CruiseOne at Carnival's 'Pinacle'

CruiseOne, part of the nation's largest cruise retail network as part of World Travel Holdings (WTH), have been named to Carnival Cruise Lines' Pinnacle Club for top producers. The accolade was made official during a presentation by Carnival executives to Brad Tolkin, co-chairman/co-CEO of WTH and Dwain Wall, senior vice president/general manager of CruiseOne and Cruises Inc.
"CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. are in the midst of an outstanding year, both in terms of recruiting new agents to the industry and delivering increasingly high booking numbers to the cruise lines," said Tolkin. "Carnival Cruise Line is a valued partner and we are so thrilled to receive this recognition, which underscores the diligence of our agents amidst a challenging economic climate."

CruiseOne is removing job insecurity from the cruise booking equation by offering the "first ever comprehensive" job loss travel insurance policy. CruiseAssurance offers consumers the security of knowing that they can cancel their cruise, on any cruise line, up to the last minute, and beyond, because of an unexpected layoff.

"The hurdle our agents are experiencing is that consumers are waiting," Steven M. Hattem, vice president, marketing for CruiseOne, told Travel Trade. "They are waiting because they're not sure if they're going to have a job and be able to afford a vacation."

CruiseAssurance, Hattem added, takes that thought process out of the equation. "There's no need to wait anymore. You can plan a cruise, pay your money and you're protected if for any reason you lose your job."

Making the policy even more enticing for clients is that the job loss insurance comes at no extra cost to clients purchasing CruiseOne's basic travel insurance.

Dwain Wall, general manager of CruiseOne, added, "In today's environment, it is crucial for businesses to step up to the plate showing we understand consumer challenges... Our 'CruiseAssurance' policy takes the concept of job loss insurance to a new level, easing the concerns of consumers at no charge and on any cruise line of their choice."

Under the CruiseAssurance policy, travelers booking a cruise can cancel their trip up to the day of departure, or even while on their cruise. The only requirements are that travelers purchase an entry-level travel insurance plan (administered by Travel Guard) from their CruiseOne agent and present their termination letter. One year of employment is required. CruiseAssurance applies to bookings made March 1 through May 2, for cruises departing any time.

The CruiseAssurance initiative is an exclusive benefit to consumers booking through one of more than 500 CruiseOne agents nationwide.

"We felt very strongly that this was necessary and will be a real added benefit to our agents in being able to get more consumers to make the actual buying decision because they have one less thing to be concerned about."
"Our agents now feel like they're being armed with something really new, unique and really exclusive. Nobody else has this," Hattem added.

Celebrity Names World Travel Holdings 'National Account Partner of the Year'

Celebrity Cruises has named World Travel Holdings (WTH) its 2008 "National Account Partner of the Year." WTH owns and operates several cruise brands, including Ft. Lauderdale-based CruiseOne and Cruises Inc.

"Throughout 2008, Celebrity Cruises showed that they are willing to make a continued investment in the travel agent community," said Brad Tolkin, co-chairman and co-CEO of World Travel Holdings. "Celebrity was the first to implement a no rebate policy and was among the first to eliminate fuel surcharges. They are clearly committed to helping travel agents succeed. This level of respect does not go unnoticed by our agents and as we proudly accept this honor, we pledge to continue doing our part in 2009."

In September, Cruise One and Cruise Inc. held the companies' annual National Conference aboard the Celebrity Mercury, with Dondra Ritzenthaler, senior vice president of sales for Celebrity and Azamara Cruises, as the keynote speaker. At that same conference, CruiseOne franchise owners and Cruises Inc. independent agents named Celebrity their "Premium Cruise Line Partner of the Year."

In November WTH, CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. exclusively chartered the Celebrity Solstice for a special two-night sailing.

"We are thrilled to recognize World Travel Holdings as our National Account Partner of the Year," said Ritzenthaler. "Day in and day out, the WTH team demonstrates nothing but professionalism and a desire to succeed, and it is a pleasure to partner with such a terrific group of people."

This is the first time the lines are honoring top producing agencies.

CruiseOne Charters New Celebrity Solstice

(Jasper, GA) – 08/07/08 - CruiseOne, the largest independent cruise only franchise agency, has chartered the first exclusive 2-night sailing onboard the brand new Celebrity Solstice. This extraordinary experience is only available through CruiseOne.

Be the first to discover an unparalleled class of ship with features you’ve only dreamed of. This weekend discovery cruise is the perfect way to experience all this new ship has to offer at an amazing price.

This exclusive 2-night sailing will depart Fort Lauderdale on Friday, November 21st and return on Sunday, November 23rd. Prices start at $329 per person. Book by August 31, 2008 and receive an instant upgrade from an Inside stateroom to a Deluxe Veranda. You’ll also receive a free future cruise credit worth up to $300. Groups are welcome and will receive a special offer for ten or more staterooms.

See the NEW "CELEBRITY SOLSTICE" Video Here!

Guests on this exclusive Celebrity Solstice sailing will experience a series of brand-defining, first-in-the-industry features onboard, including a half-acre Lawn Club with real grass, a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass. Guests also will experience unrivaled dining venues offering trendsetting cuisine and design, and widely varied entertainment, including new theater productions in partnership with Poet Theatricals. The 2,850-guest vessel also has staterooms 15 percent larger than those on previous Celebrity ships, 90 percent of which will be outside, and 85 percent of all staterooms will have verandas. Celebrity has also added a new stateroom category, the AquaClass stateroom. Sharing a deck with the AquaClass Relaxation room, it incorporates select spa elements into the staterooms, allows for specialized access to spa amenities and the Spa Concierge, and features assigned seating at the deliciously unique Blu.

To book this exclusive 2-night sailing on the brand new Celebrity Solstice please call Mike Ziegenbalg, Your Independent Cruise Specialist, at (706) 579-5005, or toll free (877) CRUISE1, or visit my website at http://www.cruisesbymike.com/ , or click HERE.