Happy New Year!

As we begin our third year as a Cruise Holidays franchise owner, we want to say “Thank You” to our loyal customers who have virtually followed us to our new location.  Meanwhile, we are adding new customers and finding new friends.
 

I have always loved the leisure travel business.  I completed my travel certification in 1995 and worked part time in the travel trade. After my early retirement from Qwest in 2002, I joined the staff at Cruise Holidays of Bellevue.  After working in the store for eight years, I made the transition to Cruise Holidays franchise owner in February of 2010.  As a “virtual office” agency, I can manage my business from anywhere.

Garry has retired from his previous line of work (project management) and has joined me, full time, in our travel business.  He is supporting our agency in marketing and travel research. Garry is working to become an “Accredited Cruise Counselor” – he should earn his credentials by early spring.  He will focus on cruises and land-based vacation planning while I remain dedicated to cruise planning.

 Our new location has not impacted our ability to serve our customers in the Northwest (we kept our 425 telephone number). We are affiliated with Cruise Holidays and can continue to find the great cruise values that you have learned to expect from Cruise Holidays.

Our business focus is leisure travel – more than 80% of our bookings are for cruises.  However, we are expanding our land vacation knowledge without diluting our cruise expertise.  We look forward to booking your next vacation – on land or at sea.  Our mission is to help make your travel dreams come true.

All in all, it has been a good year.  We are thankful for our health, our clients, our family, and friends.  We hope all is well with you and yours and that you have a blessed holiday season.  May the love and warmth of this wonderful season be with you and your family.  May God bless you in the New Year!

Click to open New Year's Card

Anita Thompson

Historical Cruise Trends Factoids

Information is extracted from Cruise Holidays annual survey of agents.  No real surprises listed, but interesting survey results from the past few years:

2011

·        Onboard credits offered by cruise lines through travel agents are the most popular cruise booking incentive, according to Cruise Holidays.

·        The Disney Dream was the most anticipated new ship of 2011, according to Cruise Holidays.

·        Celebrity Cruises’ Silhouette was the 2^nd most anticipated ship of 2011, according to Cruise Holidays.

·        Oceania Cruises’ Marina was the 3^rd most anticipated ship of 2011, according to Cruise Holidays.

·        The top cruise destination booked in 2010 for 2011by Cruise Holidays was the Caribbean.

·        The 2^nd most popular destination booked in 2010 for 2011 by Cruise Holidays was the Mediterranean

·        The 3^rd most popular destination booked in 2010 for 2011 by Cruise Holidays was Alaska.

2010

·        The top cruise ship innovation in 2010, according to Cruise Holidays: The sheer size of Oasis of the Seas

·        The #2 cruise ship innovation in 2010, according to Cruise Holidays: Oasis of the Seas’ AquaTheater

·        The #3 cruise ship innovation in 2010, according to Cruise Holidays: Oasis of the Seas’ Central Park

·        The #4 cruise ship innovation in 2010, according to Cruise Holidays: Celebrity’s Lawn Clubs

·        The #5 cruise ship innovation in 2010, according to Cruise Holidays: Celebrity’s Hot Glass show

·        The top cruise destination booked in 2009 for 2010 by Cruise Holidays was the Caribbean.

 

·        The 2^nd most popular cruise booked in 2009 for 2010 by Cruise Holidays was Alaska.

·        The 3^rd most popular cruise booked in 2009 for 2010 by Cruise Holidays was The Bahamas.

·        The first thing Cruise Holidays agents did when they boarded a ship (according to 2010 data) was to find their stateroom.

2008

·        The top cruise destination booked for 2008 by Cruise Holidays was the Caribbean.

·        The 2^nd most popular cruise destination booked for 2008 by Cruise Holidays was Alaska.

·        The 3^rd most popular cruise destination booked for 2008 by Cruise Holidays was the Mexican Riviera.

·        Cruise bookings to Europe skyrocketed 42.3% when comparing cruises booked in 2007 to cruises booked in 2006.

·        The most popular Caribbean itinerary, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2008, was a 7-day Western Caribbean.

