CLIA News

MAJOR TRAVEL RETAILER JOINS CLIA

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:51:08 GMT

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced that Flight Centre Canada has signed up 145 of its leisure travel agency locations for membership in the Association. Headquartered in Vancouver, Flight Centre North America has been primarily known for its nearly 200 leisure and corporate agencies across Canada and in California, Washington, Arizona, Texas, Illinois, and Massachusetts, and last year acquired the privately held Liberty Travel in the United States, with 193 locations.

The decision to join CLIA reflects Flight Centre’s determination to take maximum advantage of the unparalleled opportunities for travel agents in selling cruise vacations and to capitalize on the broad range of exclusive benefits of CLIA membership, including one of the travel industry’s most highly rated training programs. “We are taking a serious look at the opportunities and potential of the cruise market,” said Malcolm Sorab, Cruise Business Leader for Flight Centre Canada, based in Toronto. “If we are going to expand our efforts in that direction, the logical thing to do is join CLIA, the most important industry association for cruising.”

Welcoming Flight Centre to CLIA, President and CEO Terry Dale said: “We are delighted that one of the world’s largest and fastest growing travel companies recognizes the value of membership in CLIA as they focus in on helping their agencies prosper and maximize profitability by selling cruises. CLIA’s management and staff stand ready to provide every assistance, from professional training and certification to invaluable partnerships and networking opportunities with our 24 member cruise lines.”

Flight Centre Ltd. was incorporated in 1982 in Brisbane, Australia. It operates 15 retail and wholesale brands internationally. In 2003, it merged its three North American companies into Flight Centre North America, with over 180 shops and businesses and over 1,000 staff across Canada, California, and Illinois. With the acquisition of Liberty Travel and Gogo Worldwide Vacations, it added almost 200 leisure travel agencies plus 40 wholesale locations in 22 states, making Flight Centre Ltd. the 10^th largest travel group in the United States and the second largest bricks and mortar leisure agency behind AAA Travel Group. It is also the largest wholly-owned retail and wholesale leisure travel business in the US

CLIA OPENS VIRTUAL WLCN ON OCTOBER 3rd AND EXTENDS PROMOTION THROUGH OCTOBER 31st

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:58:36 GMT

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is anticipating a record number of participating travel agents for World’s Largest Cruise Night, October 16, as member cruise lines join in with hard-to-resist offers for both agents and consumers.

Responding to agent interest, CLIA announced today that the Virtual WLCN promotion has been extended. Beginning October 3 through October 31, registered agents can go high tech and promote cruise vacations and their agency via a Virtual WLCN event. The enhanced Virtual WLCN option enables them to customize a Web page featuring their agency information and choose several informative videos from participating CLIA member lines. These videos are designed to be sales stimulants and assist agencies in maximizing their participation in this event. A unique URL will then be created that can be distributed to their clients and new prospects, inviting them to participate remotely.

All agents of a CLIA member agency can register for an individual WLCN URL and web page.

“Last year some 900+ agents participated in WLCN events and another 3,000 conducted online Virtual WLCN promotions. They generated almost 35,000 bookings, $43.3 million in sales and over $5.8 million in commissions, which represented a 20 percent increase over the previous year,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA. “By all accounts this year promises to be even bigger and better.”

World’s Largest Cruise Night, the centerpiece of October’s National Cruise Vacation Month, is designed to rivet consumer attention on the incomparable value and variety of cruise vacations. Once again, agents have the option to participate in the highly popular Virtual WLCN program that allows them to create a customized web page for their own promotions as well as cruise line videos, and also to host a special consumer event ranging from a breakfast to a full-scale cruise night. Some agencies are pulling out all the stops to take advantage of the opportunity.

Outside of Vancouver, for example, Carol Mackay and TravelOnly have teamed up with the Giggle Dam Comedy Dinner Theatre to create an entire evening of festivities with guests seated in lifeboats where they will be entertained by the likes of “The Skipper” and “Gilligan.” In Satellite Beach, Florida - Sherry Kennedy, owner of the Vacation Shoppe Travel Agency, will host a gala Cruise Night Celebration at the Holiday Inn Meeting and Conference Center in Melbourne that features live entertainment, cruise line presentations, door prizes, special cruise promotions and discounts. Travel Leaders, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, has rented the city’s Expo Center for a trade show involving 15 cruise lines and teamed up with a local radio station to promote the event. And, building upon the success of their 2007 WLCN experience, every Liberty Travel agency location is conducting a World’s Largest Cruise Night event in 2008.

To demonstrate their support for participating travel agents, CLIA member cruise lines have come up with a variety of incentives, enticements and offers that agents can pass along to consumers. Crystal Cruises is offering a complimentary Verandah stateroom accommodation on Crystal Symphony for the Crystal Cruises-CLIA Seminar at Sea to the travel agent who books the most cruises during World’s Largest Cruise Night.

For every cruise booked between October 15 and 17, Holland America Line will enter the agent into a drawing for a Caribbean/Mexico cruise for two. Second prize is ten $100 Starbucks cards. And, Norwegian Cruise Line enters all travel partners who register for NCL’s World Largest Cruise Night and who book and deposit at least one cruise by October 16 in a drawing to win a five – seven or a nine day Caribbean cruise for two.

The following is a preliminary list of WLCN offers from participating CLIA member cruise lines:

· American Cruise Line: A $75 bonus incentive for travel agents for every stateroom booked on voyages through June 27, 2009 (booking window: October 16)

· Disney Cruise Line: Onboard credits of up to $50 on cruises and land & sea packages through December 13, 2009 (booking window: October 16 - November 15)

· Carnival Cruise Lines: Complimentary upgrades on all bookings made October 16 for virtually all 2009 “Fun Ship” departures (travel agents are invited to use Carnival’s special WLCN micro-site and Cruise Night Tool Kit at www.BookCCL.com/wlcn to make all arrangements)

· Celebrity Cruises: Onboard credits up to $200 per stateroom based on cruise length for seven Celebrity ships with sailings between January 1 and June 30, 2009, plus a 50 percent reduced deposit (booking window: October 16 - 18)

· Crystal Cruises: $100 per person discounts on most 2008 sailings for bookings made during WLCN (booking window: October 14 - November 7)

· Holland America Line: Special fares to be communicated to travel agents and reduced deposits up to $300 for bookings made during WLCN (booking window: October 15-17)

· MSC Cruises: Special prices on a variety of sailings in the Caribbean and Europe with rates as low as $399 for a seven-day Caribbean cruise, plus shipboard credits of up to $200 (booking window: October 16 - November 3)

· Norwegian Cruise Line: Double onboard credits up to $500, plus reduced deposit on sailings of five days or more (booking window: October 15 - 23)

· Princess Cruises: Reduced deposit of $100, plus a Princess coupon booklet with more than $120 in onboard discounts

· Regent Seven Seas Cruises: $100 per person shipboard credit on departures of seven nights or longer (booking window: October 16 - November 16)

· Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: A compelling special offer to agents will be announced on the company’s WLCN micro-site:

www.creative.rccl.com/elite/RCI/2008/CLIA_WLCN/Main

· Uniworld Grand River Cruises: $100 savings per person on all 2009 cruises if purchased through an agent having a cruise night on October 16 (booking window: October 16 - 23)

· Windstar Cruises: $50 in shipboard credits per person (maximum $100 per stateroom) on any Wind Spirit sailing between January 31 and March 28, 2009 and any Wind Surf sailing between January 4 and March 15, 2009 (booking window: October 16-November 9)

To take advantage of these special WLCN booking incentives CLIA member travel agencies should register their planned event with CLIA.

For specific details and conditions of each offer, agents are requested to contact the cruise lines directly. For more information about World’s Largest Cruise Night, and to register please visit www.cruising.org.

CRUISE LINES, TRAVEL AGENTS TEAM UP TO OFFER VACATIONERS IRRESISTIBLE SAVINGS

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:55:05 GMT

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is anticipating record cruise sales during World’s Largest Cruise Night, the centerpiece of National Cruise Vacation Month as vacationers across North America take advantage of irresistible special savings on 2008 and 2009 cruises. WLCN is October 16 and consumers may participate online or by attending special events and promotions at their nearest participating travel agency.

“World’s Largest Cruise Night is designed to rivet consumer attention on the incomparable value and variety of cruise vacations. Last year some 4,000 CLIA agents participated, generating an estimated 35,000 cruise bookings in a little more than a day. For consumers that meant significant additional savings on cruises that already offer the best value of any vacation available,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA. “We urge everyone who is considering a vacation in the coming months to discover just how irresistible a cruise can be during World’s Largest Cruise Night.”

