Travel Agent - September 24, 2007 - (Page 28)

Destinations Florida Hotel Packages for Cruise-Bound Travelers Encourage clients to spend a night or two on land BY SUSAN J. YOUNG sjyoung@questex.com T ravelers headed to Florida for a cruise sometimes book a onenight, pre-cruise hotel stay. Port Everglades, FL, reports that about 10 percent of the 1.23 million multi-day cruise passengers who sailed from the port in 2006 spent a night or more on land. Agents say that number is sure to rise as consumers, weary of airline schedule uncertainties, opt for the cushion of a pre-cruise night. Steve Hirshan, an independent affiliate of America’s Vacation Center in Weston, FL, says clients who fly and cruise on the same day may have a problem if a snowstorm creates havoc at a northern airport. In addition, “Florida is one of the top destinations in the U.S.,” stresses Hirshan. “If your clients are coming down for a cruise and don’t do a pre- or post-stay, they won’t have the opportunity to see any of the wonderful things that Miami and Fort Lauderdale have to offer.” And, Hirshan says spending one postcruise night in a hotel allows clients to wind down before traveling home. Clients don’t feel rushed off the ship and raced to the airport in one swoop. And while these extra days are certainly a client service, some can add commission to an agency’s bottom line. Following is a sampling of Florida cruise packages commissionable at 10 percent to agents. Prices exclude tax. Sea Princess docked at Port Everglades, FL, a popular spot for a pre- or post-cruise stop to 14 days, and free transportation to and from the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal. The cost is $105.99 single or double. The Best Western Jacksonville Airport (www.bestwestern.com, 800-7807234, 904-741-4980), 1170 Airport Road, has a “Jacksonville Park & Cruise Package,” which includes overnight accommodations for two in one room, up to five days, complimentary parking, free shuttle to and from the cruise port for up to two guests, a hot breakfast and free high-speed Internet access. The cost is $110 per room. For clients sailing from Port Canaveral, the Radisson at the Port (www.radisson port.com, 321-784-0000), 8701 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral, offers a “Cruise Parking” package, priced at $149 per night per room. Included is a Caribbean Room, hot breakfast buffet for two, complimentary parking during the cruise (saving the client $40-$70) and transportation to the port on a dedicated shuttle. For those traveling to Port Canaveral for their cruise, many Space Coast properties offer “Snooze & Cruise” packages. Visit www.space-coast.com and click Snooze & Cruise from the main page. You’ll get a color .pdf file that showcases properties and their packages. For example, the Quality Suites Cocoa Beach (www. portsuites.com, 800-228-5151 or 321-7836868), 3665 North Atlantic Ave., offers an “Aloha Cruise” package. Guests stay in a suite, get free breakfast, and receive free parking at the hotel and a shuttle ride to the port—which, the hotel says, saves a family of four $118 if they’re gone a week. Starting at $119, the Quorum Hotel Tampa (www.quorumtampa.com, 877-4786786, 813-289-8200) has a “Sleep & Sail” package that includes one night’s stay for two, hotel pick-up upon arrival at Tampa International Airport, 15 nights of complimentary hotel garage parking and one-way transportation from the hotel to the Port of Tampa. South Florida From $166 to $349 per suite nightly, the Northeast and Central Florida The Clarion Airport Hotel & Conference Center (www.jaxclarion.com, 880-2342398 or 904-741-1997) in Jacksonville offers “Park & Cruise” packages featuring a one-night stay, free parking for up Embassy Suites (www.embassysuites.com, 800-EMBASSY, 954-527-2700) on 17th St., Fort Lauderdale, offers a package that includes overnight accommodations and Continued on page 30 28 TravelAgent September 24, 2007 http://www.portsuites.com http://www.bestwestern.com http://www.portsuites.com http://www.quorumtampa.com http://www.radissonport.com http://www.radissonport.com http://www.embassysuites.com http://www.jaxclarion.com http://www.space-coast.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - September 24, 2007

Contents Editor's Letter News You Can Use Agenda: Fam Trips, Calendar of Events, Deal of the Week Cover Story - Down the Stretch: Ramping Up 2007 Sales Central & South America: Anthony’s Key Resort, Roatan, Honduras Florida: Hotel Packages for Cruise-Bound Travelers Cruises: A Tale of Two Lines Agent Exchange Classified Marketplace Luxury Travel Expo Update Advertisers’ Information People & Places

Travel Agent - September 24, 2007

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