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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in promotion that encourages multiple purchases

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Latest offers Latest offers; Published: 28 November 2014 28 November 2014

As part of its new ‘Turn of Year’ sales campaign, award-winning Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a ‘The more you book, the more you save’* cruise sale, running from 1^st December 2014 until 2^ndMarch 2015, which is valid on cruises of five nights’ duration or more – the scheme will also offer an attractive discount to customers who only wish to make a single cruise purchase. In addition, Fred. Olsen is offering its innovative ‘Enjoyment Promise’* to new guests on all applicable bookings made throughout the sale.

Fred. Olsen’s new ‘Turn of Year’ sales campaign has been designed to target single cruise bookings, multiple cruise purchases and newcomer bookings. To support this campaign, Fred. Olsen will be launching a new 60-page ‘All-Inclusive Holidays’ brochure, aimed at ‘new to cruise’ customers, and will feature fares inclusive of Fred. Olsen’s ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package and use ‘non-cruise’ terminology.

‘The more you book, the more you save’ cruise sale encourages guests to make multiple purchases in the same transaction and take advantage of significant savings, as follows:

Buy one cruise and save 10%
Buy two cruises and save 20% off the most expensive and 10% off the least expensive
Buy three or more cruises and save 30% off the most expensive, 20% off the middle price, and 10% off the least expensive

Fred. Olsen customers who have already booked a cruise in 2015/16 will receive 20% off, if they book a second cruise, and 30% off, if they book a third cruise*. Members of Fred. Olsen’s Oceans loyalty club will receive an additional 5% off the cost of cruises during the sale, when booked in advance*.

Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“Research has found that a quarter of the UK cruise market takes two or more cruises each year. With Fred. Olsen’s new ‘Turn of Year’ sales campaign, we hope that our guests will take advantage of our great-value ‘The more you buy, the more you save!’ offer, which, unlike similar deals on the high street – where the most expensive item would receive the least discount – is structured to give our guests maximum savings.

“We are also offering our unique ‘Fred. Enjoyment Promise’ on all applicable bookings made during the sale. This now forms a key part of our brand, and is our guarantee of quality to our guests…we are delighted that, to date, no one has chosen to take us up on it!”

Fred. Olsen is offering its ‘Enjoyment Promise’* to new guests on all applicable bookings made through the ‘The more you book, the more you save’ cruise sale. ‘Fred.’s Enjoyment Promise’ was launched in December 2013 and is the biggest initiative of its kind ever to take place in the UK to encourage people to try cruising, whereby people who have never cruised with Fred. Olsen before will be able to try a Fred. Olsen cruise, and if they do not enjoy it, Fred. Olsen will fly them home and refund their cruise fare.

So, whether you want to cruise the Norwegian fjords, Baltic, Canaries, Far East or the ‘Highlands and Islands’ of the UK, or just fancy a quick mini-break, Fred. Olsen has just the holiday for you!

Norwegian offers special Black Friday savings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Latest offers Latest offers; Published: 27 November 2014 27 November 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching a limited time offer in celebration of the biggest shopping days of the year. When booking a new cruise vacation from Wednesday, November 26 through Tuesday, December 2, 2014, holiday shoppers dreaming of their next cruise vacation will receive up to $250 to spend on board and enjoy reduced deposits. In the spirit of giving, onboard credits can be used to indulge in nearly anything the heart desires on board from decadent spa treatments and delicious specialty restaurants to delightful shore excursions and more.

Gift-givers looking for the shiniest and newest Norwegian cruise gift this season may consider Norwegian Getaway. The line’s newest ship, Norwegian Getaway is outfitted as Miami’s Ultimate ship, featuring ship-wide influences from the Magic City including stunning hull-artwork designed by Miami’s own David “LEBO” Le Batard. The contemporary mega-ship features 28 dining options, two Broadway Shows, the largest Aqua Park at sea with five thrilling slides, Nickelodeon and Splash Academy for families and much more. She sails seven-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries to tropical ports of call including Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. Fares start at $509.

