Looking for your client's Dollar, Euro or Pound to go further?  If so here are  a few ideas.

For our US clients,  considering doing an European program? Now is the time to really seriously consider a cruise versus a hotel.   Of course depending upon the cruise you purchase you'll find meals, entertainment and a variety of destinations or even all drinks, tips and wines included at a pre-determined US Dollar price and NO VAT tax.   Most ships will also price out shore excursions, bar and wine bills, gift shop purchases in US Dollars as well.   At today's exchange rates this can be a considerable savings (try up to 28%) versus Euro or Sterling pricing.  Additionally for the items not included in your program and left to the participants to purchase onboard they too are saved from sticker shock.  There are still some great buys available for Fall sailings as well as an expanded listed of cruises being offered for spring, summer and fall of 2005.   NOW is the time to lock in your rates!

For our international clients there never has been a better time to purchase a cruise in US Dollars with the Euro and Pound being at record highs against the dollar.   With the on board pricing being done on most cruise lines in Dollars you save even more on purchasing wines, bar, cocktail receptions, beverage packages and shore excursions.   Your participants even win further when cruising to most Caribbean islands where the US Dollar is the local currency.   Duty Free shopping has never been better nor cheaper.   If overnighting in Miami pre or post cruise consider a shuttle service to one of our local malls for a shopping spree your client and their guests will thank you!

For our clients in Europe we also able to offer some interesting rates for chartering river ships in the fall and spring.  Considering offering one of these vessels for meetings and seminars instead of a standard hotel venue.  We can offer rates in the range of $230.00 US Dollar per room night that includes all meals, some cocktail receptions, meeting space and even a cruise if you wish.  Compare these rates with a 4 star hotel PLUS you get an exclusive venue.

Here in the United States many people do not seem to be aware of where all of these cruise ships are sailing.   Well more than likely if you live near any of our major coastal cities there is a ship already there, or there will be one coming soon.   Needless to say with all of the ships today the cruise lines have positioned them to make them easy and inexpensive to get to for their FIT passengers.   Many of these cruises are for 2 to 5 nights.   If you are doing regional programs consider doing a cruise and eliminating the need for air. 

Looking for a tax deductible cruise for a meeting?   Here is an interesting one we have run across.   This 100 passenger US flagged vessel offers a limited series of 3 and 4 night cruises from San Francisco going to the wine country   Bundled into the cruise tariff are all meals, airport-ship transfers, use of a hospitality room pre-cruise, tours, transfers, wine tasting's and even lunch ashore at some very unique venues.  Interesting rates when you consider it can be written off as well.   

Have you lost a piece of business because your Competitor pitched a cruise and you didn't?

This is something we are hearing on a more frequent basis.   Even though your client contact says just present resorts or hotels, why not give them a cruise option.  You might be very surprised to find that the ultimate decision maker just so happens to cruise or their spouse does and the cruise option catches their attention and their ultimate decision.   If you are not aware that cruises have the highest repeat clientele in the leisure sector you should be.  Ever consider where CEOs and other decision makers are taking their vacations? 

OK so you just can't go to a site selector service or you don't have first hand information or experience for sourcing a cruise ship.  This is exactly why you call Worldwide.   We have the information, the experience, the contacts and the ability to make you look like a hero.  We can do most of the work for you in selecting and presenting a cruise that best fits your groups requirements in hours not days.  As a partner with you in getting awarded a piece of business we certainly understand that you and your competitors will be presenting different options and we are not offended at having done the work with no results, if that's the way it works out.  Eventually we all win.      

State of the industry: Sustained Business Recovery continues with Carnival Corp's strong report to financial analysts stating evidence that the booking recovery that began last July has staying power.

No Falloff From Madrid; Carnival Corp. says they've seen no fall off in European cruise bookings due to the Madrid bombing, with the exception of some bookings made by Spaniards. That's a huge relief, because European business has high yields.

Strong Bookings Continuing; Carnival reported that bookings for the present year continue to run 62% higher than last year with a capacity increase of 17.9%. Last week's booking surge was even more dramatic: far in excess of 100% over last year. Vice Chairman Howard Frank reported it was Carnival Cruise Lines' best booking week of the year.

Kudos for Princess; Also, Frank emphasized a "particularly strong performance" by Princess, which is key since their capacity will increase 29% with the addition of Diamond (delivered last month), Caribbean (delivered this month), and Sapphire (to be delivered later next month). "Princess appears to be performing stronger than our other brands--although all of our brands now are performing extremely well," said Frank.

