A plethora - a cornucopia – a multiplicity – and more… deals I mean!
A Puddle of Paddlers
There are so many offers and value add-ons coming from mainstream cruise lines these days that it is really hard to keep up and separate these offers to truly discover the benefits of each. A “Bellowing of Bullfinches” or a “Bevy of Boisterous Sailors” besieging us and all demanding attention. How does one separate the plenitude of promotions and just keep track of what might be the best deal for any particular client? It is an overwhelming, over-ripe, overboard (at times) series of all-inclusive offers, Explore 4, Cruise Cash, pre-paid gratuities, No NCF’s, Charter Air included from Canada, 1,2 3 Go, WOW sales, upgrades, the Experiences and 3 for Free as well as “unprecedented” offers coming at us on a consistent basis. Some offers are for close-in sailings, others for 2015 and even 2016, some are bookable within a short window, others are only available on Tuesdays if you have blue eyes and one arm and well you get my point…
It’s a bit like a “Pandemonium of Parrots” shrieking at you with the repetitiveness of “book us – no book us - or we can beat the competition – we are doing something never done before”. Or a “Turmoil of Porpoises” leaping gracefully about in the waves seeking some attention and more importantly, seeking bookings. Indeed, perhaps a “Wilderness of Monkeys” wandering about searching for new customers and agents who need to come back to selling the Caribbean and seeing the value. The 1st time cruiser needs to be found and shown these great offers and be sold on the inherent value of a cruise – with a “Battery of Artillery” aimed in the right direction – perhaps a few strategically targeted cruise missiles rather than a cluster bomb or 2.
A Plenty of Pool Partiers
It is not a simple task to stand out from the competition particularly in the very difficult Caribbean market which is rather like a “Clowder of Cats” – not easy to herd. Even though there are some new and gorgeous ships sailing Caribbean waters on a year round basis these days, and they are worth their weight in gold, they are all vying for position rather like an “Army of Caterpillars” and seeking exponential increases in their per diems.
So how do you find the opportunities for your clients? How do you hope to keep track? Each line has their own “Charm of Finches”, a new level of customization of inclusions. And certainly I offer a round of applause to all these lines whom I admire greatly. They deserve and have earned our support; they have the “Zeal of Zebras” and the “Shrewdness of Apes” (no offense intended here) when it comes to moving the market. I would not want to be in their shoes… or yours, dear agents… that’s for sure.
They are giving the market and your prospects and current customers, some amazing deals and even better, they are serving up a more than a “Brace of Greyhounds” with their stellar onboard product and phenomenal service and accommodations.
A Crock of Crochet Cruisers
Cruising is a great value and with all the specials, the add-ons and opportunities to earn more commissions with some of these experiences and all-inclusive deals, they are also acknowledging that they need the help of agents in delivering more cruisers to their ships. If you are a cruise-focused travel professional, the best thing you can do, other than keep your past clients happy and ask for referrals, is to find at least 20 – 30 new cruisers every year – just 10 to 15 more staterooms or suites.
Not such a hard task with all these powerful promotions. Find them any way you can – there are millions of potential cruisers out there for the taking. Take that “Leap of Leopards”, liken yourselves to an “Exaltation of Larks” and never give up, citing an “Obstinancy of Buffalo” and never be a “Sloth of Bears” in your search for those clients. Take heart from a “Richesse of Martens” - everyone will benefit - and not from doubt.