Cruisers can heat up their holidays by taking advantage of incredible savings on cruise vacations to the Caribbean. This winter guests have the opportunity to experience Norwegian Epic sailing from Miami for her final season in the Caribbean, before she sets sail in April to Europe, where she will now cruise year-round. This final season from Miami offers guests an opportunity to experience the Caribbean aboard this one-of-a-kind ship that changed the face of cruising entertainment with the introduction of innovative firsts at sea like Cirque Dreams & Dinner and the SVEDKA/Inniskillin Ice Bar. Cruisers will explore ports of call including Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico; with fares starting at $379.

The newly-refurbished Norwegian Jewel is sure to delight with fresh enhancements and additions such as Norwegian’s popular signature Sugarcane Mojito Bar, treats by TLC’s Cake Boss and Next Great Baker at Carlo’s Bake Shop and O’Sheehan’s, Norwegian’s Irish pub casual eatery. Guests can enjoy all of Norwegian Jewel’s new features sailing from Houston, between now and April 18, 2015, to tropical Western Caribbean destinations including Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; and Banana Coast, Honduras with fares beginning at $399.

Gulf coast cruise guests can also experience the Western Caribbean for seven-day sailings aboard Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Sun, sailing from now through April 12, 2015, from their homeports of New Orleans and Tampa respectively. Fares for Norwegian Dawn start at $509**, while fares for Norwegian Sun start at $429.

MSC Cruises UK introduces turn of year sales promotion

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Latest offers Latest offers; Published: 26 November 2014 26 November 2014

MSC Cruises UK says it is giving customers the chance to grab savings of £600 per cabin in its turn-of-year sales campaign.

Valid on selected Mediterranean summer sailings in 2015 and winter 2015/2016 destinations, ‘The Sale’ runs from December 1 until March 5 next year and is focused on its fly-cruise programme.

For the first time, MSC Cruises is supporting its Wave promotional campaign with a dedicated brochure featuring highlighted itineraries from its extensive worldwide programme. More than 32,000 brochures are being produced for the trade, which will be distributed to key retail partners and support the cruise line’s focus on both cruise specialists and high street partners including Thomas Cook and Tui.

And in another first, agents will receive full commission on the entire package price (cruise and flight) to maximise their earnings during the peak selling period.

MSC Cruises executive director UK & Ireland Giles Hawke said: “This year’s wave campaign underlines our commitment to our trade partners.

“Cruise is a fiercely competitive business, especially in the peak period, so it is vital that we have an offer that is compelling for consumers and recognises the effort agents make on our behalf.

“By extending commission on the whole package price we are ensuring agents can make a decent return on a great-value holiday. Our sale is a win-win situation for agents and their clients. We are also ensuring it is a very simple sale for agents by offering our biggest ever range of fly-cruises so that our product can be sold in one simple transaction"

Discounts apply to summer 2015 fly-cruises on six ships – MSC Magnifica and MSC Musica (Eastern Med); and MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia and
MSC Armonia (Western Med). All depart from either Venice or Genoa.

Additionally, promotional fares are also available for a wide range of winter 2015/2016 products in the Mediterranean, The Canary Islands, Emirates and the Caribbean.

Summer sale rates start from only £549 per person (based on a seven-night MSC Fantasia sailing in April 2015) – a discount of £300 per person on brochure prices. Upgrades to balcony cabins are available on all seven-night sailings for just £200 per person.

Fly-cruise rates apply to departures from London Gatwick and include return British Airways scheduled flights and overseas transfers.

For regional customers MSC Cruises is offering the option of feeder flights to Gatwick plus overnight airport hotel stay, or the chance to add car parking and a one-n

Fred. Olsen to offer three overnight stays on Balmoral's cultural city cruise

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Latest offers Latest offers; Published: 09 October 2014 09 October 2014

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is giving guests the perfect opportunity to visit three cultural European cities – Oslo (Norway), Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Antwerp (Belgium) – with Balmoral's ten-night L1416 'European Cities & Waterways' cruise, departing from Southampton on 24^th October 2014 – all from just £79 per person, per night*. With overnight stays in each destination, guests can get the chance to relax and explore these bustling capitals at their leisure.

