12 minute read
What it's like sailing on Celebrity Apex
“Our comeback will be stronger than our setback”: Celebrity Cruises
by Annie Cicvaric
ONBOARD CELEBRITY APEX — Celebrity Cruises celebrated the long-awaited inaugural U.S. sailing of its flagship Celebrity Apex with a naming ceremony and ceremonial christening in Port Everglades, and Travelweek was there. Like so many events delayed due to the pandemic, the festivities were better late than never. Celebrity Apex’s inauguration was originally scheduled to take place in the UK on March 30, 2020. Delayed 581 days from that original date, this ceremony was definitely worth the wait. Travel advisors gave Celebrity Cruises’ President and CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, as well as Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO, Richard Fain, a standing ovation for their support and appreciation. In turn Lutoff-Perlo gave a shoutout to Celebrity’s travel agent partners. “What a journey we've been together over these past 19 months with the trade. I don't think our bond with you has ever been stronger as we've weathered this storm together. Thank you for supporting our comeback, which I promise you will be stronger than our setback,” she said. Lutoff-Perlo led the Celebrity Apex ceremony with the ship’s Godmother, the inspiring Reshma Saujani, who founded the ground-breaking nonprofit organization, Girls Who Code, and wrote the bestselling book, ‘Brave, Not Perfect.’ As part of Saujani’s work with Celebrity Cruises, Girls Who Code and the cruise line will collaborate to offer educational coding programs as part of the Camp at Sea S.T.E.M. experiences onboard Celebrity Apex and sister ship Celebrity Edge.
THE EPITOME OF NEW LUXURY Touring and experiencing the ship, it’s clear that Celebrity Apex is the epitome of New Luxury, with innovative and visionary spaces from world-renowned designers. Unique features include: . The exclusive The Retreat with its stunning accommodations, a private restaurant, and an exclusive lounge and sundeck to rival any high-end resort. . The Magic Carpet, soaring cantilevered above the sea and offering guests uninterrupted vistas while sipping cocktails or having dinner. . An unrivalled culinary repertoire of 29 distinct restaurants, bars, and lounges including the brand-new Craft Social Bar, connecting guests to the destinations they will visit like never before.
TRAVEL ADVISOR PANEL DISCUSSION Day 2 of Celebrity Apex’s ceremonial sailing included a ‘Conversation with Celebrity’ open forum for travel advisors to voice their thoughts, feedback, concerns and positive reinforcements to the Celebrity Cruise leadership panel, featuring Lutoff-Perlo, Fain and more. Questions ranged from how advisors should navigate the next 12
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$40, plus taxes. The Refund Option entitles customers to receive a refund, including base fare, taxes and fees, for their booking upon advance cancellation of their flight for any reason.
Celebrity Apex
months, to carbon offsetting, to agency co-marketing and challenges they are facing, to long hold times for Celebrity’s call centre. Executives on the Conversation with Celebrity panel confirmed they have currently hired or are training 100+ new employees who will be all be in place in reservations in the next couple of weeks, with an eye to alleviating the issue of long hold times. The overwhelming message during the panel discussion? The need to continually market the safety of cruising. Celebrity is reporting just .09% cases on their sailings and it’s crucial for the public to know and understand just how safe cruising is, with a long list of COVID-19 safety protocols in place.
Celebrity Cruises has indicated that it will continue its policy of accepting double-vaccinated guests only and does not have any intention of dropping this policy in the immediate future. And talking about the future, get ready for a strong 2022 Europe season with all three sister ships - Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Beyond - offering sailings abroad.
Porter brings back service to MontTremblant
TORONTO — Porter Airlines is heading back to Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, just in time for the holidays.
The airline will be reintroducing its seasonal service to the popular winter destination starting Dec. 17, running until March 28, 2022. In as little as 70 minutes, passengers can fly from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Mont-Tremblant International Airport, with connecting flights also available from various Porter locations. The winter schedule includes up to 4x/weekly flights. “We’re ready to return to our first seasonal destination since restarting operations in September,” said Michael Deluce, President and CEO, Porter Airlines. “Mont-Tremblant was among Porter’s first destinations when the airline was founded and our passengers enjoy the variety of winter activities it has to offer.” Flight, hotel and ski packages are available with Porter Escapes. For added peace of mind, Porter passengers have the option to book a flight with the Full Refund Option for
Earn bonus commission with Air North until Dec. 31
TORONTO — Air North, Yukon’s airline, has announced limited-time bonus commission for the holiday season. The special offer applies to new bookings only made between Nov. 1 - Dec. 31, 2021. Existing contracted agencies can claim 10% on Go Yukon and Optimum fares when booking directly with Air North, while GDS bookings and non-contracted agencies can claim 6%. The offer is not applicable to B and H class fares. In recent months, Air North has focused on building awareness of the brand in global markets, appointing APG earlier in May to be its General Sales Agent in countries like Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the U.K. and more.
