Travel Agent Professional Feb. 2011 by Travel Agent Professional

Travel Agent Professional February 2011 Issue 2

4 8 14

My Crystal Ball Says... By Bob Sharak

GREED â&#x20AC;&#x201C; By Les-Lee Roland

Getcha, Getcha By Scott Koepf

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ebruary

My Crystal Ball Says

GREED – You Better Have It

By Bob Sharak Executive Vice President Marketing & Distribution, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

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By Les-Lee Roland Owner of The Package Deal

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Clients for Life: Stick to The Basics!! By Mitchell J. Schlesinger Vice President, Sales & Marketing Voyages to Antiquity

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Getcha, Getcha, Getcha, Getcha, Getcha Head in The Game! By Scott Koepf Vice President of Sales Avoya Travel/America’s Vacation Center

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Starting a Blog – How to Choose a Name By Sherry Laskin, ACC Travel Writer, Blogger & Social Media Advisor

Ad Index

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Host Listing

Http://www.JoinAvoya.com Avoya Travel/AVC.........................21 http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com Azamara Club Cruises.................IFC http://www.leisurepops.com/ Leisure Pops ...........................15, 17

Travel Agent Professional

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/ Royal Caribbean Line ...................BC http://www.trams.com/ TRAMS ...........................................7 http://www.myhosttravelagency.com Travel Planners Int’l......................13 http://us.voyagestoantiquity.com/ Voyages to Antiquity ......................3

2011

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Travel Agent Professional February 2011 Issue 2

Travel Agent Professional PO Box 120202 Staten Island, NY 10312 E-mail: mailto:info@travelagentprofessional.com Phone: 718.227.7541 Ann M. Hoek Publisher/Creative Design Bonnie Walling Editor

Joel M. Abels

Legend In the Travel Industry April 1927 to January 2007 Travel Agent Professional has its roots in Home Based Trade, the first magazine of its kind, started by Joel Abels in 2004. Joel and Lenore Abels ran Travel Trade for nearly half a century – it was started by her grandfather, John S. Lewis, and her father, Sidney Lewis, in 1929, and they took the publication over after her grandfather’s passing. Under Joel’s direction, the company grew to be one of the travel agent industry’s leading publications, reaching more than 45,000 agents throughout North America. It spawned a famous series of trade shows and three monthly magazines – Cruise Trade, Tour Trade and Home Based Trade.

Meet Our Editorial Board

The Abels also garnered enormous respect – Joel received the Neal Award, called “the Pulitzer Prize of the business press,” for his hard-hitting editorials.

Mitchell J. Schlesinger Vice President, Sales & Marketing Voyages to Antiquity www.voyagestoantiquity.com

On a personal note, after working with Joel for over a decade and staying with him until the end, I grew to truly care for and respect the man. He was like a second father to me. Joel was old school, he stood by his word and believed in his work. There will never be another.

Mary Brutscher Former Host Agency Owner & Travel Educational Instructor mailto:cruisefacecruises@yahoo.com Rusty Pickett, ECC Shellback Cruises www.shellbackcruises.com

While nobody can replace this industry legend, we’re hoping that this new publication, which reunites the original Home Based Trade editorial board, will be able to carry on his passion for travel and those who sell it.

Ann M. Hoek

We’ve

lost a man who was passionate about the travel industry and its people.

We lost someone who was not afraid or intimidated when it was time to stand up for Les-Lee Roland Owner of The Package Deal Scott Koepf Vice President of Sales Avoya Travel/ America’s Vacation Center www.JoinAvoya.com Sherry Laskin, ACC Travel Writer, Blogger & Social Media Advisor www.sherrylaskin.com

what is right or to defend the little guy. We lost someone who so passionately believed in this industry that he would turn down advertising dollars from those who he thought to be operating a little on the shady side of things. Joel Abels was a man who helped shape my career when several years ago Franz and I attended PA$$PORT TO PROFIT$ in Las Vegas. True to form, Joel kept all in attendance in stitches with his jokes and comments. He was so at ease with all present and you could tell that he was having a very good time. He was personable and had time to chat when we met that first time. Throughout the years, Joel gave me the courage to stand up for what I believed in

