Royal Caribbean Celebrates 2nd Annual First-Time Cruisers Month

In the cruise line’s continuous efforts to help its travel agent partners sell cruises and grow their businesses, Royal Caribbean Intl has unveiled a month of enticing offers for first-time cruisers, as well as for veteran cruisers, throughout November. Travel agents and vacationers will enjoy savings and benefits throughout First-Time Cruisers Month, from reduced thresholds for complimentary tour conductor’s staterooms and bonus GAP points, to dollars off and onboard credit for customers booking a cruise or cruisetour.

“Now is the best time to book a cruise vacation to anywhere in the world aboard a Royal Caribbean ship,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president of Sales, Trade Support and Services, Royal Caribbean International. “Whether for short-cruise getaways or extended cruisetours, our research shows that first-time cruisers with Royal Caribbean have the highest satisfaction rate compared to any other segment. Travel agent partners can take advantage of the offers during the second annual First-Time Cruisers Month to grow their customer base, add value to their customers’ vacations, and help ensure repeat business.”

Royal Caribbean is giving travel agents a wide array of incentives to pass on to their customers every week during First-Time Cruisers Month. Each new offer will feature a different region or destination coupled with savings of up to $200 per stateroom for new bookings. The First-Time Cruisers Month weekly offers are:

• Week 1: $75 off or onboard credit per stateroom on all cruises through 2009 for bookings made on Nov 7 and 8, 2008 only
• Week 2: Up to $200 off per stateroom on select sailings in 2009 for Crown & Anchor Society members – Royal Caribbean’s loyalty rewards program for past guests – which can be extended to a second stateroom for their friends or family for bookings made between Nov 10 and Nov 30
• Week 3: Up to $200 off per stateroom on select Europe or Alaska sailings in 2009 for bookings made between Nov 17 and Nov 23
• Week 4: Up to $100 off per stateroom on select Caribbean or Mexico sailings in 2009 made between Nov 24 and Nov 30
• Throughout November, active and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces can enjoy savings of up to $200 per stateroom, up to three staterooms, for any sailing (except for Oasis of the Seas) through 2009. The military savings offer may not be combined with other offers or promotions.

First-time and veteran cruisers also can take advantage of some of the industry’s best pricing for a cruise this holiday season. Majesty of the Seas special Christmas short cruise to the Bahamas, departing Miami on Dec 22, starts at $319 per person; Adventure of the Seas’ Dec 21 sailing to the Southern Caribbean over Hanukkah and Christmas starts at $699 per person; or guests can herald in the New Year on the Mexican Riviera aboard Vision of the Seas’ Dec 28 departure, which starts at $949 per person. Guests aboard Royal Caribbean’s holiday sailings feature a breadth of special festive programming that reflects the traditions of each holiday, including traditional religious services for Hanukkah and Christmas, onboard holiday shows, festive decorations and extended New Years parties in every onboard lounge. All prices are based on double occupancy.

For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit royalcaribbean.com online or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.