[Offer Expires April 30th, 2021]
By virtue of reading this message, you’re in good company.
You’re in good company in that you have a lot in common with others reading right now AND there are a lot of you (about 20,000 readers).
Let me explain.
We built up this list of email subscribers over the past five years the hard way. We posted informational pieces on the internet or social media channels and invited people to follow us. Many of you told your friends about us (thank you, by the way!). This is a slow and methodical way to build a following (and we’re not done yet!), but it has worked for us.
Of all those many thousands of followers, about 2% of you have become clients. Believe it or not, that “conversion rate” is quite high according to the information marketing gurus – a 1% conversation rate is considered good.
Today, I’m going to speak to the other 98% and it’s going to appear a bit self-serving, but I promise to make my point quickly.
You are of course welcome to continue to follow us and consume the information we provide. We do it for both clients and non-clients alike. We want as many people as possible to be informed with the latest travel-related tips and advice.
Here’s my ‘ask’: When you do go to travel, please book through a travel agent.
We would like that to be us, but we realize that people have existing relationships in place, or they want to deal with someone in their neighborhood. That’s fine… but book through an agent. Here’s why:
- The price will be the same. Cruises and packaged vacations have set prices, and travel agents cannot mark them up OR discount them. The price is the price.
- Travel agents can provide amenities you won’t get by going direct. Good agencies are often able to get you an additional advantage or amenity you can’t get by booking direct. This is often an onboard credit or other perk you wouldn’t otherwise receive.
- A good travel agent can help you compare. You may have made up your mind already (which is fine) but knowing what else is out there will provide some purchase confirmation assurance – not a bad idea if you’re investing thousands in a vacation.
- You still get your loyalty benefits. The booking terms and conditions (including deposit amounts, perks offered by cruise lines, and even your loyalty benefits) are exactly the same regardless of where you book.
- Travel agents DON’T hold your money. When you book through an agent, your payments are still made directly to the cruise line or tour operator (not to the travel agency). Travel agents are paid on a commission basis after you travel.
- Support the whole sector. Small business is the engine of the American economy. Travel agents are small businesses that have really struggled this past year. The big travel corporations have also had a tough go – but not like the little guys.
Thank you to those who have booked with us this past year! For those who are still inclined book direct, I would invite you to do your homework to verify the benefits I mention above, so you’ll fully understand there’s no upside to going direct.
On to Today’s Travel Opportunities:
Cruise Hawaii: Norwegian’s Pride of America resumes sailing in July. The Pride does one-week sailings round trip from Honolulu that make 6 port stops on 3 different islands. A Balcony room in July, August or September 2021 ranges between $2617 – $2870. They also have some land add-ons if you want to extend your time in Hawaii.
Cruise Massachusetts: A one-week cruise… all in one state. Round-trip from Boston for 7-nights, visiting Gloucester, Plymouth, Martha’s Vineyard, New Bedford, and Provincetown. Departures in May and June 2021 from $4370 per person. American Cruise Lines has small, American Flagged vessels, so they are not affected by the CDC order, or the Canadian Border closure.
Cruise Greece: This Mediterranean hotspot is preparing to welcome visitors in the next few weeks, and the cruise lines are not far behind. Celebrity, Seabourn, and SilverSea all start sailing out of Athens in June. I wrote about the Celebrity Greece cruise a few weeks ago.
SilverSea is deploying its brand-new flagship, the Silver Moon, to Athens this summer on 10-day round trip itineraries. The Silver Moon carries 596 guests in an all-suite vessel, and is completely inclusive (flights, shore excursions, drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi). Fares start at $7800 per person. There are a few different itineraries that hit all the most popular ports in Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, so there’s something for everyone. Proof of vaccination will be required to board the ship.
Relaxed Cancellation Policies:
For the past year, the cruise lines have all offered relaxed booking conditions whereby you could cancel on short notice (in some cases as late as 24 hours prior to departure). If these are the conditions under which you booked, then that advantage remains in place. We are hearing some rumblings amongst the cruise lines that as we recover from the pandemic, regular booking conditions will likely resume on May 1st. If the flexibility to cancel on short notice is important, then you should place your booking soon.
In Case you Missed It:
- Rocky Mountaineer US Rockies – This iconic Canadian luxury rail products debuts in the United States this summer. Read About It or Watch the Video.
- Alaska Lodges this summer. This is the perfect summer to visit Denali National Park and other Alaska lodges without the mega ships and their guests.
Have something to say about this?
Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/2980876455528182
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