Sherrie Funk Co-owner & President of Just Cruisin’ Plus www.justcruisinplus.com

and to question, privately and in public, those who were not working with and support-

Contributions

ideas, plans and dreams and to truthfully advise me as to whether or not it seemed to

Lee Rosen, CEO Leisure Pops www.leisurepops.com This online magazine is dedicated to the memory of Joel Abels, Travel Trade's editor and publisher. Joel and his life's work may be gone, but with your help it can live on.

ing agents and those who were unfair. He gave us a platform to share information and support and assist one another in Home Based Trade. He took time to listen to my be worth pursuing. He was quick to speak his mind, honestly and sometimes bluntly, and he was just as quick if not more so, to pat you on the back and encourage you. Joel was a man that many of us in this industry looked up to. He was a man respected. He was a man who brought about many changes in the industry. He was a man who was a friend to many. He will be truly, truly missed. — Mary Brutscher Reprinted from Feb. 2007 Home Based Trade with writer permission

Visit www.voyagestoantiquity.com

4 Guest Editorial – Crystal Ball 2011 B y B o b

My Crystal Ball Says

S h a r a k

A Conﬁdent Cruise Industry Continues to Grow, Professional Travel Agents Reap the Rewards Bob Sharak Executive Vice President Marketing & Distribution, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

A steadily growing North American cruise industry is sailing into 2011 with confidence and optimism. We may have some choppy waters left to navigate, but the stock market is booming, people are planning vacations again, and the 25 member lines of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) are ideally prepared to grow, maintain full occupancies, and provide consumers with irresistible value.

Knowledgeable, well-trained travel agents, who, it turns out, share our optimism and predict that cruising will out-perform other segments of travel, stand to be the major beneficiaries. A December survey of CLIA member travel agents found that 2010 was stronger than 2009 and that 93.6 percent are optimistic about travel sales in 2011 and beyond. Eighty-six percent of agents anticipate cruise booking increases. There is no doubt that the last 18 months have been difficult, but CLIA’s members rose to the challenge by continuing to invest in the future, building new ships, offering innovative new cruise experiences, developing increasingly diverse itineraries all over the world, and reaching out to their

travel agent partners. That whole-hearted commitment to the future is paying off. When final figures are totaled, we expect to announce that CLIA member lines, operating at 103 percent occupancy, carried 15 million people in 2010, including 11.1 million North Americans. And, we are forecasting another record year for 2011 – 16 million passengers, an increase of 6.6%, with 73% of guests, or 11.68 million, coming from North America, and 27%, or 4.32 million, sourced internationally. Underlying the cruise industry’s confidence is continued growth. Since 1980, the average annual passenger growth rate for CLIA member lines has

February 2011

5 been more than 7.5%. In 2010, 12 ships, representing an investment of $5.9 billion and ranging in capacity from 101 passengers to 5,400 passengers, joined the CLIA fleet. Between 2011 and 2012, an additional 22 ships are on order, including 14 in 201l. The 2011 arrivals include: Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Magic (3,652 passengers); Costa Cruises’ Favalosa (3,502 passengers); Celebrity Cruises’ Silhouette (2,850 passengers); Disney Cruise Line’s Dream (4,000 passengers); Oceania Cruises’ Marina (1,250 passengers); Seabourn Cruise Line’s Quest (450 passengers); Pearl Seas Cruises’ Pearl Mist (210 passengers); Avalon Waterways’ Panorama (166 passengers); AMA Waterways’ Amalotus (124 passengers), Amaverde (162 passengers), Amakaterina (212 passengers); Uniworld Grand Boutique River Cruises’ Douro Spirit (128 passengers), SS Antoinette (164 passengers) and River Victoria (206 passengers). As you can see, the new arrivals represent every aspect of the industry, from contemporary, large ship cruising to the ultimate in intimate luxury. But, it’s not just new ships fueling consumer interest in cruising. The “globalization” of the industry plays a major role as well, serving to attract not only experienced cruisers looking for new destinations to visit but first-timers as well. According to our member lines and their agent partners, the “hot” destinations of 2011 are truly international: all regions of Europe, including European rivers, which are currently enjoying increasing consumer interest through a new CLIA product category, river cruising; the Caribbean, South America, Asia, and the Pacific. Combining all these destinations, world cruises continue to be a growing segment of the industry.

