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Travel Weekly
3 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Are you booking or designing travel?
Richard Turen Looking back, I know that I would never have opened up a travel consultancy had I not worked the supplier side for quite a while. And I certainly would not dare write about our industry had I not walked both sides of the street. They are very different, even though they might be in the same neighborhood. I worked for one of the largest cruise lines, starting out on the West Coast. I visited travel agencies four days a week. I was a director of sales, and my job was to drum up business. But my reality was that our ships were starring in a little TV series called "The Love Boat" then, and they were sold out much of the time. I might have been a lousy salesperson, but no one knew it, and I was promoted to be vice president of the East Coast and the Midwest. Now I was responsible for 26 states; lots of agencies to visit. So starting on the West Coast and then taking on the East Coast and the Midwest, I was in and out of more agencies than I could count. During every visit, I was looking forward to discovering dozens of new business models. It would all be so stimulating. But it usually wasn't! There were precious few unique business models, and innovation was rare. Everything was sold on some sort of airline-owned CRM system. Airline sales made up just over 70% of a typical agency's sales. It was always the same scene. Two chairs in front of a desk with the client facing the back of the computer. And so it was for about four decades. Technology improved, and we noticed our clients searching online instead of seeking out a storefront. We were no longer booking robots; that could be done online. We started evolving into advisors. ASTA, an organization I feel has always had the collective backs of the membership it represents, caught on and went so far as to change its organization's name, with that last "A" now standing for "advisors" rather than "agents." We are now advisors -- sort of important to the families we serve. I see us as financial advisors, except our role is less about showing our clients how to grow their money and more about advising them on ways to dispense with some of it. Which leads me to an April article by Julie Bogen in the Washington Post. She explores the growth of the trend for agents to describe themselves as online travel "designers" who concentrate on creating truly personalized itineraries, travel troubleshooting and providing luxury perks. The article explains how contemporary consumers want to hire a "designer" instead of an "agent." The concept of a travel "agent" is now dated. Several successful designers are profiled in the piece, including one who created an itinerary with perks she felt would meet the needs of four prominent influencers. Sure enough, they liked the presentation, and it started being circulated on Instagram. Of course, a true travel designer has to be an FIT specialist, and some of you will surely feel that FITs are unusually time-consuming and less profitable than booking brochure programs. A travel office where every journey is custom-designed to meet the guest's profile may be fashionable, trendy, hip and always personalized, but I can't help but wonder what a travel design firm would need to charge guests in order to be profitable. I actually like the "designer" designation. I also like "travel architect" and "dream creator." It is possible that, at our best, we listen and then design what is best suited for the client instead of trying to sell them a program without taking into account their unique profile. But will we have to start spending more on our business attire if we start describing ourselves as designers? Will we need to be a bit more flamboyant? If we "flamboyantize" our industry in the months to come, I'm just not sure that my blue blazer will survive.
