The document provides information about an upcoming Association of Cruise Experts (ACE) conference and events. It discusses splitting the conference into two separate events in Southampton and Birmingham to allow for more focused content. It also announces new showcase events, working lunch events, and digital seminars to provide advice and trends to help travel agents sell more cruises. Details are provided about ship visits and networking opportunities at the conferences. Travel agents are encouraged to submit tips to Travel Weekly for a chance to win free attendance at the cruise convention.

1. February 2012 | Association of Cruise Experts
Welcome back!
We thought
we’d seen you
checking
us out.... Welcome ACE Members
In this issue: In light of the terrible events of January 13th I would like to add my deepest sympathies
to all passengers and crew affected by the incident with Costa Concordia last month
and we should pay tribute to those who worked tirelessly to evacuate the ship and help
ACE & Social Media minimise casualties. ACE has been working closely with cruise lines, travel agents and
the international cruise community to provide information to our wider travel agent
community during these uncertain times.
A number of travel agents have requested guidance on how best to answer some
ACE Cruise Convention 2012:
Your Questions Answered questions that are being raised by customers and so ACE has created a guide to assist
with any specific queries that you may have. Click HERE to view the ACE & PSA Safety at
Sea Document
We must also keep in mind that whilst this incident is tragic, accidents like this are an
New ACE Events for 2012
extremely rare occurrence in the industry and cruising continues to be one of safest
means of travel among all types of holiday.
We understand that the travel industry is often affected by external factors and therefore
ACE Travel Partner Focus: ACE recommends that we all start to ‘think differently’, harnessing the power of new
Rocky Mountaineer
media and building on key messages that have made cruising so popular. To assist you
in these trying times we have put together a series of events and seminars and I look
forward to seeing you at one of them soon.
Adele
er
The Final Word
orm
Editor
inf
your update from the cruise experts

2. 1. Why is the event being split this year?
New ACE Events for 2012
Splitting out the Columbus Day will allow us to create two very different events that are much
more focussed on helping the audience that is attending. The Selling Cruise Conference in
Cruise Showcases Working Lunches
Here at ACE we are committed to developing our training and Our travel agent members are on the front line of selling to
Southampton (as the name suggests) is all about “selling” - helping those who attend with the support to enable us to assist every one of our members grow customers; and it is our travel agent members who often have
best advice, tips and information to sell more. Meanwhile the Columbus Day event in Birmingham their cruise business. Those of you who already know us, know some of the best ideas, thoughts, feedback, and suggestions.
ACE Cruise revolves around supporting business owners, managers and senior executives with growing their we will do everything we can to achieve that aim.
2. How will the Southampton event differ from
business. This does not mean that the first event is just for front line travel agents - it is targeted
Convention: So, we would like as many of you as possible to join us for the first
previous years?
at those who actively sell cruising, and those who help others to sell. Our new evening events will be held across 2012 and are a series of ACE Working Lunches, where over a sandwich we can ask
Your Questions fantastic opportunity to network, to hear about trends in for your opinions, your thoughts and ideas to help us make ACE
Answered... cruising and how these changes might affect you and to hear better able to serve you and the cruise industry. These are very
from a hand-picked selection of our cruise line and travel small informal chats, only lasting about an hour and 15 mins at the
Against a backdrop of some really challenging economic news we know that it is more important partners. You will spend time with each of the partners most, to enable our agents to attend in their lunch break.
than ever to ensure that you get the best advice, top tips, trends and inspiration you need attending, before joining us for a bite to eat. This event will take
tion
Registrapen
to return to work after the event and sell more cruising. So the conference content will be place between 6.30pm and 9pm, what a great way to learn Please email adele@psa-ace.org if you are able to make it to one
radically different - with real advice, support and help that can make a difference to your sales. of the following:
O
Now eexperts.org This is an important year for the cruise industry - and the Convention is a really important way
about some of the diverse products available. Eventually we
aim to reach as many corners of the UK as possible, but for now 21st Feb Venue TBC, Edinburgh from 1pm
uis
www.cr
for ACE to help you grow your sales. One of the other big differences is the way in which we we will nearest to your area as follows: 22nd Feb The Legacy Preston International Hotel, Preston,
re
Click He have split the Southampton event. Day One is our business day in our conference hotel - so,
without interruption and without moving from one place to another, we have plenty of time for 21st Feb Newcastle Marriott Hotel, Gosforth Park, Newcastle
Lancashire from 1pm
23rd Feb Venue TBC, Peterborough from 1pm
conference sessions, networking and the Trade Fair. Day two is about the ships: P&O Adonia, 23rd Feb Marriott Sprowston Manor, Norwich
Grand Princess, Independence of the Seas and Queen Elizabeth. Please email adele@psa-ace.org to register for a place
E Cruise Convention
Selling Cruise Conference 2012 re album from the ‘09 AC
Click HERE to view the enti ruiseexperts/
www.flickr.com/photos/a
cec Digital Seminar Presented as part of our
Think Differently Seminars
May 1st Getting ahead in challenging times calls for new thinking, new ideas and new opinions.