Travel Agent Professional

(continued on page 6)

6 The continued evolution of shipboard experiences also grabs the attention of vacationers. This includes ever-increasing choice in dining experiences, from celebrity chefs and specialty restaurants serving the world’s most popular cuisines, to cooking classes, chefs’ tables, and local sourcing of food, including, in some cases, market tours with the ship’s executive chef. Keeping pace with dining innovations is an entirely new generation of onboard luxury spas featuring top-branded spa partners, even private spa suites. Other trends that cruisers can expect in 2011 include increased choice in shore excursions, particularly private or exclusive shore excursions and activities targeting specific demographics or interests, such as families, children, sports, or other special interests. Theme cruises continue to attract first-timers and experienced cruisers, especially if they feature food and wine, music — from Elvis to opera — culture and art. And, shipboard entertainment, having achieved Broadway musical-style scope in recent years, appears to be broadening to offer more intimate offers, like comedy clubs and intimate cabarets.

ranking in consumer interest compared to other types of travel. Past cruise experience, price and excitement generated by new ships were among the top reasons but heading the list was perceived value. Consumers, justifiably, believe that cruising, whether it’s a three-day trip to The Bahamas or a world cruise, offers truly outstanding value for money spent. In today’s environment, what could be a better sales pitch? Are you taking full advantage of what cruising can do for your business? As professional travel agents, clearly you understand the importance of professional development. There is nothing more valuable than product knowledge and first-hand experience. At least that is the case for CLIA’s 16,000 agent or agency members, the vast majority of whom have taken part in some aspect of CLIA training and Certification and report an average increase in cruise sales of 261%. CLIA member cruise lines also offer their own training programs.

Where is the growth in passengers coming from? According to CLIA member agents, primarily from baby boomers but also families and multigenerational groups, first time cruisers and even corporate/meeting groups of all sizes, including ship charters. It is also worth noting that those selling cruises report an expanding booking window, from an average 4.5 months in 2009 to an anticipated 5.8 months in 2011.

I urge you to look into professional development if you haven’t already done so. CLIA offers 45,000 training events a year, through classroom and online courses, a traveling Trainingfest, CD, DVD and print materials, and, of course, the seminars and workshops offered at cruise3sixty, the industry’s annual conference and trade show, this year to be held in Ft. Lauderdale, April 14-18. Our goal is to make it easy for agents to begin, continue or complete their personal professional development; at CLIA it’s all about you, the travel agent. So, join us!

When we surveyed our travel agent members, they reported that cruising has earned the #1

In the meantime, I wish you best of luck and continued success in the months and years ahead.

February 2011

GREED –

B y L e s - L e e

Les-Lee Roland Owner of The Package Deal

We’ve all seen movies that have a line of dialogue that lasts

R o l a n d

forever. It’s said that CASABLANCA has the most quotable quotes — “Play it again,” “Round up the usual suspects,” “This may be the start of a beautiful friendship,” “Here’s looking at you, kid,” and so many more. Michael Douglas, as Gordon Gecko in WALL STREET, recited “Greed! Greed is good.” Actually, that wasn’t just movie dialogue. It was a line used by a real person, Michael Milken, a stockbroker who went to jail for insider trading. But the line still stands up. Greed is good. It’s what the airlines are practicing — selling anything they can to the onboard passengers, and they are making tons of money. The public has accepted the ticketing fees, the baggage fees, the premium seats, paying for their food and Wi-Fi. Soon, they probably will find a way to pay for announcements from the pilot. I don’t know why they don’t have a travelogue of the history of the areas we’re flying over. Another $25. That’s Greed! The cruise lines feel Greed is good. They, or their subsidiary companies are selling everything from acupuncture treatments to teeth whitening. Items you would expect on a cruise ship…Huh? How about a $399 package to use the spa and the special pool — out of the sun, but away from the civilians who came to enjoy the amenities of a cruise. And what about the port lecturers who put the fear of doom into first time cruisers when they say to only buy at the stores in port that they recommend? Otherwise, your price may not be protected and goodness knows what. That’s Greed.

