Greetings!
A new name a new website and soon a new training program. But, the basic feature is the great opportunity that Specialty Cruises provides to you and new ways that you can grow your business and profits by focusing on this product line. Check out our new website at www.specialtycruisecollection.com.
In this issue you will find new product and savings information plus a few words from our Travel Agent blogger Linda Androlia all designed to give you a leg up on the competition and more ways to make more money.
Coming up in 2012 will be a banner year with the Specialty Cruise Collection participating at the trade show and with training opportunities at some of the most important travel industry gatherings.
Upcoming Trade Shows where the Specialty Cruise Collection will be participating include"
- Travel Agent Forum Show, Las Vegas, May 14-16
- Travel Weekly Cruise/Leisure Travel Show, Seattle, June 18-20
- OneWorld Travel Mart, San Francisco. Sept 27-30
- Travel Agent Forum, TBA, Fall 2011
- Travel Weekly CruiseWorld, Fort Lauderdale, Nov. 7-10
- Luxury Travel Expo, Las Vegas, December 4-6
Plan on joining with during one of these events to catch up and meet the members of the Specialty Cruise Collection. Have a wonderful and safe holiday season and healthy and profitable New Year. |
| Save 15% with Alaskan Dream Cruises |  Book a three-, six- eight- or 11-day itinerary from Sitka, Juneau or Ketchikan with Alaskan Dream Cruises before January 30, 2012, and save 15 percent. With its second season approaching quickly, Alaskan Dream Cruises is one of the newest small-ship cruise lines sailing in Southeast Alaska. Owned by an Alaskan family with Native Tlingit roots, the company renovated its ships, the 42-passenger Alaskan Dream and 66-passenger Admiralty Dream, for the new season and added new ports, including Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Thorne Bay, Kasaan, Wrangell and Gustavus. Alaskan Dream Cruises operates May through September and offers complimentary shore excursions.
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| Summer Norway Cruises on Sale with Fred. | 
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is known for their Norwegian heritage, and their Norwegian captains know the fjords like the back of their hand! Discounted prices and onboard spending (OBS) credits are available on a selection of Norway cruises; choose from 7 - 16 nights, Stavanger to Honningsvag, and a variety of VISTAS themes. The VISTAS enrichment program includes expert lecturers, group discussions, and practical sessions on a variety of topics at no additional cost.
Your clients must book 90 days prior to departure to receive the discounted pricing and onboard spending credit. OBS amount listed is per cabin. Price is per person based on two people sharing.
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Louis Cruises Highlights 2012 Programs
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LOUIS CRUISES is showcasing new programs and popular favorites for 2012. With 25 time-honored years in cruising throughout the Mediterranean and 75 years of award-winning history in tourism, LOUIS CRUISES features LOUIS MAJESTY and LOUIS CRISTAL as the vessels for its Eastern Mediterranean programs that are scheduled to perform a variety of itineraries from March to November in 2012.
Highlights of two NEW programs LOUIS MAJESTY will perform include: 4day/3night "Greece and Turkey" (March 2012 departures) - Commencing and concluding in Athens' Port of Piraeus travelers sail to Istanbul in Turkey for a full day to explore this enchanting city, before heading to Izmir. From Izmir, travelers can visit Pergamum, the main center together with Alexandria of the Hellenistic civilization in the East and capital of the Roman province of Asia; and 4day/3night "Aegean Legends" (departures starting in April 2012) -- Sailing from Athens, Mykonos is the first stop in Greece's Cycladic Islands known for beautiful beaches, whitewashed buildings, tiny churches, windmills, shops and cafes. The adventure continues with a morning in Turkey's Kusadasi, gateway to Ephesus, then an afternoon to explore the Greek Island of Patmos. Sailing along, travelers enjoy a full-day stay in Santorini, a village perched on the edge of an ancient volcano, before returning to Athens the following morning.
