Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - (Page 54)

COVER STORY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53 Still, “when I got here, I was flooded with e-mails from people who knew me, saying, ‘You gotta fix the group department,’” she says. That effort has been under way for some time, actually. Ultimately, Royal Caribbean tapped into its advisory board of trade experts for advice, ran proposed changes by them and unveiled the revised Groups Your Way policies just a few months ago. In essence, travel agents said they needed more time to hold onto their cruise space in order to sell affinity groups. Now the line will hold space without a deposit for up to six months or until final payment, whichever comes first. Other new policies also apply to group space that requires a deposit. “In my opinion, RCI has always been easy to do business with, except in their group department when they changed their policy a few years ago,” says Sal Scannella, owner/manager, Princess Travel in Staten Island, NY. “I understand why they did it [back then], but that didn’t help when you needed more time to promote a group. Not all group situations are the same. I am so happy they have revised their group policy.” Agents also appreciate that Freed, who began her career as a sales representative calling on travel agents, is accessible. She gives out her direct phone number to agents (305-539-6031). An artist’s rendering of an Oasis of the Seas Royal Loft Suite living room and dining area She answers agent questions and deals with trade issues at askvicki@rccl.com, and conducts one-hour webinars with agents several times a quarter. In a recent webinar, Freed talked about events for Oasis of the Seas, outlined trade tools and answered agent questions. Freed also enjoys getting out in the field to sense the trade pulse. She recently visited several New Jersey and New York-area travel agencies. Having never met Freed previously, Scannella was impressed when she showed up with pen and paper in hand and a desire to listen. “I made two suggestions about the reservation faxes we receive and the next day the suggestions and changes were made,” says Scannella. “I couldn’t believe it.” Scannella also says Freed provided advice on dealing with clients that he is now putting into action. “A handwritten note from Vicki followed a few days after her visit,” he says. “It was the icing on the cake.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 56 An artist’s rendering of the Oasis of the Seas’ Aqua Theater at night 54 | TravelAgent October 13, 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - October 13, 2008

Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Editor Central & South America Bermuda Europe Pacific/Asia Las Vegas Florida Middle East Cruises Celebrity Continues to Grow and Adapt to the Changing Travel Climate Oasis on the Horizon Troubled Skies Agent Profile Agenda Princess Summit Unveils New Tools for Selling Cruises Tanzania Aims to Draw More U.S. Travelers Jamaica May Legalize Gambling, and New Resorts are in the Works ASTA Seeks Expanded Support from the Agent Community In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - October 13, 2008

Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 (Page 1) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Online Now (Page 2) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Online Now (Page 3) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Contents (Page 4) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Contents (Page 5) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Contents (Page 6) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Contents (Page 7) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 8) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 9) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 12) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 13) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Central & South America (Page 14) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Central & South America (Page 15) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Central & South America (Page 16) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Central & South America (Page 17) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Central & South America (Page 18) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Central & South America (Page 19) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 20) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 21) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 22) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 23) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 24) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 25) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 26) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 27) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 28) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 29) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Europe (Page 30) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Europe (Page 31) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Europe (Page 32) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Europe (Page 33) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Europe (Page 34) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Europe (Page 35) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 36) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 37) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 38) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 39) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Florida (Page 40) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Florida (Page 41) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Middle East (Page 42) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Middle East (Page 43) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Cruises (Page 44) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Cruises (Page 45) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Cruises (Page 46) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Cruises (Page 47) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Celebrity Continues to Grow and Adapt to the Changing Travel Climate (Page 48) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Celebrity Continues to Grow and Adapt to the Changing Travel Climate (Page 49) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Celebrity Continues to Grow and Adapt to the Changing Travel Climate (Page 50) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Celebrity Continues to Grow and Adapt to the Changing Travel Climate (Page 51) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Oasis on the Horizon (Page 52) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Oasis on the Horizon (Page 53) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Oasis on the Horizon (Page 54) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Oasis on the Horizon (Page 55) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Oasis on the Horizon (Page 56) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Oasis on the Horizon (Page 57) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Troubled Skies (Page 58) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Troubled Skies (Page 59) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 60) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 61) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 62) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 63) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 64) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 65) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 66) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 67) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 68) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agenda (Page 69) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Princess Summit Unveils New Tools for Selling Cruises (Page 70) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Princess Summit Unveils New Tools for Selling Cruises (Page 71) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Tanzania Aims to Draw More U.S. Travelers (Page 72) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Tanzania Aims to Draw More U.S. Travelers (Page 73) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Jamaica May Legalize Gambling, and New Resorts are in the Works (Page 74) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Jamaica May Legalize Gambling, and New Resorts are in the Works (Page 75) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - ASTA Seeks Expanded Support from the Agent Community (Page 76) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - ASTA Seeks Expanded Support from the Agent Community (Page 77) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - In the Spotlight (Page 78) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - In the Spotlight (Page 79) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 80) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 81) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 82) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 83) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 84) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Classified Marketplace (Page 85) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Editorial Index (Page 86) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page 87) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page 88) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page Cover4) 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