February 2011

You Better Have It And the shore excursions! If you don’t use theirs, the ship won’t wait for you if you are delayed. But in a place like Grand Cayman, if your private car breaks down, you can jog back to the ship. In the era of everyone having cell phones, I rarely, and I mean rarely, have ever heard of a reputable company not working with the cruise line who didn’t get passengers back in time. The tour operators are not exempt from Greed. At least 90% of them have tour leaders who stop at a place for your passengers to shop. Do you think the guide gets a little something from the merchants? And the same guide may also sell optional excursions — money in their pockets and not ours. Greed. And the remaining 10%? Well I remember a Tauck tour where people didn’t want to take the helicopter tour in Hawaii. The escort surprised them with a check — the money for the helicopter tour, which was automatically included in the itinerary — it was not an option. That was a totally unexpected surprise. Greed can be good. In fact, Greed is part of my 2011 marketing plan. I want more business. I am greedy for getting that extra piece that has eluded me. I am increasing my group offerings. I am also looking for new ways to connect with my clients. I want to stay in touch with them. I don’t want them to stray and fall into the temptations of what another agent may be offering. Who knows, that other agent may be greedier than I am. But being greedy comes with advantages and disadvantages. There still is only 24 hours in a day to

Travel Agent Professional

get things done. There still are obligations, outside of work, that shouldn’t be forfeited because of business. Our private lives, our families, they deserve to be part of our greed. Taking time to be with my friends to play Mah Jongg at least twice a week, or meet for dinner is my greedy personal time. My friends love to travel in groups, and they expect me to bring new offerings to the table, or talk about where any of us have been recently and our “bucket lists” of places we still want to go. Many times, my private time does turn into travel revenue. So, my fellow agents, this is the time to sit down and make your own list of greedy items. If it is the new car you want, the new bigger and better TV, the new iPad, whatever it is, put it on your list. And then realistically map your plan of how you are going to work for that greedy pleasure. When you actually see how some of these items are within your grasp, you then realize that the goal may not be out of range. It may just take an extra four people on that blocked cruise space. It may be one additional E-mail blast to past passengers. It may be the extra twenty cold calls on the phone. Keep that list within eyesight on your desk. Soon you will become Greedy and understand that Greed can be good! The opinions in this piece are strictly those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent those of Travel Agent Professional.

10 Clients for Life: By

I spoke

Mitchell

to a travel agent recently who expressed some level of contentment with the notion that his agency was retaining approximately 35% of their customers. I immediately asked some questions including:

J. Schlesinger

Don’t you think that figure is low? Do you have any idea why some or all of the other 65% didn’t use the agency again? Do you have any idea where or from who the other 65% purchased travel? Do you have any idea how much referral business you have received from current clients?

Mitchell J. Schlesinger Vice President, Sales & Marketing Voyages to Antiquity m.schlesinger@voyagestoantiquity.com

The agent didn’t have answers supported by any real data or research, which segues directly to a review of the basics of customer service and the role they play in the concept of Clients for Life. I referred to the writings of Michael Le Boeuf, Ph.d, one of the litany of authors who specialize in customer service. Let’s start with some things to consider:

1. Customers “quit” because: • They are dissatisfied with the product (15%) • Service indifference (70%)

2. Unhappy customers will tell 8-10 people. One in five will tell 20 other people! 3. Seventy percent of complaining customers will return if their issue is eventually resolved and 95% will return if the resolution is virtually immediate.

