PHOTO: Voyages of Discovery's 540-passenger Voyager will offer drink, spa and butler packages starting in November 2015. (Courtesy of Voyages of Discovery)
Another cruise line is offering a variety of packages to let customers decide exactly what they want included in their vacation. Starting in November 2015, Voyages of Discovery will let cruisers customize their holiday by adding on packages of soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, spa services - and even butler service - at extra cost.
"It was made very clear from our extensive customer research that passengers wanted a simpler, easier approach to their cruise booking," said Steve Tucker, the president of the company's North America office. "Today's cruiser wants to be able to choose the level of inclusiveness on their holiday. They want the choice, especially in the case of the Voyages of Discovery customer base."
The packages are commissionable. "We are very pleased to offer 10 percent commission to our travel partners on these fantastic new packages," Tucker said.
The soft drinks package, priced from $19 per person, per day, includes mineral water in stateroom daily, non-alcoholic drinks with dinner, unlimited soft drinks during bar hours, specialty coffees and tea.
Priced from $39 per person, per day, the full drinks package also includes a pre- or post-dinner cocktail, house or sparkling wine with dinner and unlimited house-brand alcoholic drinks during bar hours.
A spa package for $249 per person includes a bathrobe and slippers in the stateroom, one 60-minute massage, one manicure and one cut, set and blow-dry in the hair salon.
Even more unusual is the ability to buy butler service. Butler service is included for those who book an owner's suite or balcony suite with spa bath. But cruisers who book a junior suite or balcony suite can add on butler service from $719 per person.
Butlers will welcome guests to their suites, offer a selection of aromatherapy room scents and pillows, offer to hang clothes, stock preferred soft drinks in the refrigerator, discuss dietary requirements with the onboard chefs, polish shoes, offer laundry and pressing service, serve evening canapés and cocktails in the suite, and serve unlimited alcoholic house drinks during butler call hours.
The new packages are part of a reinvention of sorts for Voyages of Discovery, which operates the 540-passenger Voyager throughout the Mediterranean, Baltic and British Isles. In winter 2015-16, the Voyage comes closer to North America with itineraries throughout the Caribbean and Central and South America.
It is launching a new brand identity Oct. 17 in North America with a redesigned website, refreshed corporate logo, and a "classier" corporate color palette and image scheme combination. "The updated brand identity represents a significant shift in the company's overall vision, look and message," the company said in a press release.
Another significant change effective November 2015 is reducing the number of stateroom and suite categories while adding new features and amenities.
"You told us that you thought our stateroom grading system was a little confusing and we agree. That's why we've made it clearer and simpler - instead of 20 categories, there are now just 11, making it much easier for you to choose the stateroom that's perfect for you," the company says in the 2015-16 brochure. "We've also added a few more special touches to some of our staterooms to make you feel right at home during your cruise, and we've listed them all so you can see exactly what you'll find in your stateroom."
For example, starting in November 2015, the 342-square-foot owner's suites will include butler service, an Illy coffee machine, premium linens and toiletries, pillow choice, iPod/iPhone docking station, DVD player, laundry service, priority embarkation and disembarkation, a dinner at officers table, complimentary mineral water and cocktails daily.
Voyages of Discovery fares also include all gratuities, port charges, guest speakers, plus air and overseas transfers from select gateways with add-ons available from other gateways.
To celebrate the changes, Voyages of Discovery is offering savings of up to $3,000 per stateroom on summer 2015 itineraries (departing April 16 through Oct. 17, 2015) for bookings made by Nov. 30. Those who book the new winter 2015-16 cruises by Nov. 30 will save up to $1,600 per stateroom.
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