Home-Based Travel Agent - July 2008 - (Page 51)

Seabourn ship, contact Tanya Barnette (773-276-7601; tbarnette@seabourn. com), Seabourn’s director of charters Seadream’s deck has a swimming pool and Jacuzzi A majority of Windstar’s charter business is booked through incentive agencies, but travel agents are starting to book more. For information, contact Charters Director Sandy Stevens (sandy. stevens@windstarcruises.com). Variety Cruises (www.varietycruises. com): Variety Cruises operates three different brands—Variety Cruises, Zeus Cruises and Variety Yacht Cruises— totaling 15 small ships. The ships are great for anniversaries, birthday parties, family reunions or special-interest cruises. The ships have accommodations for eight to 80 passengers and charters include complimentary water sports from snorkeling to kayaking. Dave Randon is the vice president of sales and marketing in the U.S., but agents are encouraged to call 800-319-7776 for information on charter and incentive sales. SeaDream Yacht Club (www. seadream.com): SeaDream I and SeaDream II both accommodate only 110 guests, which make the ships perfect for charters. The line charters its two ships for as few as four days to many weeks. A SeaDream Yacht Charter Coordinator will work with you to ensure that the charter goes off without a hitch. For information, contact Kristina Kihlberg (305-631-6124; kkihlberg@seadream.com), manager of charters and incentives. Star Clippers (www.starclippers.com): Star Clippers offers charters throughout the year on its 227-passenger Royal Clipper, and Star Clipper and Star Flyer (170 passengers each). Star Clippers’ ships are quite maneuverable because of their size, so almost any itinerary can be planned out. For information, contact Larry Haugh, vice president of sales, at 800-442-0553. —DE and business development. Silversea Cruises (www.silversea.com): Silversea does charters, though they do not publicize rates. The luxury line’s mix of ships is ideal for charters. The line says its charter clients range from companies looking for meeting venues or employee incentives to governments. For example, the Russian government in 2003 chartered Silver Whisper. The ship was docked on the Neva River for three days as it hosted a gathering of world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac. Corporations also charter Silversea ships to utilize the state-of-the-art theaters for multimedia presentations or other unique venues for meet- the line also does a fair share of special interest cruises catering to organizations and affinity groups. Seabourn does a lot of museum groups, classical music groups, even fund raisers. Its ships—Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Legend and Seabourn Spirit—can all be used for charters and have 104 cabins to fill. Seabourn’s charter rates include virtually all costs: luxury accommodations, all meals, alcohol and gratuities, all paid for in U.S. dollars, even for chartering a ship in Europe. Seabourn’s newest ship, Seabourn Odyssey, which debuts in 2010, will also be available for charters. In fact, the company has already confirmed at least one Odyssey charter. The ship will be able to accommodate more passengers, having a total of 225 cabins. The line says most of its charters are for seven days or fewer. For information on chartering a ings. Sean Mahoney is Silversea’s vice president of worldwide charter and incentive sales, but it’s best to contact the charter and incentive team at 800-722-9955. Windstar Cruises (www.windstar cruises.com): Windstar operates three small ships that are perfect for charters. Wind Star and Wind Spirit, each accommodates 148 passengers, while the Wind Surf has space for 312 passengers. Windstar does its fair share of charters for corporations, but notes that many companies charter the ships, and then resell to a specific amenity group. Windstar has done gay, health, music and family cruises for example. Although Windstar charters all three ships, the two smaller ships are better for first-time charters. Once an agent is used to filling the smaller ships, he or she might then graduate to Wind Surf. JULY/AUGUST 2008 Home-BasedTravelAgent 51 http://www.silversea.com http://www.varietycruises.com http://www.varietycruises.com http://www.seadream.com http://www.seadream.com http://www.windstarcruises.com http://www.windstarcruises.com http://www.starclippers.com

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Home Based Travel Agent - July 2008 Contents Editor's Note Publisher's Note Your Lifeline Agent Spotlight New Technology Industry News Hot Deals Tips for a Smooth Trip Agent Symposium Hotels For the Traveler - Destinations - Mexico For the Agent - Destinations - Mexico For the Traveler - Destinations - Dubai For the Agent - Destinations - Dubai Thailand For the Traveler - Cruise For the Agent - Cruise For the Traveler - Tours For the Agent - Tours New Products

Home-Based Travel Agent - July 2008

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