Saturday, July 24, 2010

Why 'Luxury"?

I've been asked on several occasions: why 'Luxury' travel agent?

Here's why ...


Over the past 30 years or so I've traveled virtually all around the world. When I was younger - just starting my business career - I did not have the resources to travel First Class; Business Class for that matter. Back then, unless I was on company business it was Coach all the way for me. We've all been there. It is not a very pleasant way to travel. But ... that was then!



This is now ... I've worked hard and smart and I've done well. I've learned the difference between price and value. I also know that with few exceptions, you get what you pay for in this world. I have learned that - to the extent possible - I want to know that someone won't have his or her hand in my pocket every time I turn around while I am on vacation. Most importantly, I have learned that it is OK to enjoy the fruits of my success. Why shouldn't I be as comfortable as possible? Enjoy the finest cuisine? Drink vintage wines? Enjoy the spa?

And so it is in the cruise business!

You certainly can opt for that 7 day, $399 Caribbean cruise, where everything except the food is an extra. Extra for drinks. For wine with meals. Excursions. Gratuities. Airfare. Less than 180 square foot cabins. And on and on it goes. By the time you disembark you will feel like you have been picked clean. (If you still feel that the least expensive fare is the only one for you, stop reading here, contact me, and I would be happy to refer you to another agent. I'll do this not because I do not want your business, but because I only want happy, satisfied clients. I want to work with my clients over the long term, and painful experience has taught me that selling these lower end products is a recipe for only one thing: dissatisfaction. So respectfully, I'll take a pass.)

I'm glad to see that you are still with me!

The cruises and associated travel products I prefer to offer my clients are decidedly more refined. More likely to please. More inclusive of charges, fees, extras of almost any type. Large or suite-only accommodations. Yes, the cost appears considerably greater than for the bargain basement variety of cruise products some others would sell you, and of course it will cost you more when all is said and done, but not that much more when virtually everything to do with your luxury vacation is taken care of in a first class way right from the start. And, as for quality? No contest!

No more gratuities, fees, bar charges, airfare. (At least one luxury cruise line is currently offering 2-for-1 air, with additional bonuses thrown in as well). Your vacation will be more relaxed. No loudspeaker announcements trying to get you to attend a second rate art auction or some such contrived event, both day and night.

Luxury travel is by definition a better experience all around. Satisfaction rates for those who choose the best are near 100%. The food is better. The service is less obtrusive, but is nonetheless better. The atmosphere is largely more intimate (many of this class of cruise sail on smaller ships carrying 400-800 passengers). More relaxed. Refined without being stuffy. And, unless you choose to do so, most high end ships do not even require you to pack a tuxedo or a formal gown. (N.B. For those who do wish to experience the grand days of ocean liner travel of days gone by, there is always the fleet of Cunard's luxury fleet of 'Queens' to satisfy.)

So. Add up all the extras you should expect to pay for a lesser class of ship; a lesser quality vacation, then - truthfully - add to your budget to accommodate the very different kind of experience you will expect to enjoy during your vacation, and I believe you will soon begin to see the false economy of going on the 'cheap'.

So that's it. The bottom line for me is this: ensure happy satisfied clients by tailoring travel products to client needs and wants. Exceed all expectations. Help people discover the world while enjoying all the best it has to offer. Time after time.



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Crushing some common myths about cruising - #1




Cruise ships are boring: Although this is a common fear of non-cruisers, no one should be bored with cruising. You can be as active (or inactive) as you like. Cruise ship activities range from working out in a high-tech gym to sitting on the deck and reading a book. You can learn computer skills, a foreign language, how to play bridge, or how to dance. You can enjoy Las Vegas-style entertainment or a classical pianist. Many cruise ships spend all day in port, so you can explore all the fascinating parts of the world!
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Thursday, July 22, 2010

Changing course

I've decided to change course with this Blogging business I'm doing.

To begin with the name has changed to more closely reflect the subject matter that I'm interested in sharing. So from here on in you can find me at www.luxurytravelagent.blogspot.com.

It will take me a bit more time to fully round out what and how frequently I'll be posting, but my goal is to provide more meaningful insight into the world of luxury travel, and in particular luxury cruising.

I've already changed my favourite links section. You might want to check out 'WanaaJet' ... very cool concept!

So I'll continue to ponder, but check back soon. I hope it will be a more entertaining ride from here.

Cheers,

b

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Looking forward and back ...

It's been a while since I've written anything, so I thought that I would bring all my loyal followers - you know who the one or two of you are - up to speed on my recent past as well as (perhaps) a glimpse at the immediate future.

Note to self: is there any such thing as an 'immediate future' or is it an oxymoron?

The lake house is now open and has been action central for a few months now. The ice went out early this year and I think that some of us cottagers - certainly I - were/was taken off guard. As a result, what should have been a 'head start' year turned into a rather more drawn out opening. Marg was hard at the sewing machine in Ottawa preparing for #1's wedding, leaving it to me to open, and get the place clean enough to satisfy you know who. It is unlikely that I have achieved the mission entirely, but I feel that I have close enough to pass muster.

For the un-initiated,our #1 is now married and everyone in the Meldrum household is in full decompression mode following an action packed couple of weeks on the east coast.



We were on the east coast, first in Mahone Bay, just outside Halifax. We rented a house - which has turned out to be a magnificent old home - totally redone - with three decks, an enormous great-room, and only across the road to the ocean! The place also has a barn and a guest house on a property which is at least 2 to 3 acres in size. It was fantastic.

We (that is to say Marg and I, Diane E, Tom, Tara and the two little ones) then travelled to Halifax proper where we got ready for our big BBQ the evening before the big day at the second house we managed to find. Also a great 5 bedroom home complete with grand piano and gourmet kitchen. It is here that we welcomed my sister and our #2 into our own private whirling madhouse. All went well in the end and from the feedback we received, a good time was had by all.

I rented fancy Nikon lens for the wedding day, but I did so only the day before. Not nearly enough time to master the nuances of the thing. Fast glass is fun, but you most definitely need to practice, practice, practice if you hope to achieve great results. Though I did not give myself the time, I still had good deal of fun.

We also had a blast watching the kids and Winston fly around exploring. The jury is still out, but if I was a betting man, I would say that our poor dog would have won the prize for being the most exhausted at the end of each and every day we were there.

I've been feeling pretty calm these past couple of days, but I confess that I do not trust my emotions, and still have a certain uneasy feeling about seeing Leigh and Aaron move so far away so soon. Far be it for me to stand between Leigh and her medical aspirations. Looks like I might have to find cheap air to Grenada!

The newly weds have now arrived at Crannog, and so we will get a few precious days with them before they begin their adventure and head south.

The cruise business that I've launched is proceeding apace, but I must confess I hope I'm able to attract a few more prospects in the coming months. I have done a great deal of work to understand the industry players, and i have found that there are some truly awesome itineraries on any number of equally awesome ships.

A gentle reminder for those of you who would like to do something completely fantastic, track me down at: bmeldrum@cruiseshipcenters.com, I'd be delighted to help you plan the vacation of your dreams.

Finally, you may have noticed an Amazon.ca banner on this site. I am now able to offer any readers of this site access to the very best deals that Amazon has to offer. So, have fun. Click through and see what there is to find. You'll never know unless you try. Also, check back early and often, 'cause the deals are presented in real time, and they change all the time.

Finally, I hope you enjoy this post's photographic offerings. I am proud of at least 50% of the selections. I'll leave it to you to decide which is which. And, don't be shy about leaving comments!

See y'all next time.

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