Peace of Mind - Priceless

What Value is Peace Of Mind

During Your Vacation

This is a true story of two of my guests that were booked on Quantum of the Seas departing New York on Saturday March 20th.  We join the story on Friday morning.

As the day before departure approached, so did a spring snow storm in New York City.  Hundreds of flights were cancelled in advance of the storm - including theirs. This story has a happy ending.

3 Keys to Happy Ending

Springtime in Chicago and New York can be unpredictable and getting to the ship on time could be problematic.   Normally they would have flown to the departure port a day early, but this time they were unable to get out of work for the extra day, so they opted for an early departure on Saturday, the day of the cruise.

The flights were arranged by me on their behalf through Royal Caribbean ChoiceAir program. ChoiceAir benefits include assured arrival to the ship in case of airline complications, total flexibility to pick your preferred airlines and itineraries, and most importantly in this case, 24/7 support.

My day Friday began with a frantic email informing me that their flight had been cancelled. I placed a call to ChoiceAir and was fortunate to get a hold of Evarld, one of the flight specialists, who worked tirelessly looking for options to get them to the ship on time Saturday. After more than four hours of working on the problem, with phone calls back and forth with Royal Caribbean and my clients,  I received a phone call with details for flights departing that evening, which would arrive around midnight. I'd already alerted my guests to head to the airport and told them I'd provide them with the new confirmation information once I got it from ChoiceAir. They were enroute in the limo when I called them.  

Their original schedule was a non-stop flight, but the only possible choices now, with more than 800 flights cancelled, were connecting flights through Atlanta, GA.  Another bonus - they were upgraded to first class.

The second thing they had done towards peace of mind was to purchase Travel Insurance with their booking. In the event they would not have been able to get to the ship on time, they would have been able to file a claim for appropriate benefits.

And lastly, since they put their travel plans in my hands, they weren't the ones on the phone for hours Friday, trying to figure out how to get to New York.   I monitored the flights that evening and saw that they actually arrived in New York around 12:30 AM Saturday.   They emailed a picture of the two of them with big grins onboard Quantum of the Seas.   I could finally breathe a sigh of relief because I knew how much they had been dreaming about this cruise and how devastating it would have been to miss the cruise.

Thank you to Royal Caribbean for actually delivering on your promise when creating the ChoiceAir program.

Together with Royal Caribbean, I've been able to make this dream vacation come true.  If you'd like to plan YOUR next cruise, I'd be happy to assist you.   We have several exclusive offers and Royal Caribbean has a WOW sale currently.  Check out current offers here.

Azamazing Europe

EXPLORE EUROPE WITH ASTOUNDING SAVINGS

NUMEROUS ITINERARIES FOR EUROPEAN VALUES Which European sea is your favorite? Aegean? Black? Adriatic? Baltic? Mediterranean? Azamara Club Cruises® touches all shores of Europe in 2011, so no matter your favorite waters, a voyage beckons. With 45% of port visits in 2011 featuring overnight or late night stays (8pm or later), the 2011 Destination Guide, now available to explore electronically, is filled with itineraries in Europe, Asia and the Americas that offer plenty of time to explore the culture and experience the value that is Azamara destination immersion. While voyages around the world are available to book, European voyages booked by March 31 receive $2,000 in early booking savings as well as up to $2,000 in ChoiceAir credits on top of our 2-for-1 values. In addition, save 50% on all Land Discoveries® in Europe booked online before departure.

Azamara Club to the Baltic

Explore remote villages, magnificent capitals and unspoiled scenery along the Baltic Sea as you follow in the footsteps of early sea explorers. Or simply indulge in some retail therapy and take in some of the world's best musical and artistic offerings. The Azamara destination experts will help you create a surprisingly rich experience...    Now that planes are flying again to Europe, it's time to plan YOUR getaway.

