北美河流和水道上的住宿:大湖地区
byLynn Elmhirst/
The Great Lakes are the world's largest freshwater system and a natural border between Canada and the U.S. For centuries, the waterways have been a major shipping route, transporting goods from the continent's heartland out to the Atlantic and points beyond. And now, there's new interest in exploring the major cultural centers, charming historic towns, even natural wonders like Niagara Falls, by small ship cruising.
This is a boon for travel advisors wanting to introduce clients to cruising close to home. Half the population of Canada, and even a greater number of Americans, live within driving distance of popular North American Great Lakes ports like Chicago, Toronto, Detroit and Montreal.
Here are travel suppliers and their products to consider when booking clients on Great Lakes cruises.
Tauck
Most travel advisors know Tauck for ultra-luxury land tours and safaris, as well as exquisite European river cruises. But in addition to land tours in North America, the travel company also provides a one-of-a-kind Great Lakes small ship itinerary that is tailor-made for travel advisors' American and Canadian clients with the highest requirements for luxury.
塔克(Tauck)在加拿大和美国多伦多城市和芝加哥城市之间的秋季巡游,在费尔蒙特(Fairmont)的途中和后期包括在这两个城市的四个季节的酒店和编程。这些世界一流城市之间的七晚航行突出了沿海地区的季节性树叶。并包括湖上的尼亚加拉瀑布和尼亚加拉,以及两国海岸沿线的底特律和迷人城镇。沿途的岸边游览以自然,体育,文化和历史为特色。
For the seasonal itinerary, Tauck is using one of luxury French line Ponant's elegant and eco-friendly, 160-guest, 5-star ships. Included are private balconies, iPod docks, minibars, wine and spirits in several lounges, and dining at two venues.
Travel Advisor Tips:Jackie Coulson, managing director of international sales, at Tauck, points out that the Great Lakes itinerary is an ideal opportunity for advisors to book their luxury small ship clients on a vacation close to home.
Furthermore, she adds, the itinerary is a great opportunity for travel advisors themselves to become familiar with Tauck's Small Ship program without having to fly internationally.
Coulson reveals that 75% of guests booked are American, with the remaining guests made up of Canadian and international visitors. So, there are a lot of opportunities for Canadian advisors to introduce this product to their clients. And, she says, “The bonus for Canadian agents is that now we also have Canadian Dollar pricing,” which makes quoting and booking clients even easier.
对于边境两边的顾问,库尔森建议成为塔克专家,并为代理人奖励以获得最大的成功,以销售这辆塔克小型船舶居住巡游。
胜利巡航线
这条邮轮公司于今年早些时候被美国皇后汽船公司(America Queen Steamboat Company)收购,有两艘新升级的,相同的,200码的船只 - M/V胜利I和II-沿北美海岸航行了全包行程。除了大湖区外,一些行程遍布圣劳伦斯海道,甚至加拿大和新英格兰行程。即将在2021年即将到来的新船将航行不列颠哥伦比亚省和阿拉斯加行程。
The lines' Great Lakes and St. Lawrence journeys transport guests from Chicago or Detroit as far east as Quebec City on the St. Lawrence Seaway; or embark farther east from Toronto or even Montreal, and sail out the Great Lakes, through the Seaway, to Canada's Maritime provinces and New England ports.
Guests travel the Great Lakes in the company of historians and naturalists, and enjoy inclusive shore excursions for expert immersion into destinations in North America's backyard; and both marquee ports as well as coastal gems in Ontario, Quebec and the U.S.