Irish Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Emmy-winning star of TV favourite dead
M*A*S*H icon Loretta Swit has died at the age of 87. The late actress died of natural causes at her home. She is said to have died at her home in New York City. According to Variety, her representative Harlan Boll has said that the New York police reported that the actor died earlier today of suspected natural causes. Loretta is best known for her role as Major Margaret Houlihan on M*A*S*H, which ran on CBS from 1972 to 1983. She received acclaim for her performance as the character - who was known as Hot Lips - winning two Emmy Awards. Margaret was the head nurse at the mobile army surgical hospital in the show. Her decades-long career in the acting industry also included roles in shows like Hawaii Five-O, Mission: Impossible and the Love Boat in the 1970s. Tributes have been paid to Loretta following the news of her death. One person wrote on X: "Rest in peace [Loretta]. A truly phenomenal actress who will be deeply missed…" Someone wrote: "May you Rest in Peace Loretta. You are off duty now." Another fan said: "This is absolutely devastating news... Loretta Swit was an amazing human being. Exceptional on-screen and off-screen. Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen Loretta." For the latest news and breaking news visit Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. Follow us on Twitter @IrishMirror - the official Irish Mirror Twitter account - real news in real time. We're also on Facebook/irishmirror - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Irish Daily Mirror, Irish Sunday Mirror and
Express Tribune
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Luna struggles to bid 'Andor' goodbye
For actor Diego Luna, Season Two of the Disney Plus series Andor, based on the Star Wars franchise, correlates with real-life sociopolitical issues that go beyond the show. "Oh my God, it's so pertinent today. But think about it. If it had been ready a year ago, it probably would have been pertinent again," said Luna, who plays the show's lead Cassian Andor, in an interview. This season follows the adventures of rebel agent Cassian Andor as numerous characters come together to create the Rebel Alliance, a staple within the Star Wars films. The first season of Andor, created and written by Tony Gilroy, was nominated for best drama series at the Primetime Emmy Awards. "The writing of Tony Gilroy, it's always like proving you wrong. When you think, 'OK, it's going to go there and he's going to solve it this way,' he comes up with an idea that just makes you rethink everything and see it from a perspective you didn't know it was even possible," Luna said. One unpredictable element is the romantic yet toxic relationship between two Imperial officers, Dedra, played by Denise Gough and Syril, portrayed by Kyle Soller. After a clip was released online to promote the new season, many fans began "shipping," or rooting for the two characters to become a romantic couple. Gough admitted that until listening to Ben Mendelsohn, the Australian actor who plays antagonist Orson Krennic, she was in the dark about the meaning of "shipping." "Ben Mendelsohn was like, 'It's like the Love Boat. You're on the Love Boat," she said. "So that's Ben Mendelsohn's idea of shipping." Season Two marks the end of Luna's journey as Andor and as executive producer for the series. "I'm going to need therapy to answer it," Luna said when asked how he will say goodbye to his role. Reuters
Reuters
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Diego Luna feels he will need therapy after farewell to 'Andor' show
LOS ANGELES, April 17 (Reuters) - For actor Diego Luna, Season Two of the Disney Plus (DIS.N), opens new tab series "Andor," based on the "Star Wars" franchise, correlates with real-life sociopolitical issues that go beyond the show. "Oh my God, it's so pertinent today. But think about it. If it had been ready a year ago, it probably would have been pertinent again," said Luna, who plays the show's lead Cassian Andor, in an interview. The series is about a community taking control and having a responsibility to be active citizens, Luna observed. "It's always a beautiful reminder." The second and final season of the acclaimed "Star Wars" television series will begin streaming on Disney Plus on Tuesday. This season follows the adventures of rebel agent Cassian Andor as numerous characters come together to create the Rebel Alliance, a staple within the "Star Wars" movies. The first season of "Andor," created and written by Tony Gilroy, was nominated for best drama series at the Primetime Emmy Awards. "The writing of Tony Gilroy, it's always like proving you wrong. When you think, 'OK, it's going to go there and he's going to solve it this way,' he comes up with an idea that just makes you rethink everything and see it from a perspective you didn't know it was even possible," Luna said. One unpredictable element is the romantic yet toxic relationship between two Imperial officers, Dedra, played by Denise Gough and Syril, portrayed by Kyle Soller. After a clip was released online to promote the new season, many fans began "shipping," or rooting for the two characters to become a romantic couple. Gough admitted that until listening to Ben Mendelsohn, the Australian actor who plays antagonist Orson Krennic, she was in the dark about the meaning of "shipping." "Ben Mendelsohn was like, 'It's like the Love Boat. You're on the Love Boat," she said. "So that's Ben Mendelsohn's idea of shipping." Season Two marks the end of Luna's journey as Andor and as executive producer for the series. "I'm going to need therapy to answer it," Luna said when asked how he will say goodbye to his role.