The following is a preliminary list of WLCN consumer offers from participating CLIA member cruise lines – available only through CLIA member travel agencies conducting A World’s Largest Cruise Night event across the U.S. and Canada:

· American Cruise Line: A $75 bonus incentive for travel agents for every stateroom booked on voyages through June 27, 2009 (booking window: October 16)

· Disney Cruise Line: Onboard credits of up to $50 on cruises and land & sea packages through December 13, 2009 (booking window: October 16 - November 15)

· Carnival Cruise Lines: Complimentary upgrades on all booking made October 16

· Crystal Cruises: $100 per person discounts on most 2008 sailings for bookings made during WLCN (booking window: October 14 - November 7)

· Holland America Line: Special fares to be communicated to travel agents and reduced deposits up to $300 for bookings made during WLCN (booking window: October 15-17)

· Norwegian Cruise Line: Double onboard credits up to $500, plus reduced deposit on sailings of five days or more (booking window: October 15 - 23)

· Princess Cruises: Reduced deposit of $100, plus a Princess coupon booklet with more than $120 in onboard discounts

· Regent Seven Seas Cruises: $100 per person shipboard credit on departures of seven nights or longer (booking window: October 16 - November 16)

· Uniworld Grand River Cruises: $100 savings per person on all 2009 cruises if purchased through an agent having a cruise night on October 16 (booking window: October 16 - 23)

For specific details and conditions of each offer, contact a participating CLIA member travel agency. For more information about World’s Largest Cruise Night and an event near you, please visit www.cruising.org. And, visit www.cruising.org to find a CLIA travel agency, Certified Cruise Counsellor or Luxury Cruise Specialist near you.

CLIA, AMERICAN EXPRESS TEAM UP FOR “WORLD’S LARGEST CRUISE NIGHT” TRAVEL AGENT OFFER

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:52:44 GMT

CLIA’s World’s Largest Cruise Night (WLCN) is just around the corner – October 16 – and travel agents have a new incentive for taking part- an offer from American Express that puts money in their pockets.

Every time the client of a participating CLIA-member travel agent makes a booking of $2,400 or more with any CLIA-member cruise line, the agent will receive a $10 value American Express-branded prepaid card. Payment must be made on any American Express Card and the booking window to qualify is between October 16, 2008 and October 23, 2008.

All participating agents have to do is visit CLIA’s online WLCN Resource Center in the Travel Agent area at: www.cruising.org and fill in the American Express Booking Bonus form to redeem for a reward card.

“World’s Largest Cruise Night is an exceptional opportunity for travel agents to dramatically increase their cruise sales and we are delighted that one of our favorite and most loyal partners, American Express, has joined this year’s effort to make WLCN 2008 the very best ever. I hope every travel agent will take advantage of this generous offer,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA.

“American Express is delighted to support CLIA’s World’s Largest Cruise Night,” said Vincent Campana, vice president, travel and entertainment industries, American Express. “This is a fantastic opportunity for Cardmembers to enjoy the world of cruises, and for agents to earn an additional incentive at the same time.”

WLCN has gotten bigger and better every year. In 2007, some 4,000 agents participated in WLCN events and online Virtual WLCN promotions estimated to have generated almost 35,000 bookings, $43.3 million in sales and over $5.8 million in commissions. Over 3,000 agencies participated in Virtual WLCN promotions, sending email invitations to consumers inviting them to visit a customized Web site with cruise line videos, agency contact information and special offers. Nearly 200 agencies not only chose the Virtual WLCN option but conducted “brick and mortar” WLCN events as well, attended by more than 45,000 consumers. All of Liberty Travel’s 200 locations participated with store events. The 2007 results represented a 20 percent increase over the previous year and this year sales are expected to be even higher.

DISCOVER THE WORLD’S NATURAL TREASURES IN COMFORT AND SAFETY ON A CRUISE VACATION

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:49:20 GMT

The world’s natural treasures – magnificent, untouched landscapes, rare ecosystems and extraordinary plants, birds and animals – tend to be in out-of-the-way places, often remote and inaccessible for all but the most intrepid adventurer. And cruise vacationers.

One of the greatest advantages to travel by ship – in addition to the ease and comfort, great dining, entertainment and educational programs – is the ability to sail to parts of the world that are otherwise difficult to access. The magnificent fjords of Chile, the mighty wilderness of Alaska, the remote islands of the tropics, and, of course, the incomparable splendor of Antarctica: these are just a few of the remoter regions of the world that serve as destinations for a wide variety of cruise itineraries on ships small or large. What’s more, even on cruises featuring popular beach, recreations and shopping destinations, a surprising encounter with nature – volcanoes and waterfalls, wildlife preserves, ziplining through tropical canopy forests, exotic birds and butterflies – is almost always on offer.

Here is a sampling of how many CLIA member cruise lines serve up the wonders and beauty of nature in Alaska, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Antarctica and other parts of the world:

AZAMARA CRUISES

Twenty varieties of hummingbirds and 227 species of birds are the featured attractions on bird watching eco tours in the wetlands along the Copalita River in Huatulco, Mexico for Azamara guests on Panama Canal itineraries. Other nature thrills in the region include ziplining in the canopy forests of Costa Rica in search of tropical butterflies, exotic birds and other creatures of the rainforest.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

Among the nature-themed activities offered on Carnival's far-flung itineraries: whale watching and an eagle preserve adventure in Alaska; ecological snorkel tours in Cabo San Lucas; white water rafting near the jungles of Costa Rica, exploring the waterfalls and sulfur springs of Dominica in the Caribbean; and a nautical adventure in the Bay of Fundy, home of the legendary "reversing falls."

CELEBRITY CRUISES

The 92-guest Celebrity Xpedition offers all-inclusive, environmentally-conscious cruises in the Galapagos Islands. A guided tour and onboard naturalists certified by the Galapagos National Park are features of every itinerary, as are hikes and walks to provide an in-depth exploration of the islands’ unique fauna and flora.

COSTA CRUISES

The spectacular Tijuipe Waterfall and splendid beaches compete for star billing with a visit to the “Sloth Project” dedicated to preserving the Brazilian habitat of this endangered animal on Costa’s “eco-excursion” in Ilheus. And, in Puerto Madryn, Argentina, at the southern end of South America, dolphins, sea lions and Antarctic gulls are some of the attractions on Costa’s coastal marine adventure.

CRYSTAL CRUISES

Crystal offers several opportunities worldwide for guests to get to know the wildlife and environment of the exotic destinations they visit. Some examples include swimming with dolphins in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand; visiting Siberian sled dogs in Russia; riding elephants at the Bali Elephant Safari Park or spotting dragons at Komodo National Park in Indonesia; getting up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos and wombats at Caversham Wildlife Park and Zoo in Australia; and traveling to the exclusive Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary in Ketchikan, Alaska.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE

One of Disney’s newest offerings on Castaway Cay, the line’s private island, is the opportunity to swim and interact with Southern Stingrays in a private lagoon. Aptly named Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure, the program features the history and biology of the animals; feeding, touching and interacting with them, and a chance to snorkel among the rays under the guidance of marine specialists.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

With more than 60 years experience offering cruises in Alaska, Holland America’s nature themes feature opportunities to experience such wildlife as orca and humpback whales, puffins, dolphins, Dahl’s porpoises, bears, seals, sea otters and the full extent of Alaskan marine and land birdlife. Shoreside activities can include everything from leisure walks through northern rainforests to kayaking with a pod of whales, dog sledding and a snorkeling adventure in the clear waters of Mountain Point in Southeast Alaska.

HURTIGRUTEN

The mysterious wilderness of the “White Continent,” Antarctica, with its icebergs, whales and orcas feeding only feet away, and penguin populations in the thousands, is the featured attractions on adventures on the MS Fram, the world’s newest expedition cruise ship. Guests explore the rarely visited Marguerite Bay, with its ice-covered islands and surrounding towering icebergs, to discover the only known breeding colony of emperor penguins on the west side of the Antarctica peninsula.

MSC CRUISES

Views of humpback whales as they arrive in the warm Caribbean to mate and raise their young is a favorite activity for MSC guests at the private Cayo Levantado in the Dominican Republic while across the Caribbean, in Cozumel, Mexico, passengers have numerous choices of nature-related activities, including sea kayaking, a beginning SCUBA experience, tropical jungle exploration by Jeep, swimming with bottlenose dolphins and XCaret natural Adventure Park, the largest of its kind in Latin America.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

In Acapulco, Mexico, local environmentalists teach NCL passengers about the endangered Golfina sea turtle. Guests are able to see the baby turtles in various stages of development, from egg to the holding tanks where the hatchlings become ready to return to the sea. After a short walk down to the shoreline, many guests name the turtles as they are released into the wild.

PRINCESS CRUISES

Princess this year is offering a new Galapagos Discovery cruisetour on select Royal Princess South America and Panama Explorer itineraries in November. The program features a full day of touring in Quito, airfare to the Galapagos and three days on the M/V Galapagos Legend for exploring the unique islands and their wildlife, including sea lions, iguanas, the famous tortoises and the world largest colony of waved albatross.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Regent offers a popular nature/ecology-themed program for young cruisers called Ambassadors of the Environment. Featured on Alaska itineraries on the Seven Seas Mariner, the program is run under the auspices of Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society. An ideal choice for families wanting share a unique experience, Ambassadors of the Environment features hands-on experiences and a wide range of learning adventures about Alaska, the sea and its wildlife.