Ship News:

Carnival Cruise Line expands short cruise offerings for 2004 with new ship departures from Jacksonville, Fla., and Mobile, Ala.,  In response to the escalating trend toward  shorter, more frequent vacations and corporate programs, Carnival Cruise Lines will increase its short cruise offerings this year by 50 percent and provide consumers with  39 different short cruise itineraries, including departures from two new homeports - Jacksonville, Fla., and Mobile, Ala.   Short cruises (voyages of five days or less in length) are the fastest-growing segment in the cruise industry. In fact, 13 of Carnival's 20 ships will operate short cruises from 13 different North American homeports the  shorter cruises are perfectly suited for today's lifestyles, providing an unparalleled combination of value, choice and flexibility, with more itineraries and departure points than ever before.  Carnival's short cruise programs include:

• Carnival Miracle - three-day Bahamas and five-day Key West/Bahamas cruises from Jacksonville now through April 17; special five-day Canada cruise from New York June 7; two-day voyages from Baltimore Oct. 31 and Tampa Nov. 5. 

• Jubilee - Four-day Bahamas and five-day Key West/Bahamas cruises from Jacksonville May 11 - August 26.

• Celebration - Four- and five-day Mexico cruises from Galveston, Texas, through Oct. 4; year-round four-day Bahamas and five-day Key West/Bahamas cruises from Jacksonville beginning Oct. 12.  Holiday - Four- and five-day Mexico cruises from New  Orleans through Oct. 9; year-round four- and five-day Mexico cruises from Mobile beginning Oct. 16. 

• Imagination - Year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises from Miami. 

• Fascination - Year-round three-day Bahamas and four-day western Caribbean cruises from Miami.

• Ecstasy - Three- and four-day Baja cruises from Long Beach, Calif., through Sept. 13; four- and five-day Mexico cruises from Galveston beginning Oct. 23. 

• Paradise - Year-round three- and four-day Baja cruises from Long Beach beginning Sept. 20. 

• Sensation - Four- and five-day cruises from Tampa through Oct. 16; year-round four- and five-day Mexico cruises from New Orleans beginning Oct. 23.

• Inspiration - Year-round four and five-day cruises from Tampa beginning Oct. 30. 

• Fantasy - Year-round three- and four-day Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla.

• Carnival Victory - Two-day cruises from Norfolk June 12 and Oct. 16; two-day cruises from New York June 15 and 17; four- and five-day Canada cruises from New York June 19 - Sept. 6; and five-day Bahamas cruises from Charleston May 31 and Oct. 19.

• Carnival Spirit - Special three-day Baja cruise from San Diego April 15.

SeaDream: A recent change in schedule has resulted in the possibility to offer 3, 5 or 7 Night cruise Nov 7 to 17, 2004.   All departures r/t San Juan.  Call for details.

Norwegian Cruise Line recently announced several updates for the NCL Brand including the transfer of the Norwegian Sea to Star Cruises.

• NCL announced that the SuperStar Leo will be permanently deployed in the NCL fleet after her initial Alaska season and be renamed Norwegian Spirit. The ship will spend the winter in Miami sailing five- and nine-day cruises. Norwegian Spirit’s innovative nine-day will not be of much use to the corporate market, to add to the problem the itinerary also leaves Miami on Friday nights which is a tough call for many programs. The five day itinerary however is something to consider.  With the convenience of a Miami departure, a short and affordable flight for many markets around the U.S. Norwegian Spirit’s five-day itinerary will leave Miami on Sundays and call in George Town, Grand Cayman and Roatan, Honduras.

• Norwegian Sea will be transferred to the Star Cruises fleet in Spring of 2005 enabling NCL’s parent company to go forward with its plans to modify its fleet profile in Asia with relatively modern vessels of medium capacity rather than mega ships. The medium sized ships offer greater deployment flexibility and more diversification of capacity in a developing market. The redeployment of a mid-size vessel such as Norwegian Sea to Star Cruises is optimal for the Asian market and utilizing a state-of-the-art mega ship such as SuperStar Leo is ideal in the extremely competitive North American market.”

• In October 2005, Norwegian Dream will take over Norwegian Sea’s year round cruises out of Houston sailing Western Caribbean seven-day cruises calling in Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Cancun, Mexico. The company will announce a replacement ship for New Orleans shortly.

• On May 15, 2004, Norwegian Spirit assumes Norwegian Sky’s Alaska program through September 18, 2004. After the Alaska season, Norwegian Spirit will undergo a significant remodeling and refurbishment to further modify her for North American service. The SuperStar Leo has received good press since it was announced she would enter the NCL fleet for the Alaska season, the slightly smaller sister of Norwegian Star, the ship will be right at home with NCL's family of modern Freestyle Cruising vessels. NCL will be increasing its deployment in Alaska in 2005 with an additional ship bringing its total to four ships cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage.

