are also active in new channels, such as social and mobile, to best serve their customers while also expanding their business opportunities."
Dennis Schaal is North America editor of Tnooz.
Sabre wins billion dollar contract
Etihad Airways has signed a “ground-breaking” ten-year deal with Sabre Airline Solutions.
The agreement will see Sabre provide integrated reservations, inventory, marketing, planning e-commerce and departure control software.
Valued at more than $1 billion, the deal also includes a “multi-year” full-content distribution agreement, the length of which has not been revealed.
According to James Hogn, Etihad's CEO, the deal will mean “significantly” reduced technology costs for the airline.
He said: “This groundbreaking deal will play a pivotal role in providing Etihad Airways with the tools necessary to achieve its next phase of growth and profitability targets in an innovative, sustainable and cost effective manner.
“It will be the single largest technology-enabled business change that Etihad Airways will undertake in a decade.”
By taking an integrated approach to its technology needs, Etihad is able to create “efficiencies of scale”, added Hogan.
“We are fortunate to be in a position, unlike legacy carriers, to be able to implement this software across the board.”
Sam Gilliland, Sabre's CEO, said the technology included in the deal will provide Etihad with “the flexibility to adapt to the constantly changing travel marketplace”.
He said: “We very much look forward to working with Etihad Airways as it grows over the next ten years to become one of the largest airlines in the world.
“The technology we will provide will facilitate this growth considerably.”
Liechtenstein is now part of the Schengen area
As of this week, Liechtenstein is the latest country to become a Member of the Schengen area, the zone without controls at internal borders.
Over 400 million Europeans from 26 European countries now enjoy passport-free travel across the Schengen area.
“The Schengen Area has grown rapidly, allowing for increasing numbers of European citizens and third country visitors to enjoy free movement across more and more countries. With Liechtenstein joining today, we are further developing one of the most cherished achievements of the EU”, said Cecilia Malmström, Commissioner for Home Affairs.
From now on, checks on persons will be abolished at the borders with Liechtenstein, which will fully implement the Schengen rules.
Edition: 1144
Corkboard: our weekly travel news round-up
Our weekly look at the new and fun in the world of travel, including a cool pop-up beach camp in Mexico, a 3,000km-plus trek in New Zealand and a hairy trip to Cairo
Tweet us @guardiantravel or email us about your travels
The Papaya Playa Project in Tulum, Mexico
Escapism
In Tulum, Mexico – just over an hour's drive from Cancun – a stylish pop-up camp by Design Hotels, called Papaya Playa Project, opens next week. There are 99 cabanas (from basic to luxurious), a beach-shack bar, raw food bar, lounge, live DJs, full-moon parties, and "Mayan-influenced" spa treatments.
• From $25-$675 per night, open until April (papayaplayaproject.com)
Where's hot now?
Mali (33C)
From November to March is the dry season in Mali, one of the most interesting places to travel in west Africa. See the fishing communities of the Niger river and the Tuareg of the Sahara, and enjoy amazing music.
• Royal Air Maroc (020-8432 3421, royal-airmaroc.co.uk) currently has flights to Bamako from London for around £588 in early January
Cheap date
Mallorca Farmhouses is offering 20% off self-catering properties for next spring and autumn if booked by 31 December. Cal Rei Petit, for example, sleeps six in Pollenca from £504 per week, which works out at £84pp.
• 0845 800 8080, mallorca.co.uk
What's new?
New Zealand's 3,300km Te Araroa trail. Photograph: Andy BelcherTrekking
Fancy a stroll? New Zealand's 3,300km Te Araroa opens today as one of the world's longest walking routes. Linking Cape Reinga, at the northern tip of the North Island, and Bluff, on the South Island's southernmost coast, mainly by pre‑existing trails and back-country roads, it would take months to complete. A highlight is the Tongariro Crossing, across a volcanic landscape (pictured). Around 100 people a year are expected to complete the full walk.
• Download maps at teararoa.org.nz
Accommodation
New accommodation rarely opens on the Scilly Isles, but next May will see the addition of four one-bedroom, sea-view suites and seven luxury cottages to the Island Hotel's Sea Garden Cottages on Tresco. Seven nights costs from £1,295 for two, half-board.