布朗特小船冒险
创始人路德·布朗特(Luther Blount)专门为一个非常特殊的行程建造了他的第一艘船。芝加哥和纽约之间的16天巡游的“大美国水道”包括四个大湖和纽约州的伊利运河和哈德逊河。这些船的制造是为了适合历史悠久的伊利运河,布朗特是唯一能够在前往布法罗和尼亚加拉瀑布的途中航行的过夜巡航线。
甚至超过了休闲,没有装扮atmosphere and complimentary wine and beer with meals, one related perk is immensely popular with Blount's guests. Experienced cruise advisors and their clients will be astounded to learn about Blount's unrestricted BYOB policy. Not only can guests provide their own wine and spirits (and shopping for them at local, craft wineries and distilleries at ports of call becomes part of the cruise experience), but Blount even gladly provides mixers, garnishes and barware for guests to take full advantage of the enjoyment of their personal choice of beverages, and host their own onboard get-togethers with new friends among the other passengers.
The “Great American Waterways” itinerary remains the family-owned and -operated company's most popular voyage. But Blount considers the entire Atlantic Coast part of its cruising territory, with itineraries sailing coastal New England and the Canadian Maritimes into the St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as winter itineraries in the Bahamas.
Travel Advisor Tips:Blount的客人有65多个,富裕且经过良好旅行,正在寻找不需要飞行的小型船舶体验。90%是美国人,他们有不需要护照的额外便利性,因为行程拥抱了大湖的美国海岸,只有美国的电话港口。
Canadian, British, and Australian passengers make up the remaining guests, leaving a lot of opportunity for Canadian advisors to introduce their clients to this distinctive small ship cruise.
Kayla Setters, marketing manager, for Blount, adds: “Clients who are aging out of wanting to fly, they walk into their travel agent's office saying, 'I’ve done everything, now I want to do something different.’ That’s when a trip like ‘Great American Waterways’ becomes a conversation. The sell is simple once you can explain to the client Blount is the only cruise line who can do this itinerary.”
LeBoat
Leboat在欧洲的运河和水道上一直在经营“自动驾驶”半个世纪,并于2018年推出了他们的第一个北美行程。这是安大略省的联合国教科文组织世界遗产里多运河上的独一无二的巡游,这是整个大陆上最古老的连续运行运河系统。
Dating from 1826, the Rideau Canal travels 125 miles north from Canada's early capital city of Kingston on Lake Ontario, north to today's national capital, Ottawa. It remains today one of North America's most beautiful navigable waterways, with 47 locks, many with original masonry and metalworks that are hand-operated by helpful lock staff; and quaint countryside, small towns, historic sites, and stone architecture between each charming terminus city.
Advisors shouldn't confuse LeBoat with houseboat rentals. According to Managing Director Cheryl Brown, LeBoat cruises are more like pet-friendly “floating villas” or private yacht charters. The company's Canadian fleet includes new, upscale European models designed for larger groups – some even five-cabin/five-bath models that sleep 12 people – with ensuite bathrooms, expansive “fundecks,” barbecues, air-conditioning, even dishwashers in fully equipped kitchens. Guests set their own pace; choose their own itinerary; provide their own food, drink, fuel, and fun as they swim, fish, cycle, shop, and stroll their way along the canal.
To fully dispel any comparison to houseboat rentals, Sales Manager Laurie Hudson-Craig reveals 60% of LeBoat's bookings are done through travel advisors, and adds that U.S. and Canadian advisors are provided quotes in their own currency.
Travel Advisor Tips:Leboat票价用于船只,而不是每人。对于拥有家庭,企业和其他团体(包括独奏旅客)的客户,这一独特的运河巡航选项成为高度成本效益的选择。哈德森·克雷格(Hudson-Craig)说,顾问的当地游艇/帆船俱乐部为销售机会提供了很大的销售机会,因为许多船夫都喜欢看到北美其他地区像习惯一样乘船旅行。非船员也欢迎在Leboat;不需要经验或许可证,教程使新客户的信心驾驶船,而票价则包括锁和对接费用。
Advisors who register with LeBoat benefit from monthly newsletters, webinars, fam trips, and discounts, as well as sales and marketing support. New advisors are provided with a presentation of LeBoat features and benefits, and advice about how to sell LeBoat.
Part 1 of this 3-part series covered蛇和哥伦比亚河在西方和第2部分访问The Mississippi.