For more information call the Travel Agency Desk at 1-800-661-0407 ext. 193, or email travelagent@flyairnorth.com.
PEOPLE
Cruise CEO agent wins Best Travel Advisor award
Cruise CEO, Virtuoso’s cruise-centric host agency, is celebrating one of its own after winning big at the Hamilton Spectator Readers’ Choice awards. Kathleen Penner, owner of Plenty of Sunshine Travel, an affiliate of Cruise CEO, has been awarded not one, but two awards: the top Diamond Award for Best Travel Advisor, and the Diamond Award for the Best Travel Agency. Penner was recognized for her various local marketing efforts, which she says are paying off. In the last 15 months, she started a YouTube channel where she posts weekly updates with her cruise partners, launched a new website, grown her client email list, created a weekly podcast and switched host agencies to ensure her business is aligned with a cruise-focused host partner.
She also turned her porch into a marketing billboard, displaying her agency’s logo along with supplier flyers, business cards and more.
TTAND’s ‘Agent ExtraordinIRIE’: Manulife’s cruise coverage, service fees and more
By Vawn Himmelsbach
OCHO RIOS — On a WestJet flight from Toronto to Montego Bay, a flight attendant told passengers over the intercom that if they had any questions, “just turn to the person next to you — they’re probably a travel agent.” With that pronouncement, there was an eruption of cheers and applause from The Travel Agent Next Door agents on board, who were heading to the sixth annual TTAND conference at Moon Palace Resort in Ocho Rios. This year’s theme was ‘Agent ExtraordinIRIE’ — irie is the Jamaican word for nice, good or pleasing. And for many agents, it’s the first time they’ve travelled abroad since ‘the before times’ and the first conference they’ve attended in person during the pandemic started. “They’re really excited to be out of the country. They’re excited about the opportunity to spend time with the other agents,” said Flemming Friisdahl, Founder and President of TTAND. “I’ve talked to people that have known each other for the last year and a half, two years, and have never met [in person].” And while the 230 attendees (including 33 suppliers) have been asked to refrain from hugging and to maintain their physical distance during the conference, the energy of a live conference is palpable.
More cheers erupted during the Travel Agent Think Tank, with the news that Manulife is covering cruises again. “You can now book a cruise or river cruise and you’re covered with Manulife,” Friisdahl told the cheering crowd of agents. “That’s a big, big thing.” TTAND is also offering a solution for immediate passenger booking re-
PEOPLE
Dianne Jackson joins e-Travel Technologies
Travel industry veteran Dianne Jackson has joined e-Travel Technologies as its new Vice President of Client Success. Jackson, who most recently served as Vice President, Retail at Red Label Vacations, brings with her over 30 years of experience in the travel industry. Her career also includes senior roles at CAA, Expedia Affiliate Network, Allianz Global Assistance and First Choice Canada (Signature Vacations). In her new role at e-Travel, Jackson will lead the company’s global team of analysts and develop its commercial strategy, including all national and international markets. Said Don Churchill, President of e-Travel Technologies: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Dianne as our new Vice President of Client Success. I am confident that Dianne will lead us forward in addressing the new demands of the recovering travel industry. E-Travel Technologies, now in its 20th year, is a leading provider of real-time travel risk management solutions and liability protection for retail agents and TMC’s customers. covery — and a long-term strategy for the new normal — with the Priority Protection Passport, which features COVID-19+ medical assurance coverage for travellers. This covers pre-existing conditions, has no age restrictions and provides emergency medical evacuation flights for travellers hospitalized for COVID-19 while abroad. Friisdahl says this offering won’t compete with coverage from insurance companies like Manulife; rather, it’s meant to complement a traveller’s existing medical insurance. And for agents, he says it will help to boost consumer confidence (with consumers more likely to book travel through agents offering this program). And while there’s plenty of excitement, there are a lot of questions and concerns