09 February 2010

Variety of destinations and agent activity leads to record bookings

Two lines, Yachts of Seabourn and Crystal Cruises are reporting record bookings.

For January, numbers of bookings showed a 106 percent increase compared to 2009, and were up 215 percent compared to 2008, says Seabourn.

Luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises reports that bookings for January were 205 percent greater than for the same month in 2009. Additionally, to date, new-to-Crystal guests booked for 2010 are 89 percent of totals for all of 2009.

Why is that?

Three new yachts and travel agent business has driven bookings at Seabourn.

"Travel agents and consumers have responded very favorably to our new yachts, itineraries and value-added promotions," said Pamela C. Conover, Seabourn’s President and CEO.

Exotic destinations have helped fuel demand, as has value-added promotions.

The new vessels continue to offer popular itineraries such as Europe, the Mediterranean and the Americas, as well as annual World Cruises. For a limited time, many 2010 Europe voyages are being offered with free business or economy class airfare (depending on category of suite booked).

For Crystal, a wide variety of European cruises are helping to generate some of their strongest sales farthest out. The line has more than 30 different itineraries. A Hawaiian cruise is also popular.

Said Bill Smith, Crystal Cruises senior vp, sales and marketing:

"I’d like to think it was Crystal’s 20th anniversary that is bringing everyone out this year, but it’s probably our guests’ pent up demand to celebrate their own anniversaries, birthdays, family getaways, reunions, special interest trips and the emotional enrichment of travel that is nearer and dearer to their vacation hearts."

By David Wilkening