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE

On Seabourn Legend’s Central America cruises to Panama, Belize and Costa Rica, nature is served alongside luxurious pampering, with a wide variety of outdoor pursuits available, including tree climbing, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, river rafting and quad-bike tours. Kayaking, aerial tramways through the jungle canopy and excursions to such places as the Green Iguana Conservation Project are other options.

SEADREAM CRUISES

Seadream guests on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, are treated to one of the most spectacular bioluminescent bays in the world. Tiny dinoflagellates sparkling with blue-green light as well as silvery fish flashing in the dark help create a magical and educational experience. Using a non-polluting electric boat, expert staff explain the delicate, rare ecosystem and many passengers even choose to mingle with the sparkles by slipping into the bay.

SILVERSEA CRUISES

Antarctica, with its frosted white wilderness, natural ice sculptures like enormous works of avant-garde art and astounding animal encounters found nowhere else in the world, is the modern explorer’s final frontier. And it is the destination of Silversea’s small expedition ship, Prince Albert II, which travels there on several roundtrip voyages from Ushuaia, including an 11-day cruise departing December 11, 2008.

WINDSTAR CRUISES

Famed for its untouched natural beauty, jungles and rich variety of flora and fauna, Costa Rica is a destination for Windstar voyages between November and March. Shore activities include the Curu Wildlife Refuge; snorkeling in Isla de Cano, a biological reserve; a tropical nature tour; an exploration of the rainforest by ATV; a rainforest and waterfall horseback riding adventure and a “Congo Canopy Trail” zipline adventure.

For more information on taking a cruise to discover the world’s natural treasures and about CLIA member cruise lines, please visit CLIA’s Web site at www.cruising.org.

CLIA LINES RESPOND TO POPULAR DEMAND FOR WORLD CRUISES

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:06:54 GMT

More and more people want to sail around the world, or at least a sizable portion of it. That’s the message from seven cruise lines belonging to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and the companies have responded by offering ten different voyages, the first – a highly unusual “longitudinal” itinerary from the top of the world to the bottom – beginning in late September. The others, departing in early 2009 from ports on the East Coast and West Coast, will follow the sun from west to east, keeping their pampered guests basking in perfect weather throughout the Caribbean, South Pacific, Asia, Africa and Europe.

“Even during uncertain economic times, it appears that growing numbers of travelers are eager to sail the globe or, at the very least, take a nice long segment of a world cruise in a part of the world they probably have never seen before,” said Terry Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO. All the world cruises are available for the entire voyage – some lines report that almost half their guests stay onboard from start to finish – or in segments ranging from less than two weeks to more than two months. Typically, the voyage averages about 90 to 100 days.

Here are some world cruises offered by members of CLIA in the coming months:

CRYSTAL CRUISES

Crystal’s 14^th annual world cruise, on board Crystal Serenity, departs Los Angeles January 21. The 106-day voyage will visit 45 cities in Mexico, the South Pacific, New Zealand, eastern and western Australia, Indonesia and Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Russia, Alaska, British Columbia as well as San Francisco and back to Los Angeles. Segments are available in lengths of 12 to 22 days. Special guests onboard will include Deborah Norville, Ed McMahon, Richard Dreyfuss, Jack Hanna and more than two dozen experts on world affairs and other topics. The trip will also feature 125 new shore excursions, including several on a complimentary basis.

CUNARD LINE

Cunard Line continues to honor its tradition of world cruising that began in 1922 as both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria embark on their second World Cruises. Queen Victoria makes a 99-day Exploration of Distant Horizons world cruise departing from New York January 10 and calling on the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. It is also available in four segments including the 17-day New York to Los Angeles segment and the 27-day Sydney to Singapore segment. Queen Mary 2's 90-day Epic Expedition departs Ft. Lauderdale January 13 and circumnavigates South America before sailing "down under" and then through Asia and Europe. Space is still available on some of the most popular segments including the 28-day Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles segment and 31-day Singapore to New York segment.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Ms Rotterdam returns to world cruising in 2009 with a 114/117-day Grand World Voyage departing January 19 from Los Angeles. The westbound route sails the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii, the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, and on through Asia and Africa before visiting the Caribbean and home to Ft. Lauderdale. Additionally, guests will have plenty of time to explore several ports of call with overnights in Sydney, Australia; Hong Kong and Shanghai, China; Mumbai, India; Mombasa, Kenya, and Cape Town, South Africa. Segments of 22 to 69 days are available as well. In a departure from many other world cruise itineraries, the trip will feature the east coast of Africa to South Africa and a rare "Midnight Golden Line Crossing” when ms Rotterdam crosses the equator and the international date line simultaneously.

HURTIGRUTEN

MS Fram, the newest adventure ship in the CLIA fleet, embarks on its second annual Longitudinal World Cruise on September 23 from Reykjavik, Iceland. The only itinerary of its kind, the 67-day voyage begins above the Arctic Circle and features Antarctica. Along the way, the ship visits the U.K. and Ireland, crosses the Atlantic, and visits Canada, the East Coast, and Central America before transiting the Panama Canal and sailing down the west coast of South America. As the ship nears Antarctica, expert guides join the cruise to provide lectures about the destination. The Drake Passage, Cape Horn, the South Shetland Islands and other stops around the “White Continent” are featured.

PRINCESS CRUISES

Based on the enthusiastic response to its return to world cruising, Princess will offer two global itineraries in 2009. The 670-passenger Tahitian Princess and 710-passenger Royal Princess will offer similar 107-day itineraries from Ft. Lauderdale, the former departing January 12 and finishing up in Dover, England and the latter sailing January 20, concluding in Rome. The itinerary features South America, the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, India and Egypt as well as a variety of European destinations. Both will feature a new port for Princess – Port Blair in the Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean. Other exotic destinations include Vietnam, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and the Great Barrier Reef.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Regent Seven Seas is the only cruise line in the luxury category to offer two simultaneous world cruises in 2009. The 700-passenger all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner will visit a total of 110 ports of call in 50 countries on six continents. Segments ranging in length from 12 to 24 nights highlight destinations in the Caribbean, South America, the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan, India, the Middle East, North African and the Mediterranean. Celebrity guests onboard will include former Florida Governor Bob Graham, football coach Don Shula, Apollo astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Al Worden, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and many others.

SILVERSEA CRUISES

Silversea Cruises is offering the company’s first ever Grand Pacific Voyage in 2009, a 92-day extended odyssey timed to coincide with prime regional seasons of the Pacific Ocean. The voyage will depart Los Angeles on March 7, 2009 on Silver Shadow. On this epic journey, composed of six themed segments, guests will visit 45 ports, 15 countries and two hemispheres, enjoying overnight stays in Bora Bora, Sydney, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Guests sailing the full voyage will receive complimentary hotel accommodations in Los Angeles on the eve of departure, plus transfer and baggage handling between airport, hotel and ship. Enrichment speakers scheduled on board include Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space, and acclaimed author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Frank McCourt.

For more information on world cruises and CLIA member cruise lines, please visit CLIA’s Web site at www.cruising.org.

SEPTEMBER IS THE LAST MONTH FOR TRAVEL AGENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN CLIA’S TRAININGFEST 2008

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:35:47 GMT

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reminds travel agents that September is the last month to join the fast track towards CLIA Cruise Counsellor Certification. Travel agents are able to earn up to 70 Cruise Counsellor Credits in a distinctive two-day program. Agents will advance their cruise sales knowledge by participating in a selection from eight CLIA seminars and attending a CLIA member line trade show.

“We have been very happy with the attendance and agents results thus far at TrainingFest 2008,” said Terry Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO. “CLIA is dedicated to improving travel agent’s cruising knowledge and sales; TrainingFest is one of the quickest ways for agents to achieve the certification needed to drive sales.”

A sample of seminar topics on CLIA’s TrainingFest 2008 agenda includes:

Building a Smart Business Plan
Customer Relations Management Made Easy
Selling to Special Interests – Niche Markets
Cruising – Knowing the World You Sell
Cruising - The Ultimate Incentive

Still on the schedule are two cities new to TrainingFest 2008, Edmonton and Seattle. For those agents in the Midwest and on the East Coast, Baltimore and Chicago also remain on the agenda. TrainingFest dates for September 2008 include:

Seattle, September 4-5 (New for 2008)
Baltimore, September 11-12
Edmonton, September 18-19 (New for 2008)
Chicago, September 25-26

Fees for TrainingFest range from $35 to $105 depending on the number of seminars taken and whether the agent is a CLIA member. Admittance to the trade show is complimentary for all taking at least one seminar and for a small fee for anyone not participating in the seminar program.

For more information about TrainingFest and to fill out an application form, visit www.cruising.org or call 754-224-2200.