• 01720 422849, tresco.co.uk
Teenage trip
If your teenager has been inspired by Alan Sugar's Young Apprentice, they can develop skills to thrive in the business world on a Young Entrepreneur summer camp in the French ski resort of Alpe d'Huez with Peak Horizon. Aimed at 15- to 17-year-olds, they include workshops and talks, and cost €2,499 for two weeks all inclusive, in July or August.
• 01273 244695, peakhorizon.com
Five-step city break to Madrid
1. Fly Manchester to Madrid, for the weekend of 9-12 Dec, £160pp return, or 16-18 Dec, £80 (ryanair.com)
2. Stay at Chic&Basic Colors hotel, rooms from €62 (chicandbasic.com)
3. Eat at La Broche (labroche.com)
4. Shop at 500-year-old El Rastro market, or Feria Mercado ArtesanÃa craft fair in Plaza de España, 17 December-5 January
5. Party in the hip Malasaña district
Travel trash
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, right? Well not so much anymore, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which is campaigning to stop people "over-sharing" on Facebook and other social media. Sin City's "atmosphere of adult freedom" is threatened by the posting of pictures and comments that others would prefer kept private, it says.
• visitlasvegas.com/knowthecode
Tweet ur trip
Worst travel companion
Did Lands End to John O'Groats in 2002 (in six days) with a 60+ YO Kiwi who hadn't even bought a map. Odd, but great character
@niceguysean
Travelling in Colombia with a girl from California, who lived in a tree when she was at home.
@alibaverstock
• Next week: worst hotels
Travel warning! Caution in Cairo
In the initial aftermath of the Egyptian revolution, the Egyptian State Tourist Office and several tour operators pushed Cairo as a fascinating post-revolution travel destination. Tahrir Square, the base camp for Egypt's newfound freedom, was promoted as the latest tourist attraction. However, political unrest continues and visitors should be aware of the chaos at tourist sites.
I visited Cairo last week during protests before Monday's elections. Tourist numbers were visibly down, and there was an air of lawlessness in some areas. In downtown Cairo, I witnessed three bag snatchings in one afternoon. At traffic lights on the way to the Great Pyramid of Giza, hawkers (long known for their aggressive sales tactics) leapt on to my taxi and hit our driver through his window, shouting for him to let us out so they could sell us camel rides and trinkets. They stayed on top of the car, hitting the roof and windows as we drove closer to the pyramids. I stayed 10 minutes and didn't even go inside. The police looked on powerless and bemused.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office is currently telling travellers, especially women, to be cautious, to avoid Tahrir Square and to adhere to local customs, but is not actually advising against travelling to Egypt. However some tour operators, such as Red Sea Holidays, have temporarily suspended Cairo excursions.
Khaled Ramy, the Egyptian State Tourist Office's UK director, said: "The Egyptian Museum is open, all tourist sites are open – it's business as usual." This may be the case from afar, but for me, the hawkers' menacing faces pushed up against the back windscreen will be the enduring memory of my trip.
Shahesta Shaitly
Send us your tips
Tourism to Colombia up 8.5% in 2011
1.4 million foreign visitors took a vacation in Colombia between January and November this year; 8.5% more than the same period in 2010, according to data from the National Statistics Agency.
During 2011, four new new routes were open with 39 international flights weekly. Furthermore the new routes connect Medellin with Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles, and Bogota with Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and La Paz in Bolivia.
The Vice Minister of Tourism Oscar Rueda GarcÃa, said that most visitors to Colombia are from Brazil, Chile, Venezuela and Mexico. He also said "The behaviour of the arrival of foreign visitors added to the dynamism in the domestic market, has encouraged other activities such as the hotel industry and air transport."
The past year was also a good year for travel agencies. Between January and September travel agencies had income grew by 16% in the third trimester of the year compared to the same period last year.
In the last five years, 1,200 new travel agencies have been set up in Colombia, an increase of 46%. Now there are 5,200 Colombian travel agencies.