LOUIS MAJESTY will also perform the 5day/4night "Jewels of the Aegean" cruises starting in March 2012. LOUIS CRISTAL will perform the very popular 8day/7night "Greece and Turkey" itinerary, presenting weekly departures throughout the 2012 LOUIS CRUISES sailing season.
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| Hurtigruten Early Booking Sale Ends 12/31 | 
Hurtigruten - A voyage aboard a Hurtigruten vessel is like no cruise experience in the world. Discriminating experienced travelers seek an authentic and interesting destination experience. Bright lights and floorshows no longer capture their attention. Today, the allure is with nature, personal contact and the desire to explore. With Hurtigruten your clients will experience the natural, unspoiled beauty of Norway's rugged coastline. Calling on more than 30 ports, many not accessible to other ships, our vessels sail closer to the heart of Norway on what some call "The World's Most Beautiful Voyage."
We have taken our sailing traditions and expertise beyond our Norwegian homeland to the world's Polar Regions. Our expedition itineraries feature the Arctic including the archipelago of Spitsbergen, home to the Polar Bear & Arctic Fox and Greenland with its indigenous people and spectacular icebergs that dwarf the senses. Hurtigruten brings Antarctica to life with its dry landings where one walks amongst penguins. Simply put, a voyage with Hurtigruten broadens one's horizons and enriches their life.
Below is a selection of our Special Limited Time Offers. Book by December 31, 2011.
- 20% off Select Antarctica voyages
- 25% off select Classic Norway voyages including airfare, hotel & transfer.
- Savings up to $2,058 per couple on our most popular Greenland itinerary
- Savings up $1038 couple on Spring Europe itinerary
- Past guests receive an additional 10% savings plus 5% off excursions.
Call us now at (800) 3 BERGEN (323-7436). The Hurtigruten Experience Awaits.
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LINDA"S CORNER
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Know Your Client, Know Your Product
If you are reading this article you are in the right place. We are here to educate you on the Specialty Cruise Collection, the niche small ship lines. If you have done one or more of the NCMA training classes you are way ahead of the game.
Now the secret is to know your client. Have the knowledge in the back of your head when your client asks you for ideas. Or listen for the buzz words of small ships. "it was great but there were so many people", "I wish I could have seen more of....", "do you offer anything different", "been there, done that, looking for something else ", "I get so tired just walking across the ship", "looking for fun and educational cruise for my grandkids", "want to take my family on a trip where we can bond", "I hate flying", etc.
You want to qualify your client, know their budget range, no use offering something that is out of their reach. Know their age, their activity level, their likes and dislikes. Their hobbies; photography, wine, fishing, kayaking, culture, foodie, education, music, hiking, civil war etc. Many of the small ships have theme cruises which bring on experts in the particular subject. Not to give lectures in a big showroom as large ships but to mix and mingle and interact with the small ship passengers.
There are many new options in the small ship lines for 2012. New destinations, brand new ships, new itineraries, new themes. Our small specialty ships cover the world, both domestic and international.
Linda Androlia -
Sunstone Tours -
Small Ship Adventure Cruises 888-815-5428
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New Features for
Cruceros Australis 2012
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Cruceros Australis started our 2011-2012 season smoothly. Our passengers continue to enjoy the awesome scenery of Southern Patagonia aboard our Expedition Vessels, Via and Stella Australis. We take our passengers in small groups to daily disembakments to observe first hand the nature and wilderness of this magical region at World's End.
This year we are adding a new optional expedition ($120). kayaking Wulaia Bay on the Murray Channel. Starting in December this season, passengers will have a chance to see and feel like true Yamana indigenous people did when canoeing one of their favorite bays.
We are also proud to have become part of the Virtuoso family as a VAST supplier member. This new appointment is a reassurance of the quality of our programs and the excellence of our service on board our ships.
Our holiday departures are approaching soon and we still have availability in some of our departures. Please contact you favorite Travel Professional if you are interested in learning about our programs, contact us at 1-877-678-3772 or visit us at www.australis.com
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