VIP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR CLIA’S ‘WORLD’S LARGEST CRUISE NIGHT’ 2008

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:10:55 GMT

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced today that VIP Registration is now open to those agencies/agents who participated in 2007, for the fourth annual World’s Largest Cruise Night (WLCN). General registration will open on Wednesday August 20^th.

“We are pleased to be able to acknowledge the proactive participants from last year’s event, with exclusive early access to this year’s WLCN registration,” said Bob Sharak, executive vice president of marketing and distribution for CLIA.

The largest one-day travel agency initiative of its kind this year will take place on October 16, serving as the highlight of CLIA’s October National Cruise Vacation Month.

In 2007, some 4,000 agents hosted WLCN events and online Virtual WLCN promotions estimated to have generated almost 35,000 bookings, $43.3 million in sales and nearly $6 million in commissions. More than 45,000 consumers participated in WLCN ‘High-touch Cruise Night” events while 50,000 cruise video downloads occurred via “High-Tech Virtual WLCN” option. The 2007 results represented a sharp increase in WLCN bookings and sales over the previous year and this year sales are expected to be even higher.

In 2008, agents will once again have an opportunity to conduct a traditional “Cruise Night” event at venues ranging from agency offices, local hotels and restaurants and even convention and exposition facilities. In addition, an enhanced Virtual WLCN option enables them to customize a Web page featuring their agency information and a selection of several informative videos from participating CLIA member linesto assist agencies in maximizing their participation in this event. A unique URL will then be created that can be distributed to their clients and new prospects, inviting them to participate remotely.

Among the participating cruise lines are: AMA Waterways, American Cruise Lines, Azamara Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Pearl Seas Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruise Line, SeaDream Yacht Club and Uniworld Grand River Cruises and Windstar Cruises.

All CLIA member travel agencies across North America are once again invited to promote cruising during this one 24-hour period to celebrate WLCN. The wide-ranging portfolio of one-day events can include luncheons, cocktail parties, dinners, full-scale expos, and many other activities - all of which promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations to current and potential clients.

To register your CLIA travel agency to participate in the Virtual or traditional WLCN activities, agents can visit CLIA’s Web site at www.cruising.org.

CRUISE EXCURSIONS: THE UNUSUAL, THE ELEGANT AND THE ADVENTUROUS

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 06:59:39 GMT

Walking the rooftops of Stockholm, catching lobsters in Maine, Maseratis in Monaco and bobsleds in Jamaica: anyone who thinks cruise ship shore excursions offered by members of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) consist of only half-day city sightseeing tours, is in for a huge surprise.

Today’s cruise industry is all about offering variety and choice. In addition to new ships of all sizes, innovative and diverse itineraries and new worldwide cruise destinations, CLIA members have also dramatically enhanced the scope and quality of cruise vacations by offering shore excursions that are dazzling in their ingenuity and often breathtaking in their sense of adventure. And many offer luxury in the extreme.

For starters, there are reserved seats for the Monaco Grand Prix and the chance to drive one of the world’s fastest sports cars through the French Riviera. There is icy champagne on the way to the Arctic Circle. There’s hunting the Red Elephant of Tsavo with a camera, and sampling rare wines from one of the world’s largest private collections. Cruise guests can explore the Viking ruins of Greenland or the ancient Incan treasures of South America. They can ride Harleys in the Caribbean, climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia, or go biking in Croatia. In short, virtually anything an adventurous or inspired traveler can imagine doing is probably offered on a CLIA cruise line shore excursion. Here are some examples of member lines’ most unusual, newest or most popular options:

AMERICAN CRUISE LINES

During the summer months, passengers on ACL’s “Lobsterfest Cruises” can board the Captain Jack, a 30-foot downeast lobster boat to find out what it is like to be a true Maine lobsterman. The adventure includes local history, glimpses of seals, porpoise and the occasion whale, fishing poles to catch cod and mackerel and authentic lobstering, including baiting and hauling the traps.

AMA WATERWAYS

The 12^th century city of Uglich, on the banks of Russia’s Voga River has great appeal in its own right but the highlight of AMA Waterways’ shore excursion here is an authentic home visit and meal with a Russian family. Treated to breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea, depending on the time of day, the hours spent in cultural bonding may even include a bit of dancing. Uglich is famous for some of Russia’s most beautiful churches and cathedrals, including the Church of Dimitry, dedicated to the son of Ivan the Terrible.

AZAMARA CRUISES

One of Azamara’s most interesting shore excursions is Colors, Tastes and Smells of Turkey. Offered in Kusadasi, guests visit the town of Sirince, known for its fragrant and flavorful apricots and peaches; travel through the mountainous region of Kirazi Koy to visit a local primary school and perhaps nap under a tree before a special lunch of gozleme, keskek and manti and a cup of strong Turkish coffee. For those inclined, there is also the harvesting of fruit with the local residents.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

Offered for passengers in Ocho Rios and celebrating the improbable Jamaican bobsled teams of the 1980’s and 1990’s Winter Olympics, the Rainforest Bobsled Jamaica at Mystic Mountain is a new eco-friendly shore excursion just launched in July. It features a bobsled ride through the tropical forest, a chairlift journey over the countryside, a zip-line canopy adventure through the treetops, an island culture and heritage center, as well as dining and shopping.

CELEBRITY CRUISES

A visit to the famous Hermitage Museum is a staple of most shore excursions in St. Petersburg but Celebrity goes one step further: Hermitage Splendour – An Exclusive Evening at the Hermitage Museum features a private tour and ballet performance after hours, when the museum is closed to the public. In addition to the incomparable art collection, the evening is highlighted by performances of the Mariinsky Theatre dancers.

COSTA CRUISES

One of Kenya’s first and largest wildlife refuges, Tsavo National Park, is the focus of Costa’s “Safari” shore excursion for passengers in Mombasa. The “game drive” is conducted in closed-top minibuses for up-close photography of the reserve’s famous “Red Elephant,” zebra, giraffe, buffalo, lions and leopards and includes a stop in one of the park’s lodges, for more a relaxed viewing from the terrace.

CRYSTAL CRUISES

With Crystal’s “Extreme Luxury” excursions on most Mediterranean itineraries, guests can slip behind the wheel and race through Italy in a private Ferrari, following a guide through the Umbrian countryside or the winding roads of Livorno and Tuscany, lunching at a five-star restaurant along the way, or motor through the French Riviera and Monaco's dramatic hills in a Maserati, Lamborghini, or a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, one of the world's fastest grand touring cars.

CUNARD LINE

The Sticky Wicket Restaurant and Bar is only one feature of Cunard Line’s Cricketing Legends tour for guests visiting Antigua on Queen Victoria. The program includes a visit to the Antigua Recreation Ground, home to four cricket world records; a guided tour of the new Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, venue for the 2007 World Cup; and even lunch and a visit, with photo opportunities with Sir Vivian himself or numerous other famous Antiguan cricketers.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE

For those who thought Disney was all about Mickey and Donald, there is Disney Cruise Line’s Graycliff’s Wine & Cheese Pairings adventure in Nassau. For guests 21 and older, the program features some of the world’s finest wines and old-world cheeses at this five-star restaurant built in the 18^th century. Exclusive to Disney, it is highlighted by eight tastings from one of the world’s largest private collections of rare wines.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Geared to those travelers who “have seen it all,” HAL’s “Machu Picchu, Chinchero, Maras & Moray” Encore Collection is a four-night, three-day overland adventure from the port of Arica in Chile. It includes travel by plane, motorcoach and vista-dome railcar to heights of 14,000 feet or more, with visits to some of South America’s most famous pre-Columbian landmarks as well as the Huaca Pucilana Archaeological Center and the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lima.

HURTIGRUTEN

Archaeologists believe than when Viking explorer Erik the Red first visited Greenland in 982, he spent the winter on the island of Illutalik. In fact, for visiting guests of Hurtigruten, there is much evidence of the presence of Norse settlers throughout the area. In Narsaq, passengers will explore an excavated farm estate complete with houses, stables and a storehouse. And the tour includes a visit to the ruins of a European farm and church that have been unearthed in the Dyrnaes Valley nearby.

MAJESTIC AMERICA LINE

Guests on the American Queen board the “Twainland Express” for a trip back to the age of steamboats and a young man named Samuel Clemens who, of course, went on to become one of America’s most famous writers and humorists. In addition to stories about Hannibal, Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, the excursion includes a visit to the Mark Twain Cave for a circular tour featuring the latest in cave lighting techniques and passageways carved out of limestone ages ago by underground streams.

MSC CRUISES

On MSC Cruises’ 2008-2009 Caribbean itineraries, the shore excursion emphasis is on adventure. Options include kayaking over coral reefs, dune buggy tours, snorkeling and diving and swimming with dolphins. In Grand Cayman, guests may learn how to Scuba dive. In St. Maarten there is horseback riding on the beach, adventures using catamarans and Swiss Army jeeps, and the Harley Davidson Experience featuring legendary models of motorcycles for island tours.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

NCL recently launched a new class of private touring that offers more choices and convenience for guests wishing to explore ports of call however they want. The company’s “Ultimate Touring” offers such VIP tours for small groups of two to 18 people as the “Rooftop Walk in Stockholm” – a guided walk conducted along the roofs of this historic city, visiting locations such as the Old Parliament Building, the Gamla Stan quarter and the Royal Palace.