The Independent
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The best deals on Princess Cruises for your 2025 holiday
From its spacious atriums and pool decks to fancy cuisine, there are lots of reasons for passengers to fall in love with Princess Cruises. The popular brand, which started with one ship cruising to Mexico in 1965, rose to prominence as the cruise ship used in the hit 1970s series The Love Boat, and decades later it has 17 vessels across the fleet. Passengers can still enjoy Love Boat -themed cruises and events, and actress Hannah Waddingham was recently recruited to sing her own version of the show's iconic theme tune as part of an advert for the brand. You won't find massive waterslides or climbing walls on a Princess Cruises ship but it still offers plenty to passengers of all ages. Princess describes romance and adventure as central to its cruises, reflected in its onboard offering and variety of destinations. The brand claims to be the first to offer movies under the stars as well as 24-hour dining. Other unique experiences on board include its white-gloved afternoon tea, poolside pizza and ice cream as well as its Catch by Rudi seafood restaurant. You will find celebrity brands and cocktails in the bars featuring Blake Lively's Betty Booze and Camilla and Matthew McConaughey's Pantalones tequila. Princess Cruises' ships also have grand indoor piazzas where you can enjoy coffee and cake, while kids' clubs will keep younger cruisers amused with video games and activities. Passengers can escape to the Sanctuary Club adult areas onboard and the brand's newest ships, Sun and Star Princess, even feature a bell you can ring to be passed champagne through a grass-covered wall. Keeping track of your fellow passengers is also easy with the Princess Medallion, a wearable device that lets you see where your cabin mates are on board and also order food and drink to be delivered to wherever you are on the ship at the touch of a button. Entertainment includes Broadway-style shows, cabaret and comedy as well as pool parties. Here is our pick of the best Princess Cruises ships and sailings. Ft Lauderdale – Tenerife – Cartagena – Valencia – Barcelona Starting in Florida aboard the newest ship in the fleet, Sun Princess, this 14-day cruise gives you eight sunny sea days as you cross continents towards the Canary Islands. Passengers can enjoy a beach day in Tenerife before visiting cultural and historic hotspots such as Cartagena, Valencia and Barcelona. Boasting capacity for 4,300 passengers, Sun Princess has more than 29 restaurants and bars including its three-deck dining room and a 24-hour cafe. The ship was also the first to offer 'Sanctuary Collection' suites, giving passengers access to the brand's exclusive adult-only retreat and dining area as part of the fare. If you are after sea views, Sun Princess has 1,500 balcony rooms – the most on any of the Princess ships. It has also partnered with Brazilian artist Romero Britto to design the speciality Love by Britto 68-seat restaurant, featuring decor inspired by his Pop Art and cubist style. During the day, passengers can also relax in The Dome - a 9,494sq ft space with a geodesic glass dome – and at night it turns into an entertainment venue featuring acrobatic shows created with Cirque Éloize Departs 22 March 2025; from £459pp Sky Princess: Spain and France Southampton – La Coruna – Bilbao – Bordeaux – Cherbourg – Southampton Passengers can embark easily from Southampton – making it convenient for Brits – for a seven-day cruise around Spain and France aboard Sky Princess. The sailing includes accessible and cultural stops in La Coruna, Bilbao and Cherbourg, both easily walkable from the port. Expect cabaret and comedy shows onboard as well as roving street performers and quaint boutiques in the Piazza, which is designed like a vibrant European square with a spiral staircase and several glass-walled lifts. Passengers can enjoy a premium experience with a Sky Suite, offering 270-degree views of the Med. There are four pools and eight hot tubs across the 3,660-capacity ship, so it shouldn't be too hard to find a sunbed. Departs 5 April 2025; from £849pp Los Angeles – Santa Barbara – San Francisco – Astoria – Victoria – Vancouver See the best of California and Canada on this Pacific Wine Country cruise. Departing from Los Angeles, the seven-day sailing stops in Santa Barbara and San Francisco where you can toast the coastline's top wines before heading towards Vancouver, Canada via