4. It costs five times more to generate a new client than to keep old ones. 5. Customer loyalty and referrals can be ten times more valuable than a single purchase.

6. Younger customers are innately less loyal but, as they get older and the spending per purchase rises, they tend to be more loyal. In this evolution, the opportunity to retain customers enhances dramatically with the right service approach.

February 2011

Stick to The Basics!!

We are all in the hospitality industry, yet exceptional customer service is so rare that any time we encounter it, it shines like a beacon. Why is it not more commonplace? Three main reasons: 1. Employees do not understand the basics of customer service on their own, mainly because it is not their business and they have no perspective of what is at stake, until this education and training process is implemented. As owners and managers, this is your responsibility and it is equally important as product knowledge. 2. Every single contact by a customer or potential customer is a “judged” experience. These “moments of truth” can provide anywhere from warm and fuzzy feelings to those of indifference by customers who then use these reactions to

project what the full service experience might entail. For travel sellers, this is especially crucial as products sold get more expensive. 3. There is no reward system in place for both employees and the customers themselves. Exceptional customer service is an uphill climb to achieve, so businesses that do not reward employees for providing excellent service will never get to the top of the hill. And for customers to really believe they are cared about, there needs to be two reward systems in place, one for them when they repeat purchase and another for referrals. (continued on page 12)

Travel Agent Professional

‘

Eye contact, attention to YOU, attention to the

’

detail of your order, any recollection of who you are, purchase habits, preferences, enticements for you to return or tell others.

And it is this last point that is so critical. The rewarded customer purchases, repeat purchases and provides the multiplier effect of referrals. Think about yourself as a customer and the service you encounter anywhere from a Ritz Carlton level hotel to your favorite restaurant, to picking up your dry cleaning. Eye contact, attention to YOU, attention to the detail of your order, any recollection of who you are, purchase habits, preferences, enticements for you to return or tell others.

The final thought is the incorporation of the customer service basics into the “non selling process.” “Non selling?” Here is why:

1. 2. 3.

The primary objective should not be about just short term dollar sales, but in creating customer relationships that provide both short and long term dollar sales. Employees must be taught to “help customers buy” which requires taking the perspective of what the customer needs and wants in order to fulfill their vacation expectations. They might think they want a certain ship to a certain destination, but it is your responsibility to make sure they understand which ship is really right for them to deliver the experience they desire and expect. And after all, the ultimate reaction to the fulfillment of expectations is what dictates customer loyalty. The combination of no’s 1 & 2 fulfills the notion that customers like to buy, but do not want to be sold. Think about how often customers come to your agency already pre-disposed to purchase a trip. You don’t have to SELL them the desire to go, BUT you do have responsibility to make sure that they purchase the right product.

Focus on what customers need and want, help them buy what’s best for them and reinforce the purchase decision. Just like a building needs a foundation, a successful business needs to understand and implement the basics of customer service in order to create customer relationships that result in Clients for Life.

February 2011

14 Getcha, Getcha, Getcha, By Scott Koepf

Getcha Head in The Game! If

Scott Koepf Vice President of Sales Avoya Travel/America’s Vacation Center www.JoinAvoya.com

you have no connection to anyone from 6 to 16 years old, you will look at this title and only want to criticize my butchering of the English language. But if you do have some youngsters in your life or if you are a musical theatre fanatic like me, then you know this title is from one of the biggest television and stage show phenomenons of the last decade – Disney’s High School Musical! This song, as well as all of the others from this simple yet sweet musical, is stuck in my head, as I have been surrounded by them for weeks. Yes, I love musical theatre, but this is not a self-imposed barrage of teen idol music. My wife is the theatre director and teacher at a large high school and she is directing, you guessed it, Disney’s High School Musical. Not only that, but my oldest daughter is choreographing and my youngest is playing the very fun role of Sharpay. Now that I have shared too much information on my family’s obsession with musicals, you might be asking “Hello, I am in the travel industry. What does any of this blabbering have to do with me?” An excellent question to be sure, so stick with me. (continued on page 16)