PRINCESS CRUISES

The “Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb” takes guest along the upper span of the famous bridge on catwalks and ladders, steadily all the way to the summit – over 400 feet above Sydney harbor. From the top of this Australian icon, visitors can see the equally famous Sydney Opera House and the entire city spread out below. The tour includes a comprehensive briefing, all necessary equipment, and a safety demonstration which includes an alcohol breath test.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

“Augustus House and Ara Pacis” is a tour in Rome offered exclusively by Regent. Among the highlights are a guided walking tour through underground levels of the ancient St. Clemente Church, each representing different centuries of the Roman Empire; a visit to Augustus Palace that, according to mythology, was the site where Romulus and Remus were found by the She-Wolf; and a tour of the Altar of Peace, or Ara Pacis, constructed by decree of the Roman Senate following conquests by Caesar Augustus.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

Keeping up with the latest technology, Royal Caribbean offers a unique GPS Video Walking Tour of Key West. In addition to a complimentary drink at Pat Croce’s Rum Barrel, guests use the handheld GPS Ranger to trigger a video and audio tour that not only provides directions but facts, myths and legends. The device can be programmed to follow a set path exploring Key West’s most famous sites, or used to “roam alone.” Either way it is interactive, easy to use and fun.

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE

From Helsinki, Seabourn guests may board a private jet to visit the Lapp people of the Arctic Circle. After landing in Rovaniemi, travel is by wooden river boat northward, complete with icy champagne, for a visit to a family reindeer camp and an Arctic Circle crossing ceremony or reindeer lassoing. Featuring a traditional Lapp lunch and folk dancing, the tour also includes a visit to the Arktikum museum and science center before returning to Helsinki by jet.

SEADREAM YACHT CLUB

Cycling in Croatia is the theme of one of Seadream’s Land Adventures from Dubrovnik. After an air-conditioned drive along the Adriatic coast, guests are met in the village of Gruda by professional staff who provide bicycles, helmets and instruction. The almost three-hour ride winds through beautiful Croatian countryside past vineyards and along the Ljuta River where a rest stop features a choice of local fruits. For those even more adventurous, Seadream also offers rock climbing expeditions in Croatia.

SILVERSEA CRUISES

“The Perfect Dubai Experience” features limousine service to the Novotel Airport and a chartered helicopter tour of one of the Middle East’s most modern and fast growing cities. Setting down on the cantilevered helipad on the 28^th floor of the Burj Al Arab hotel, the tour also includes a journey of culinary splendour that begins with a simulated submarine voyage to one of the top 50 restaurants in the world, The Oyster, or Al Mahara, that features a floor-to-ceiling seawater aquarium and seafood dishes from around the world.

WINDSTAR CRUISES

Windstar’s “Monaco Grand Prix Package” tour includes a private Welcome to Monaco cocktail reception and gala dinner onboard ship; an exclusive gift package of binoculars, an official Grand Prix program and souvenirs; reserved seating for the Formula One time trials; an exclusive Windstar reception at the H.S.H. Prince Rainier III Auto Collection Museum; and a private breakfast onboard ship before reserved seat viewing for the final Grand Prix race.

For more information about CLIA member cruise lines and their shore excursions offered, please visit www.cruising.org or contact your nearest CLIA-certified travel agent.

CLIA MEMBER CRUISE LINES AND TRAVEL AGENTS GEAR UP FOR ‘WORLD’S LARGEST CRUISE NIGHT’ 2008

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:31:00 GMT

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), its member lines and travel agents across the country are gearing up for the fourth annual World’s Largest Cruise Night (WLCN). The largest one-day travel agency initiative of its kind this year will take place on October 16, serving as the highlight of CLIA’s October National Cruise Vacation Month. Agents can register to participate in WLCN starting on August 18.

Both promotions are designed to focus consumer attention on the pleasures of cruising. In doing so, they generate significant new bookings and commissions for CLIA’s almost 16,000 travel agent members. In 2007, some 4,000 agents participated in WLCN events and online Virtual WLCN promotions estimated to have generated almost 35,000 bookings, $43.3 million in sales and over $6 million in commissions.

Over 3,000 agencies participated in Virtual WLCN promotions, sending email invitations to consumers inviting them to visit a customized Web site with cruise line videos, agency contact information and special offers. Nearly 200 agencies not only chose the Virtual WLCN option but conducted “brick and mortar” WLCN events as well, attended by more than 45,000 consumers. All of Liberty Travel’s locations participated with store events. The 2007 results represented a 20 percent increase over the previous year and this year sales are expected to be even higher.

“World’s Largest Cruise Night” has proven to be a huge success year after year,” said Terry Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO. “This year in particular, with consumer concerns about the economy, it’s all the more important to take advantage of a high-visibility promotional opportunity that offers special incentives to vacationers. We expect a record turnout.”

In 2008, agents will once again have an enhanced Virtual WLCN option that enables them to customize a Web page featuring their agency information and choose several informative videos from participating CLIA member lines. These videos are designed to be sales stimulants and assist agencies in maximizing their participation in this event. A unique URL will then be created that can be distributed to their clients and new prospects, inviting them to participate remotely.

To register your CLIA travel agency to participate in World’s Largest Cruise Night, please visit CLIA’s Web site at www.cruising.org starting on August 18.

DRIVING TO THE SHIP ADDS VALUE, CONVENIENCE TO CRUISE VACATIONS

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:01:23 GMT

For the member companies of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruising is all about choice, flexibility and value. While spectacular new ships tend to grab the headlines and symbolize the remarkable growth and diversity of the industry, a quieter and very timely trend is the growth of domestic ports of embarkation to more than 30, from Anchorage to St. Augustine, Boston to New Orleans. In fact, virtually the entire population of the United States is within driving distance of a cruise.

This not only adds significantly to the convenience factor of a cruise vacation – driving to the ship and leaving the car a short walking distance away – but can also represent significant savings during times of economic uncertainty, even allowing for the high price of gasoline.

“No other type of vacation offers the variety of experiences – worldwide destinations, diverse itineraries, varying cruise lengths, types of ships, different onboard experiences, and shore side activities – that the CLIA fleet provides,” said Terry Dale, president and CEO of CLIA. “The aim is to enable every vacationer to choose the cruise that is exactly right for individual tastes, interests and budget. A big part of that for millions of travelers is having a departure port close to home.”

When the modern cruise industry began in the 1960’s, the vast majority of voyages departed from a handful of big city ports, notably New York, Miami and Los Angeles. Today, cruisers can choose an itinerary from such East Coast embarkation points as Bangor, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. Passengers embarking in the New York metropolitan area have three ports to choose from: Manhattan, Brooklyn and across the Hudson River in New Jersey. On the West Coast the choices include four ports in Alaska, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. On the Gulf Coast, cruisers can opt for such cities as Galveston, New Orleans, Mobile and Tampa.

Equally significant, the cruises offered from these domestic ports represent the entire spectrum of the cruise experience: Large ships and small; the newest vessels; itineraries in Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, even transatlantic and world cruises and adventure voyages. In short, consumers can find a convenient domestic port of embarkation for virtually any kind of cruise they want.

Among the some of the most popular are America’s coastal and river cruises. While some of the largest CLIA member ships offer cruises along the New England coast to Canada and along the coast of Alaska, most coastal and river voyages are made with small ships that can venture well inland to places inaccessible to other vessels. Vacationers can find these cruises leaving from ports throughout the country, including virtually the entire length of the Mississippi River, on rivers along the Pacific Northwest Coast, the Intra-Coastal Waterway on the East Coast and the rivers and coastlines of New England and maritime Canada. For American vacationers the result is the opportunity to cruise the tropical islands of the Caribbean, transit the Panama Canal or explore Mark Twain’s mighty Mississippi, all from a port of embarkation only a convenient and comfortable drive away.

CLIA INTRODUCES NEW 2009 ASSOCIATION ID CARD QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:29:58 GMT

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced that travel agent qualifications for the official CLIA ID Card in 2009 will include enrollment in, or achievement of CLIA Cruise Counsellor Certification. This latest evolution of CLIA ID Card qualification requirements reflect the growing sales power of CLIA-affiliated agents across the entire spectrum of travel and tourism, as well as the association’s obligation to the industry to ensure that its agents are both actively engaged in selling travel and are pursuing professional development in order to grow their businesses.