Astoria and Victoria. It is also a chance to enjoy the Grand Princess before it enters a short period in dry dock in May. Once the largest passenger ship in the world when it was built in 1998 and the first of the brand's Grand class, the 3,100 capacity Grand Princess was refurbished in 2019. The ship, which has even featured on BBC show The Apprentice, has a nine-hole miniature putting course called Princess Links as well as four outdoor pools and an array of evening entertainment in its theatre. Departs 8 April 2025; from £479pp Majestic Princess: Greece, Turkey & Adriatic Trieste – Dubrovnik – Santorini – Rhodes – Crete – Istanbul – Athens This busy 10-day itinerary sails on three seas, the Adriatic, Mediterranean and Aegean. Passengers will visit four countries aboard Majestic Princess with stops on inspiring islands such as Santorini, Rhodes and Crete as well as the chance to explore cities such a s Dubrovnik and Istanbul. When not exploring ports, passengers can relax in the ship's unique adult-only Hollywood Club, a glass covered indoor pool surrounded by stylish sun loungers and sculptures. Majestic Princess is also the only ship with a Harmony Chinese restaurant. This reflects its origins back in 2017 when it first launched as a ship dedicated to the Asian market – it now sails around the world. Departs 10 June; from £979pp Seattle – Ketchikan – Juneau – Skagway – Victoria – Seattle Departing from Seattle aboard Discovery Princess, this Alaska itinerary comes with its own expert. Wildlife conservationist Jeff Corwin, known for hosting the Disney Channel's Going Wild, will be onboard to guide you through the glaciers, waterways and wildlife of the region's Inside Passage. Ports on this cruise include Alaskan capital Juneau and a day cruising beside the awe-inspiring Endicott Arm glacier. Discovery Princess is a great ship to marvel at the scenery from. The Royal class ship boasts more than 1,400 balcony cabins, with its Sky Suites offering 270-degree views that are described as the largest balconies at sea. Passengers can enjoy a specialty immersive multi-sensory dining experience that aims to feed all your senses through storytelling, visual elements, taste, smell, and music on an interactive table that comes alive with each dish. The 3,660-capacity ship was also the first to offer the specialty The Catch by Rudi restaurant, where you can sample dishes from the catch of the day to a raw seafood bar designed by Chef Rudi Sodamin. Departs 17 August 2025; from £1,072pp Ft Lauderdale – Princess Cays – St Thomas – St. Maarten – Antigua – St Kitts – Tortola – Ft Lauderdale – Princess Cays – St Kitts – St Lucia – Martinique – Antigua – Fort Lauderdale Island hop across the Caribbean during this 20-day cruise aboard Enchanted Princess. Departing from Fort Lauderdale, you can look forward to sun, sandy beaches and plenty of rum in destinations such as Antigua, St Kitts and San Juan. Plus, there are two stops at Princess Cays on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas where passengers can enjoy a private beach party. Enchanted Princess is a sister ship to Discovery but has its own unique areas. These include an Italian town square called Settimo Cielo that hosts the speciality Sabatini's Trattoria restaurant, Venice-inspired cocktail bar Bellini's and Gigi's Pizzeria by Alfredo. Passengers can also have a drink in O'Malley's Irish Pub or dine in the Salty Dog Café American diner. Departs 13 November 2025; from £1,419pp Star Princess: Western Caribbean with Mexico Ft Lauderdale – Cozumel – Belize City – Roatan – Ft Lauderdale Grab some winter on the new Star Princess this December. Launching in October 2025, you could be the first to experience the ship during the festive period on a seven-day western Caribbean cruise. Departing from Fort Lauderdale, stops include Cozumel in Mexico and Belize City in Belize. The 4,300-guest Star Princess is the sister ship to Sun Princess so has a similar design and features. But there will be new additions including a pickleball and basketball courts, as well as a jogging track, splash pad, and shaded areas for relaxation. Princess has expanded the ship's spaces with 32 more seats in its popular O'Malley's Irish Pub and extra seating in the art-inspired specialty dining venue Expanded Love by Britto. When not experiencing the sun and salsa in port, passengers can stay in The Sanctuary suites, getting access to their own restaurant, while other sailors can enjoy more than 29 places to eat and drink.
