Travel Agent - November 12, 2007 - (Page 60)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 58 aboard Carnival Fantasy, bound for Mexico. Pricing begins at $850 per person. Contact Jazz Cruises at 800-704-3034 or sales@theelvis cruise.com. Theme cruises are proliferating as cruising in general is further embraced by the traveling public. “Special-interest cruising has grown significantly in the last 10 years due to changing consumer lifestyles and travel expectations,” says Terry Dale, president and CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Sharing Passions Theme cruises tap into a bevy of interests. “It gives people the ability to be fully immersed in an experience and be with people who share that same passion,” says Chérie Weinstein, vice president of group sales and administration Guests congregate on Carnival Legend during this year’s Festival at Sea cruise for Carnival Cruise Lines (www. Ambitious Undertaking carnival.com), which offers cruises Theme cruises are available with many themes, from smooth jazz (www. Festival at Sea (www.festivalatsea.com), an from cruise lines as part of their regular schedthesmoothjazzcruise.com) to Lynyrd Skynyrd African-American-themed cruise for families, ule or from travel agents and companies that (www.simplemancruise.com). couples and singles. create their own themes, which are executed Masala Cruises (www.masalacruises.com) The cruise hires its own DJs and evening with the cruise line’s assistance. Theme cruises was formed to bring Indian-themed parties entertainment. There are also church services, can take up a full ship or just involve a group to sea. Sandhya Thakkar and her husband, a fashion show, formal nights featuring African booking on a departure with other passengers. Sunil, had been throwing Indian parties at attire and daily activities like dominos. “People The full-ship charter can be very expensive, clubs since 1994; then “we went on a cruise enjoy the experience,” Yarbrough says. “The and—since it’s like getting 2,000 of your and thought, ‘Why don’t we take it on a cruise atmosphere is great; there are love connections. friends together for a trip—it’s not an easy task. ship?’” says Thakkar, who co-owns HoustonThe cruise itself is great, too. It’s the best of Carnival’s Weinstein cautions agents about based Masala with her husband. Now they both worlds.” chartering a ship. “If you want to take an entire coordinate up to seven cruises annually. “We Yarbrough says the 2008 Festival at Sea ship over, someone has to step up with a huge might sail 4,000 people a year,” she says. departing August 9 on Carnival Liberty is amount of money,” she says. For its cruises, Masala brings Indian music practically filled up. Travel agents receive 10 Cruise lines are happy to oblige group theme and entertainment (belly dancing, Bollywood percent commission. Call 415-882-9444 for bookings as long as the money and people are films) on board, and the menus are catered to more information. there. Theme cruises also can help hook that meet an Indian diet. The company has partelusive first-time cruiser who is so important nered with Carnival in the past and in 2008 Different Strokes for the sustainability of the industry. will conduct Indian-themed cruises with Kicking off 2008, Royal Caribbean (www. “Theme cruising is great because it brings Norwegian Cruise Line, visiting such destina- royalcaribbean.com) is hosting a “Fun and new cruisers into the market,” says Weinstein. tions as Hawaii. Masala Cruises offers roughly Fitness Cruise” on January 20 aboard Jewel of “The theme can be the entrée into cruising, 10 percent commissions. For information, the Seas. The theme will be repeated four more where they may have been hesitant before. call 281-277-6874. times throughout the year. They help open the door.” I Patricia Yarbrough, president of Blue If exercise is not your clients’ cup of tea, World Travel (www.blueworldtravel.com) Royal Caribbean also has the crowd-pleasing CONNECTING YOU in San Francisco, has also organized cruises “Groove Cruise” (organized by Whet Travel) on For a video on the Festival at Sea theme cruise, visit tailored to an ethnic market. For 17 years Monarch of the Seas in July. This trip for younger www.travelagentcentral.com/blueworldtravel and counting, Yarbrough has been behind clients features hot DJs from around the globe 60 | TravelAgent November 12, 2007 and high-energy parties. While cruises usually are all about fun, there is a theme that’s more about introspection than indulgence: Bible study and the tenets of Christianity. Carnival Cruise Lines is running two fullship charters centered on Christian rock in February and March, and Royal Caribbean has “Christian Singles” on Monarch of the Seas in February. If worshipping at the shrine of baseball is more your clients’ preference, MSC (www.mscruises usa.com) brings former pro stars aboard for its baseball theme cruise, which it has been running annually for the past three years. Space is still available on this year’s seven-night Caribbean sailing, which departs December 14 on MSC Lirica from Fort Lauderdale. Pricing begins at $479 per person. http://www.mscruisesusa.com http://www.mscruisesusa.com http://www.carnival.com http://www.carnival.com http://www.festivalatsea.com http://www.thesmoothjazzcruise.com http://www.thesmoothjazzcruise.com http://www.simplemancruise.com http://www.masalacruises.com http://www.royalcaribbean.com http://www.royalcaribbean.com http://www.blueworldtravel.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/blueworldtravel

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - November 12, 2007

Travel Agent - November 12, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe: Berlin Has a Vibrant Arts Scene Central & South America: Iberostar Grand Amazon: Adventure, but with Upscale Cruise Comforts Culinary Tours in Argentina and Peru Belize Eco-Lodge Packages Pacific/Asia: Bali Awaits Discovery by U.S. Tourists Las Vegas: Three Days in Vegas for Baby Boomers Caribbean & Bahamas: CTO’s Chairman Sees Growth in the Market Dominica’s New Tourism Director Discusses Challenges and Opportunities for His Island St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Where Less is More St. Maarten as a Destination for Foodies Tours: Sunshine and Disney are Just Two of Florida’s Options Cruises: Theme Cruises Generate Demand and Revenue Oceania’s Sales and Fleet are Growing Cruise Deals Cover Story: The New Wave Supplier Profile: Viking River Cruises Launches Land-Only Tour Operation Air Lift: Sabre Takes UpSell to the Skies A Tough Season Ahead: Rising Rates and Demand Give Hotels Edge in Price Negotiating Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Caribbean Tourism Conference Cruise and Hotel News Trends In U.S. Travel to France Disneyland Upgrade Travel Week In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - November 12, 2007

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