Recommend August 2013 - (Page 15)

asia river cruises— a booming market ⏟ new kid on the block You might not have yet heard of Haimark Ltd., but with the ship they are building and launching in September 2014 on the Mekong, the Mekong Navigator, this river cruise company is one you want to keep an eye on. In fact, the Mekong Navigator will be the ﬁrst of several vessels the line will deploy in Asia, as it plans to launch a ship in Myanmar, on the Irrawaddy, as well as on the Ganges, in India, looking to operate a total of ﬁve ships in the region by 2015. Getting back to the 34-suite, 68-passenger Mekong Navigator, which is available for booking as we speak and has many sailings sold out even into 2015, this is one gorgeous ship. “It’s a great ship because a lot of the people who are put- Christine Duffy, president & CEO, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), says that there are a number of factors behind the boom in river cruising in Asia. “First, globally river cruising has become one of the fast growing sub-segments of cruising. Second, Asia is also one of the fast growing regions for cruise lines deployment for both ocean liners and smaller vessels. And lastly, Asia as a cruise destination is appealing to more and more travelers seeking exotic locales. A number of CLIA member lines have been operating river cruises in the region for years; however, they’ve increased capacity in recent years and we’re also seeing new lines enter this exciting market.” ting ships on the Mekong, they want it to look like a European product, but we want it to look like it belongs on the Mekong River, although we want to provide the same service standards offered on European rivers,” says Tom Markwell, managing partner, sales & marketing, Haimark Ltd. The Mekong Navigator has a French colonial look, which Markwell says makes sense considering that Vietnam and Cambodia were French colonies, and offers a very bright, airy and inviting ambiance. There’s a sun deck, a library, a ﬁtness center and spa, as well as a lounge and a dining area—all tastefully done—but what Markwell really emphasizes is the accommodations’ square footage. “Our lead-in cabins start at 256 sq. ft. and they go all the way to 584 sq. ft., so these cabins are huge for a river product. Beyond that, look at the amenities such as 500 thread-count sheets, a pillow menu with seven different types of pillows…when guests come into the cabin there is fresh fruit, fresh ﬂowers, the whole ship is wireless. All of these things play into elevating the experience that guests can encounter on a river in Southeast Asia.” All the suite categories, with the exception of the Superior Suites, offer balconies, and the Grande Suite—the highest category—offers ﬂoor-to-ceiling glass windows and a private verandah. The line has also been very careful in managing its starting rates for this itinerary—$1,999 pp—as well as keeping the cost down for step-ups between categories. “We want to make sure that if the Superior is not available and your clients have to book the Vista Suite category, that we are not going to jump up $1,000 pp. We are only going up $400. We feel very good about our price points,” he says. The Mekong Navigator’s 7-night itinerary runs from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City and along the way visits the tourist landmarks of both Vietnam and Cambodia. Additionally, the line offers pre- and post-cruise extension programs. Regarding commission for travel agents, “we offer up to 25 august 2013 15 14-19 CRAS Asiacruise.indd 15 7/23/13 7:30 AM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend August 2013

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Dan Hotels, Israel
Tour Talk: Jacada Travel
Avalon Expression
Cruising the Rivers of Southeast Asia
Girls & Guys Getaways in Las Vegas
Kimpton Takes Center Stage in San Francisco
South Africa: Bicycles, Horses & Wonderful Experiences
A French Twosome with SLH
Bogota, Colombia
Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto
Westin Grand Cayman
Grand Case Beach Club, St. Martin
Aruba Marriott Resort

Recommend August 2013