Wednesday, March 17, 2010

They Say I Shouldn't Blog About this Cruise Special

I read a fair amount of marketing tips articles. Many of the ones about blogging stress using it to show your personality, professionalism and knowledge. “They” say not to use it to talk about specific prices, promotions and sales. But I wonder if “they” are always right?

People are often interested in the best “deal” so is it really bad if I write to tell you that we have an exclusive promotion with Holland America Line until this Monday, March 22? Is it wrong to tell you in a blog that you can pay a reduced deposit of only $100-300 per person? Is it a bad thing for me to mention here that we will be sure that you receive a shipboard
Coupon Value Booklet with a value of up to $340? One Coupon Value Booklet will be given to each person for up to two people in a cabin.

While I’m being so bad, let me share some details:


Reduced Deposits:

Cruises of 7 days or less - $100 p.p. deposit
Cruises of 7-9 days, CruiseTours of 10-14 days - $200 p.p. deposit
Cruises of 15 days or longer (excluding Grand Voyages) - $300 p.p. deposit


Cruise Value Booklets Include:

  • Complimentary La Therapie Age Zone Treatment: $20 Value - Greenhouse Spa & Salon

  • 20% Off Second Spa Treatment: $20 Value - Greenhouse Spa & Salon

  • Complimentary Fitness Class: $11 Value - Greenhouse Spa & Salon

  • Elemis Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap with Massage Treatment: $25 Value (while in port) - Greenhouse Spa & Salon

  • Complimentary Cigar: $10 Value

  • Complimentary Souvenir Glass: $3.95 Value

  • Save $5 on any of our Wine Club Collections: $5 Value

  • Save $10 on Five-Bottle Admiral’s Choice Wine Package: $10 Value

  • $2 Discount on Purchase of $20 Bingo Card: $2 Value

  • $5 Casino Match Play Certificate: $5 Value

  • Any Slot or Blackjack Tournament: Two Entries for Price of One: $20 Value

  • Internet CafĂ© 10 Complimentary Minutes: $7.50 Value

  • Holland America Line Logo Items: $10 Off

  • Free Raffle Ticket for Art Auction for a $500 Bid Credit: $25 Value

  • $5 Off Holland America Line Bathrobe: $5 Value

  • Insulated Coffee Mug: $9 Value

  • $2 Per Minute Discount on Stateroom Call: $10 Value

  • $10 Off Purchase of Second Telephone Calling Card: $10 Value

  • Complimentary Glass of House Champagne: $10.50 Value - Pinnacle Grill

  • Three-month Complimentary Subscription to Food & Wine magazine: 65% Savings - Culinary Arts Center

  • 10% Off Any Item in Online Store at shophollandamerica.com: 10% Savings (Based on estimated average purchase of $300)

  • Join Holland America Line Wine Club & Receive $25 Discount on Any Item In Online Store at shophollandamerica.com: $25 Value

  • 5 Free Prints: $2 Value

  • 10 % Off the Creation of Digital Media CD: $1.50 Value

  • Special $10 rate for 2-Year Subscription to Porthole Magazine: $49 Value

  • While I’m being such a renegade with thumbing my nose at those who tell me what not to write about, let me tell you one more neat promotion we have going on with Holland America. Book by this Friday, March 19 to cruise on Rotterdam roundtrip from Seattle to Alaska July 3 10 this summer, we’ll also include a $50 shipboard credit for your cabin!

    If you want to take advantage of these promotions, be sure to reach us right away at 610-532-0989, 888-532-0989 or info@cgta.com.

    For those article writers whom I normally respect and listen to…. as one of my sons would say… “My bad!”

    -Connie