Since 2000, CLIA has provided agents with the option of acquiring an official CLIA ID Card that signifies their affinity to that agency and that agency’s affiliation with CLIA. Active travel agency membership in CLIA and successfully completing a minimum of one annual CLIA live or online training seminar is a CLIA ID Card qualifying requirement. In 2009, the following requirements will be implemented:

The individual agent or agency management must be affiliated with an active CLIA travel agency holding 2009 membership.
ID Card applicants will be required to complete and pass the exam for at least one annual recurrent CLIA live training seminar or CLIA online training program not previously submitted prior to applying for their 2009 cards.
2009 ID Card applicants are required to be enrolled in, or to have achieved a designation (ACC, MCC, ECC, ECCS) in CLIA’s Cruise Counsellor Certification Program. Attainment of an ACC designation requires a program of mandatory and elective training options as well personal cruise experience, shipboard inspections and 25 cabin sales within the two year enrollment period.
Effective with new CLIA Certification enrollments/re-enrollments occurring after 01/01/09, if ACC designation is not attained within the two year CLIA Certification enrollment period, CLIA ID Card privileges will be suspended for a minimum of one (1) year with reinstatement contingent upon achieving ACC; or Certification re-enrollment and the pursuit of CLIA Cruise Counsellor Certification.
In recognition of the owners and managers of CLIA member travel agencies who manage the agency business but are not necessarily front-line sellers of travel, each CLIA Travel Agency is entitled to a management allocation of no more than four CLIA ID Cards for which the above Certification qualification is not required although annual CLIA recurrent training is necessary.

“As the leisure selling power of the CLIA travel agent has grown, so has industry recognition of these agencies and agents beyond the cruise segment. Thousands of travel businesses including cruise lines, hotels, and attractions as well as tour operators and other ancillary travel services recognize and value the CLIA designation,” said Terry Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO.

“CLIA has an obligation to provide member benefits including the option of obtaining a CLIA ID Card. We also have an obligation to provide member cruise lines and other industry partners assurance that our agent partners are actively engaged in the sale of travel and are committed to professional development. CLIA’s training programs are frequently acknowledged as the best in the travel industry and we strongly believe that this evolution of ID card requirements is a win/win/win situation for the CLIA agent, for the traveling consumer and for industry suppliers who recognize the value of CLIA agents,” he continued.

CLIA’s decision is supported by travel agents’ own testimony as well as a recent consumer survey. Agents who achieve CLIA Certification claim that their annual sales productivity grew an astounding 261%. In addition, the 2008 CLIA Market Profile Study of American travelers found that 65% of the general population and 75% of cruise vacationers state that professional designations such as CLIA Certification is very or extremely important to them. And, 61% of the general population indicated that they would more likely use the services of a travel agent with a professional designation.

“CLIA Certification is proven to increase travel agent sales and enhances industry position and credibility. It also provides the traveling consumer a higher level of service and professionalism and demonstrates to the industry supplier that the CLIA agent is a dedicated professional. It makes perfect sense to enhance the value of the CLIA ID Card by making these new modifications,” Dale added.

SAMPLING THE WORLD AND SHIPBOARD LIFE ON SHORT CRUISES

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:22:03 GMT

If “the longest journey begins with a single step,” then it may also be said that “a lifetime of cruising begins with a three-day trip.” Member lines of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) enjoy some of the highest repeat customer rates in the travel industry and many of those millions of vacationers began with a short cruise of less than a week. They loved what they experienced and have kept coming back for more.

“Over 12 million people cruised last year on CLIA member line ships,” said Terry Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO. “For the majority, it was a second, third, even 10^th vacation at sea but for millions it was a first experience, typically on a short cruise. They got a taste of shipboard life, including in many cases fabulous entertainment, onboard spas and other recreational facilities, and a dazzling variety of dining experiences. They visited, perhaps for the first time, foreign countries or tropical islands. And, because consumers tell us that cruising offers outstanding value and a unique vacation lifestyle, those first-timers will be back, if not this year then in the years to come.”

CLIA member lines offer cruises of less than a week in all parts of the world, from the Bahamas, the Caribbean and the West Coast, to Europe, Scandinavia, even Australia. Many are on the newest, largest ships among CLIA’s fleet of 170 vessels; others offer a more intimate exploration of world on luxury, yacht-sized ships or restored vintage vessels. Many of the short cruises are offered from a rapidly growing list of American port cities ranging the entire lengths of the East Coast, West Coast and Gulf Coast. There is even one cruise line that enables passengers to plan their own length of cruise.

Here is a sampling of short cruises (less than seven days) offered by CLIA’s member lines:

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

Carnival operates the cruise industry's largest short cruise program, offering voyages from two- to five days on 12 ships from 12 different North American home ports on a year-round or seasonal basis. These include year-round cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Miami, Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, Mobile, New Orleans, Galveston, and Tampa; voyages to Mexico from San Diego; and Baja cruises from Long Beach. Carnival also has seasonal cruises to Canada from New York, to the Bahamas from Charleston and Fort Lauderdale, and special two-day voyages from Fort Lauderdale and New York.

CELEBRITY CRUISES

Celebrity Century, which received a $55-million makeover in 2006, is returning from a summer season in Europe this year, with itineraries departing from Miami in 2009. These include a two-night roundtrip to the Bahamas; four-night roundtrips to Key West and Cozumel; and five-night voyages to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Georgetown, Grand Cayman. An alternate five-night itinerary combines Key West with Georgetown, Grand Cayman. The voyages are offered from January through mid-April. Celebrity Mercury is sailing three- and four-night Pacific Northwest itineraries roundtrip from Seattle this fall, as well as in the fall of 2009. Ports of call include Victoria and Nanaimo, British Columbia.

COSTA CRUISES

Costa offers a variety of short cruises in Europe, ranging from three to five nights. These “samplers” provide the opportunity for travelers to not only sample the Costa brand but combine a cruise with a land vacation on the Continent. In 2009, itineraries will include a three-night Italy/Spain/Corsica cruise from Savona on the Costa Serena with stops in Barcelona and Ajaccio. Another option is that five-night Italy/France/Spain sailing, also from Savona, on the Costa Atlantica, with stops in Porto Torres, Ibiza (two days), Alicante and Villefranche.

CUNARD LINE

A 19th century pioneer of transatlantic travel, Cunard Line continues to be the only cruise line to offer regularly scheduled, six-day Transatlantic Crossings on the Queen Mary 2. In addition, Queen Mary 2 will offer two special short cruises, roundtrip from New York in 2009: a five-day “Fourth of July Getaway” to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Boston July 1-6; and a four-day “Labor Day Getaway” to St. John, New Brunswick over the Labor Day weekend. The new Queen Victoria will offer 4 four-day trips in Europe in 2009, all roundtrips from Southampton: the “Spring Adventure” featuring Cherbourg, Rotterdam and Zeebrugge departing May 2; and the "Gallic Getaway" featuring the same ports and departing August 29, October 22 and December 5.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE

The Disney Wonder offers three- and four-night itineraries from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas featuring stops in Nassau and Castaway Cay, the company’s private island. The four-night itinerary also includes a day at sea or, during the summer of 2008, features two stops at Castaway Cay. Highlights of the cruises include a Pirates IN the Caribbean deck party and original Disney musicals every night. New this year is “Toy Story – The Musical.” These itineraries can be bundled with a Walt Disney World vacation, providing an opportunity for vacationers to sample both experiences for the first time.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

The West Coast, Caribbean and Australia/New Zealand are star attractions for HAL’s short cruise program in the coming year. Five ships will offer one- to five-day sailings from Vancouver in September as the vessels are repositioned to other parts of the world. Destinations include San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. The Oosterdam also will make a three-day trip the other direction on September 27, from Seattle to Vancouver. The Eurodam offers a three-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale October 15 to the Bahamas. On March 16, 2009, the Volendam will feature a three-day sailing between Auckland and Sydney for a sample of Australia and New Zealand.

HURTIGRUTEN

Formerly known as Norwegian Coastal Voyage, Hurtigruten’s short cruise program focuses on Sweden’s premier waterway – the Gota Canal. Three fully restored vintage vessels – the MS Diana, Juno and Wilhelm Tham – make two-, four- and six-day traverses of the Canal in spring and summer between Gothenburg and Stockholm. The full six-day itinerary encompasses one river, three canals, eight lakes, 66 locks and two seas. The cruises feature the history of the canal, the culture and attractions of surrounding cities and towns and Sweden’s stunning natural beauty.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Norwegian Sky is the newest and highest quality ship offering three- and four-day Bahamas cruises from Miami. Featuring all of NCL's new Freestyle 2.0 enhancements, the ship departs on Mondays on four-day sailings to Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, the company's private island. On Fridays, the ship sails three-day weekend getaways with all-day stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, returning Monday morning. NCL also offers a number of weekend cruises on Norwegian Spirit from New York, Norwegian Jade in Europe and Norwegian Pearl in Miami this fall.

