True Stories
Case #1: Debby was planning an anniversary trip to Hawaii during Spring Break (that's a tough one). We compared "ala carte" pricing to booking everything as a package under one reservation. For a 6-night stay on 2 islands, we saved her $500, and we were able to get her and her husband into a hotel that was "sold out." In addition to the savings, it was very convenient to have everything arranged together, and they got some little "extras" like an upgrade on one of the car rentals, and free lei greetings on both islands!
Case #2: Carlos wanted a short get-away with his fiance, ideally to the Riviera Maya, but had no idea where to start. We made several suggestions, he checked them out on the internet, and then decided on a really elegant, brand-new property. It turned out that American Express Vacations was offering a grand-opening special! We compared the package price with individual pricing, and not only saved them $250, but also got them double points for using an Amex card, and free transfers!
Case #3: Sharon wanted a side trip to London before returning home after visiting relatives in Paris. All she needed was a hotel and some pre-arranged tours to countryside attractions. She had been searching and searching the internet, but hotel prices seemed out-of-sight. We checked around with some of our package operators, and found a great hotel in a great location (and it was close to the tour operator's office as an extra convenience). She didn't say how much, except when we told her the amount she said "That's a lot less than what I found on the internet!" and she booked it right then and there!
Case #4: Chuck was a Princess past passenger looking for an Alaska cruisetour. By booking with us he was able to take advantage of a private sale that enabled him to put down only $100 per person as his deposit, and get a discount coupon book to use on his ship. Plus, he got a discount for being a past guest, and an agent gift for being a repeat Cruise Planners client!
Case #5: Sandra was another Princess past passenger, looking for a Hawaii cruise from the West Coast. Take a look at all the stuff she got: 1. A reduced deposit and $100 per person shipboard credit because she had made an "onboard booking" on her last Princess cruise. 2. A savings of an additional $200 per person because Cruise Planners had a group that we were able to book her into. 3. Group amenities of $50 per person in shipboard credit, a bottle of wine, and a voucher for a free 8 x 10 photo. 4. An agent gift for being a repeat client. That totaled to $800 in savings!
Case #6: Donna really, really, really, wanted to take a cruise, but she was travelling with other people on more limited budgets. We found an off-season week that offered a great savings so everybody could go, and we had an agent gift of discount coupon books for each cabin. Some of the travelers were first-time cruisers, so we were able to answer their questions, offer experienced advice about shore excursions and shipboard activities; and explain everything they needed to know about documentation, insurance, duty-free shopping, and customs & immigration rules. Donna didn't have to lift a finger to help her friends and family join in on the fun!
Case #7: Tom and Deb were excited about finding the perfect cruise itinerary -- if only it fit the budget a little better! I started out looking at a total package of cruise, air, transfers, and an extra hotel night in Athens, but then I found out that Istanbul's Grand Bazaar would be closed the day their ship was in port on the last day! By the time we added on another hotel night and more transfers (what's the use of going to Istanbul and missing the Grand Bazaar?), and upgraded to a balcony -- we were over the top. So -- since Tom and Deb are good independent travelers, I said "why don't we look at booking some of this as separate components?" I found a great rate on the hotel in Istanbul, and a better airfare than what the cruise line was offering -- so in the end they saved $1,000 and got an even better vacation!
Case #8: Pam was driving to Florida to visit family for Thanksgiving, and wanted to add a couple of days at Disney World. She was shopping the internet, and just to be sure -- she did the right thing and called us. Sure enough, we discovered that the package she was quoted by the on-line agency did not include the dining option that she wanted! It looked like a good deal -- but it really wasn't, and if she had bought it she would have ended up disappointed and frustrated. Instead -- she was happy and relaxed and had a fabulous time (had a lot of good food, too)!