Norwegian, HAL Launch Tools for Agents
Norwegian Rolls Out New Agent Booking Tool
Norwegian Cruise Line introduced a new booking engine, designed exclusively for travel agents. The new booking tool gives travel agents the ability to complete all aspects of a cruise reservation online, including being able to book multiple staterooms simultaneously and attach multiple promotional codes to each reservation. Independent air information, land packages, shore excursions, and onboard entertainment and dining reservations (only on the Epic) also can be added to a guest’s booking.
The new booking platform also allows agents to submit special requests. Additionally, the tool gives agents quick access to agency information and offers a quick search feature on all screens that includes an option to search for guests’ Latitude Rewards numbers. Other features include the option to send cruise travel kits to alternate addresses, the ability to copy reservations and reinstate bookings.
Holland America Unveils New Marketing and Sales Tools
Holland America Line added a variety of new marketing, sales and training tools for travel agents to its online portal, Travel Agent Headquarters. Among the new tools are new marketing direct mail and email pieces.
Oceania Designs Beverage Packages for 2012
Oceania Cruises will introduce two new beverage packages on sailings beginning in 2012. The House Wine and Beer option is priced at $29.95 per guest, per day and includes house wine by the glass and beer with lunch and dinner in any dining venue or via room service. The Open Bar option is priced at $49.95 per guest, per day and includes beer and premium house wine by the glass and most beverages on the bar menu. The beverage package prices include gratuities and can be pre-booked online on purchased onboard.
Royal Caribbean Debuts Specialty Dining Packages
Royal Caribbean International debuted seven new dining packages enabling guests to more affordably dine at the line’s numerous specialty restaurants on select ships. The packages range in price from $50 to $120 per guest and save passengers at least 25% compared to the sum of the individual restaurants’ cover charges. Aboard Oasis and Allure of the Seas, guests have the choice of three dining packages, while those onboard the Radiance of the Seas have two choices and guests on the Splendour of the Seas have one option. Packages can be pre-reserved online or onboard ship.
New Leadership, Ship Arrival Date at Costa
Ruben Perez officially assumed his position as general manager at Costa Cruises, N.A., following the retirement of Maurice Zarmati as president and CEO of the North American office at the end of November. Perez is responsible for the day-to-day management of all operations. At the same time, Scott Knutson has been promoted to vice president of sales and marketing and is responsible for travel agent relations. Also, Costa Fascinosa, the 16th ship in the Costa Cruises fleet, is scheduled to debut May 2, 2012 on the first of two mini-cruises, which will bring the ship to Savona, Italy for a naming event on May 6.
Wind Surf Finishes First Phase of Makeover
Windstar Cruises’ Wind Surf yacht has completed the first phase of its refurbishment, which encompassed the updating of all staterooms, suites, bridge suites and corridors. Staterooms now feature leather headboards, arm chairs, linen wall coverings, new lighting features and more, while suites were additionally outfitted with new furniture that converts to lounging, dining or accommodating a third guest. Corridors were completely renovated from floor to ceiling. The second phase of refurbishment is slated for fall 2012 and will focus on public spaces.
CRUISE ITINERARY NEWS
Carnival Inspiration Takes Over Catalina Cruises
Carnival Inspiration launched year-round three- and four-day cruises from Long Beach, Calif. The three-day cruises depart Fridays and visit Ensenada, while the four-day cruises depart Mondays and visit Ensenada and Catalina Island. The Carnival Inspiration replaces the Carnival Paradise on this itinerary.
Princess Details 2012 Canada, New England Season
Princess Cruises will offer two ships (the Caribbean Princess and Emerald Princess) sailing 11 voyages on three itineraries to Canada and New England in 2012. The three options are a weeklong roundtrip sailing from New York; a 10-day, one-way voyage between New York and Quebec City, featuring an overnight stay in the city; and a 12-night Canada & Colonial America cruise from Quebec to Ft. Lauderdale.
American Cruise Lines Offers Lewis and Clark Theme Cruises
American Cruise Lines will offer Lewis and Clark theme cruises aboard its Queen of the West paddle wheeler that operates on the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. Available this April, between Portland, Ore. and Clarkston, Wash., the itinerary will follow in the footsteps of the explorers’ expedition. Onboard lecturers and entertainers will bring the story of the expedition to life.