The first port of call on this 'Artistic City Break' cruise is Oslo. Found between the Oslofjord and surrounded by dense forests, Norway’s lively capital boasts an extraordinary combination of city life and 'the great outdoors'. Guests can explore Oslo’s artistic side, with a visit to the National Gallery, home to Munch’s world-famous 'The Scream'. The Vigeland Sculpture Park is wonderfully unique, containing 212 of Gustav Vigeland’s sculptures reflecting all stages of the human lifecycle. For modern art and culture, go to the Waterfront area, which blends new museums with restaurants and contemporary living; and do not forget the eye-catching ‘Barcode’ buildings!

Balmoral then continues onto Amsterdam, for another overnight stay. Part of what makes this city so appealing is the perfect contrast of 17th Century history and modern city life, creating a relaxed and friendly environment. Don’t miss the three most famous museums of the 40 within the city: the Rijksmuseum, with important paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals; the Van Gogh Museum, housing 200 paintings; and the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, with major works by Picasso. Why not take a canal cruise, the ideal way to see this diverse city.

Antwerp is the final port of call on this European exploration of art and culture. For a different view of the city, guests can discover more by taking a tram, boat or horse and carriage. Ruben’s House is also to be recommended; the Baroque artist lived here for over 25 years, and created the majority of his work from this palatial dwelling. Be sure to pay a visit to the Cathedral of our Lady, which took 169 years to build! This iconic building houses a number of major art works, including a series by Rubens. And, of course, there is always the famous Belgian chocolate to sample and perhaps purchase when in this stunning city.

Prices for this fascinating European city break cruise start from just £790 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded Outside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port dues. Guests can also choose to upgrade to Fred. Olsen's 'all-inclusive' drinks package from just £10 per person, per night*.

Fred. Olsen has been named one of the Top 3 cruise lines in the UK and awarded Which? Travel’s prestigious ‘Recommended Provider’ accolade, in its first-ever dedicated cruise survey. The influential independent consumer body conducted an online poll of 1,327 Which? members in April 2014, and FOCL was voted joint second out of the 14 cruise companies rated, receiving a customer satisfaction score of 85% out of 100%. Fred. Olsen was delighted to be voted 'Best for Enrichment' in the 'Cruise International Awards 2014', for the third time.

MSC Cruises USA celebrates National Cruise Vacation month with deals on Caribbean and Mediterranean sailings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Latest offers Latest offers; Published: 01 October 2014 01 October 2014

To celebrate National Cruise Vacation Month, MSC Cruises is offering balcony staterooms at ocean view rates for select sailings in both the Caribbean and Mediterranean, plus kids aged 11 and under sail free for guests who book cruises during the month of October.

And, the line will sweeten the deal for guests who upgrade to MSC Cruises’ new “Fantastica experience” on these select sailings with a complimentary drink package consisting of 12 vouchers. The Fantastica experience includes choice of a premium location stateroom and priority choice of early or late dining. Additional free amenities, valued at $250 per person, include 50 percent off all fitness classes and personal training, free delivery of room service, and enhanced recreational activities for children including cooking and foreign language classes.

The October specials are available to residents of the US and Canada who book select sailings of MSC Divina, departing October 2014 through October 2015 in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, and select sailings of MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia, departing November 2014 through April 2015 in the Mediterranean. Available on new bookings only, offers expire on October 31, 2014.

As an extra promotion for booking in October, MSC Cruises is also offering pre-paid gratuities for all MSC Divina seven-night Caribbean sailings between October 18 and December 13, 2014.

National Cruise Vacation Month, widely recognized as “The World’s Largest Cruise Sale,” is celebrated every October to promote special offers from member cruise lines of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry organization.