National Cruise Week!

OK, British cruising's big annual sales and marketing bonanza is about to kick off and it's time to pay attention to many of the special deals and other incentives on offer.

Just to start with, National Cruise Week runs from September 15-23 this year, and it is a feature item for all cruise agent specialists and others keen to promote the idea of holidays at sea.

Organised by the Association of Cruise Experts (ACE) and the UK's Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), it is a chance for cruising to really showcase its amazing range of choice and quality, as well as the sheer value for money that a cruise represents.

It all starts this Saturday and, for the ensuing 8 days, there will be a range of special offers, discounts and other added 'extras' for anyone booking a cruise during the week.

William Gibbons, Director of the PSA, says: “This is now the fifth National Cruise Week and it has gained a momentum all of its own. We cannot shy away from the fact the industry has faced a challenging start to the year; however cruising is still continuing to grow in popularity. This is because a cruise offers exceptional value with a huge range of accommodation and destinations from the top-end exclusive, intimate cruise to the family fun holiday, all including meals and entertainment. It is key to the continuing growth of the market that we focus on attracting new people to the cruise concept, and National Cruise Week is promoting the amazing and diverse range of experiences and incredible value that cruising offers.”

We have already highlighted the Cruise Week offers from Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises on September 9 (see it on this link), but there are certainly others, and it is worth making a note of what's available for your next (or first) cruise:

Inclusive ultra-luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas is extending its luxurious ‘gift with purchase’ guest promotion with L’Occitane, the renowned Provencal body and skincare brand offered in the line’s suite bathrooms onboard, for National Cruise Week. Guests who book a 2013 cruise with Regent between 15-23 September will receive a gorgeous ‘his and hers’ gift set from L’Occitane worth £180, including the award-winning ‘Immortelle’ Precious Cream.  

MSC Cruises is offering free onboard credit for any 2013 booking made during NCW 2012 on any ship in the fleet. The amount of credit offered depends on the cabin category booked. Passengers in a Category 1 inside cabin, for example, will receive £10 OBC per person; for a Cateogry 7 outside cabin they will receive £70, rising to £130 for a category 13 Aurea Suite. 

The PSA is also highlighting a chance to have a 'Tea-time cruise talk' with various specialists during the week, and you can find out more on this link. More special offers will be unveiled during the week itself, so be sure to check the PSA link below for all the latest details.

For more information on National Cruise Week, contact ACE on this link, or call 020 7323 7464, or the PSA on this link or 020 7436.

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