09:15 | Registration opens at Botley Park This is where the ACE Think Differently Seminars come in...so join us on March 6th
10:15 | Conference and business sessions onboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas as industry experts help you
12:30 | Lunch through the current digital trends and opportunities to give you some top ideas and
13:30 | Conference and business sessions expert opinion to help you grow your cruise sales.
15:00 | Trade Fair marketplace
Evening entertainment We will look at the whole range of online marketing opportunities available, case studies
Do you remember this?
and how you can best connect with your customers using social networking sites such as
connect
May 2nd Facebook and Twitter.
3. What about networking?
Ship visit day (timings and details TBC) Email alex@psa-ace.org for a place
We know that networking, making new contacts and catching up with existing colleagues is a really
important part of our events. In Southampton we will be in a conference hotel so throughout the
day the networking is much easier, and so whilst the chance to ‘talk business’ is focussed on the
4. Are there ship visits this year?
Trade Fair, we know that being based in one location, the venue will help us ensure some excellent
networking throughout the day.
Yes - we view it as an important part of the Cruise Convention. If you would like to visit some of the
5. How much is it to attend?
4 ships in port on the second day then simply register for your place via cruiseexperts.org and we
will follow-up with ship visit information as soon as we have confirmed details.
This year we are charging agent delegates £55 if booked by the end of February. It is important to
note that this year because we are using the excellent facilities at conference hotel Botley Park that
numbers are fixed - so book early to avoid disappointment.

3. ACE is able to offer, through its network of
Focus on your Ace Travel Partner
Travel Partners a unique opportunity to
communicate with some of the leading
organisations in the travel industry. Did you
February 2012 | Association of Cruise Experts
know that Rocky Mountaineer are ACE Travel
Partners?
In 2012 we want to continue understanding the cruise
consumer and would love your input. As headline sponsors of
this year’s Cruise Convention, the Daily Mail and The Mail on
Your Questions Are Needed….
Mail Newspapers continually speak to our consumers about Sunday will be undertaking further research which we will be
subjects that matter to them. sharing with you at this year’s conventions in Southampton
In the last two years we have asked our readers about finance, and Birmingham.
technology, social media and of course Travel and Cruising.
Internationally-acclaimed Rocky Mountaineer offers Rocky Mountaineer has recently confirmed it is We have found out; If you would like to help contribute to this research and have
over 45 Canadian holiday packages and four unique partnering up with the Canadian Tourism Commission • The top reasons why consumers go on a cruise questions you would like to ask, then please do not hesitate to
rail routes, rich in history and natural wonders, as joint headline sponsors of the UK Cruise Convention. • The top reasons consumers do not go on a cruise get in touch. Please email Mark Mahoney
through British Columbia and Alberta. This world Leslie Peden, Rocky Mountaineer’s Director of Sales • How our readers perceive cruise brands
renowned, luxurious train travels by daylight through – EMEA – comments: “With so many of our guests • How much they spend on their cruise and extras on-board
mark.mahoney@mailnewspapers.co.uk
the wild beauty of Canada’s West and is the best way to combining a cruise with a trip on Rocky Mountaineer,
or call Mark on 020 3615 0329
experience the majestic Canadian Rockies. it’s vital that we work as closely as we can with agents
and cruise retailers to help them give their customers
Rocky Mountaineer offers the best travel experience on life changing experiences.”
land and water – a rail journey through British Columbia
and the Canadian Rockies and a cruise through the This year, Rocky Mountaineer launches its full It is easy to forget how quickly attitudes to travel and the way that we holiday, change
stunning icebergs and scenery in Alaska. Bringing programme for SilverLeaf, the company’s newest and over the years.
together the service of two world-renowned partners, third level of service, available on all First Passage to the A recent survey by Teletext Holidays showed that children 30 years ago wouldn’t
the Rocky Mountaineer and Holland America Line, a West trains between Vancouver and Banff or Calgary. have travelled by plane until they were 13 years old. Today, children begin travelling
Rocky Mountaineer Rail & Cruise holiday is the ideal This exciting addition to the Rocky Mountaineer line- with their parents on holiday on average from the age of 4 years and 9 months.