February 2011

Leisure Pops: A New Application from an Old Friend Lee Rosen President, Leisure Pops

What is Leisure Pops?

eisure Pops is a point-of-

sale, merchandizing software application that runs on an agent’s desktop and helps travel agents to sell more preferred suppliers, more add-on products and more upgrades. Leisure Pops runs in the background on an Agent's

The Power of Pops

• Sell more preferred suppliers. • Sell more add-on products. • Earn more commissions. • Better service your clients.

desktop and then “Pops” or reminds an agent via a pop up message of opportunities to better serve their client — as well as make more commissions. For more information go to www.leisurepops.com

16 “Getcha Head in the Game” is advice from the coach to his star player when it seems like love may be distracting him. So here is what struck me as similar to what most of you deal with every day. Since most of you are Home Based, like I have been for many years I know that we all have to deal with distractions. While I wish for all of us that it was love that was our primary distraction, it is usually things like dirty dishes, a garage that needs organizing, a dog that needs walking, or any number of things that pull our focus.

would be no ballads) but the solution really does come down to the eloquence of these words – “Getcha Head in the Game!”

Like our hero in this musical, you do not need to ignore the things that distract us but simply choose to give our full attention to the game when we need to. Just like basketball, while skills are key, having your head in the game one hundred percent will be the difference maker.

This is really all about time management which starts with making lists of all of the things that need to be done (dishes, garage, dog) but also requires intense focus on just one thing at a time. Your clients deserve it and the rewards will come your way if you choose correctly.

Since I believe that life is exactly like musical theater, I know that you can have success not only in selling travel but also in all the things that distract you. You can win the game, get the lead in the musical AND get the girl!

Most studies now show that multitasking is inefficient, so talking travel while doing the dishes will, in the long run, fail. The only exception, which is proven by every musical ever written, is that it is fine to break into song at any time no matter what you are doing (if you don’t believe me ask my coworkers!). So the next time your mind wanders, jump up and sing….

Okay, it is not that easy. Even in musicals conflicts arise which must be overcome (otherwise there

Working at home is a great opportunity, but selfdiscipline becomes the most important skill for success when you are in that environment. As the famous business philosopher, Jim Rohn, said, “All choices lead to only two results – Reward or Regret.” If you only are going through the motions, you will not reap the rewards you could if your head was fully in the game.

“Getcha, Getcha, Getcha, Getcha Head in the Game!”

February 2011

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Star ting a Blog —

B y S h e r r y

How to Choose a Name

L a s k i n ,

IF you’ve ever gone online to research a

A C C

travel question for yourself or a client, I will bet that some of the travel information you stumbled upon came from a travel blog. Sherry Laskin Travel Writer, Blogger & Social Media Advisor www.sherrylaskin.com

It might be a blog from Carnival’s consummate cruise director, John Heald, (www.johnhealdsblog.com), from a CVB (www.VisitJacksonville.com) or simply someone who is wellversed in a particular topic such as women traveling solo (www.journeywoman.com). IF you want to join the 21st century and start your own travel blog (or any type of blog), congratulations. IF you still think that blogging is a useless time-sink and you have no need for it, this might be the time to reconsider. A blog is a way to express your thoughts, ideas and interests. It doesn’t have to be a travel-related blog. It can be about knitting or baking cupcakes. You can start your blog to keep in touch with friends and family when you travel. But what will you name it?

TAP’s new blog... We would love to hear from you... http://blog.travelagentprofessional.com/

Naming your blog is one of the most important decisions you will make. Of course, if this is only for your family’s eyes, the right name won’t be as crucial. If you want your clients to read it or even gain followers online, choosing the right name can be a make or break decision.

