American Express Travel Reports Growth in Cruising Popularity
John Sisker
We received this information from the trades and thought it may be of
interest to this newsgroup as well.
Happy sailing...
John Sisker - SHIP-TO-SHORE CRUISE AGENCY (sm)
(714) 536-3850 or toll-free at (800) 724-6644 & (Agency ID: 714.536.3850)
www.shiptoshorecruise.com
American Express Travel Reports Growth in Cruising Popularity due to Value
and 'New Generation' of Cruise Offerings
NEW YORK, March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- According to American Express Travel's
Cruise Specialists, a group of travel agents almost exclusively dedicated to
booking cruise travel, there is currently a growing popularity and interest
in cruising. Responsible for this trend, they say, is the value cruising
offers coupled with a "new generation" of cruise offerings that provide more
variety and flexibility than ever before, including new and increasingly
exotic ports- of-calls around the world; a jaw-dropping roster of onboard
luxury upgrades and amenities; and customized excursions and private
experiences.
Cruising's broadening appeal
The combination of these factors has resulted in a burgeoning group of
travelers interested in cruising. Among the growing number of first-time
cruisers, Cruise Specialists report an increase especially among multi-
generational families, young couples/newlyweds, young families with
children, and people looking to "test-drive" or sample destinations via a
cruise before planning an entirely land-based vacation there. Cruise
Specialists also report working with a large number of repeat cruise
customers. While these repeaters enjoy the cruise experience enough to do it
over and over again, Cruise Specialists say when it comes to the
itineraries, they like to mix it up -- from destinations to ship
experiences.
And Cruise Specialists agree that there is no better mix of things than what
is available right now and they are seeing passengers take full advantage.
Cruise Specialists are particularly seeing an interest in new far- flung
cruise destinations, including Dubai, the South Pacific and Vietnam. They're
also reporting an increased interest in different ship experiences, such as
yacht and river/barge canal cruises.
Luxury cruising
Cruise Specialists report that interest in luxury cruising is similarly on
an upswing, helped no doubt by the lavish onboard amenities and
opportunities for private and customized experiences available on the luxury
cruise lines. According to American Express Cruise Specialists:
Top 5 Luxury Amenities Requested 1. Suite upgrades 2. Private butler service
3. Gourmet chefs 4. Expert lecturers 5. Private pools and balconies Top 5
Special Excursions Requested 1. Private cultural and historical tours 2.
Cooking lessons and demonstrations 3. Vineyard tours and wine tastings 4.
Golf excursions 5. Scuba diving and snorkeling
"No matter what a customer's cruising needs, our American Express Travel
Cruise Specialists are on-hand to find options to fit a wide range of tastes
and budgets," says Audrey Hendley, vice president of marketing, American
Express Travel. "For new or returning cruisers, we provide expert guidance
to help ensure a cruise that caters to their needs."
First-time cruisers well informed
Cruise Specialists also report that the overwhelming majority of their
first-time cruise customers need no convincing in opting for a cruise
vacation. They tend to come to Cruise Specialists very well informed, having
done their research, but with additional detail-oriented questions about the
cruise experience and what to expect. As an additional resource, American
Express offers a website, www.americanexpress.com/newcruiser, dedicated to
helping novice cruisers navigate through their first cruise experience.
American Express Travel's cruise benefits
American Express has a number of cruise travel benefits it offers its Card
members. For instance, the Platinum Card(R) from American Express offers
Card members several luxurious, value-added cruise benefits through its
Cruise Privileges(1) program, including room upgrades, shipboard credits and
spa credits when booking a cruise vacation of six days or longer on any
participating cruise line partner. Platinum Card members also receive
additional exclusive amenities unique to each cruise line, such as a
complimentary shore excursion credit or alternative dining experience.
A collection of new cruise travel benefits is also available through
American Express' Gold Card Destinations(2), which offers Gold Card members
a variety of exclusive offers valued at $150 or more on virtually any trip
from American Express(R) Gold Card Destinations travel partners. Upcoming
Gold Card Destinations include European voyages on several partner cruise
lines -- Azamara Cruises, Holland America Line and Uniworld.
About American Express Travel
American Express entered the travel agency business in 1915 and today is one
of the world's largest travel agency networks. The company has more than
2,200* travel and foreign exchange services locations worldwide in more than
140 countries.
American express company (www.americanexpress.com) is a leading global
payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.
1. Please visit
https://www143.americanexpress.com/cards/platinum/benefit.do?benefitTemplate=t
emplate_c&benefitId=3 for more information, including term and conditions,
about American Express' Cruise Privileges program.
2. Please visit
https://www134.americanexpress.com/travel/gcd/GTSFSServlet?request_type=gcdlanding
for more information, including terms and conditions, about American
Express' Gold Card Destinations program.