after a year and half of changes and restrictions. During the think tank, some agents expressed concern about staying on top of the latest COVID protocols, for fear of giving clients outdated information. Some want more simplified information from suppliers about consumer protections. Some are worried about backlash from anti-vaxxers. And some are wondering how to charge service fees without alienating their clients. “I think a lot of agents know that they should be charging those fees, but they’re reluctant because they’ve never done it before and they’re afraid to lose clients,” said Friisdahl. “You don’t want to charge 100 bucks and then lose three times the amount of commission by charging that fee.” But, he added, as more agents charge those fees, the more acceptable it will become in the industry as a whole. With the TTAND model, agents are free to charge (or not charge) service fees. But with so many agents losing their commissions during the pandemic, some see a service fee, or a “planning fee,” as a way to protect themselves in future. While around 220 agents left TTAND during the pandemic (and many left the travel industry altogether), the host agency added another 400 agents, for a current total of 933. And while it’s lost some suppliers, it has also gained some, including Royal Irish Tours, and it launched in Quebec with three agents. To support agents during this time, TTAND is also offering reduced annual fees by 50% until April 2022.
Myrtle Beach ready to woo Canadians back
MYRTLE BEACH — As the U.S. eases land border restrictions with Canada, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is welcoming Canadian visitors to the Grand Strand with special travel deals and discounts. All the deals, plus information for planning a client’s upcoming trip to The Beach; and details about health and testing requirements, can be found at VisitMyrtleBeach.ca. “Myrtle Beach has long been a hot spot for snowbirds seeking to fi nd warmth and recreation along our 60 miles of beaches,” said Karen Riordan, President and CEO of Visit Myrtle Beach. “Now, with the Canadian border reopening to vaccinated travellers, we are especially thrilled to see our neighbours from Canada again and just in time for our holiday season and our Can-Am Days.” The annual Myrtle Beach Can-Am Days Festival is scheduled for March 12 – 20, 2022, she added. The “Welcome Back, Canadians” deals available in Myrtle Beach include … . Beach Cove Resort – Save up to 50% on stays of seven nights or longer. Valid Nov. 5, 2021 - Jan. 1, 2023 . Ocean Creek Resort – Book at seven-night stay and save up to 55%. Valid Nov. 5, 2021 - Jan. 1, 2023 . Sea Crest Oceanfront Resort – Receive US$10 in resort credit for each night valid for use at retail and dining locations throughout the resort. Valid through Dec. 31, 2022 . Condo-World Resort Properties – Save up to 30% on oceanfront condos. Valid through Dec. 31, 2022 . Funplex Myrtle Beach – Save US$3 on admissions and $5 on refreshments. Minimum purchase required. Valid through April 30, 2022 . Island Vista – Receive 25% off select rooms. Valid through Dec. 31, 2022 . Hotel Blue – Save up to half off on stays of seven nights or longer. Valid through Dec. 31, 2022 . Carolina Winds Resort – Book a stay of 7 nights or longer and receive up to 52% off . Valid through Dec. 31, 2022.
And there’s news on attractions, accommodations and dining options too … . Funplex Myrtle Beach - Located just a few steps from the beach on 14th Ave, the Funplex Myrtle Beach is designed for families and thrill seekers alike. . Huntington Beach State Park Nature Center - The new nature center is $1.2 million investment and features a birding area, a classroom and an exhibit area with live animals. . New Craft Breweries – Grand Strand Brewing Company in downtown Myrtle Beach produces a variety of handmade beers to be available in its taproom. Crooked Hammock Brewery in Barefoot Landing is an all-ages backyard escape with indoor/outdoor seating for 500+ guests, fi repits, hammocks, outdoor games, and a bar set over the lake. . SkyWheel Myrtle Beach – In celebration of the attraction’s 10th anniversary in 2021, SkyWheel underwent major renovations including a new wheel structure, refurbished interiors and exteriors of its 42 gondolas, and most noteworthy, a new lighting system allowing for more dynamic light shows. . Homewood Suites by Hilton – New in 2021, Homewood Suites by Hilton off ering apartment-style living near the beaches in the Grand Strand.