February 2011

19 Here are a few ideas to consider when choosing a name for your blog.

Use your real name

An enthusiast or expert name

It’s you. With your own name out there, no one else can claim it. Suddenly, you become the expert on whatever you write. You can gain credibility from your peers, clients and readers. But…be careful what you write. If your fam hotel room doesn’t meet up to your standards, maybe you don’t want to bash the company, lest the GM ends up reading it and remembers you. Example of “real” name blogs: John Heald’s Blog • Paula Deen • Dori Greenspan

With clear, accurate and intelligent writing you can quickly establish yourself as an expert in your field. But…one mistake and your reputation is in jeopardy. If you call yourself an expert, you need to truly be one. Example of expertise in a name: Chris Cruises • Exotic Tropical Vacations • The Brooklyn Nomad

Use only part of your name You are still somewhat identifiable yet you’re not totally out there. But…your readers may not quickly know what it is that you’re writing about. Example of partial “real” name blog: Screaming Mimi • Johnny Jet • Mike & Chao Chow

Get wild and crazy You can choose something totally out of the ordinary. Something unique that will stay in peoples’ minds. Of course, no one will have a clue what you are blogging about but it might be so outrageous that it attracts attention. But…be ready to explain what the heck you’re writing about! Example of unusual names: Trail of Ants • MyMelange • Briefcase To Backpack

Think you’ve found the perfect name? Here are a few more points to consider: First thing, check to see if you can grab it as a dot com. It’s YOUR blog name, you should also have the domain name. It’s a $7.95 investment, what are you waiting for? Can you get your blog name at Twitter? What about the other social media outlets: Vimeo, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr? Be sure you don’t out-grow it. Last year, an online acquaintance decided to take a bus to Antarctica. He had his blog name, Bus 2 Antarctica, on many social media platforms. What happened? He came home. Whether or not you have writing experience or just simply want to journal your fabulous cruise on the Yangtze, a blog is a great way to capture the moments with words and photos. It’s simple, free and fun to do. If you have any questions, please E-mail me: sherry.cruisemaven.com Visit my blog: CruiseMaven.com Follow me on Twitter: CruiseMaven Become a fan on Facebook: CruiseMaven

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CruiseBrothers.com

Nexion®

9250 NW 36th Street Miami, Florida 33178 (888) AMADEUS Mailto: salesinquiries@amadeus.com www.amadeus.com Amadeus North America’s Canadian 14 Duncan Street, Suite 301 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 3G8 (888) 611-5554

950 Wellington Ave, Cranston, RI 02910 (401) 941-3999 x 721 • (800) 827-7779 x 721 Mailto: steve@cruisebrothers.com www.cruisebrothers.com

3150 Sabre Drive, Suite A2-100 Southlake, TX 76092 (800) 747-6813 Mailto: sales@nexion.com www.nexion.com

Cruises-N-More

Partners In Travel/All Aboard Travel 12530 World Plaza Lane #1 Ft. Myers, FL 33907 (800) 683-9092 • (866) 222-8951 Fax: (814) 796-0240 Mailto: pdavenport@partnersintravel.com vmeeuwsen@travelleaders.com www.partnersintravel.com

America’s Vacation Center/ Avoya Travel

610 Crescent Executive Court, Suite 220 Lake Mary, FL 32746 (407) 771-4454 • Fax: (407) 771-00077 (800) 733-2048 Mailto: info@cruises-n-more.com www.cruises-n-more.com

5201 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 900 Miami, FL 33126 (866) 544-7023 Mailto: Contact@JoinAVC.com Agents: www.JoinAVC.com Consumers: www.AmericasVacationCenter.com

Cruise Planners

AuthorizedAgents

CruiseShipCenters Int’l Inc./ Just Cruises & Vacations

30230 Rancho Viejo Rd., Suite 110 San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 (800) 684-3260 Mailto: info@authorizedagents.com www.AuthorizedAgents.com

Brentwood Travel Service 1022 Executive Parkway St. Louis, MO 63141 (800) 527-1059 • Fax: (314) 439-5757 Mailto: sturner@brentwoodtravel.com (Please put host agency in the subject line) www.brentwoodtravel.com

Coral Sands Travel “America’s Host Agency” 1975 SR 29 N, Suite 3814 LaBelle, FL 33935 (866) 481-4678 • Fax: (407) 479-3461 Mailto: host@coralsandstravel.com www.americashostagency.com www.coralsandstravel.com