PRINCESS CRUISES

Princess Cruises offers a series of “West Coast Sampler” cruises on several ships. These include three-night getaways between Los Angeles and Vancouver on Coral Princess, Golden Princess and Island Princess in September; a four-night itinerary on Island Princess May 7, 2009 featuring Los Angeles, Victoria and Vancouver; a two-day journey between San Francisco and Vancouver on the Star Princess, May 7, 2009; and overnight sailings between Seattle and Vancouver. Golden Princess also offers a four-day Alaskan Sampler cruise between Vancouver and Seattle featuring Ketchikan departing May 5, 2009.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Known for roaming the world, Regent currently has one itinerary that is less than one week in length. On May 10, 2009, the Seven Seas Navigator will depart from Funchal on the island of Madeira and arrive, six nights later, in Monte Carlo on the European Riviera. After a day at sea, the ship will call at Malaga, Valencia, Barcelona, and St. Tropez. The cruise is part of the ship’s longer voyage that originates in Fort Lauderdale and begins with a transatlantic crossing. Seven Seas Navigator carries only 490 guests, offering all-suite, all-oceanview accommodations with marble baths, signature Regent cuisine and an attentive staff.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

Six ships of Royal Caribbean offer short cruises. Enchantment of the Seas features Western Caribbean itineraries of three- to six-nights roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Grandeur of the Seas sails on five-night Western Caribbean trips from Tampa as well as five-night Bermuda itineraries from Baltimore and Norfolk. Jewel of the Seas offers a five-night journey to Canada/New England from Boston. Majesty of the Seas sails on three- and four-night voyages to the Bahamas from Miami. Monarch of the Seas features Baja Mexico, from Los Angeles, or the Bahamas, from Port Canaveral, and Navigator of the Seas travels to the Caribbean and the Bahamas on two- to five-night trips from Fort Lauderdale. Sovereign of the Seas also sails to the Bahamas on short cruises from Port Canaveral.

SILVERSEA CRUISES

Silversea’s unique Personalized Voyages program enables vacationers to check in and check out from their voyage according to their own needs and wishes. Instead of being locked into a fixed number of days aboard ship, Silversea guests are able to customize their voyage by selecting their ports of embarkation and disembarkation, creating a journey as short as five days. This could mean a few days on the French or Italian rivieras or a luxurious honeymoon experience completely tailored to individual interests and time commitments. All that is required is fitting into the sailing schedules of Silversea ships wherever they may be traveling throughout the world.

For more information about short cruises, visit CLIA’s Website at www.cruising.org or ask a nearby certified CLIA travel agent for assistance.

JIM SMITH NAMED DIRECTOR OF MARKETING FOR CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION (CLIA)

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:52:51 GMT

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has named Jim Smith, CTIE, to the position of director of marketing. Bringing extensive experience in sales, marketing, branding, event planning and public relations to the job, his responsibilities will include managing all the association’s consumer and trade marketing efforts, including agency membership and training, collateral production and development, e-marketing and Web content and trade advertising. He will also take charge of CLIA’s annual National Cruise Vacation Month and World’s Largest Cruise Night and other CLIA promotional initiatives and programs.

As principal of Market Share, Inc. in Boca Raton, Smith was retained by leading travel companies as a consultant, motivational speaker and lecturer for over 20 years while he also held numerous executive positions in the industry. He served as senior vice president of industry relations for Auto Europe and vice president, sales and marketing for Delta Vacations/Certified Vacations Group and was president of GEM, the travel consortium based in Islip, New York. He also was regional director of sales for National Car Rental in New York. Smith began his career as a retail travel agent and teenage ski tour promoter.

For more information about CLIA, please visit www.cruising.org.

CLIA ISSUES STATEMENT ON CRUISE INDUSTRY'S COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:24:18 GMT

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry group, today reaffirmed the industry’s continued commitment to the environment and advanced wastewater treatment management, in response to public statements concerning member cruise line operations in the Baltic Sea.

In a recent public statement, Mats Abrahamsson, Program Director of the World Wildlife Fund Baltic Ecoregion Program said, “It should be the responsibility of anyone operating a ship in the Baltic Sea to take care of their own wastes in a responsible manner.”

In response, Terry Dale, President and CEO of CLIA, said:

“A recent study conducted by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland reported that cruise ships contribute only a tiny fraction of the nutrients released into the sea – less than 1 percent.

“CLIA member companies adopted stringent wastewater treatment practices nearly a decade ago, and have operated in accordance with these practices since that time. Additionally, where available and reasonable, ships discharge wastewaters to shore facilities in Baltic Sea cruise ports. Moreover, many cruise lines have already invested hundreds of millions of dollars in advanced onboard systems that treat wastewater to the highest standards available.

“As an industry deeply committed to the protection of the environment, we look forward to continuing to work with the WWF as well as the ports, the maritime industry, land-based facilities and local government to protect the Baltic for generations to come.”

Dale noted that since 2007, CLIA has worked closely with the WWF to share information and find solutions to the environmental challenges in the Baltic region. He also called for a collaborative effort to control all sources of nutrients contributing to issues in the Baltic Sea, whether from land or sea.

“A truly effective effort would include farm operations, industrial facilities and municipal wastewater treatment plants, in addition to ports and the maritime industry,” Dale said.

All members of the Cruise Lines International Association operating in the Baltic Sea – and all over the world – meet or exceed the discharge standards for sewage set by the International Maritime Organization, Dale noted.

The VTT study is available online at http://www.vtt.fi/inf/pdf/tiedotteet/2007/T2370.pdf.

CLIA URGES U.S. SENATE TO ACT ON ENVIRONMENTAL TREATY

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:24:52 GMT

The Cruise Lines International Association today urged the U.S. Senate to act promptly on legislation that would permit the United States to participate fully in shaping a new international treaty to curb air emissions from commercial shipping.

Without timely Senate action, the United States delegation – led by the U.S. Coast Guard – would not be permitted to vote on important amendments to the treaty, to be considered at a meeting of the International Maritime Organization in October. The treaty is known as MARPOL (Marine Pollution) Annex VI.

In a letter to Senators, CLIA president Terry Dale pointed out that the far-reaching amendments will set more stringent standards for maritime air emissions, which will provide air quality benefits for America’s coastlines and port communities.

Specifically, the amendments will ban the use of ozone-depleting substances and set international standards to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

The United States has been a leader in discussions on these and other strengthening amendments, but without Senate action will not be considered an official party to the upcoming negotiations, Dale noted.

On the other hand, Senate action on implementing legislation “will send an important message that the United States does not wish to sit on the sidelines and that we are committed to sound public policy that truly benefits the global environment,” Dale said.

CRUISE LINES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION AND CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL SIGN AGREEMENT TO ADRRESS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:56:26 GMT

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and Conservation International (CI) signed an agreement last night to renew the Ocean Conservation and Tourism Alliance, a collaborative effort to minimize the cruise industry’s environmental footprint and protect biodiversity. Last night’s agreement marks the latest phase in CLIA’s ongoing partnership with CI.

Under the terms of the Alliance, CI will act as a trusted advisor to the cruise industry on key environmental and conservation issues of joint interest including waste water management, the ramifications of climate change to the industry and destination stewardship. In addition to CI’s advisory role, the two organizations will work together to form working groups comprised of key CLIA and CI staff to address these priority issues.

“Today’s renewal of the Ocean Conservation and Tourism Alliance reflects the cruise industry’s strong commitment to address environmental and biodiversity concerns as they relate to industry operations and help us preserve the waters on which we sail,” said Terry Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO. “Conservation International has been an invaluable partner in providing advice and recommendations as well as helping to raise awareness and understanding of the issues and their solutions.

“As the cruise industry continues to grow and expand worldwide, minimizing its impact on the natural environment and biodiversity becomes an increasingly high priority. CLIA has taken a leadership position in finding solutions to a broad range of issues and we are confident that the industry’s partnership with CI represents an important step forward,” said Glenn Prickett, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Center for Environmental Leadership in Business, Conservation International.

Among the priorities of the Alliance, which will continue to be administered by CI, will be:

Acting as advisor to the industry, CI will proactively share findings from its scientific work conducted on cruise industry practices, such as wastewater management, with key audiences in order to facilitate greater understanding of the issues and allow for practices and policies to be adopted.
CI will work with CLIA to increase awareness and understanding of the ramifications of climate change to the industry and provide information and advice regarding: ways to minimize the cruise lines’ green house gas footprint; science and policy issues related to biofuels; and the critical role of forest and nature conservation in climate change solutions.
CI will continue to work with CLIA to develop and implement good practice standards and training tools for shore excursions, support conservation projects in key cruise destinations and raise awareness and support for conservation issues among cruise industry customers, employees and vendors.
CLIA and CI will work together to develop a rapid assessment tool for measuring changes in impacts and stewardship occurring in destinations over time.

For more information on the cruise industry’s commitment to environmental conservation, please visit CLIA’s Website at www.cruising.org. For more information about CI’s work with the cruise industry, please visit www.celb.org.

TOP TEN TIPS FOR STRETCHING VACATION DOLLARS WITH A CRUISE VACATION

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Making every penny of the vacation dollar count: that is the goal of any traveler. Taking a cruise vacation makes that goal easily achievable. The consumer who does some research and takes advantage of expert advice will discover, to his or her delight, that there are many ways to save and stretch the dollar by choosing a cruise.

