Posts Tagged ‘Carnival Cruise Lines’

They Call It “The Breeze”

Thursday, May 12th, 2011
13
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Maybe it’s my 70′s gen rock and roller coming out – but the first thing I thought of when I saw this announcement was Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Call Me The Breeze“. For me, that’s what cruising is all about – just laid back rock and roll that’s a ton of fun, and very – very cool.

Day before yesterday, Carnival announced the name of its 24th ship to set sail in the spring of 2012 – The Carnival Breeze. It’s the third ship of the Dream Class and like the Dream and the Carnival Magic, Carnival’s Breeze will debut in Europe for a while before finding a home in the Port of Miami in November 2012.

We’ve yet to set sail on a Dream Class ship, but have plans to enjoy a family vacation on the Carnival Dream out of Port Canaveral in April of next year. (That is, if the kids Spring Break works out the way we think it will – but we’ll find out in a couple of weeks.)

I really miss the days when it was just Ronda and I sometimes – or even before the kids were in school. Now, everything revolves around school and activities.

Don’t get me wrong – I love these times and the kids need school and these extra activities, but the more I promote this Class of Ship – the more I want to experience it for myself.

There was a time when a new ship would come out, and we would find a way to set sail on the latest and greatest Carnival had. Victory, Triumph, Legend, and Glory where all like that. Now it’s just a pain in the “you know what” to find the time with the kid’s schedule – especially a 7 day, even during the summer.

We might have to steal some time, even with the shortened summer this year. After reading this press release and talking about it, I’m starting to twitch again. ;-P

Here’s the Press Release Direct from Carnival:

Carnival Cruise Lines’ New 130,000-Ton Ship to be Named Carnival Breeze

Carnival Breeze has been selected as the name for the line’s new 130,000-ton cruise ship scheduled to enter service in spring 2012.

To be constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze will be the third in the line’s Dream class. The series’ namesake vessel, Carnival Dream, entered service in 2009 and a sister ship, Carnival Magic, is currently under construction at Fincantieri and is scheduled to debut in Europe in May 2011.

Carnival Breeze will offer many of the popular innovations featured on Carnival Dream as well as some exciting and unique new elements created just for this vessel that will be detailed at a later date, along with homeport and itinerary information.

“Carnival Breeze promises to be a spectacular addition to our fleet and its name reflects the continued evolution of our brand while conveying the fun and carefree spirit associated with a Carnival cruise,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

Signature Dream-class elements featured on Carnival Breeze will include expansive facilities for children and teens, a 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa and The Lanai, an outdoor promenade featuring cantilevered whirlpools that extend over the ship’s sides.

Other features will include a WaterWorks aqua park with a 300-foot-long corkscrew water slide, a stunning indoor/outdoor café and live entertainment venue called Ocean Plaza and a wide range of staterooms including deluxe ocean views with two bathrooms, some of which feature five berths and hold particular appeal for families.

Carnival Breeze will be the 24th vessel in Carnival Cruise Lines’ fleet, which operates three- to 15-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda and Europe.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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Shot Out Of A Cannon…

Thursday, January 6th, 2011
27
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I mentioned Tuesday that YTB always has a number of blockbuster announcements during Coach’s Birthday Bash. Word has started to get out about some of the upcoming releases and the company isn’t wasting any time in getting out the good word.

Not only is the company gearing up for its annual Birthday Bash next week on January 11th – but a date has been set for another ZamFest party the last half of January – from the 17th to the 31st. (Also found on www.ZamZuuTV.com.) The theme for this party is geared around better health. With the New Year, we’re all thinking about New Year’s Resolutions. For many, that resolution centers on better health. To kick off the New Year, ZamFest is throwing resolutions out the window and focusing on solutions. We don’t just talk about improving our health; we’re actually doing it.

The company will close out the month with Carnival for a Winter Warm Up Sail-A-Thon January, 27 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Central with some great deals to Europe and the Caribbean in 2011 and beyond. More information can be found here, or on BandBVacations.com during the week of the event.

