Cruising
ALASKA
The good news for travel agents is that Alaska attracts substantial cruise commissions and looks set to enjoy a bumper year, says Maria Harding
spectacular 'Last Wilderness' should be an easy sell – after all, where else do you have a room with such an amazing view? One minute clients may be spotting humpback whales gulping down giant mouthfuls of herring, the next watching in awe as glaciers crack and crash into ice-blue waters, as bald eagles fly over head or otters paddle by. Sadly, the destination has spent some years in the doldrums after locals imposed a US$46-a-head cruise-
A
passenger tax back in 2006, prompting cruise lines to pull their ships out in protest. But they have seen sense and the tax has been reduced by 25 per cent, to $34.50, which has put it back in the frame. Alaska’s tourism marketing budget has also been almost doubled, from US$9 million to US$16 million and cruising to the destination now seems to be back on track.
Cruise tourism revenue has improved and this year two cruise lines which traditionally have the biggest presence in the state – Holland
America Line and Princess
Cruises – have restored capacity to 'pre-tax' levels. Carnival Corporation
From top: Whale-watching near Juneau; Ketchikan; seafood in Juneau; moose. Opposite: meet the locals; the wilds of Alaska.
54 May 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
laska is without doubt one of cruising's 'must-see' destinations. America’s
President Micky Arison has gone as far as to predict that 2012 will see Alaska enjoy a 'very, very strong season’, while
Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Adam Goldstein said Alaska was one of 'the clear stars' of 2011; he expects that starry performance to continue.
Agent Opportunities Overall, it seems there’s never been a better time for travel agents to get to know Alaska, as not only is capacity building, but the commission will be lucrative as pent-up demand combines with a short season to keep per head prices high. Alaskan cruises are a great sell to
regular cruisers as they can be presented as offering something completely different to your average sunshine cruise; but they are also a good suggestion for first-timers or reluctant cruisers because they sail through calm and settled waters with land within sight on one or both sides of the ship for most of the itinerary. An Alaskan cruise also comes with a guarantee of unique and stunning scenery which can help clinch a sale among first-time cruisers. Wildlife-spotting opportunities
abound on an Alaskan cruise with white-sided dolphins often spotted early in the cruise through the Inside Passage.
Sea-lions, whales,
brown bears, eagles and seals frequent
these habitats and stop- off points can include animal encounters at the Alaska
Wildlife Park or McCauley salmon hatchery – home to 120 million baby salmon a year! Glacier Bay is often the scenic highlight for many on an Alaskan cruise. This bay includes more than 100 glaciers, with intriguing names like Lamplugh, Grand Pacific and Marjorie. A dozen or so calve (crack) and produce mini-icebergs on a regular basis, providing a memorable experience for all those who see and hear it.
What To Book? There is plenty of choice with some itineraries starting from Vancouver and others from Seattle – so remember to recommend a city add-on. Holland America has seven Alaska-
based ships this summer, a 6% capacity increase over 2011. In all, HAL offers 130 Alaska sailings between May 2 and September 23, including 'Alaskan Explorer' sailings operating round-trip from Seattle. This summer also sees Princess Cruises revert to having seven Alaska- based ships, with four vessels instead of three operating its popular seven-night 'Voyage of the Glaciers' itineraries. These run between Vancouver and
Selling Tip Encourage clients to bolt on time ashore for a tour either pre- or post-cruise (or both).
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