·        The 2^nd most popular Caribbean itinerary, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2008, was a 7-day Eastern Caribbean.

·        The 3^rd most popular Caribbean itinerary, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2008, was a 7-day Southern Caribbean.

·        The most popular European itinerary, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2008, was a 12-day Mediterranean.

·        The 2^nd most popular European itinerary, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2008, was a 7-day Mediterranean.

·        The 3^rd most popular European itinerary, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2008, was a 10-day Baltic.

·        The top emerging cruise destination in 2008, according to Cruise Holidays, was South America.

·        The top cruise itinerary of 9 days or more, sailing in 2008, according to Cruise Holidays: 12-day Mediterranean.

·        The top cruise itinerary of 6-8 days, sailing in 2008, according to Cruise Holidays: 7-day Alaska.

·        The top cruise itinerary of 1-5 days, sailing in 2008, according to Cruise Holidays: 5-day Western Caribbean.

·        The most underrated port of call in 2008, according to Cruise Holidays experts across North America: Dubrovnik/Croatia.

·        Top recommended Mediterranean shore excursion in 2008 by Cruise Holidays: a private, guided tour of The Vatican

·        2nd-most recommended Med shore excursion in 2008 by Cruise Holidays: a Rome city sights tour

·        3^rd-most recommended Med shore excursion in 2008 by Cruise Holidays: a tour of Pompeii’s excavated ruins

2007

·        The top cruise destination booked for 2007 by Cruise Holidays was the Caribbean.

·        The 2^nd most popular cruise destination booked for 2007 by Cruise Holidays was Alaska.

·        The 3^rd most popular cruise destination booked for 2007 by Cruise Holidays was the Mexican Riviera.

·        The top emerging cruise destination for 2007, according to Cruise Holidays experts, was South America.

·        The top cruise itinerary of 9 days or more in 2007, according to Cruise Holidays, was a 12-day Mediterranean cruise.

·        The top cruise itinerary of 6-8 days in 2007, according to Cruise Holidays, was a 7-day Alaska cruise.

·        The top short itinerary of 1-5 days in 2007, according to Cruise Holidays, was a 5-day Western Caribbean cruise.

 

·        The most popular Caribbean port of call, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2007, was St. Thomas, USVI.

·        The 2^nd most popular Caribbean port of call, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2007, was Grand Cayman.

·        The 3^rd most popular Caribbean port of call, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2007, was Cozumel.

·        The most popular European port of call, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2007, was Rome, Italy.

·        The 2^nd-most popular European port of call, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2006, was Venice, Italy.

·        The 3^rd- most popular European port of call, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2006, was Barcelona, Spain.

·        The most popular type of cruise in 2007, according to Cruise Holidays, was a cruise to a sunny/warm destination.

·        The 2^nd most popular type of cruise in 2007, according to Cruise Holidays, was a family cruise.

·        The 3^rd most popular type of cruise in 2007, according to Cruise Holidays, was a sight-seeing cruise, not necessarily sun-seeking.

·        According to survey data, in 2007, less than half of Cruise Holidays’ clients were older than 55 years old.

2006

·        The top emerging destination named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2005 was: South America.

·        The top cruise destination booked for 2006 by Cruise Holidays was the Caribbean.

·        The 2^nd most popular cruise destination booked for 2006 by Cruise Holidays was Alaska.

·        The 3^rd most popular cruise destination booked for 2006 by Cruise Holidays was the Mediterranean.

·        The most popular Caribbean port of call, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2006, was St. Thomas, USVI.

·        The 2^nd most popular Caribbean port of call, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2006, was Grand Cayman.

·        The 3^rd most popular Caribbean port of call, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2006, was Cozumel.

·        The most popular European port of call, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2006, was Rome, Italy.

·        The 2^nd-most popular European port of call, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2006, was Venice, Italy.

·        The 3^rd- most popular European port of call, as named by Cruise Holidays experts in 2006, was a Greek Isle.

2005

·        The top cruise destination booked for 2005 by Cruise Holidays was the Western Caribbean.

