Luxury Cruise Product and Pricing – Close In vs. One Year and Longer…Homogeny Is No Longer Present

Goldring Travel February 23, 2009

There has been much discussion on the internet, newspapers and magazines about the prices of cruises. There are so many factors that affect pricing that, dependent on how you look at them different strategies can been seen as the “right” one or the “best guess” as to how to proceed; keeping in mind that these

And The “Regent Seven Seas” Revolt Begins…Unfortunately.

Goldring Travel February 3, 2009

As I have recently posted, I am very conflicted: Regent Seven Seas is finally starting to do and deliver the things it should have been doing and delivering, but it is doing it late and at the highest prices in the industry…while saying somethings publicly that don’t really help the cause. So what I am

Mark Conroy Speaks About Regent Seven Seas Cruise’s Highest Prices in the Industry

Goldring Travel January 21, 2009

Sometimes it is just better to say nothing. It is a hard lesson to learn. Before writing this post I thought about not saying anything. But then I thought, “I am not going to say anything I haven’t said before. All I am doing is confirming its accuracy by an irrefutable source.” As you know

Waiting for Last Minute Cruise Deals or Lower Prices For Your Preferred Cabin or Suite? You May Miss the Boat!

Goldring Travel January 15, 2009

While all you have been hearing is news of new sales by the cruise lines, the fact is that while prices may be lower, passenger loads are actually increasing nicely and are, on some lines, even ahead of 2008. Princess just sent out an email that the other day was the busiest booking day in

Regent Seven Seas To Give Travel Agents Commissions on “Non-Commissionable Fees”

Goldring Travel January 13, 2009

In a move specifically designed to encourage travel agents to move their clients over to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the cruise line announced today that it has dropped all Non-Commissionable Fees other than for some limited items such as airfares. What does this mean for you, the cruising public? It may mean something or it

And Now for Some Good News – Seabourn’s First Wave of New Crew-in-Training Has Arrived

Goldring Travel January 5, 2009

In its ongoing effort to put consistency of product above gimmicks, pricing and freebies, Seabourn has announced the its first wave of “cadets” from its Seabourn Academy have just boarded the Seabourn Spirit for intensive, hands on (or as Seabourn calls it “on-the-yacht”), training as the cruise line gears up for the launch of the

Discounts and Luxury – Are They Mutually Exclusive and Do They Hurt The Consumer?

Goldring Travel December 9, 2008

Over the past week…and especially the past three weeks…we all have seen something none of us have ever experienced and, worse, we do not really know where it all will be going. Today someone pointed out an article in the New York Times which was a very interesting read: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/fashion/04SHOPPING.html?_r=1&emc=eta1. Basically, it is about Saks

Silversea – A Call from the Captain!

Goldring Travel December 1, 2008

Late today I received a call from Marilyn Conroy, Silversea’s senior vice president of sales and marketing concerning my most recent post. We had a wonderful chat about Silversea, her perspective on a number of my comments, concerns and theories. And, of course, I listened carefully to both the information she had to share as

Silversea – Lost at Sea????

Goldring Travel November 26, 2008

Every time I go to post something about Silversea Cruise Line, something else comes about that makes me shake my head. Not so long ago I posted about the Prince Albert II making a big play in Tahiti and French Polynesia. Well, scratch that out. That itinerary has been pulled. It is not surprising in

Use Caution and Common Sense When Booking Your Cruise

Goldring Travel November 11, 2008

Folks, let’s face it. There are a number of travel agency business models that just aren’t working in our new economy. I found out that last evening that one of the largest online agencies has effectively closed up shop with millions of dollars of debt and a number of cash paying clients (even luxury clients)

Windstar’s Wind Surf – Caribbean – January 2014

Goldring Travel Blog – Making Waves

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