Crystal Cruises Opens All of 2013 for Booking
Crystal Cruises opened its entire 2013 list of sailings for bookings, with all itineraries featuring a “Book Now” fare offering guests the best prices for bookings made by Feb. 28 or June 30, 2012 (depending on cruise departure date). Highlights of the 64 itineraries on offer include an increase in shorter cruises, a larger ship in Northern Europe, 16 maiden calls, a 74-day World Cruise with focus on South America, 25% more port days, cruises without any days at sea, and an increase in New England/Canada itineraries.
Norwegian Announces Summer 2013-14 Sailings
Norwegian announced its summer deployment for the 2013/14 season, including the addition of a third ship in Alaska, the Norwegian Sun, sailing seven-day, open-jaw itineraries between Vancouver, British Columbia and Whittier, Alaska. The line’s summer deployment also features four ships sailing in Europe, along with two ships cruising to Bermuda and one running quick Bahamas “Getaways.”
Scenic Cruises to Launch Rebuilt Ship in Russia
Scenic Cruises will launch the completely rebuilt Scenic Tsar in Russia in May 2012, offering 15-day sailings between St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Variety Cruises Announces New Itineraries
Variety Cruises will add four new itineraries in 2012, including Arabian Journey, debuting in November, exploring the Arabian Gulf and Omani Coast. Also new: Romantic Rivieras, which sails the French and Italian coasts starting in June; Treasures of South Italy and Malta, beginning in September; and The Adriatic Odyssey, which visits Corfu, Dubrovnik and Montenegro, starting in July. Also new in 2012, the 223-foot Variety Voyager mega yacht with 36 cabins, debuting in spring, and the three-masted sail cruiser Panorama II with 25 cabins, debuting in June.
Holland America Deploys Ship in Asia in 2013
Holland America Line will deploy its Volendam to Asia in 2013, with a series of 14-day itineraries between Singapore and Hong Kong; Kobe (Osaka) and Hong Kong; and a roundtrip out of Kobe. Ports in Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, and Cambodia will be included. In total, the ship will sail nine voyages, sailing from December 2012 through April 2013.
Norwegian Cruise Line introduced a new booking engine, designed exclusively for travel agents. The new booking tool gives travel agents the ability to complete all aspects of a cruise reservation online, including being able to book multiple staterooms simultaneously and attach multiple promotional codes to each reservation. Independent air information, land packages, shore excursions, and onboard entertainment and dining reservations (only on the Epic) also can be added to a guest’s booking.
The new booking platform also allows agents to submit special requests. Additionally, the tool gives agents quick access to agency information and offers a quick search feature on all screens that includes an option to search for guests’ Latitude Rewards numbers. Other features include the option to send cruise travel kits to alternate addresses, the ability to copy reservations and reinstate bookings.
Holland America Unveils New Marketing and Sales Tools
Holland America Line added a variety of new marketing, sales and training tools for travel agents to its online portal, Travel Agent Headquarters. Among the new tools are new marketing direct mail and email pieces.
Oceania Designs Beverage Packages for 2012
Oceania Cruises will introduce two new beverage packages on sailings beginning in 2012. The House Wine and Beer option is priced at $29.95 per guest, per day and includes house wine by the glass and beer with lunch and dinner in any dining venue or via room service. The Open Bar option is priced at $49.95 per guest, per day and includes beer and premium house wine by the glass and most beverages on the bar menu. The beverage package prices include gratuities and can be pre-booked online on purchased onboard.
Royal Caribbean Debuts Specialty Dining Packages
Royal Caribbean International debuted seven new dining packages enabling guests to more affordably dine at the line’s numerous specialty restaurants on select ships. The packages range in price from $50 to $120 per guest and save passengers at least 25% compared to the sum of the individual restaurants’ cover charges. Aboard Oasis and Allure of the Seas, guests have the choice of three dining packages, while those onboard the Radiance of the Seas have two choices and guests on the Splendour of the Seas have one option. Packages can be pre-reserved online or onboard ship.