 

·        The 2^nd most popular cruise destination booked for 2005 by Cruise Holidays was the Eastern Caribbean.

·        The 3^rd most popular cruise destination booked for 2005 by Cruise Holidays was Alaska.

The Antilles, a.k.a. Caribbean Islands

The nomenclature of Caribbean Islands can be a little confusing: just what are the Antilles, and why are some Greater and some Lesser? Exactly which islands are in each grouping? And, which ones can you visit on a cruise?

Collectively, the islands of the Caribbean are known as the West Indies. They can be sorted into three groups by location: the Bahamas (which some people consider too far north to qualify as true Caribbean Islands); the Greater Antilles; and the Lesser Antilles.

The Greater Antilles include Cuba, Hispaniola (which is divided into the nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Jamaica and Puerto Rico. The Cayman Islands are often included in the Greater Antilles as well, as they are located quite close to Cuba. These larger, older Caribbean islands are generally made of continental rock. The Caymans and Jamaica are popular cruise destinations, while Puerto Rico is a starting and ending point for many Caribbean itineraries, offering opportunities to explore San Juan pre- or post-cruise.

The Lesser Antilles, sometimes called the Caribees, are numerous smaller, younger islands – some made of volcanic materials, some of coral – that form the eastern border of the Caribbean Sea. They are further grouped into the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands and the Leeward Antilles. The Leeward Islands that welcome cruise ships include several of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, as well as Saint Martin, Saint Kitts, Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe and more. The Windward Islands group includes the popular cruise destinations of Martinique and Saint Lucia. The Leeward Antilles include the ABC Islands – Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire – as well as other small islands off the coast of Venezuela.

To explore the many options for cruises that will introduce you to the Antilles, Greater or Lesser, talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert.

On Deck for the Cure

In November, aboard the ms Eurodam on the Cruise Holidays annual convention, we completed the 5K walk for Breast Cancer.  It was fun and we both finished!  Notice the calm seas and the brilliant blue color…

Sorry for the poor quaility of photos: they were clipped from the Cruise Holidays newsletter that we received onboard the ship.

New Opportunites to Visit Cuba

Before the victory of Cuba’s revolutionary forces in 1959, the island nation was a popular vacation destination for Americans. After that, foreign tourism in Cuba was virtually non-existent until the 1990s, when the country once again began to promote itself as an international destination.

The largest of the Caribbean islands, Cuba is surprisingly diverse. Havana’s infrastructure and lodgings may not be what North Americans are used to, but a stroll along the seaside Malecón, or boardwalk, is exhilarating. Many visitors take their time touring Old Havana, which has beautifully restored colonial-era buildings, browsing the Calle Tacón market for keepsakes, and sipping mojitos. In the evenings, clubs come alive with Cuban reggae and rap music, jazz, or salsa dance tunes.

Outside the capital city, Cuba has lovely stretches of white sand beach and farm markets overflowing with fresh tropical fruit. There are lovely rural areas to explore, including the mountains and caves of Vinales National Park, and the Valley of the Sugar Mills, a World Heritage Site that was once the thriving heart of Cuba’s sugar industry.

For Americans, travel to Cuba has been restricted for more than 50 years, ever since the U.S. government declared an economic embargo. However, recent changes made by the Obama administration are designed to encourage more travel to Cuba.

Previously, it was possible for American journalists or students to obtain a special license for travel to Cuba from the Treasury Department. Now, the Treasury Department is also issuing “people-to-people” licenses, which allow more U.S. travel providers and other organizations to coordinate tours to Cuba. The tours must have an educational component, and itineraries include activities – such as conversations with local artists and tours of farming operations – that provide a fascinating look at Cuban culture.

Residents of Canada have no restrictions on travel to Cuba. You will just need a tourist visa card, which Cuba requires. This card may be provided to you during your flight to Cuba, or it is possible to purchase one when you land in Cuba. For Canadians, these cards are valid for 90 days, and can be extended for another 90 days.  Ask your Cruise Holidays personal travel expert for more information.