Corporate Travel Planners & Rennert Travel (An American Express Affiliate) 1919 NW Loop 410, Suite 200 San Antonio, TX 78213 (830) 964-2464E Mailto: pketchum@ctptravelservices.com Corporate Site: www.ctptravelservices.com Leisure site: www.rennerttravel.com

Corporate Travel/The Travel Center West Coast: 1102 N. Brand Blvd. #50 Glendale, CA 91202 (818) 241-6746 • Fax: (201) 994-0652 East Coast: 5 Jefferson Place Moonachie, NJ 07074 (800) 870-9345 • Fax: (201) 994-0652 Mailto: travelcenter@juno.com www.thetravelcenterusa.com

3300 University Drive, Suite 602 Coral Springs, FL 33065 (888) 582-2150 • Fax: (954) 344-0875 Mailto: franchising@cruiseplanners.com www.betterthanahost.com

400-1055 West Hastings St. Vancouver, BC V6E 2E9 Canada (604) 685-1221 • Fax: (604) 685-1245 (866) 822-1000 Mailto: careers@cruiseship.com www.cruiseshipcenters.com

Design Travel Inc. 2168 Lake Shore Circle Arlington Heights, IL 60004 Satellite Location: Sheraton Chicago Northwest Hotel (847) 577 7930 • Fax: (847) 577 7917 Mailto: travel@dtmgi.com www.dtmgi.com

Global Travel Int’l, Inc. 2600 Lake Lucien Dr. Suite 201 Maitland FL 32751 (407) 660-7800 • Fax: (888) 320-4181 New Membership Sales: (800) 250-7912 Membership Services: (800) 699-1725 Mailto: contact@gticorporate.com www.globaltravel.com

Incentive Connection Travel 13029 North Cave Creek Road Phoenix, AZ 85022 (602) 867-9606 • Fax: (602) 867-9216 Mailto: harvey@ictravel.com www.ictravel.com Montrose Travel 2349 Honolulu Ave. Montrose, CA 91020 (800) MONTROSE • (818) 553-3200 Fax: (626) 294-9109 Mailto: andi@montrosetravel.com Home Based Agent Program www.join.mtravel.com Company Web site www.MontroseTravel.com

Stevens Travel Management 119 West 40th Street, 14th Floor New York, NY 10018 (800) 275-7400 • Fax: (212) 696-0591 Mailto: hostagency@stevenstravel.com www.stevenstravel.com

Travel Planners International 2500 Maitland Center Parkway, Suite 230 Maitland, FL 32751-4174 (800) 730-6392 • (321) 422-7738 | Mailto: sales@tpionline.com www.TravelAgentFromHome.com

Travel Quest 6597 Laketowne Place, Ste. A Albertville, MN 55301 (800) 392-6484 • Fax: (815) 572-0113 Mailto: bonnie@travelquestonline.com www.tqagents.com

Trip Professionals 400 N.Commerce Parkway, Suite 105 Weston, FL 33326 (877) TRIP-PRO • (954) 714-3260 Fax: (954) 733-5424 Mailto: info@trippro.com www.tripprofessionals.com

UNIGLOBE 1199 West Pender Street, Suite 900 Vancouver, BC V6E 2R1 CANADA (604) 718-2600 Mailto: info@uniglobetravel.com www.uniglobetravel.com Wyllys Professional Travel 132 Aragon Ave. Coral Gables, Fl 33134 (305) 442-2008 • (800) 3WYLLYS Fax: (305) 441-0945 Mailto: wyllyst@wyllys.webmail.com www.wyllystravel.com

YourNameTravel.com (ToGoAway Travel Network) 825 West Jackson Plaza Morton, IL 61550 (800) 207-8383 • (309) 266-8000 Fax: (309) 266-8384 Mailto: mail@togoaway.com www.YourNameTravel.com

If you are a host agencies and not on this list please E-mail info@travelagentprofessional.com

February 2011

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