New Leadership, Ship Arrival Date at Costa
Ruben Perez officially assumed his position as general manager at Costa Cruises, N.A., following the retirement of Maurice Zarmati as president and CEO of the North American office at the end of November. Perez is responsible for the day-to-day management of all operations. At the same time, Scott Knutson has been promoted to vice president of sales and marketing and is responsible for travel agent relations. Also, Costa Fascinosa, the 16th ship in the Costa Cruises fleet, is scheduled to debut May 2, 2012 on the first of two mini-cruises, which will bring the ship to Savona, Italy for a naming event on May 6.
Wind Surf Finishes First Phase of Makeover
Windstar Cruises’ Wind Surf yacht has completed the first phase of its refurbishment, which encompassed the updating of all staterooms, suites, bridge suites and corridors. Staterooms now feature leather headboards, arm chairs, linen wall coverings, new lighting features and more, while suites were additionally outfitted with new furniture that converts to lounging, dining or accommodating a third guest. Corridors were completely renovated from floor to ceiling. The second phase of refurbishment is slated for fall 2012 and will focus on public spaces.
CRUISE ITINERARY NEWS
Carnival Inspiration Takes Over Catalina Cruises
Carnival Inspiration launched year-round three- and four-day cruises from Long Beach, Calif. The three-day cruises depart Fridays and visit Ensenada, while the four-day cruises depart Mondays and visit Ensenada and Catalina Island. The Carnival Inspiration replaces the Carnival Paradise on this itinerary.
Princess Details 2012 Canada, New England Season
Princess Cruises will offer two ships (the Caribbean Princess and Emerald Princess) sailing 11 voyages on three itineraries to Canada and New England in 2012. The three options are a weeklong roundtrip sailing from New York; a 10-day, one-way voyage between New York and Quebec City, featuring an overnight stay in the city; and a 12-night Canada & Colonial America cruise from Quebec to Ft. Lauderdale.
American Cruise Lines Offers Lewis and Clark Theme Cruises
American Cruise Lines will offer Lewis and Clark theme cruises aboard its Queen of the West paddle wheeler that operates on the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. Available this April, between Portland, Ore. and Clarkston, Wash., the itinerary will follow in the footsteps of the explorers’ expedition. Onboard lecturers and entertainers will bring the story of the expedition to life.
Crystal Cruises Opens All of 2013 for Booking
Crystal Cruises opened its entire 2013 list of sailings for bookings, with all itineraries featuring a “Book Now” fare offering guests the best prices for bookings made by Feb. 28 or June 30, 2012 (depending on cruise departure date). Highlights of the 64 itineraries on offer include an increase in shorter cruises, a larger ship in Northern Europe, 16 maiden calls, a 74-day World Cruise with focus on South America, 25% more port days, cruises without any days at sea, and an increase in New England/Canada itineraries.
Norwegian Announces Summer 2013-14 Sailings
Norwegian announced its summer deployment for the 2013/14 season, including the addition of a third ship in Alaska, the Norwegian Sun, sailing seven-day, open-jaw itineraries between Vancouver, British Columbia and Whittier, Alaska. The line’s summer deployment also features four ships sailing in Europe, along with two ships cruising to Bermuda and one running quick Bahamas “Getaways.”
Scenic Cruises to Launch Rebuilt Ship in Russia
Scenic Cruises will launch the completely rebuilt Scenic Tsar in Russia in May 2012, offering 15-day sailings between St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Variety Cruises Announces New Itineraries
Variety Cruises will add four new itineraries in 2012, including Arabian Journey, debuting in November, exploring the Arabian Gulf and Omani Coast. Also new: Romantic Rivieras, which sails the French and Italian coasts starting in June; Treasures of South Italy and Malta, beginning in September; and The Adriatic Odyssey, which visits Corfu, Dubrovnik and Montenegro, starting in July. Also new in 2012, the 223-foot Variety Voyager mega yacht with 36 cabins, debuting in spring, and the three-masted sail cruiser Panorama II with 25 cabins, debuting in June.
Holland America Deploys Ship in Asia in 2013
Holland America Line will deploy its Volendam to Asia in 2013, with a series of 14-day itineraries between Singapore and Hong Kong; Kobe (Osaka) and Hong Kong; and a roundtrip out of Kobe. Ports in Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, and Cambodia will be included. In total, the ship will sail nine voyages, sailing from December 2012 through April 2013.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)