Review: Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Hotel

Prior to our November cruise on the ms Eurodam, we spent two days at the Airport Sheraton in Ft Lauderdale.  We were scheduled to attend training classes at the Sheraton prior to our cruise, so it made sense to stay at the same facility and go to the ship with the others in our group.

We arrived in Ft Lauderdale on Thursday evening. The hotel provided a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel.  The shuttle arrived within 15 minutes of our call from the baggage area.  Since the hotel is near the southwest corner of the airport property, the ride to the hotel was short.

Our hotel room was on the 7^th floor.  We were very close to the airport and I was concerned about noise, but we didn’t hear any noise from the airfield. The hotel is about 4 miles from the pier.  The next morning, we could see funnels on the cruise ships in the harbor from our hotel room.

The hotel charged for wired/wireless internet in the rooms, but provided free wireless in the lobby.  We carried both a laptop and a wireless tablet and the hotel wanted to charge connection fees for both.  Therefore, we compromised and paid the wireless fee for the laptop in the room and used the tablet in the hotel lobby.

The days were warm and the pool and hot-tub were open, but we only saw one family enjoying the water.  On Friday, we did have some time to sit outside (in the pool area) and read, but were disappointed that we didn’t have an outdoor wait staff.  It we wanted water or a soft drink, our only option was to go to the hotel bar.

The bar and restaurant was our biggest disappointment. The tables in the bar were full of diners eating a lighter dinner than what was available at the hotel restaurant and it was difficult to find a place to sit.  The restaurant was in an open court near the bar and it was noisy. 

The hotel is on the corner Griffin Road & Interstate 95, you can’t walk to nearby restaurants or shops.  If you want to leave the hotel property, you need to take a car – or taxi.  We like to walk for exercise, but walking along Griffin Road was not what we had in mind.  Therefore, we spent both evenings in the hotel. 

On our first visit to the hotel bar, we ordered a martini – it was served in a wine glass!  First time for that…

We left the hotel at noon on Saturday, going to the ship – it was a 15 minute bus ride.  Since we were with a large group, we didn’t use the hotel shuttle service to the pier.  I believe there was a charge for the hotel shuttle to the pier, but I don’t remember the cost.

The hotel staff was friendly and the hotel was clean, but it is not a hotel that we will choose when we next visit Ft Lauderdale – nor is it one that we will recommend to our clients.

As our ship left the harbor, we enjoyed watching the people on The Rocks at the end of the beach in Ft Lauderdale. They are there to watch the parade of cruise ships leaving the harbor.

Last year, we visited The Rocks to watch the ships depart. It was exciting! It was the closest we have been to some of the larger cruise ships.

This was our first cruise out of Ft Lauderdale since that time.   If you are in Ft Lauderdale on a Friday or Saturday afternoon, we recommend visiting The Rocks at the end of the beach.  Most of the departing ships will leave their berth within minutes of each other.  It’s a great parade!

New Ships in 2012

This update on new/refurbished ships for 2012 was sent to us by the corporate office of Cruise Holidays (author unknown).  Read the article -- and remember to follow us on Facebook!

"It's the time of year when we naturally think of things new and old, so what better occasion is there to announce what the cruise lines have in store for us in 2012?

Next year, seven ships will embark on their maiden voyages for six different cruise lines. Five will be new-builds, and two are existing ships that will be extensively refurbished and renamed. That's not counting the Norwegian Breakaway, which is set to launch in April 2013.



Below are some highlights of each ship launching in the next 16 months,
First the new-builds:

Disney Fantasy, Disney Cruise Line --- March 31, 2012 --- 4,000 passengers
Sister-ship to Disney Dream, the 5-star Disney Fantasy is 40% larger than the line's other two ships (Disney Magic and Disney Wonder) and in typical Disney style, offers fun for the whole family. Kids will love meeting some of their favorite Disney characters onboard while participating in age-appropriate, supervised activities in the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab. 'Tweens and teens can chill out in spaces designed just for them.