Speaking of Carnival – sales are up. We know that because YTB Travel Network’s commission percentage went back up to previous levels. (You can find the percentages in your Travel Portal.) All the doom and gloom last year from the peanut gallery (minus the “pea”) was nothing more than hype. They never can figure out which way is up or even accurate. We however, told you sales were on the rebound, and based on this commission percentage increase – we were right on mark. Regardless of right or wrong, it never would have happened if our Agents didn’t take responsibility on their own and give a little more love to a great cruise line that has taken very good care of us over the years.

We didn’t whine about it – we actually did something about it to rectify the situation so that everybody wins. That’s the YTB way.

And lastly, you’ll notice a change in our air, car and hotel products.

Back when we first started with YTB, I remember a bidding war between Priceline and Travelocity for the privilege to host these products on our sites. Priceline was a good vendor for us then, but Travelocity wanted it more. A bidding war broke out between the two and what ripped Priceline off our sites and slid Travelocity in was a better deal for the Agents.

After a four year relationship with Travelocity, Orbitz has now taken over the huge influx of air, car and hotel bookings made through YTB Travel Network.

Orbitz Worldwide has replaced Travelocity Partner Network as the provider of air, car and hotel products and is now the exclusive provider for these commodity products on the YTB Travel Network booking engine. YTB Travel Network has also negotiated a contract with Orbitz Worldwide that, effective February 1, 2011, will include a commission on airline bookings while continuing the elimination of a service fee. Please see the updated commission rates in the Commission section of the My Account tab in the Travel Portal.

Commissions earned on air, car and hotel products will now be paid based on the date of consumption, not the booking date. The date of consumption is defined as the date of completed travel. Nothing new there – as it’s in line with how the rest of the industry pays.

Customer Profiles was a huge factor for years for the field and it looks like Orbitz came through for us here as well. The initial launch of the Orbitz Worldwide Customer Profile is coming in February 2011. The new profile feature will provide the ability to use a basic customer profile that will store the customer name and credit card. Later this year this feature will be greatly enhanced. The new functionality will allow:

  • Storage and use of TSA-relevant information (including birth date) for booking
  • Storage and use in booking of multiple credit cards
  • Storage and use in booking of loyalty program information for Air, Hotel and Car

Other new features supplied by Orbitz are marketing and promotion which will also be rolled out during the year.

The Orbitz deal utilizes the NeatAgent application tailored specifically for traditional bricks and mortar travel agencies. According to their website “These traditional agencies provide comprehensive travel services for their clients in person or over the telephone and represent more than 60% of today’s travel distribution”.

In other words – when you read the hype from traditionalists – just know they use it too. Just tell them “Thanks for sharing” and get back to work. (An idea they may want to consider to rectify their own dismal existence.)

Speaking of traditionalists – they never dreamed YTB Travel Network would even see 2011. We were supposed to be long gone according to them. (Wishful thinking at this point.) YTB Travel Network is alive and well and as long as they let us – we’ll continue play the role of thorn in side. (It’s their choice after all – not ours.)

The way I see it – looks like YTB Travel Network is packing more powder to shoot more cannon balls across their bow to let them know we have absolutely no plans of going away.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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Give The Gift of Fun!

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
17
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Shopping for that perfect holiday gift?

What do you get for the person who has EVERYTHING?

What about the person that’s SO hard to shop for?

Have I got a stocking stuffer for you!

It’s that time of year again! Carnival Cruise Gift Certificates are available NOW through December 31, 2010.

Gift Certificates are a great way to save now, and cruise later. It also provides an opportunity for you decide on your own what cruise you might like, or even when you want to go over the next 18 months.

It’s your cruise right?

All Gift Certificates can be upgraded to ANY cruise of choice. Simply pay the difference. We have a certificate valid for a 3-4 day for two, but want to take the entire family on a 7 day this spring. The Promotions Department at Carnival will be extremely accommodating for any upgrade and use what you have to fulfill your dream cruise.

