Subscribe in a reader
Only a few summer months left to get ‘em talking
Where have the summer months gone?
We’re almost in the middle of July and before you know it, it will be time to roll out the fall specials. I ask you, what have you done this summer season to get your family travelers talking?
I’m tuned into family travel blogs, Twitter and Facebook, and I have not seen any raving fans (parents) talking about how great their travels have been. I’ll continue my search. Don’t be discouraged. There’s still time to roll out the “Wow” factor for your family travelers.
In fact, now is the perfect time to reconsider what programs and specials you have in place and tweak them a little. Summer is ALWAYS a great time to experiment. Get families raving about you during their social media time. Disney Cruises has the idea. Just last night I saw their new “end of summer” commercial campaign, where they are encouraging families to book a cruise now before school starts. I must admit, although we’ve already planned our summer vacation, which is in a few weeks, I was feeling tempted to at least pick up the phone and inquire.
I do realize that Disney is in a breed of their own. I used that example to show you that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Just get your family travelers talking about their grand experience with your brand. From there, have a plan in place to have them come back for more.
Royal Caribbean resumes port of call close to Haiti
Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Sea
Royal Caribbean’s decision to go on with its sail dates has caused quite a stir, given their private island, Labadee, is only 100 miles from
Port-au-Prince.
What do you think?
I’m OK with this. As a travel industry professional, it’s important to give the travelers what they want. If it’s fine with the customers to carry on, then, it’s fine, especially in this economy.
MSNBC | Kelly Ranson
As humanitarian aid arrives and rescue workers continue their efforts to rebuild Haiti following the devastating earthquake last week, there’s been much talk about Royal Caribbean’s decision to resume calls on Labadee — the cruise line’s private “island” destination about 100 miles from capital city Port-au-Prince (it was not damaged in the quake).
Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas was the first to return, on Friday. And, despite rumors on Cruise Critic’s message boards that Royal Caribbean might reverse its decision, swapping Labadee for sea days, a cruise line spokeswoman tells us there are no plans to cancel calls. Both Navigator (which arrived today) and Liberty of the Seas (which calls on the port Friday) have been loaded with 80 pallets worth of supplies. On Friday, Celebrity Solstice will make its regularly scheduled stop — also bringing passengers and aid. (READ MORE)
Carnival says “no” to Cougar Cruise to uphold family travel image
Way to go Carnival!
Did you hear? Carnival Cruise Lines turned down the opportunity to host another “Cougar” themed escapade from a singles travel group. The Cougar Cruise interests older women who seek younger men.
Apparantly the group sailed on the fun ship in December and wanted more. Although the theme was a huge success, Carnival passed on the opportunity to host another one.
You see, when a company is true to the family travel market, they don’t necessarily have to focus on making money, per se. Instead, when the focus is on making families happy, everyone wins.
Way to go Carnival!
The Associated Press
MIAMI – Carnival Cruise Lines won’t be sailing anymore with a boatload of “cougars” and their willing prey.
The Miami-based company has turned down a request from a singles travel group to book another cruise with the cougar theme. The term refers to older women who date younger men.
The singles group says the ban is unfounded. They point to their first cruise on Carnival’s Elation in December that drew about 300 women and the men they call “cubs.”
Carnival says there were no problems with last month’s trip, it’s just a business decision. They have no room for groups with that “theme.”
Analysts say it’s meant to protect Carnival’s focus on family fun. (READ MORE)
Disney Cruises Entice Parents by Offering F*R*E*E Deals for the Kids
I told you this was a great time to cruise with the family. I don’t know about you, but we’re hopping on this one. Sales are down in the travel industry, but Disney has a plan to keep their ships sailing. Here’s what I found…
Walt Disney World Events Examiner, Jeff Titelius
The Disney Deals just keep coming and Disney Cruise Line has a KIDS FREE offer for January through April next year. Last week, I mentioned the “Kids Free” promotion on all Mediterranean cruises next summer aboard the Disney Magic. However, that same offer is now available for three- and four-night Bahamian cruises too! There are some really great travel deals out there and all you need to do is look for them to take advantage of savings that we’re probably not going to see again.
Here are the details. Starting in January, kids under 18 will sail for FREE aboard the Disney Wonder when accompanying the same stateroom as two adults on most three- and four-night Bahamian cruises from January 7, 2010 to April 15, 2010 — that’s a savings of $300 to $700 per child depending upon what kind of stateroom you book. Both the three- and four-night cruises call on Nassau and Disney’s own private island, Castaway Cay. (READ MORE)
Are You Looking for That Last Minute Labor Day Deal?
My family and I won’t be traveling this Labor Day. As you are reading this post, I’ll be welcoming my third child into the world. But for those of you who are itching to get away one last time before the school season starts,we’ve learned that Budget Travel can help you find some interesting deals.
Happy Trails!
Budget Travel, Thomas Berger
Made Labor Day travel plans yet? If not, these last-minute offers may be of interest.
Expedia has 174 deals for the holiday weekend; hotels are up to 50 percent off (most are 30 to 40 percent off). Note that the phrase used is “Hotel from”: The “from” is important, because the rooms at the best rate may sell out, and then you will see a higher rate. For example, the W New Orleans is listed as “from $62″ if you stay three nights, but the best rate as I’m posting this is $397 for three nights, not $186.
CheapTicketLinks has a page of Labor Day deal links, and their “Top Deals” of the day section (not limited to Labor Day) is searchable by category (cruises, hotels, car rentals, and packages).
Travelzoo has end-of-summer specials, most of which end right around Labor Day. For example, they have a Bahamas deal with the third night free at an all-inclusive in the Bahamas and rates for the two nights you pay for from $125 a night.
CruiseCompete has gathered together all of its cruises that include Labor Day; there’s a lot to wade through. They do have a five-night Caribbean cruise that sails from Fort Lauderdale and starts at $330.
Don’t forget to check lastminutedeals.com, and if you’re on Twitter consider signing up for the feeds of your favorite companies such as Priceline, and JetBlue. Or become a fan of your favorite companies on Facebook, finding their pages by searching on their names. Companies often use these social networking tools to get the word out about special offers.