When you're ready for some adult time, parents and grandparents can retreat to one of the kids-free areas of the ship such as the Cove Café, featuring coffee, cocktails and Internet access; the Quiet Cove pool; Palo or Remy, specialty restaurants featuring Italian and French cuisine, respectively; or Meridian, a bar with indoor/outdoor seating that sits between Palo and Remy. The inaugural sailing for this ship is nearly sold out.


Riviera, Oceania Cruises --- April 24, 2012 --- 1,258 passengers
Sister-ship to the Marina, the 5.5-star Riviera is about twice the size of the other ships in Oceania's fleet. Six open-seating dining venues offer a variety of cuisines, from Italian to Asian Fusion, and from French to American Continental. Fans of Oceania's signature spaces such as The Patio, Horizons and the Grand Bar will not be disappointed, as each of these venues have a place on this ship.

More than 95% of accommodations boast private balconies and all have large, marble-and-granite bathrooms, LCD flat-screen televisions and exclusive Tranquility beds. Other amenities on the Riviera include the Bon Appétit Culinary Center, offering cooking lessons with experienced chefs, and the Artist Loft, providing instructional courses in fine arts. Very few cabins remain on this ship's inaugural sailing.
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Costa Fascinosa, Costa --- May 11, 2012 --- 3,800 passengers
The 4.5-star Costa Fascinosa is a sister-ship to the Costa Favolosa. Interior spaces are inspired by historic films and their protagonists, and will be outfitted with rich colors and sparkling accents. Dancing enthusiasts will enjoy the ballroom and kids will have the time of their lives in the Squok Club, an extensive kids-only space with age-appropriate activities and a pool/water park area.

There will also be an outdoor movie screen, 13 bars and lounges, five hot tubs, a video arcade, a chapel and, of course, the state-of-the-art Samsara Spa, with its wellness center, spa, salon and fitness center. Costa Fascinosa will debut with two four-night, pre-inaugural cruises departing on May 2 and May 7. The ship's official inaugural voyage, a 10-night cruise, will sail roundtrip from Venice on May 11.
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MSC Divina, MSC Cruises --- May 27, 2012 --- 4,363 passengers
The 4-star MSC Divina is modeled after sister-ships MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia, taking on some of their most popular features, but also incorporates several enhancements. The MSC Yacht Club suite complex will be expanded and will include a private, V.I.P. area with its own restaurant, bar, pool, solarium and concierge. Yacht Club suites also offer butler service.

The state-of-the-art Pantheon Theater will host nightly entertainment, and young guests are sure to like the video game room, called Virtual World. An infinity pool will be situated at the aft of the ship, giving passengers a unique view of the ship's wake and the horizon.

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Carnival Breeze, Carnival --- June 3, 2012 --- 3,690 passengers
Like its sister-ships Carnival Magic and Carnival Dream, the 4.5-star Carnival Breeze will feature the WaterWorks aqua park, the tranquil, kids-free Serenity area and extensive children's and teens' areas with activities for three age groups. Adults will enjoy the huge Cloud 9 spa, as well as the scenic whirlpools extending beyond the ship's beam.

Other new features include the laid-back RedFrog Pub, home to Carnival's exclusive house brew, ThirstyFrog Red and Cucina del Capitano, a specialty restaurant featuring family-style Italian fare. Accommodation options include "cove" balcony staterooms located close to the waterline, deluxe oceanview staterooms featuring two bathrooms, and spa staterooms and suites with exclusive amenities and spa privileges.

Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian --- April 30, 2013 --- 4,000 passengers
As the newest member of an innovative fleet, the 5-star Norwegian Breakaway will incorporate the most popular elements of all of Norwegian's existing ships, as well as introduce some exciting new features. Staterooms will have a contemporary feel with clean, modern lines and a neutral palette with splashes of color. The extremely popular Studio staterooms from the Norwegian Epic, designed and priced with solo travelers in mind, will be featured, as well as an exclusive area called The Haven, a private enclave home to the most luxurious accommodations on the vessel, tucked away near the top of the ship.