We’ve sold these certificates the last couple of years and they’re a HUGE HIT for just about anyone.

  • Parents, Relatives & Close Friends
  • Teacher & Administrator Holiday Gifts
  • Holiday Party Giveaways
  • Chamber of Commerce Luncheons
  • Retirement gifts for years of service
  • Great alternative to year end cash bonus!

Certificates range from 3 – 8 day sailings and are valid for 2 guests sharing a stateroom and start at just $518 for both guests!

*This price is for a 3 day cruise certificate on selected ships only, in an interior category 4A stateroom for Fall sailings only (9/1/11 – 12/16/11) and does not include Government Fees, taxes or gratuities. Ocean view and balcony certificates are available at an additional cost. Full payment is due at the time the certificate is sold.

Certificates will be customized with the name of the person buying the gift. Recipient can pay to upgrade the certificate for higher cabin categories, additional days of cruising or for travel outside of the Fall travel period. No minimum purchase required. Certificate is valid for 18 months unless otherwise required by law.

Regardless if you’re a seasoned cruise veteran like us, or a first timer, a 100,000 ton cruise ship could be the most unique stocking stuffer your special someone has ever seen.

Bon Voyage!

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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YTB Hosts World’s Largest Cruise Night with Carnival

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
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It’s that time of year again – CLIA’s annual World’s Largest Cruise Night!

Every year in October, Travel Agencies from around the country round up clients in hotel rooms, office buildings, and even homes to promote what we’ve always considered “the best vacation money can buy” – a cruise. For Agencies it’s a great way to get a jump on sales for the coming year, and clients have an exciting vacation to look forward to.

CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) came up with the idea six years ago and both cruise lines and travel agents have fallen in love with the idea as a way to boost sales in what “was” traditionally the slowest month for travel sales.

Today, CLIA, cruise lines, and travel agents all come together in the month of October to make this time of year the single biggest cruise promotion of the year. Last years event generated $45 million in cruise sales and nearly $6 million in new commissions for travel agents.

This year, YTB Travel network teams up with “The Most Popular Cruise Line in the World” to bring both savings and cruise upgrades which are available on virtually all “Fun Ship” departures through December 2011. Carnival will not only be offering the Best Available Upgrades on the majority of their sailings, but up to a $200 onboard credit per stateroom for all Carnival Magic Europe voyages booked on October 13.

The best part of this sale is YTB and Carnival comes to YOU via the World Wide Web in a special webinar hosted Wednesday night at 7:00 pm Eastern, 6:00 pm Central to showcase the largest fleet of cruise ships available, from the largest selection of ports in the industry. A special rebroadcast will air during the evening, so make sure you log in at some point during the evening.

YTB and Carnival will feature “Best Available Upgrades” which are available on virtually all sailings through December 2011 – and when booked on October 13th, use Fare Code: PCN when booking. Carnival’s bonus offer includes the Best Available Upgrade PLUS up to a $200 onboard credit per stateroom on European sailings – just use Fare Code: OCL. The sale is valid on new individual bookings made on 10/13/10. Best available upgrade available on like to like categories (interior to interior, oceanview to oceanview and balcony to balcony). Promotion is applicable on all sailings between through 12/31/11.

Best of all this is a fun learning opportunity. Cruising is all about you. You can find adventure, culture and education or, relax the day away. Dine on fine cuisine. Indulge at the spa. Reconnect with family. Share romantic moments. All this, in the destination of your choice, for a few days, a week or more, on a cruise that’s right for you.

Do something that’s just for you. Join us tomorrow night from the comfort of your own home for the World’s Largest Cruise Night Carnival Sale event and take advantage of Carnival’s exclusive offers and special promotions.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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Carnival Upgrades Agent Portal…

Thursday, August 12th, 2010
19
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Every challenge comes with an opportunity to learn and grow. Smart people and good companies take full advantage of such an opportunity while others – well…not so much.