way to catch the natural drama unfolding in Western up allows guests to experience the beauty of Western
Canada and Alaska from both land and sea. Rocky Canada and the Canadian Rockies. In SilverLeaf, guests Indeed 40% of those polled would have no hesitation flying with a baby who was
Mountaineer also works with a number of ACE agents enjoy panoramic views through the single level dome only a few months old.
who are combining a Rocky Mountaineer land holiday coach as well as hot meal service at their seats. In
from
with six-star cruise lines. addition, Onboard Attendants provide exceptional ACE Director… Of course there is a tremendous appeal for cruising to families. Its inclusivity, value
Andy Harmer
service and fascinating commentary on the history and for money and vast array of family friendly activities and entertainment, not to men-
In 2013, Rocky Mountaineer will launch its new Coastal ecology of the passing region. tion the many wonderful destinations visited make cruising an ideal choice not just
Passage route, which will connect Seattle and Vancouver for traditional families but also for multi-generational families.
en route to the Canadian Rockies. The new route is In addition to headline sponsoring the UK Cruise
Rocky Mountaineer’s fifth rail journey and it’s first Convention, Rocky Mountaineer will be participating in Keeping up to date with these trends not just in travel, but also in marketing and
from the US. Guests will traverse the natural beauty the four ACE Cruise Showcases in Newcastle Upon Tyne consumer behaviour, are vital parts of selling more cruise. It is essential that travel
of the Pacific Northwest from the comfort of Rocky on 21st February, Norwich on 23rd February, Exeter on agents are able to be flexible, adaptable and innovative in their approach to cruise
Mountaineer’s luxurious GoldLeaf Service, a bi-level 26th June and Belfast on 28th June. selling, and we should be proud of the UK travel agent sector that so often excels in
dome coach that offers panoramic views and a private these areas. But keeping ahead of the game is more important now than ever and
dining car. After an overnight stay in Vancouver, guests this is one of the reasons why we have a number of new events coming up.
will continue on to their final destination of either Banff
For more information about Rocky Mountaineer
or Jasper. So we do hope you can join us at an ACE Showcase, at our first Digital Seminar and at
call 00800 0606 7372
the ACE Cruise Convention (and our first ever Selling Cruise Conference), because we
or visit www.agent.rockymountaineer.com
will use these events to offer the advice, tips, trends and inspiration that will enable
delegates to try something new to attract new business. They will offer travel agents
a competitive edge in a very competitive holiday market.
Come and make friends with us on facebook, tweet us on twitter, check out some great
photos on flickr and read the most up to date blogs on tumblr.
Come and
Staying one-step ahead of the competition is vital and ACE is here to support you.
http://www.facebook.com/ACEcruiseexperts
be social!
I hope to see you soon,
Twitter: @aceandyharmer @acetweeting
ACE Director
http://www.flickr.com/photos/acecruiseexperts/ Andy
http://cruiseexperts.tumblr.com/ www.youtube.com/user/acecruiseexperts
http://www.slideshare.net/acecruiseexperts

4. Get
Ahead
2 day
Introducing the first ever SOUTHAMPTON May 1 & 2, 2012
Selling Cruise Conference
as part of the 6th annual
ACE Cruise Convention for Tuesday 1st May | The Conference
those who want to discover Trade Fair | Networking lunch
a world of cruise Conference & business sessions | Evening entertainment
opportunities, advice,
trends and inspiration. Wednesday 2nd May | Ship Visits
Combining multiple ship
visits with business
sessions, a compelling
conference programme,
and plenty of networking Cunard P&O Cruises
Queen Elizabeth Adonia
opportunities... this is the
ultimate 2012 cruise event.
Come and join us.
Princess Cruises Royal Caribbean
Grand Princess Independence of the Seas
Book now for Early Booking Savings available until 29 February 2012
gistrapention
Re O Travel Weekly Competition
Now eexperts.org Submit your TOP TIPS for selling cruise
uis
www.cr
e
C lick Her Travel Weekly and ACE have teamed up as part of our media partnership to
offer 10 free delegate places, worth £55. To enter, submit your top tips for selling
cruise; you can submit as many as you like. Those who submit the best 10 - as
chosen by a panel of experts - will win the 10 prizes. These tips will be featured at
the Cruise Convention, and the 10 winners will also compete in a contest to win a
number of star prizes, including a cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines.
Email your tips, by February 29, to editorial@travelweekly.co.uk, with ACE Tickets
as the sibject. Include your contact and travel agency details.