Travel Agent - June 9, 2008 - (Page 52)

CRUISES PRINCESS' POLAR ONLINE, THE RESERVATION SYSTEM OF PRINCESS CRUISES (www. princess.com), Cunard Line (www.cunard. com) and Holland America Line (www.holland america.com), has just added another feature to the popular and robust online agent platform that gives travel agents the ability to manage group amenities. Princess has long touted POLAR Online for its speed and efficiency, saying a new booking can be created in seven easy steps, all of which can take as little as two minutes. Now, in what Princess is calling the first of any such tool in the industry, agents will have the capability to offer clients a host of varying amenity options, such as strategically placing a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries in a client' s stateroom upon arrival, hosting a group cocktail party or offering guests onboard credit. Perhaps the best and easiest part is that all of this can be achieved with only a few strokes on the keyboard as agents create or manage a group booking. Princess says travel agents constantly offer feedback on how to better enhance POLAR Online, and a group amenity function was high on their list. Above all, many more agents have bought into the idea of working online for its ease and fluidity. Of course, in today' s tech-dominated business world, the choice to move online is less of an option as it is a requirement. Luckily, cruise lines such as Princess have made it comfortable and seamless to move from phone to PC. ª Agents appreciate being able to do as much of their business as possible online,º says Jan Swartz, Princess' senior vice president of sales and customer service. ª With this new addition, not only can agents set up and manage groups online, but now can also quickly use their ame52 | TravelAgent June 9, 2008 New Agent Tools BY DAVID EISEN Princess Cruises introduces group amenity feature to POLAR Online and new promotional program timeÐa n agent' s most precious commodityÐa nd money, which is always appreciated. ª This program offers a simple way for agents to send professional mailings to their clients, at a fraction of the cost of doing it themselves,º Swartz says. Wary agents can rest assured that Princess will not have access to their mailing lists. A total of six Princess Alliance mailings are scheduled this year, the OneSource is the starting point to find information about POLAR Online first on July 7; however, nity points to customize their group.º Commodores will be able to access the tool to Group amenity points, which are attained create and personalize that first mailing as early on most voyages, allow agents to choose from a as June 16. Princess also says that no minimum number of options to better enhance a group' s number of pieces is required. time spent during a cruise. Amenity points can Each mailing is also timed with customer also be used toward stateroom upgrades and booking patterns, and uses Princess' art and depassenger gifts. Agencies can also benefit with sign to promote specific destinations. Subsequentoptions for bonus commission. ly, agencies can personalize their mailing with information and details of upcoming events, cruise sales or agency pricing. Best of all, the pieces are In the Mail mailed by Princess on behalf of the agencies, who Princess is also helping agencies keep promocan also order a bulk quantity to display in their tional spending down. A new program called offices or use for in-house mailings. Princess Alliance will enable graduates of For more information on POLAR Online and Princess' online training program, known as the new Princess Alliance program, agents are Commodores, and their agencies, the ability directed to visit www.onesourcecruises.com. I to personalize co-branded direct-mail pieces, which will cut down on direct-mail costs and help attract new business. CONNECTING YOU The Princess Alliance program gives Princess For more information on cruise industry news, visit Academy Commodores the ability to piggyback www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises off of Princess' direct-marketing efforts, saving http://www.princess.com http://www.princess.com http://www.cunard.com http://www.cunard.com http://www.hollandamerica.com http://www.hollandamerica.com http://www.onesourcecruises.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - June 9, 2008

Travel Agent - June 9, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Pacific/Asia: Hong Kong’s Kowloon District Honors Chinese Traditions while Brandishing Cutting-Edge Style Hawaii: Nature Lovers with an Urge to Get Out and Move Flock to Kauai - Hawaii's Garden Isle Pacific Northwest: Washington State has Become the Hot New Destination for Wine Lovers New Zealand: Two New Hotels Make Queenstown Even More Enticing Las Vegas: The Coolest Places to Beat the Heat are the Exclusive Pools at Las Vegas Hotels Central & South America: A Restored Railway Line Offers a New Way to Enjoy Quito Caribbean & Bahamas: Nikki Beach Hotels' Aggressive Expansion Continues Europe: Reporting Back from the German Travel Mart in Munich Cruises: Princess Cruises Introduces a Group Amenity Feature Cover Story: Costa Cruises Delta/Northwest: The Airline Merger that Could Change the Industry Hotels: Historic Hotels are Going Green Spas: Indulging Guests, with an Environmental Focus Agent Profile: Montrose Travel Shares its Secrets Passport Online: The New Website Supports Agents, Supplies and Consortia Agenda: From Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar China Continues to Welcome Visitors Alternative Fuel for Cruise Ships News from the Caribbean ARC Launches Accreditation Program In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - June 9, 2008

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