This is an archived View from the Bridge contribution - not a view or opinion of the current state of the cruise industry but a look into the not so distant past to see what leaders of the cruise industry, like Sanjay Joel, were thinking then.
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SANJAY JOEL
PRESIDENT
Cruise Connections
Cruise Connections is Canada's leading cruise only retailer and one of the largest cruise retailers in North America. In 2004, Snajay Joel predicted that that year wold be a banner year for cruise bookings to Alaska.
ALASKA IS THE DESTINATION OF CHOICE
We at Cruise Connections are anticipating a 33 per cent increase in bookings to the 49th state for the 2004 season.
Alaskan cruise vacations are a hot property this year. The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) recently revealed figures identifying Alaska as the most visited seasonal destination in the world, with one in every five North American cruise passengers visiting it during the third quarter of 2003. We predict that this trend will continue into 2004, and Cruise Connections is expecting a record year for sales.
Internet fueling demand: The Internet provides a window into a world of exciting new travel opportunities. It has opened people’s eyes to how breathtaking and rewarding a cruise vacation to Alaska can be, and travellers
are responding by booking cruise trips to Alaska in record numbers.
Although the Internet is a valuable research tool, travellers are advised to use a combination approach to booking cruise trips. The Internet is an excellent resource in helping travellers do all the background research and explore their options at their convenience. Thereafter, talking to experienced cruise specialists ensures that all questions and concerns are addressed expediently before confirming the trip, making the booking process even smoother.
In addition to the many booking options to be considered, such as type of ship and cabin location, most people have individual requirements such as special diets, childcare facilities or health concerns. These factors cannot be addressed by a standard online booking form, and the only way to avoid disappointment, is to seek professional advice.
Many people get away only once or twice a year, so vacation time is important. When we make important decisions in our life, we often consult an expert – why should your hard earned vacation time be any different? I strongly advise anyone considering a cruise vacation to consult an expert who can answer any questions you may have, and provide the help and advice you need to ensure you get the cruise vacation you deserve.
Inside vs. Outside: When booking an Alaska cruise vacation most travellers are aware of the difference between an inside cabin or an outside cabin. A more important consideration should be: will I be cruising via the ‘Inside’ or the ‘Outside Passage’?
Cruise Connections advises its customers, when convenient, to sail from the Port of Vancouver. Cruises that travel from Vancouver sail through the legendary “Inside Passage”. The Inside Passage refers to the sheltered and often narrow waterways of the British Columbia and Alaska coastline, which offer some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Pristine forests that come right to the water’s edge, the chance to view a pod of Humpback or Orca whales in their natural habitat or perhaps to catch the glimpse of a bear foraging for mussels among the rocks: this is the true essence of the 1,200 mile Inside Passage.
Departing from other Northwest ports, such as Seattle, the cruise ships sail in open ocean to the west of Vancouver Island, bypassing most of the picturesque Inside Passage. It is not until the vessel nearly reaches Alaska that it enters the final few miles of the Inside Passage. Missed is the spectacular scenery, quaint towns along the route and of course, the wildlife, which many consider the highlight of an Alaska cruise.
About Cruise Connections: Cruise Connections is the largest retailer of Alaskan cruises in Canada and one of B.C.’s fastest growing companies. While Alaska is the most popular and fastest growing destination in terms of sales, Cruise Connections also offers cruises to locations around the world including the Americas, Europe and the Caribbean. Cruise Connections represents all of the major cruise lines and, due to its buying power, can guarantee the lowest price for customers.
