How To Run A Successful Cruise Business

Mike Gresh/Homeport Cruises Co.

Keys to a successful cruise agency: Homeport Crusies Co.

Mike Gresh, Sales Manager, reports annual cruise sales growth of 15%, thanks to these contributing factors:

* Transparency: “We believe in being honest with our customers, and we offer fair pricing. Our exceptional customer service keeps clients coming back time after time.”

* Needs assessment: “We ask our customers a series of insightful questions to determine their needs and preferences.This ensures that we deliver the right solutions for their requirements.”

* Knowledge: “We educate ourselves on everything the cruise lines offer, and take every available certification course. We scan the trade journals for the latest information. Knowledge helps us become our customers’ trusted partner.”

Carnival Splendor - Special 4 day eastern Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale!

Carnival’s newest ship will be sailing a special one time only 4 night cruise to the eastern Caribbean roundtrip Port Everglades/Ft. Lauderdale FL featuring a call on Turks & Caicos and Half Moon Cay with a day at sea. This special sailing will be Monday, November 17 and inside rates begin at $269 + $56.05/tax and $36/fuel per person/double. This is a great opportunity to experience a brand new ship on a short cruise!

Mike/Homeport Cruises Co.

Carnival Cruise Lines...Carnival Triumph out of dry dock!

Carnival Cruise Lines...Carnival Triumph out of dry dock!
The Triumph is out of dry dock and looking better than ever! She now has a seaside theatre and Circle C facilities. The 6E ocean view cabins on deck 11 were converted to 8F balcony cabins giving her nearly 500 balcony cabins and suites for a wide choice of accommodations. In addition, a series of cosmetic enhancements such as new carpeting, wall coverings etc. were done.

- Mike/Homeport Cruises Co.

When is an interline cruise rate NOT an interline cruise rate?

It has come to my attention that many interliners (those NOT purchasing their cruises from Homeport Cruises Co.) are often buying cruises from agencies/agents who either are not interline agencies, or who are interline agencies, but offer rates, usually higher, that are NOT interline rates. The disadvantage is twofold: they are committing a form of fraud and the eligible interliner is paying more than they should. Maybe that’s why so many interliners shop around for price - because they are uncertain if they are being told the truth. Why would an agent do this to a customer? Greed. Look at the sub prime mess. Look at the insurance industry mess. Unscrupulous companies and agents made more money selling risky investments to consumers and got away with it.

My take on this practice: You need to find someone you trust (but verify) either through past experience or a recommendation from someone you trust. Then build a relationship with that agent. You should be offered the best interline pricing available and the best insurance choice available - because you are eligible and because it is the right thing to do; not because the agent is making a few extra bucks at your expense.

Mike Gresh/Homeport Cruises Co.

Why Buy Cruise Insurance?

Cruise Cancellation Insurance: Who Needs It?

OK.  You’ve cruised 10 times and never needed it.  So why waste the money, right?  Maybe.  And maybe not.
No one solution ever fits every circumstance but the chances are you will, at some point in your cruising life, wish you had purchased cruise cancellation insurance.  Here is why.

Some insurance plans, most notably ones offered by the cruise lines, offer future cruise credits worth 75% to 100% of your cruise fare if you are unable to cruise for non-medical reasons (if there is a medical reason you could file a claim for full reimbursement anyway).  Here is one scenario: You go to the airport, your flight is cancelled, or you are bumped (rev or non-rev) and there is no other flight to get you to the port of embarkation.  With no insurance you are are simply out all the money you paid for the cruise.  With insurance (with cruise lines like Celebrity, Princess or Royal Caribbean) you can get a future cruise credit (FCC) of 75% or more of the cruise fare if this happens to you.

I simply like the idea that if I get sick I file a claim and get a full refund.  If I can’t get to the cruise port I can still get a future cruise credit.  That sounds like a win-win to me.  Especially when some of the cruise line insurance rates are so low (Royal Caribbean and Celebrity).

Ask your travel agent about cruise line insurance.  It may be your best  bet.

 - Mike/Homeport Cruises Co.

As We Cruise Through Life...

“As We Cruise Through Life Let Us Live Along The Way”

Something to look forward to makes you “feel good” and may also create an “atmosphere of growth” to your life because the future is something you are able to plan. So what makes us feel happy?

1. Anticipation - looking forward to something;
2. Savoring - enjoying it in the moment;
3. Expression - sharing our pleasure with others heightens our experience;
4. Reflection (looking back on happy times - how do your photographs make you feel?).

“Rosy Retrospection” refers to the phenomena that people rate past events more positively than they had actually rated them when the event occurred, reminiscent of the Latin phrase memoria praeteritorum bonorum ("The past is always recalled to be good."). The effect appears to be stronger with moderately pleasant events and is usually explained as a result of minor annoyances and dislikes "fading" from memory dramatically faster than positive situations.

Everyone should be able to pull out a calendar and see at least a few fun things scheduled in the future – if not, call Homeport Cruises Co. today1-800-473-6170 and we’ll help you schedule some Happy Cruise Times on that calendar!

Holland America - Long Cruises, Lower Interline Rates

Holland America Line updated their interline offers worldwide 9/5/2008.  Prices are dropping for airline employee rates as the economy continues to spiral downward.  Now is a great time to get the deal you've been holding out for.  Check out the offers we loaded today.  Call us tomorrow.  Trained professionals will be standing by to assist you! - Mike