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Value Ahoy: Q&A with Holland America's Carol Berwager
March 09, 2009
By Kinley Levak
Holland America Line debuted the ms Eurodam in July 2008, a midsize Signature Class ship boasting 11 passenger decks, an art collection with the theme "The Dutch Golden Age—An Inexhaustible Tradition" and including 17th-century watercolor maps in addition to works by Dutch masters and contemporary artists, and a photographic and imaging center, in addition to new dining and lounge spaces.
Incentive caught up with Carol Berwager, manager of charter and incentive sales for Holland America Line, to learn more about the cruise line's appeal for planners and how to get the most out of a cruise for your group.
INC: How have you seen the incentive market change over the past two or three years?
Berwager: The biggest change is shorter travel programs. There is a higher demand for four- and five-night sailings than seven-night itineraries. Incentive groups look for itineraries that do not offer more than two sea days; one would be ideal.
INC: To what extent can a planner change the cruise if they are booking a group well in advance? And how far out do they need to book in order to make changes?
Berwager: Based on logistics, the planner can change the length of the trip, time in port, and ports of call. We have contracted charters starting as far out as three years, to closer in to one year. If the program involves major changes to the itinerary, the closer in the request is made, the more chances we have of not being able to get port confirmations.
INC: How do you envision ms Eurodam will bolster Holland America's ability to appeal to the incentive market?
Berwager: With the numerous new features on board, two specialty restaurants—pan-Asian cuisine at the Tamarind Restaurant and Caneletto [for] Italian fare—;top deck spa staterooms, private pool-deck cabanas, expanding the Greenhouse Spa, and enrichment programs such as the Digital Workshop with five different training sessions, the Eurodam has a fresh, young feel to her, which will be huge with the incentive market.
INC: One tip I've heard is to book the first "flightseeing" tour available on an Alaskan cruise—that way if the weather is bad and the excursion is canceled, participants are likely to be able to join a later excursion. Do you have a couple of other tips on how planners can help attendees get the most out of their cruise experience?
Berwager: Take advantage of booking tours online. This way they have a better chance of getting the excursions they would like. Also, don’t forget the spa—appointments for the spa fill up as quickly as shore excursions. If you can work it in your schedule, take advantage of the special offers on port days.
INC: The enrichment component seems to be a big factor for incentive groups who like to privately book the Culinary Arts Center, operated in conjunction with Food & Wine magazine, for example. Why do you think enrichment is appealing these days, versus simply "fun" activities?
Berwager: Incentive groups are high energy. They still like to have fun, but there is also the desire to be more active and to learn new things.
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