Norwegian's ships are known for their unique hull artwork, and Norwegian Breakaway will be no different. Renowned pop artist Peter Max, whose other large projects have included an airplane and a stage for Woodstock, will paint the ship's hull. Few details about this ship's public spaces have been released at this time.

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And now, the ships that will be refurbished and renamed:

Costa neoRomantica, Costa --- February 20, 2012 --- 1,800 passengers
Formerly the Costa Romantica, this 4-star ship is being completely restyled and refurbished before it emerges as the neoRomantica. Two half-decks and more than 100 cabins are being added, and an additional 120 cabins and suites will receive private balconies.

Among the other new features will be a wine bar, a coffee and sweets bar, a show lounge bar with a dance floor, a new specialty restaurant and the Samsara Spa, a wellness area with a gym, thalassotherapy pool, sauna and Turkish bath.

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MV Voyager, Voyages of Discovery --- November 17, 2012 --- 556 passengers
Formerly the Alexander von Humboldt, the 3-star MV Voyager is small enough to reach off-the-beaten-path ports, yet large enough to offer all the comforts of cruising on a much larger ship. Eighty-six percent of staterooms feature ocean views, and all have a TV, hair dryer and safe. Suites come with a few extra perks, such as bathrobes, slippers, a fruit basket and bottle of champagne.

There are three restaurants onboard, two with open seating, plus four bars, an Internet center, a swimming pool, two hot tubs and a gym."

Top Cruise Stories of 2011

It’s been a good year for cruising: the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) estimates a total passenger count of about 16 million aboard its 25 member cruise lines in 2011, up from 15 million last year. And, most ships have been sailing at 100% occupancy.

According to CLIA’s research, one of the things that motivates people to take a cruise – in addition to value for their money and positive past cruise experiences – is their interest in new ships. Disney Cruise Line launched a highly anticipated new ship this year, its first in more than a decade. The Disney Dream has a terrific watercoaster called the AquaDuck, redesigned kids’ clubs, and more space dedicated to teens and the electronic games they love. For adults, a new French restaurant, Remy, has received excellent reviews.

Oceania Cruises introduced the Marina, which carries up to 1,258 passengers, making it about twice as large as the line’s other ships. Standard staterooms offer numerous amenities and gorgeous marble baths with separate showers and tubs. But, if you want jaw-droppingly spectacular accommodations, book a 2,500-square-foot Owner’s Suite, which features views out both the port and starboard sides of the ship.

The Celebrity Silhouette joined Celebrity Cruises’ popular Solstice class of ships, with some new features in and around the Lawn Club. At the Lawn Club Grill, passengers can select a cut of meat and grill it themselves with assistance from the Silhouette’s chefs. Eight cabana-style alcoves around the Lawn Club offer a relaxing spot for to four people each. And, a new Art Studio at the entrance to the Lawn Club is used for demonstrations and classes in painting, drawing and mixology.

While these new ships cruise the oceans of the world, 2011 also saw growing interest in river cruising, especially along European and Asian rivers such as the Danube, the Rhine, the Volga, the Yangtze and the Mekong. River cruise ships are designed to be able to dock in the historic heart of cities and towns not reachable by ocean cruise ships. And, the design of river cruise ships is evolving to provide an even better experience for guests. Some ships scheduled to debut during the next few years promise larger staterooms with full-size balconies, allowing guests to enjoy every moment of the ever-changing scenery along the river banks.

For more information on experiencing the value and fun of cruising in 2012, whether on an ocean or a river, talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert. 

To clients considering booking direct

This story, written by Richard Turen, was published in Travel Weekly, a national newspaper of the travel industry.  I am copying the first paragraph and the link to the remainder of the story.  In my opinion, this is an eye-opening article.  Please read the complete story.

I hope and trust that you will book your next vacation with our firm. But we know there are alternatives out there, and we know you are receiving mailings and seeing ads that often urge you to book directly with a travel supplier online...

Complete story: http://www.travelweekly.com/Richard-Turen/To-clients-considering-booking-direct/#.TtZ6wSuikY8.facebook

Another link to the story is available on our Facebook page.  Search for "attheta" and become our Facebook friends.