Carnival has been an interesting “case study” over the last few years. The various challenges the with rising fuel prices and the eventual recession that followed keeping more people at home, Carnival has managed to handle the adversity very well with a willingness to make tough choices, and the ability to rethink and transform their operations to streamline their business and continue to turn a profit.

Automation has played a key roll in Carnival’s transformation and ability to remain “The Most Popular Cruise Line in the World”. It’s not that you couldn’t book and manage clients through Carnival’s agent portal prior, but much of the “call center” activities that lingering old timers have known for years is now gone. (And they’re visibly upset – as usual.)

Early Saver, Pack & Go and Interline Rates have been handled via automation for a while now. Resident Rates, Senior Promotions, Military Rates and Travel Agent Cruise Sales recently went into automation mode August 1st. With so many new features now handled online only, Carnival decided to streamline their Agent Portal for ease of use with a totally new agent portal called GoCCL.com.

GoCCL was created with the Agent in mind, making it easier-to-navigate, more information than ever before, and it’s even Google-search-powered. The end result helps agents speed up the sales process along with some innovative and creative tools to help market to clients and prospects.

Carnival focused on these key areas:

  • Improved design and organization – Carnival took all the constructive feedback and designed GoCCL.com around the concept that the right tool is only one-click away. You’ll always be ready when your customer is.
  • The right information – when you need it. Now, there’s no more searching around the portal for information you need. GoCCL.com features a completely redesigned Resource Center that gives you lightning-fast access to a comprehensive library of sales programs and product information. Finding the right link is a breeze with GoCCL’s Google-powered search engine.
  • Booking Tools – Create and manage reservations, access FunShipPay and verify Guest Document Status.
  • Marketing Tools – It’s the one-stop place for all of your marketing needs, including the updated Ad Wizard, eBrochures, Collateral Ordering Tool, Brand Center, Fun Itineraries – as well as our Carnival Fun Tees!
  • Training – Explore informative training videos, exclusive Webinars and learn more about how to advance your business at CCL University. You can also browse schedules and register for executive conferences, exciting shipboard events and our signature “Funtastic” Fam Weekends.
  • Resource Center – This is the place to get all the information you need. You’ll find Carnival news and updates, FAQs, forms and policies, and Carnival products and program details. Be sure to check out our value-packed Knowledge Center: a great reference resource with facts about Carnival procedures, ship and port information – and much more.
  • Specials – Get the scoop on Carnival specials, Early Saver fares, promotional programs, featured specials and other great deals for your clients.
  • News and Alerts – The home page news ticker displays Carnivals latest news and important advisories and remains visible throughout the site.

The GoCCL portal is a state-of-the-art sales and marketing tool that will not only keep Carnival number one, but possibly widen the gap as new agents embrace the technology that’s available today. From the looks of it, it will make sales and marketing faster, easier, and more powerful than ever before.

If you look back over this blog and all the articles we’ve written about Carnival over the years, you’ll see that change is in fact a good thing. It’s not about being broken or unproductive – it’s about tweaking and moving forward in today’s fast paced and information rich environment with more opportunities than ever before. Reminds me of another “business model” that’s near and dear to our hearts. (And we’ve documented plenty about THAT topic here too!)

So go check out GoCCL.com. I think you’ll like the upgrade once you come aboard!

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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Carnival Magic To Home Port in Galveston, TX

Thursday, June 24th, 2010
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If you didn’t know that June is Carnival Month with YTB Travel – you’ve got to be hiding under a rock somewhere. Carnival has been sending out all kinds of promotional e-mails this month and even offered up a couple of live webinars to assist the YTB sales  field in promotions and sales.

The month got kicked off to a great start with a “Cash Back” promotion that clients still have time to get in on before the end of the month. YTB Travel will conclude the month long promotion with Carnival with yet another “Sail-A-Thon” coming up June 29th. (More information on that next week.)

Communications were sent out yesterday about Carnival’s newest ship, the Carnival Magic which will home port in Galveston, Texas and offer 7 day sailings. The Carnival Triumph will move from New Orleans to Galveston as well to take over 4 and 5 day sailings. Galveston has always offer some of the best rates from any home port.

