Best promotion by far

Coming to the end of another extended January sales in the cruise industry, it is safe to say my head as well as many others I’m sure is spinning from promotions changing, extending, finishing early, adding 3 day flash sales, new promotions overriding the previous one, the list goes on.  To say the least some days it can be mind boggling, sometimes you the customer are more familiar with a promotion than what we are. Embarrassing!!!!

One of the most common questions we get asked is when is the best time to book? Do you think I should wait? Do you think the prices will come down? The answer at the moment is who knows???

I am very much in favour of Cruise lines keeping it simple and trying not to confuse the customer as well as the cruise agent. Since January Celebrity has had a fantastic promotion up for grabs ‘ 123Go’. This gives you the customer a choice to choose two out of three benefits which suits you. The three benefits cover all the added expenditure your cruise may bring being gratuities, drinks & added spends such as shore tours to on-board gifts for family and friends.

The on-board credit is subject to the grade of cabin you choose, gratuities fully covered for your entire sailing and the drinks package allows you to relax knowing that you will not receive an astronomical bill at the end of your holiday. It could not be more simple, you choose two out of the three which suit you.

I think this is an excellent promotion and has been by far the reason why my Celebrity bookings have increased this year.

The ‘Classic’ all inclusive drinks package includes……..

Unlimited fountain and can soda, juices, premium teas and coffee, all specialty coffees, smoothies, frozen drinks, non-premium bottled water and beers up to $5.00. Also wine by the glass, cocktails and spirits up to $8.00.

Beers – Coors Light, Becks, Heineken, Amstel Light, Corona, Heineken Light, Franziskaner, Dos Equis, Red Stripe, Samuel Adams, Leffe, O’Doul’s Non-Alcoholic,

Scotch – Johnny Walker Red, Dewars White Label, J & B, Cutty Sark

Irish and Canadian Whisky – Canadian Club, Seagram’s VO, Seagram’s 7, Jameson

Bourbon – Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s

French Brandy – Courvoisier VS, Carlos 1, Metaxa 5 Star Classic, Hennessy VS

Gin – Beefeaters, Tanqueray

Vodka – Absolut, Smirnoff, Stolichnaya, Three Olives

Rum – Bacardi, Malibu, Captain Morgan Original Spiced, Tequila – Jose Cuervo

Liqueurs – Disaronno Amaretto, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Frangelico, Drambuie, Sambuca, Kahlua,

Wine by the glass – Fantinel, Codorníu, J. & H. Selbach, Raimat, Jean-Luc Colombo, Benziger Family Winery, MontGras, Wente Vineyards, Ross Estate Rutherford Ranch, Torres, Beringer, Ken Forrester, Bollini K

Waters – Crystal Geyser and San Benedetto

Non-alcoholic – Coke, Diet Coke, Fanta Orange, Coke Zero, Sprite, Diet Sprite, Barqs, Aqualina, Coffee, Tea, Cranberry, Pineapple, Tomato, Apple, Grapefruit,

Even if you don’t drink alcohol I think this option is still good to take as we all know from pub prices these days soft drinks can almost be as expensive as alcoholic beverages. I had a customer this week say they were going to upgrade to the next level package, however after I sent her the above extensive list, she was more than happy with what Celebrity have to offer. To purchase this drinks package it would normally cost you $56.35 per person per day.

I think other lines should take a leaf out of Celebrity’s book and offer the customers a choice of what they would like, rather than confuse them with on-going changing promotions of what they think will entice the next sale. Keep it simple for the customer and the agent.

If you want to take opportunity of Celebrity’s ‘123Go’ promotion, get in quick as it finishes the end of February 2014.

Thanks Celebrity for making it easy for us all, you’ve come up trumps again x