24 Hour Carnival Cruise Event – November 8th!
The debate over which business model is more profitable for cruise lines, and which is better suited for customers has certainly escalated in recent weeks. So much so, both John Frenaye and I have gotten the attention of George Dooley, Senior Editor of Travel Trade with a fair and objective review of what each of us are trying to do to suggest much needed changes.
On Friday I documented that CLIA (Cruise Line Industry Association) created 17,852 bookings on October 17th, which translate into an estimated $22.3 million in sales and more than $3 million in travel agency commissions. An entire industry, consisting of 20,790 agencies and 24 Cruise Lines with a combined 180 ships generated this number from my understanding. While Liberty Travel was one of the apparent leaders of this “sale”, they certainly didn’t leverage with CLIA in their efforts. Others, like Cruise Planners, did look as if they partnered with what CLIA and potentially capitalized with this Association and name.
If your scratching your head like I was how an entire industry with a month long promotion could possibly only generate $22.3 in sales in one day, I’ve been researching this a little over the weekend. If you recall,Vicki Freed had documented in an article released on Friday, “I know the argument may be that an average sales-volume-per-member may not be that meaningful,” she wrote. “But, truthfully, we have many of models in our database — including traditional — that are not solid producers. In fact 60 percent of our travel agencies produce less than 10 guests per year.” While I’m not certain exactly what percentage does or does not support the industry, I would venture that the majority feel the way Joyce does when she commented “Why would we support you on cruise night when you don’t support us? You and Carnival are in bed with the MLM’s. Well too bad Vicki, I ain’t selling Carnival till you support the real travel agents.” Of course we all know by this point that Royal Caribbean DOES support “real travel agents”.
So how do we as a group of un-trained, un-qualified, un-regulated bunch of Yahoo’s respond to all this? We’ve been asked by the Leadership of YTB not to sling mud, not to go knocking down doors, not to write letters, but to do one thing and one thing only.
ONE day.
ONE Cruise Line.
ONE Travel Agency.
I’ve always loved how the leadership in YTB doesn’t simply react to all this non-sense, they respond. And for those of you who don’t know the difference you should after November 8th.
Carnival and YTB are teaming together to set an all time one day cruise record to show just how viable our business model really is. We are now accepting reservations to be booked between Midnight and Midnight on Thursday, November 8th, for a sailing of your choice with The Most Popular Cruise Line in the World. Not only will I and others involved in YTB be eager to assist you, but we will also have the help and support of Carnival with a special 800 number to make these bookings for you.
Here is the required information we will need to better assist you with your booking with us.
● Full Legal Names (Ex: “Bob” legal name Robert)
● Date of Birth (dd/mm/yy)
● Citizenship
● Emergency Phone Contact for guests sailing
● Dining Preference (Main/Late dining times)
Note: Dining is on a request basis only and confirmed the day of sailing.
● Purchasing Carnival’s Insurance (?) YES/NO
● Payment Information
After Completing the Reservation, Carnival and YTB will provide you with a reservation “Booking Number.” This booking number or confirmation number is your reference number for any questions/changes to the reservation. Please keep it in your file.
● Deposit/ Final Payment must be met or your reservation will be canceled.
● Passports are required.
Selected sailings will qualify for a one to two category upgrade during this sale. Please check with your YTB Specialist for these sailings. (And yes, I consider myself a Carnival Specialist.) My wife and I have sailed on Carnival Imagination, Fascination, Inspiration, Triumph, Victory, and Legend. Who knows, you might even get lucky and sail Fantasy during a major hurricane preventing you from getting back into the port of call! (What a cruise THAT was!)
So there you have it. We’ve been called out and this is the way we’ve decided to respond to all the “Retail Agents” out there. You’ve shown us what you can do. Thanks to the support of Carnival Cruise Lines, YTB now has an opportunity to show you what we can do. It’s our chance to show the world just how viable our business model really is, and just how refreshing, tall, and cool this glass of Kool-aid really is.
I will not be posting the rest of this week. Instead, I will be busy following the play that has been called, which is gearing up and qualifying my clients with the Carnival Cruise Vacation with which Ship they wish to sail on, sailing date, number of people traveling (double, triple, quad cabin), type of accommodation (Interior, Ocean View, Balcony, Suite), air city (if air tickets are needed), getting the Carnival ” Best Fare” and promotional fares that may apply. (Senior fares, Past Guest offers, Military Fares, Cruise Only fares, Resident specials.) These are capacity controlled and not available on all sailings.
PS – If you’d like to take advantage of these great rates and specials, you can contact me here!
Bon Voyage Everyone!
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Doug & Ronda Bauknight AKA: TravelPro Travel Agent / Networker Phone: 678.458.5812 |
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Tags: Carnival, CLIA, Travel MLM, World's Largest Cruise Night, YTB Travel Network