New Orleans will still be covered as well, including a fabulous new 7 day itinerary option. Both the Carnival Ecstasy and the Carnival Conquest will move to New Orleans offering 4, 5 and 7 day cruises options. Once again, New Orleans will have two ships making the “Big Easy” it’s home. Something we haven’t seen since Katrina hit back in 2005.

Here’s a list and time line for all the changes:

  • 9/22/11 – CARNIVAL ECSTASY begins service from New Orleans
  • 10/6/11 – CARNIVAL TRIUMPH begins service from Galveston
  • 10/28/11 – CARNIVAL MAGIC 16-DAY TRANSATLANTIC FROM BARCELONA TO GALVESTON!
  • 11/13/11 – CARNIVAL CONQUEST begins service from New Orleans with 3 different seven day cruise options!
  • 11/14/11 – CARNIVAL MAGIC begins service from Galveston

Both Galveston and New Orleans ports are fabulous destinations in themselves and to combine the cruise offerings, makes this a perfect choice for a Carnival Cruise. You’ll want to promote these ships and sailings now to capture this business!

The following release was sent out yesterday.

NEW 130,000-TON CARNIVAL MAGIC TO OPERATE SEVEN-DAY CARIBBEAN CRUISES FROM GALVESTON BEGINNING  NOVEMBER 2011,

TO BE PORT’S LARGEST YEAR-ROUND SHIP

Carnival Conquest, Carnival Ecstasy to Sail Year -Round From New Orleans,

Returning the Line’s Capacity to Pre-Katrina Levels

MIAMI (June 23, 2010) – Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic, will operate seven-day Caribbean cruises from Galveston beginning Nov. 14, 2011, becoming the largest cruise ship based at the port year-round.  Additionally, the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph will reposition from New Orleans to Galveston to operate year-round four- and five-day Caribbean cruises from that port beginning Oct. 6, 2011.

Homeporting the Carnival Magic and Carnival Triumph in Galveston represents the largest-ever capacity commitment by a cruise line to Texas.  With these deployments, Carnival expects to carry more than 450,000 guests annually from Galveston – a 28 percent increase over the current year.

In turn, the 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest and 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy, both of which are currently based in Galveston, will reposition to New Orleans to operate year-round departures from that port, returning the line to pre-Katrina capacity levels there.  With Carnival Conquest and Carnival Ecstasy, the line is expected to carry nearly 340,000 passengers annually from New Orleans – the most of any cruise operator.

“Deploying the new Carnival Magic to Galveston and increasing capacity on our popular short cruise program with the Carnival Triumph is a clear indication of the tremendous appeal and growth of this key homeport, which consistently earns high marks from our guests,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. “At the same time, we are very pleased to return to pre-Katrina capacity levels in New Orleans with the Carnival Conquest and Carnival Ecstasy – a wonderfully positive indicator of the city’s continued growth and recovery,” he added.

Carnival Magic, Carnival Triumph from Galveston

Carnival Magic, which is slated to debut in Europe in May 2011 with a host of innovative facilities and features, will offer two different week-long itineraries from Galveston, including seven-day western Caribbean voyages to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and week-long eastern Caribbean cruises to Nassau, Freeport, and Key West.

Carnival Magic will offer many exciting amenities including a spectacular water park, an exclusive adults-only retreat, a wrap-around promenade with whirlpools that extend out over the ship’s sides, and expansive spa and children’s facilities.  Also featured will be a variety of stateroom choices, including deluxe ocean view  accommodations with two bathrooms, some of which feature five berths and hold particular appeal for families; cove balcony cabins located closer to the water line; and spa staterooms that provide special access and benefits.  A number of new innovations are scheduled to be announced in the near future.

Prior to launching year-round Caribbean service from Galveston, Carnival Magic will operate a series of seven-, nine- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona May 1 to Oct. 16, 2011; followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to Galveston departing Oct. 28, 2011.

