Travel Agent - March 31, 2008 - (Page 52) DESTINATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50 create a double). The window was a good size, and we often used the in-cabin binoculars (each cabin has two pairs of binoculars) for wildlife viewing. For the best cabins, the balcony category offers great views, a mini fridge and queen-size beds. HOT SPOTS: The most-used and busiest place aboard the ship was the lounge; this is where coffee and tea were served throughout the day. It’s also where people met to play cards, sit around and talk or read quietly in the corner. There was a wall of books (“the library”) at one end and an area of items for sale (“the gift shop”), too. “Social hour” was held in the lounge every day before dinner; guests mingled while appetizers were served. NOOKS AND CRANNIES: Because this is such a small ship, it’s hard to find a spot to be alone. However, we found that the sundeck right before sunset was a good bet for an evening cocktail. While most people were showering before dinner, this practically deserted area was a great place to watch the sun set over the mountains and islands. EDITOR’S GLEANINGS: The Spirit of Yorktown is the perfect sized ship for those passengers who do not care for nightlife and the glitz and glamour of the bigger ships. This ship and itinerary will appeal to those passengers who truly want to indulge in nature: birding, ABOVE: The ship’s lounge is where beverages are served throughout the day as well as the location of a nightly social hour, when guests mingle and sample appetizers before dinner BELOW LEFT: Scenery is the huge draw for a Cruise West trip; book a cabin in the Balcony category for best views and wildlife sightings, including whales whale-watching, hiking and exploring local plant life. Every day is casual (many people wore sneakers to dinner). The majority of the clientele were well-traveled, and for the most part pretty active (the demographic is primarily age 50 and above—and quite a few guests were in their 70s). There are no elevators on the ship, so passengers have to travel up and down several flights of stairs as well as be able to get into and out of the floatable DIBs that transfer passengers to shore. Daily activities include nature walks, snorkeling and kayaking, so a good amount of mobility is required. Clients should know that all activities are weather-dependent including whale tours and snorkeling with the sea lions (on our trip, we were able to see the whales, but, unfortunately, were unable to swim with the sea lions due to winds and rough sea). Many passengers were repeat Cruise West clients and very few had any interest in largeship travel. Rather, they were drawn to the small ship’s exclusive and intimate experience. Even though all talks were held in the lounge, they also could be heard in the stateroom via intercom (there were no TVs). The crew and staff are American. AGENT SPEAK: Lisa Eckhart, CTC, from AAA Travel Agency in Seattle (lisaeckhart@ aaawin.com or 206-633-4222) notes that the Copper Canyon extension is very popular with her clients. She thinks that the Cruise West experience “attracts retired and comfortable professionals who don’t need the big ships with casinos, Broadway shows and dutyfree shops. They want to see, feel and experi- ence the destinations they visit. They want to understand and learn the history, geography and cultures of the destinations.” It’s also an extremely social trip, and people make longtime friends while aboard. Stacy Weigant from Forest Travel Agency in Aventura, FL (stacysails@aol.com or 305932-5560 ext.107), works with an upscale clientele who appreciate that the ship feels like a private yacht, intimate and casual. She recently booked a multigenerational family of 12 and feels that this itinerary lends itself for family travel (kids can snorkel and kayak while grandparents can simply relax, attend the lectures or go on the boat tours). JUST THE FACTS: The Whales & Wildlife cruise operates late December 2008 to early March 2009. The lead-in price is $2,199 per person based on double occupancy. The standard commission is 10 percent, but if agents sign up for the BEAR program, they can earn an additional 15 percent commission, for a total of 25 percent. BEAR is a marketing program in which the agent promotes the cruise and provides Cruise West with proof of the promotion, and for every booking they make on any departure date after the promotion the agent will earn the additional commission. To learn more or sign up for the BEAR program, visit www.cruisewestagents.com. Travel agents may sign up for webinars at www.cruisewestagents.com to learn about specific packages. For information about selling Cruise West products, contact 800-426-7702 or visit www.cruisewest.com. I 52 | TravelAgent March 31, 2008 http://www.cruisewestagents.com http://www.cruisewestagents.com http://www.cruisewest.com
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