Thursday, February 17, 2011

Okay, it's like this...

So, we're cruising along on Southwest at 30,000 feet on our way to Las Vegas to speak at the Travel Leisure conference as I write this.  It's amazing to me all the things we can do today that we couldn't when I first got into the travel industry in the 70s.  Technology has changed all of our lives!  As travel agents we no longer have to rely on airlines for our air ticketing systems. We don't have to use the telephone to call our cruise line and tour operator partners to book their products.  We can now book air tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises and tours online The Internet has changed the way travel agents purchase travel for our customers.  It is certainly more time and cost efficient, and because of this, we are able to pass on additional savings through private sales to our customers.

But, the Internet has done more than that.  Now Mr. and Mrs. Consumer can purchase their travel online as well at what, at first glance, seems to be at lower costs than by booking through a travel agent. 

Or, can you really???

Would you consider doing your own taxes if you had a lot of deductions and filing your taxes took you hours and hours of your precious time?  If you are a two-person working household, would you be willing to give up sending your laundry out and losing that time on the weekends and nights that would be required to take up your time washing and ironing all of those shirts and pants?  Or, if you had appendicitis, would you consider going on the Internet to find out to take it out yourself to save a few bucks?

Of course not!!!  But everyday, we hear of people who are booking cruises online themselves based strictly based on price.  Because we are travel professionals, we know that there are distinct differences in cruise lines, just as there are in hotels and restaurants.  The worst thing that can happen is to book that cheap cruise for your honeymoon and find out that the cabin has upper and lower beds.  That's right, bunk beds!!  But, it was at a better rate than a travel agent quoted.  Why?  Because we know what the categories on a ship are and that we would never give a quote to  honeymooners in a cabin like that one.  Yes, our price maybe $25 per person higher, but it's not bunk beds!!

The Internet is a great place to research travel, especially destinations.  But, when it's time for the pedal to meet the metal, it's time to talk with a professional who can direct you to the vacation that is compatible with your lifestyle.  Save yourself heartache and let us help you fulfill your dreams.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Outta Here!: It's Showtime!!!

Outta Here!: It's Showtime!!!: " Charlotte Lawson, our NCL rep Well, it's that time of year again. We are definitely in Wave Season, as the cruise lines call it,..."

It's Showtime!!!


Charlotte Lawson, our NCL rep
Well, it's that time of year again.  We are definitely in Wave Season, as the cruise lines call it, when the wave of bookings for vacations for the year, picks up steam and culminates in a tsunami as we had last Sunday.  On January 30th, we held our 24th Annual Cruise & Vacation Supermarket at the Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin, TN.  After a very, very snowy week, we didn't know what to expect.  But on that day, the weather was perfect - 50 degrees and overcast.  
Sabrina Hampton, one of our agents



  
We set up our show the night prior and all of our reps from our travel providers were in town getting ready for our show.  We had done all the right things.  Our advertising had been effective and people were calling our office and the hotel daily to get more details.  The unknown in this equation was how many people would show up and how much business we would book.  As it turned out, everything gelled perfectly.  We opened the doors at 10:00 am and about 100 people swarmed in.  By 10:30, our reservations area was full.  By 11:30, we had a line waiting to see an agent to make a reservation.   What an incredible day!!! 

By the end of the day over 3000 had come through our doors.  They attended our seminars on Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean.  They visited the Holland America Alaska motorcoach parked outside the hotel.  The won hundreds of door prizes from our travel providers.  And, they booked vacations - lots and lots of vacations and cruises!!!  We are still booking vacations as hard and fast as we can.  If you were unable to attend, you can still take advantage of our show specials and super sail deals by clicking here.  

We could not pull this show off without the support of our travel providers - Sandals, Island Routes, Travel Impressions, Regent Seven Seas, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Apple Vacations & AM Resorts, Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard, Globus Family (Avalon Waterways, Globus, Cosmos, & Monograms), Azamara Club Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises.
The room at 10:30 am
Here's some more pictures from our show.  Don't you deserve a vacation this year?
Royal Caribbean's booth was very busy all day
Celeste Pevahouse with Princess and Cunard

Erin Miller with Apple Vacations and Carlos Gonzalez with AM Resorts
Dawn Bolte and Kyle Brock with Sandals

Steve Smith from Oceania Cruises

Tracie Mosley with Carnival