Celebrity Names 2009 Partner of the Year - and We’re It!

In an exciting announcement today, Celebrity Cruises has named my parent companies, World Travel Holdings and Cruises Inc., their 2009 Partner of the Year! This is due to our professionalism, creativity, sales and commitment to Celebrity Cruises, and in no small part due to our success with the Celebrity Solstice Charter cruise this past November.

Celebrity has long been one of my personal top partners, and have consistently supported my business, both with singles (in making available to me tools other agents don't utilize to reduce supplements when possible), and to my couples, families and groups. I hope you will join me in continuing to support Celebrity as they support us!

And in very timely related news, Celebrity and Azamara have also extended their ASAP Sale through February 28, 2009. If you need reminder of the sailings with additional onboard credit and the other benefits, just look at the Celebrity ASAP Sale flyer.

Thank you to all of you for supporting Cruises Inc. and Celebrity this past year!

Celebrity and Azamara Extend ASAP Promotion!

Celebrity and Azamara have announced they're extending the ASAP Promotion's onboard credits through January 31! To view the sailings with up to $200/cabin onboard credit, go to Celebrity/Azamara ASAP Promotion. The reduced deposits continue all the way through February 28, 2009.

Even though I'm currently in South America, I'm happy to still book you myself or through the use of my covering agents. Just send me an email!

Wave Season Has Arrived! Summary of Offers and NEW Oceania Sales Event!

When my phone rang this morning at 5:44AM, I knew that the first day of Wave Season had arrived. So far, the rest of my Monday has followed suit, and I'd say the rush is on!

What is Wave Season? It's the cruise industry term for the first quarter of the year, which traditionally has the highest number of bookings. In fact, more than half the yearly bookings are usually made in these three months, especially in January. Think of a bell curve, with lows in December and April, and there is a "wave" of bookings this first quarter.

The past couple years, Wave Season has been less of a tsunami and more of just a good surfing day, with bookings spread out more throughout the year. Whether that's because of the growing sophistication of cruisers who book according to their personal needs rather than as a result of increased marketing which takes place this time of year, and have learned when is the best time to book, or other factors, I'm not sure. This year, the industry experts are expecting a little quieter season, but judging from today's responses from my clients, I'm not so sure. While my clients are booking on average closer in, they're still booking. The Wave is On!

To remind you all of the various specials the cruise lines are running, here are some of my past "head's up" posts to help you choose your next cruise:

RCCL, Celebrity and Azamara ASAP Promotion

Holland America View and Verandah Sale/Vacation Stimulus Plan

NCL Freestyle Savings Event

Princess is running their "Balcony Bonanza" and Carnival has some upgrade offers, but nothing out of the ordinary for either of them.

Later today, Oceania will be announcing their Historic 5th Anniversary Celebration of Savings with HUGE reductions. They're offering up to $2,000/cabin discounts off their 2-for-1 sailings in Europe with free air for their 2009 season and 25% single supplements, and up to $1,500/cabin discounts off their 2-for-1 2009/2010 Winter Season sailings, with free air, free pre-paid gratuities, $500 onboard credits and 25% single supplements. Yeah, baby! That's what I'm talking about! These Oceania offers become available for sale on January 7, and I'll be first in line to book myself as these are crazy fabulous prices.

There are a lot of reasons to book, especially in the next week. If you're considering any sailings for the next year, give me a call or email now to see how we can maximize your savings and benefits!

Of course, for close-in bookings, don't forget about the weekly Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Happy Hours and Carnival Pack N Go Specials.

Royal Caribbean, Celebrity & Azamara Want YOU!

In an unusual move, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara are giving you advance notice of their "wave" season offers for cruises booked in January and February. They're calling this the ASAP Promotion - Amazing Ships, Amazing Perks!

First up is from Royal Caribbean. They're offering 50% reduced deposit AND onboard credits between $50-200/cabin on a huge number of 2009 and even 2010 sailings. You can find all the details at RCCL ASAP Sale.

Celebrity and Azamara are on the ASAP bandwagon too! Both are also offering 50% reduced deposit and up to $200/cabin onboard credit. Azamara sweetens it even further by including pre-paid gratuities, too! Below are the specific flyers for Celebrity and Azamara:

Celebrity ASAP Sale

Azamara ASAP Sale

A few interesting idiosyncrasies to take note of: the onboard credit (and pre-paid gratuity) offers must be booked between January 5 and January 19, 2009. However, all bookings January 1 through February 28 are eligible for the reduced deposits. So if the sailing you're looking at is on the flyer for onboard credits, best to book between January 5-19. If it's not, you can still get the reduced deposit by booking as early as January 1.

Finally... been thinking of getting a group together for a family get-away, work retreat, or other social or religious organization gathering? All three lines are offering easier access to free berths for the organizer or to share among all participants. Call me for details!