Azamara Club Cruises’ Exclusive New Inclusives

• Bottled water, sodas, specialty coffees and teas offered at no charge throughout the voyage in public venues and staterooms
• Azamara’s preferred vintage red and white wine of the day poured at lunch and dinner
• Housekeeping, dining and bar gratuities are included
• Shuttle service to/from port communities, where available
• Destination-influenced entertainment and enrichment programs
• English Butler for Club Suite guests
• Self-service laundry
• Concierge service

Would you like some free money to spend on your Azamara Club European adventure?   Do you have to fly to your cruise destination?   If you answered yes to both of these questions, then why not try ChoiceAir to book your flights.   You can book yourself or have your cruise specialist complete the reservation on your behalf.

What is ChoiceAir? 
ChoiceAir is a new way for guests to buy their air transportation to and from their cruise vacation. It is the name of the new air/sea program and the name of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s new airline travel website.

Program
The ChoiceAir Program is a departure from traditional air/sea programs because it allows guests to purchase their airline tickets at the best available prices, when they are booking their cruise. Unlike the legacy air/sea model, customers select their own flights from all published airline schedules and fare types. Guests may book directly on the website, over the phone with RCCL, or through their travel partner. No matter who makes the ChoiceAir reservation, the guest is assured the best value for their cruise by tying their airline reservations to their cruise. This allows RCCL to monitor the Guests’ travel to the ship, and step in to help should they run into trouble in transit. RCCL  will ensure the Guest makes it to the ship or if necessary work with airline partners to get them to the next port-of-call, whenever possible.

Website
The ChoiceAir website allows guests, travel partners, and RCCL contact center employees to book all published airline schedules and fares on the Internet. It has a familiar look and feel, similar to leading consumer websites; however, it is customized to meet the needs of  guests. Unlike consumer sites, ChoiceAir filters air displays to fit the cruise time parameters, allows a guest to use different credit cards to pay for each guest in a reservation, links the air reservation with their cruise reservation, and provides optional airport to seaport transfers.

Related Blog Posts 

Azamara Club Europe 2010
Azamara Cruises Becomes Azamara Club Cruises
Royal Caribbean ChoiceAir


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Royal Caribbean ChoiceAir

ChoiceAir Promotion
Starting December 14, 2009

Alaska, Caribbean, Bahamas Offer (click) Cruisetour Offer

Dubai, Europe, Mexico, Hawaii Offer (click)

Royal Caribbean International introduced a new air/sea program called ChoiceAir this year. It is a new way for guests to buy their air transportation to and from their cruise vacation. Guests are able to purchase their airline tickets at the best available prices, when they are booking their cruise.

The program is different than traditional air/sea programs in that customers select their own flights from all published airline schedules and fare types. Guests may book directly on the website, over the phone with Royal Caribbean, or through their travel partner. No matter who makes the ChoiceAir reservation, the guest is assured the best value for their cruise by tying their airline reservations to their cruise.

When guests use ChoiceAir, Royal Caribbean can monitor travel to the ship, and step in to help should they run into trouble in transit. They will ensure the Guest makes it to the ship or if necessary work with the airline partners to get them to the next port-of-call, whenever possible.

The ChoiceAir website filters air displays to fit the cruise time parameters, allows a guest to use different credit cards to pay for each guest in a reservation, links the air reservation with their cruise reservation, and provides optional airport to seaport transfers.

ChoiceAir is offered for Domestic flights and also in many International Markets. There is a $15.00 per person non-refundable service fee for domestic North American destinations and $25.00 per person non-refundable for International destinations.

Purchasing your flights through ChoiceAir is similar to doing so directly with the airline. All tickets are subject to the airline's rules. Generally on a nonrefundable ticket, the guest may re-use the ticket, subject to any fees imposed by the airline. You will be subject to any penalties or restrictions imposed by the airline. Guests may call the ChoiceAir Support desk and change or cancel the reservation.

For more information about ChoiceAir consult the website or call your travel consultant.

Flights can be added to a cruise reservation via ChoiceAir up to 7 days before your cruise. From time to time, Royal Caribbean will have ChoiceAir promotions, such as the one which is currently in progress.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Itineraries