• As NCL continues its fleet renewal program of adding bigger and newer ships, NCL  announced that the S/S Norway would not return to the North American cruise market. No decision on her fate has been made to date.

Royal Olympic's two small fast cruise ships the Olympic Explorer and Voyager have now both been purchased at auction by a KFW-led syndicate of banks that held the mortgage on the ship.  A special-purpose company is expected to be formed charter or sell the two high-speed vessels.

Windstar Cruises has announced its 2005 ship deployment with new cruising destinations for its three-ship fleet of  luxury sailing yachts. Costa Rica, Belize, the Mayan Riviera, and the Panama Canal have been added with more sailings being offered in the popular Greek Islands and Mediterranean.

• Costa Rica - The 148-passenger Wind Star will depart Tahiti after her final cruise on December 28, 2004 and begin sailing eight 7-night cruises in Costa Rica on January 29. She will sail in Costa Rica through the end of March and then return for two more sailings in December. Ports of call include Puerto Caldera, San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua, Playa Flamingo, Quepos, San Josecito, Curu and Tortuga Island.

• Panama Canal - The Wind Star will pass through the Panama Canal four times in 2005 giving guests a chance to see the infamous passage aboard a luxurious sailing yacht. Two 14-day voyages will be offered between Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica and Bridgetown, Barbados-one in March and the other in November. Two holiday sailings, a 10-day and an 11-day voyage, will take guests through the canal between Puerto Caldera and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica.

• Belize and the Mayan Riviera - The 308-passenger Wind Surf will embark on twelve 7-night cruises roundtrip from Cozumel, Mexico along the Mayan Riviera from January until April. Ports of call include Cochino Grande, Honduras; West End Roatan, Honduras; Puerto Cortez, Honduras; Omoa, Honduras; Belize City, Belize and Costa Maya, Mexico.

• Caribbean - The 148-passenger Wind Spirit and 308-passenger Wind Surf will explore the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea in 2005. The Wind Spirit will sail roundtrip from St. Thomas while the Wind Surf will sail from St. Thomas and Barbados. Longer luxurious Caribbean holiday voyages will be offered on both ships with itineraries varying from nine to eleven days.

• Transatlantic - In April 2005, all three ships will embark on 14-day Transatlantic cruises to Lisbon, Portugal. The Wind Surf departs from Fort Lauderdale, the Wind Spirit from St. Thomas and the Wind Star from Barbados. In November, the Wind Star will make a 14-day return voyage from Lisbon to Barbados and the Wind Surf will sail from Lisbon to St. Thomas.

• Mediterranean - Guests will have 48 opportunities in 2005 to experience the Mediterranean with Windstar-180 degrees from ordinary. With all three ships sailing in Europe during 2005, a wider selection of itineraries will be available in the ever popular Mediterranean and Greek Islands. The stately cities of Lisbon, Barcelona, Rome, Nice, Marseille, Venice, Monte Carlo and Malta serve as homeports for Mediterranean cruises. The Wind Star will sail ten 7-day Mediterranean cruises from June through August, a 10-day and 11-day Mediterranean voyage in the spring and three 7-day cruises in October. The Wind Spirit will sail three 7-day cruises in April and again in October/November. The Wind Surf will spend April through November sailing intriguing 6 to 11-day itineraries making a total of 27 voyages in the Mediterranean. An 8-day Nice-to-Nice itinerary is planned to coincide with the Grand Prix race in Monte Carlo, Monaco and the Cannes Film Festival in France.

• Greek Islands - The dazzling islands of Greece will be the focus of 34 voyages in 2005. The Wind Star and Wind Spirit will sail 7-day voyages along the popular route between Athens and Istanbul in spring and fall 2005. Ports visited by both ships include Kusadasi, Turkey; Rhodes, Greece; Bodrum, Turkey; Santorini, Greece and Mykonos, Greece. The Wind Spirit will pick up a 7-day Athens to Venice itinerary in July and August.  Port calls on the Athens to Venice voyage include Monemvasia, Greece; Katakolon, Greece; Corfu, Greece and Dubrovnik, Croatia. Venice to Italy voyages will visit Rimini, Italy; Hvar, Croatia; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Cephalonia, Greece and Kythira, Greece.

More River Ship News from Viking River Cruises.