Also being deployed to Galveston is the Carnival Triumph which will operate year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises beginning Oct. 6, 2011, becoming the newest and largest ship to operate a year-round short cruise program from that port.  Four-day cruises depart Thursdays to Cozumel, while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays and visit Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico.  Carnival Triumph offers many guest-pleasing features and amenities, including nearly 500 balcony staterooms which are very popular among consumers and typically not available on short cruises.

Expanded Capacity from New Orleans

Carnival Conquest will reposition to New Orleans for year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning Nov. 13, 2011.  The ship will offer three different week-long Caribbean options from New Orleans: a new western Caribbean program featuring Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, an eastern Caribbean itinerary to Key West, Freeport and Nassau, and exotic western Caribbean cruises to Belize, Roatan and Cozumel.

Carnival Ecstasy will operate year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean voyages from New Orleans beginning Sept. 22, 2011. The ship underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation last year that added an expansive water park, tropical-style main pool area, adults-only retreat and 98 balconies to existing staterooms.  On the Carnival Ecstasy’s new itinerary, four-day cruises departing Thursdays visit Cozumel, while five-day cruises departing Mondays and Saturdays call at Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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Carnival To Offer “Cash Back” Promotion…

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
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One of the most forward thinking and innovative suppliers in the Travel industry in my opinion is Carnival Cruise Lines. They were one of the first to embrace YTB in the early days, and haven’t been swayed by myths or phobias surrounding the Network Marketing industry. It’s just “business” – and they don’t get caught up in the drama. YTB has consistently produced sales for the cruise line which in part enables the line to maintain their distinction as “Most Popular Cruise Line in the World.”

In another innovative move – Carnival will be launching a “cash back” promotion next Monday (June 7th) of up to $160 per stateroom with a variety of cruises through February 2011.

While I’m sure YTB  would like to take credit for this promotion which currently provides “cash back” through ZamZuu, Carnival designed the program on their own to entice more people to book cruises.  Saving money is still a big hot button these days, and they’ve found a way to capture what’s hot. By offering “cash back” in amounts ranging from $80 per stateroom to $160 per stateroom via a shipboard credit, the hope is that it will tip the scales in Carnivals favor over other cruises offered during this time.

Cash back amounts are based on cruise length and can be redeemed on board during the cruise for a variety of options and amenities. If by chance you don’t use your allotted amount – you’ll get a check at the end of your cruise.

Credits will be offered starting on 3-day and longer cruises and include the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico from 15 convenient departing ports in the US.

The “Cash Back” details are as follows:

  • $40 per person (max $80 p/stateroom) on select 3-, 4- & 5-day sailings
  • $80 per person (max $160 /stateroom) on select 6-day or longer sailings

The shipboard credit is automatically applied on guests’ Sail & Sign accounts when they board their cruise and can be redeemed toward shore excursions, spa treatments, gift shop items and a variety of other shipboard purchases. Any unused funds at the end of the cruise will be returned to guests on debarkation day in the form of a check.

The new promotion is capacity controlled and applies to new individual bookings for category 4A and higher. Bookings have to be made between June 7 and June 30, 2010 to qualify for the promotion and it is valid with the “Fun Select” advance purchase discount fares. Guests must request fare code OCB when making the reservation.

The Cash Back promotion will be promoted nationally via TV commercials and local radio spots as well as through a direct-response TV spot. I suspect it will also be a very hot topic during tomorrow nights YTB Travel Network webinar with Ann Sedgwick. (For YTB Travel Network Agents only.)

If you happen to be on our newsletter, you already know how to register for this webinar, and I highly suggest that you get yourself registered. If you’re not on our newsletter – shame on you! (Get yourself registered now.) In the meantime, if you don’t have the info to get on this, send a support ticket to the home office through your back office and they’ll get you the hooked up with the webinar tomorrow night.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Book Your Travel & Vacations With


TSO #588629
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