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MSC Cruises launches new guest loyalty program

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 July 2015 21 July 2015

MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line, announced yesterday the launch of MSC Voyagers Club, the company’s new loyalty program, that provides increased benefits to members.

MSC Voyagers Club replaces MSC’s former loyalty program, MSC Club, and is designed to reward MSC’s repeat customers and reinforce the company’s consistent commitment to offer guests an exceptional all-around experience before, during and after their cruise.

Joining the MSC Voyagers Club is free of charge, and guests are now able to join a “Welcome Level” before taking their first cruise – all that is needed is a confirmed booking. Other levels of the five-tiered membership program include Classic, Silver, Gold and Black. Personalized cruise cards will be provided to MSC Voyagers Club members directly on board at the beginning of each sailing with their membership level.

As part of the new program, MSC has revamped its points structure so that guests now earn points according to the inclusive experience booked (Bella, Fantastica, Aurea or MSC Yacht Club) as well as length of stay. In addition, points are rewarded for onboard spend as well as pre-paid services, such as shore excursions, spa treatments and beverage packages.

Another major benefit of the new program is that all MSC Voyagers Club members will have exclusive access to significant discounts on future cruises. Starting July 20, 2015, members will receive a 5 percent discount on all cruise departures (with the exception of the Welcome level). In addition, MSC will make available a broad array of select cruises, called Voyages Selection, that offer an extra 15 percent off – meaning that all members could receive up to a total of 20 percent off future cruises. And to sweeten the deal for higher-tier members, when booking a cruise from the Voyages Selection, Silver, Gold and Black level members will receive $50 of onboard credit per person. A complete list of Voyages Selection cruises can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/VoyagesSelection

The range of other privileges extended to MSC Voyagers Club members includes, among others, an invite to a welcome back cocktail party, complimentary basket of fresh fruit in the stateroom and exclusive onboard offers with discounts on items such as internet packages, spa treatments, logo shop items, in-stateroom movies, photos, and the minibar.

Top tier members also enjoy added benefits such as priority boarding, priority disembarkation in ports where a tender boat is required, late stateroom check out when the ship returns to port, an invite to a private Black Card member party, complimentary spumante with chocolate-dipped fruit in the stateroom, increased onboard discounts, free one-hour thermal area session in MSC Aurea Spa, and complimentary dining in a specialty restaurant. A full list of onboard privileges by level can be found at: http://www.msccruisesusa.com/us_en/MSC-Voyagers-Club/Membership-Benefits.aspx

Loyalty match

Recognizing that many travellers have built up loyalty with other travel reward programs, MSC Cruises is also launching a loyalty match program in which frequent travellers who have a rewards card from another travel land or sea program can now receive instant status and perks with MSC. After signing up for MSC Cruises’ Voyages Club, guests who participate in other leisure travel programs will automatically acquire similar or higher status with MSC and be enrolled in the Classic, Silver, Gold, or Black level. In addition, these travellers will automatically receive the 5 percent discount on any booking given to MSC Voyagers Club members and can also take advantage of the discounts associated with Voyages Selection.

Crystal Cruises to make announcement on 20 July

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 July 2015 17 July 2015

Crystal Cruises, the luxury market brand of Genting, will make an announcement on 20 July, Cruise Business has learned. There will be a pre-announcement event for those onboard Crystal ships on July 19, Cruise Critic message board revealed.

Crystal has repeatedly said they intent to build a new ship with a delivery in 2018.

Tongcheng enters partnership in China with major cruise lines

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 July 2015 17 July 2015

After the recent announcement of a RMB100 million investment to promote its cruise business, Tongcheng, a Chinese travel service giant, has entered strategic cooperation agreements with Costa Crociere and Royal Caribbean Cruises to jointly develop cruise business in China. Alan Lam reports.

Founded in 2004, Tongcheng Network Technology Share Co., Ltd. (同程网络科技股份有限公司), the Suzhou-based company - with the main business focuses on hotel booking, air ticketing, car rental and cruise booking - has been in expansion and partnership mode in recent years.

In the last few days, the company has signed separate cooperation agreements with Costa Crociere and Royal Caribbean Cruises to explore the possibilities of promoting cruise itineraries from China to other Asian destinations. The agreements have special emphasis aiming at ships homeporting in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tianjin.

These partnerships signal the increasing attention from the Chinese travel service sector to cruise tourism. Tongcheng’s specialism in air ticketing and hotel booking will no doubt be beneficiary to developing fly-cruise business in China.

The company has also a similar arrangement with SkySea Cruises, a joint venture between Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Ctrip International.

In 2014 Ctrip became the second biggest shareholder of Tongcheng.

Azamara launches Azamara World Academy

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 July 2015 16 July 2015

Azamara Club Cruises announces the launch of its new travel partner tutorial, the Azamara World Academy. The program provides easy-to-follow courses for travel professionals to learn about the brand and its offerings onboard and on shore through its Land Discoveries shore excursions.

The tutorial features 11 short courses that can be completed in approximately four hours covering the following topics:

– Azamara Club Cruises Overview
– Destination Immersion
– Destinations
– Onboard Life
– Dining & Wines
– Spa & Fitness
– Accommodations
– Onboard Sales
– Selling Tips
– CruisingPower.com
– What You Need to Know Before You Go

In addition to providing educational services, Azamara World Academy makes valuable tools available for travel partners including videos, commercials, virtual ship tours and a special “what’s new” section to showcase the latest developments.

Travel partners gain knowledge from engaging in the Azamara World Academy to confidently immerse their clients in the brand as well as added incentives for completing the program. Partners receive a high quality certificate upon completion and a branded coaster for their desk. Additionally they can earn a complimentary double-occupancy Club Oceanview Stateroom when they book three Azamara Cruises within 90-days of completing Azamara World Academy. To learn more about Azamara World Academy or to register for the courses, please visit www.AzamaraWorldAcademy.com or www.CruisingPower.com.

Carnival further enhances travel agent engagement with formation of new trade events team

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 July 2015 16 July 2015

Carnival Cruise Line is further enhancing its commitment to travel agent engagement by expanding its trade sales and marketing team to include a dedicated events team within the organization.

The formation of the new trade events team will significantly expand the line’s presence at cruise industry tradeshows, conferences, agent trainings and recognition events.

“Our sales team is on track to reach 40,000 travel agents through Carnival Conversations and other industry events by the end of the year,” said Carnival’s Vice President of Trade Sales and Marketing Adolfo Perez. “By creating a team dedicated to trade events and programs, we’re further bolstering our already strong presence at these types of agent events and engaging with thousands of agents each year.”

To lead this new effort, Carnival has named Mia Landrin as trade events and programs manager, responsible for overseeing the line’s expanded agent interaction. Landrin reports to Meegan Broussard, Carnival’s director of trade marketing and sales communications.

An accomplished events and marketing specialist, Landrin brings more than 15 years of event experience to her new role and has led highly visible initiatives including NASCAR sponsorships and brand-building opportunities for M&M’s/Mars Inc. as well as cause-related marketing for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. Most recently, she served as Carnival’s brand manager for youth activities, responsible for developing and programming activities for the line’s on-board teen program.

For additional information regarding Carnival’s trade events, travel agents may visit GoCCL.com.