Viking River ships continue their aggressive pace of new construction with the recent announcement of their newest ship for the Yangtze River in China.  The Century SKY will operate 3 and 4 nights cruises starting in 2004.  Beginning in March 2004, Viking River Cruises will offer five different all-inclusive cruisetour itineraries, each centered upon a fixed seven-night river cruise along China’s legendary Yangtze River aboard the brand new, 186-passenger Century Star. The all-inclusive itineraries feature all shore excursions and tours, plus all meals aboard and hotel nights in 5-star/deluxe properties, intra-Asia flights and English-speaking escorts throughout.

A brief description of the new ship and facilities she will have available are as follows:  Overall dimensions;  Length 126.8 meters, height 17.20 meters, width 17.20 meters, draft 2.6 meters.   With a passenger capacity of 306 served by a crew of 168.  air-conditioned staterooms  are a very generous size and all have balconies, private bathroom and shower, telephone, hairdryer, TV, keyless entry.  On-board amenities include: bar, elevators (2), hair salon, internet cafe, laundry service, lounge, multi function room, library, observation deck, restaurant, sauna & massage, souvenir shop, sun deck.

An added attraction is Vikings decision to have the Celebrity Chef  "Martin  Yan"  develop Chinese menus featuring regional Chinese dishes and western food.  Chef Yan will personally be responsible for creating four distinctive family-style meals, each comprised of eight dishes highlighting tastes from a variety of China’s regions. He will also train Viking River Cruises onboard chefs with emphasis on maintaining the company’s top-quality standards. Dinners aboard the ship will feature Chef Yan’s four specially designed menus alternated between three Western-style meals, including an on-deck barbecue.

“The name Martin Yan is synonymous with Asian cooking,” says Jeff Dash, president of Viking River Cruises. “Because he has decades of expertise in preparing Eastern cuisine for Western audiences, it made sense to partner with him in developing the menu for our new China cruises".  "This ensures we can continue our cornerstone of providing passengers with authentic, gourmet dining in a comfortable environment". Master Chef Martin Yan has been recognized as a respected food consultant, professional instructor, successful restaurateur and author over the span of his 28-year career.  He is the host of the pioneering television cooking show Yan Can Cook and has written numerous cookbooks including Martin Yan’s Feast, Chinese Cooking for Dummies and his newest work, Martin Yan’s Chinatown Cooking.

Port News

The cruise industry is constantly searching for new itineraries and ports in an attempt to attract seasoned cruisers to their brand.  So it was interesting to note that a group of Mexican port leaders are joining together in an effort to promote the Gulf of Mexico as a new cruise circuit distinctly different from the Caribbean.

Veracruz was the first Spanish port on the continent. Founded by conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1519, it enjoys a reputation as a lively city, known for music, seafood and colonial architecture. Veracruz also serves as the gateway to the archaeological remains of the Olmec civilization. This year the port is handling seven visits by Holland America Line which it plans to increase to ten calls for 2005.

Other Gulf ports offer a variety of attractions for cruisers.  Tampico, with its diverse architectural styles and renovated downtown, has scheduled port dredging and is refurbishing its pier to handle cruise vessels. The ancient trading port of Campeche offers access to Mayan ruins on the Yucatán peninsula, and the city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site with well-preserved fortifications from the pirate era. Yet another proposal is to offer the Isla de Lobos for possible development as a private island/ beach/watersports experience that could be operated as a concession by a cruise line or lines.

As of April 1st Turkey will reduce the price of tourist visas for U.S. citizens to $20, leisure visas have cost Americans $100 since late 2002. The move was announced just days after Turkey said it would reduce port fees for visiting cruise ships by as much as 40% to 50%. According to the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the new fee reductions reflect Turkey’s commitment to encouraging more visits by American tourists. Turkey - which suffered terrorist attacks against Western targets in Istanbul last fall - has recorded monthly increases in tourist arrivals of 35% for both January and February compared to the same months in 2003 and the tourism ministry predicts sharp increases for the remainder of the year. Applications for the visas - which can be obtained at Turkish consulates or at entry points - also were made available online at www.turkishembassy.org.

Norwalk Virus:  The cruise industry has often contended that outbreaks of Norovirus are more heavily covered by the news media when they occur on cruise ships than elsewhere. A situation in Las Vegas lends credibility to the industries complaints. Three hotels in Las Vegas all had outbreaks of the virus which began in December, but have had little more than local news coverage.  Oddly enough all three outbreaks where at hotels owned by the same company. The cause of the outbreak is unknown, City health officials have reported 1,174 cases since December; the hotel's figures put the number at just 300.