"One of the top reasons cruises are so popular is the outstanding value they represent. And, because of the incredible variety of cruises, cruise ships, itineraries and destinations available, consumers can find even greater value and stretch their vacation dollar further by choosing the right cruise for their budget,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA.

Here are some tips for planning a value-added cruise vacation:

CLIA member cruise lines offer inclusive pricing. Accommodations, meals, entertainment, use of most ship’s facilities, and transportation from destination to destination are all included in the cruise price; this means the consumer is already off to a great start in realizing value for money spent.
Cruises are offered in every possible price category. Spend a little or spend a lot; it’s easy to pick the line that matches your budget.
Cruises come in every length, from three days to three months. If budget is a high priority, pick a shorter cruise.
CLIA member cruise lines operate all over the world. By picking an "off season” destination – the Caribbean this summer, for example – travelers can often save money without losing any of the fun, excitement and pleasure of vacationing in the tropics.
With a weak U.S. dollar, planning a European cruise and paying in advance, in dollars, often represents added value compared to a European vacation paid in local currencies.
On most ships, the price of your cruise is based on your choice of accommodations, nothing else. Most ships offer a wide choice of inside and oceanview staterooms, staterooms with balconies, even suites. If budget is a consideration, choose an inexpensive inside stateroom and enjoy the same dining, entertainment and use of ship’s facilities as everyone else.
Most CLIA member ships offer a wide variety of accommodations. If spacious, luxurious accommodations are your top priority, choose a cruise line whose suites match your budget.
Cruises are an ideal choice for families, extended families and friends who want to share a memorable vacation. Put together your own group of cruisers and ask for a group rate.
There are more than 30 homeports for cruise ships in the United States. Wherever you live, pick a cruise you can drive to in order to save on the cost of airfare.
Most important, take advantage of the expertise, experience and knowledge of a CLIA-certified travel agent. No type of vacation offers more variety than cruising; you’ll enjoy extra satisfaction – and that, after all, is what value really means – by matching your cruise with your tastes, interests and budget. And, that is what CLIA’s 16,000 travel agents around the country do best.

For more information about stretching the vacation dollar, visit www.cruising.org or ask a nearby certified CLIA travel agent for assistance.

CLIA RELEASES 2008 CRUISE MARKET PROFILE STUDY

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Driven by satisfied customers eager to travel more, despite the uncertain economy, the cruise industry is well-positioned for continued growth and success. This is one of the conclusions to be drawn from the Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) 2008 Cruise Market Profile Study released today.

The biannual survey of American consumers, first conducted in 1986, identifies American consumer demographics, attitudes and intentions as they relate to leisure travel and specifically to cruising. Research was conducted online in March and April 2008 by TNS, a leading market research firm. A total of 2,426 U.S. residents were interviewed.

This year’s findings reinforce previous studies in painting a picture of a healthy, in-demand cruise industry fueled by vacationers with broader travel interests than non-cruisers and whose satisfaction with cruising is based on perceived and realized value. In 2007, 9.57 million Americans took a cruise vacation representing 76 percent of the total 12.56 million guests carried on CLIA member cruise lines. Based on this year’s study, 33.7 million Americans stated intent to cruise within the next three years.

The study also shows that travel agents, who sell the great majority of cruises, remain a vital part of the industry and are perceived by travelers as providing the best service in vacation and cruise planning. The majority of cruisers (70 percent) reported that professional designations, such as CLIA’s Cruise Counsellor Certification, would influence their choice in selecting a travel agent to plan and book their vacation. “Given the current economic climate, we are particularly pleased to see that American cruisers remain bullish on the industry. Their high satisfaction with a wonderfully diverse cruise product drives their intention to take more cruises. In fact, cruisers represent the ideal travel prospect, because of their broad interest in all types of travel and willingness to spend on what they perceive to be high value experiences,” said Terry Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO.

“This fact is not lost on CLIA’s nearly 16,000 travel agency members who continue to be the industry’s invaluable distribution system and consumers’ most reliable source of assistance and service in planning and booking vacations,” he continued.

Among the key findings of CLIA’s 2008 Cruise Market Profile Study:

Consumer interest in cruising continues to be strong despite downward pressure on travel in general due to the economy and fuel costs; 77 percent of past cruise vacationers and 55 percent of vacationers who have yet to take a cruise expressed interest in doing so within the next three years.
CLIA survey respondents who indicated a “definite” or “probable” intent to cruise within the next three years represents almost 34 million adults from the target market (at least 25 years of age with a minimum household income of $40,000), which is good news for not only the cruise industry, but also for travel agents who can cultivate new customers.
94.8 percent of all cruisers rate their cruise experience as satisfying with 44 percent claiming the highest “Extremely Satisfying” ranking making a cruise among the very best in meeting and exceeding guest expectations.
The general profile of the 2008 cruise vacationer is upscale (with a median household income of $93,000), educated (69 percent have a college degree) and the median age of cruisers is now 46 years old, down from 49 in 2006, which shows that cruise vacations continue to appeal to younger travelers.
Travelers most frequently name the Caribbean as their cruise destination of choice (43 percent) with Alaska, Bahamas, Hawaii, Europe and the Mediterranean/Greek islands also top choices.
Cruise vacationers agree (80 percent) that a cruise is a great way to sample destinations that they may wish to visit on a future land-based vacation.
The cruise line utilization and the consumer awareness of more than 30 domestic embarkation ports adds strong inducement to future cruising: 72 percent cite additional “close to home” ports as increasing their likelihood to cruise. Respondents cited the convenience of being able to drive to the ship (71 percent), saving money by not having to purchase air travel (67 percent) and avoiding the hassles of flying to embarkation points (64 percent) as primary benefits of “close to home” cruising options.
Cruise vacationers are the premier leisure traveler. Cruisers travel 39 percent more per year than non-cruise vacationers, they take 2.9 annual leisure trips on all types of vacations by both land and sea (21 percent or nearly one in four of their vacations are by cruise), and they typically spend 50 percent more on their vacation travel than a non-cruise vacationer.
Both past cruisers (69 percent) and cruise prospects (56 percent) recognize a cruise vacation as providing very high value for the vacation dollar. Those who have experienced the inclusive nature and service of a cruise vacation rank cruising as the best vacation value.
Typical vacationers, including cruisers (75 percent), travel in pairs, usually with spouses, with the proportion of family travel with kids under 18 steadily growing (25 percent in 2008 from 13 percent in 2002).
Travelers, including cruisers, consider destination as the most influential aspect of choosing a vacation.
Travel agents continue to play an important role in planning and booking cruises and travel: 42 percent of respondents say agents provide the best service, up from 40 percent in 2006; 59 percent are extremely or very satisfied with agents, with overall satisfaction of 93 percent; 78 percent of cruisers use travel agents for all types of travel planning as compared to 44 percent of non-cruise vacationers.

A Podcast with Terry Dale, president and CEO, discussing CLIA’s 2008 Cruise Market Profile Study, can be downloaded at: http://msilver-pr.com/terry_dale_interview.mp3.

For more information about CLIA’s 2008 Market Profile Study, visit www.cruising.org.

Note: Interviews with Terry Dale, CLIA’s president and CEO, on this subject are available by contacting Dawn Weissman, M. Silver Associates, 212-754-6500, ext 228 or dawn@msilver-pr.com.

CLIA WELCOMES AMA WATERWAYS TO GROWING MEMBERSHIP OF SMALL SHIP/RIVER CRUISE COMPANIES

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:04:27 GMT

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today announced that AMA Waterways is the Association’s newest member, furthering CLIA’s river cruise and niche membership base. AMA Waterways, which offers river cruises throughout Europe, is based in Chatsworth, Calif. AMA Waterways provides river cruises on the Danube, Rhine, Main and Mosel Rivers and through waterways in Portugal, Spain and Provence as well as in Russia along the Volga-Baltic waterways and through Europe’s two largest lakes, Onega and Ladoga. The company’s fleet of modern vessels includes four launched since 2006, with another two scheduled for arrival in 2009 and two more in 2010. “We are delighted to welcome AMA Waterways to CLIA,” said Terry Dale, president and CEO. “Their membership is another strong indication that CLIA not only continues to represent the entire spectrum of cruise lines in the industry but that consumers have an extraordinary variety of cruise experiences from which to choose.” AMA Waterways’ facilities include spacious outside cabins, (the majority of which feature French balconies), junior suites, a restaurant, panorama lounge and bar, an aft lounge that is ideal for groups and special events, a wellness center and sun deck. Other onboard amenities include wireless internet access, a beauty and hair salon, souvenir shop, a giant chess game and bicycles for use onshore. In addition to a welcome reception and Farewell Gala Dinner, AMA voyages feature complimentary local wines served with each dinner, daily entertainment including folkloric shows, theme dinners, lectures and local activities, and professional English speaking staff.

About CLIA
The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is North America’s largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 23 member lines and participates in the regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations and counts as members 16,000 travel agencies. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org.