Cruise agent offers deposit-free bookings
One of America’s largest cruise agents is offering customers the chance to book their cruise without paying a deposit.
Florida-based CruiseOne has launched a ‘book now, pay later’ promotion that means customers don’t need to put down a deposit when booking a 2012 sailing.
The offer applies to cruises booked before the end of February and for sailings until February 28 2013.
The promotion comes just weeks after the Costa Concordia tragedy which has led to a slowdown in cruise bookings.
Cruise lines and agents are looking to stimulate demand with offers like free upgrades.
P&O Cruises and Cunard Line are offering a new four-day promotion from February 10 to 13 offering a stateroom with a balcony for the price of an inside cabin.
But a spokesman insisted the deal was not in reaction to any fall in demand.
"It is not unusual for cruise lines to offer various booking incentives throughout the year and especially at the beginning of the year. Sales are where we expect them to be at this time of year," she said.
The deal applies to new bookings for all three of Cunard’s ocean liners – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, and new bookings on Aurora, Azura, Oceana and Ventura in the P&O Cruises fleet.
The upgrade is available on selected departures sailing from Southampton between April and September 2012.
by Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026