Cruise Encounters is proud members of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the BPCPA (Business Practices & Consumer Protection Authority of British Columbia. You know you're in good hands when you have us arrange your travel plans. Every holiday you book with us should be the trip of your lifetime! We pride ourselves in delivering personalized service and maintaining good ethical standards. For more information on the BBB and BPCPA, please visit their website by clicking on the web links.
PAST PASSENGER INCENTIVES Being A Loyal Cruiser Means A Lot!
Being a loyal cruiser means a lot! Every cruise line has its own membership program. Every time you cruise, whether it be a weekend coastal cruise or a world voyage, you earn cruise credits towards your membership status! If you've cruised before, please let us know when you book, so we can help you increase your membership level! The more you cruise with the same company, the higher up you go, and the more perks you get! Royal Caribbean and Celebrity both have the best loyalty programs in the industry! Please see below for full details!
ROYAL CARIBBEAN'S CROWN & ANCHOR SOCIETY: Gold Level - after 1 cruise Platinum Level - after 5 cruises Diamond Level - after 10 cruises Diamond Plus Level - after 24 cruises *Earn additional credits by sailing in suites or booking voyages 12+ days long*
GOLD LEVEL: after 1 cruise -Ultimate Value Booklet -Complimentary Wine Tasting -Welcome Back Party -Commemorative Gift -Savings Certificate Online -Members-only Contests and Cruises
PLATINUM LEVEL: after 5 cruises -All Benefits of the Gold Level Status -Private Embarkation Lounge / Priority Embarkation (where available) -Exclusive Onboard Event -Robes for Uses Onboard -Complimentary Custom Air -Premium Savings Certificates -Instant Savings on Balcony and/or Suites bookings *Also, receive matching membership status with Celebrity's Captain's Club program*
DIAMOND LEVEL: after 10 cruises -All Benefits of the Platinum Level Status -Priority Waitlist for Dining and Sold-Out Shore Excursions and Cruise Bookings -Concierge Service (on select ships)
DIAMOND PLUS LEVEL: after 24 cruises -All Benefits of Diamond Level Status -Personalized Amenity Delivered to your Stateroom -Preferred Seating in the Dining Room -Diamond Plus Membership Card, Lapel Pin, Baggage Tags *Extra benefits for members who have reached 49, 75, and 100 cruise credits*
CELEBRITY'S CAPTAIN'S CLUB: Classic Level - after 1 cruise Select Level - after 5 cruises Elite Level - after 10 cruises *Earn additional credits by sailing in Concierge Class staterooms or booking voyages 12+ days long*
CLASSIC LEVEL: after 1 cruise -One Category Upgrade (Inside-to-Inside; Outside-to-Outside) -Complimentary Custom Air -Priority Embarkation and Disembarkation (where available) -Priority Pre-Sailing Specialty Dining Reservations -Exclusive Captain's Club Party -Premium Savings Booklet -Reunion Cruises -Online Newsletter
SELECT LEVEL: after 5 cruises -All Benefits of Classic Level Status -Behind-the-Scenes Tours -Chardonnay Blending Seminar -Priority Waitlist for Sold-Out Shore Excursions -Senior Officer's Cocktail Party *Also, receive matching membership status with Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society*
ELITE LEVEL: after 10 cruises -All Benefits of Select Level Status -Complimentary Use of Thalassotherapy Pool on Galaxy and Mercury -Private Shipboard Departure Lounge with Continental Breakfast -Priority Tender Service
Please note that all membership details are subject to change without any notice from the cruise lines
Cruise Encounters is proud to be loyal members of the Better Business Bureau and the Business Practices & Consumer Protection Authority of British Columbia. Cruise Encounters celebrates its 21st year in business and continues to maintain a strong commitment to positive business practices, ethics, and codes of conduct. We are proud of the personal and knowledgeable service that we provide to each and every client. To learn more about these two associations, please visit their websites:
Better Business Bureau - www.bbb.org Business Practices & Consumer Protection Authority of British Columbia - www.bpcpa.ca
When we go to a restaurant or a bar, we are more or less clear of how and what to tip to our servers. But, what about on a cruise? There are so many people who have gone above and beyond to make your vacation an extraordinary one. There are, of course, guidelines from each cruise line which you will find out in this month's article. Yet, there are also some tips on tipping that only a crew member can tell you about.
I have lived and worked onboard various cruise ships and I must say that the important thing to remember about tipping is that a tip is essentially any form of appreciation and recognition to those who have worked hard and provided exceptional service to you. Crew members really give their best efforts in ensuring that your experience onboard is unparallel, because it ultimately sustains their immediate and long-term employment with the company. You'll also encounter special individuals who offer absolute first-class service that is above and beyond excellent service standards. So, how do you reward these incredible crew?
Trust me, having been a crew member myself, monetary tips are definitely attractive. However, you'll find that for those who genuinely provide exceptional service see a greater value in non-monetary tips. This may be in the form of a service-recognition card or a written note in your cruise evaluation form. Shipboard management teams really treat your comments seriously. All of these evaluative materials are documented and, therefore, will help the development and advancement of the crew members. Also, they may even get some time off, which is much better than cash. The important thing is when a crew member provides sincere customer service, the best way to return that experience is sincere recognition. Nonetheless, monetary tips are important as well. Some cruise lines, such as Holland America, Princess, and NCL, use a pre-paid system whereby a certain amount is subtracted from your shipboard account each day, which gets divided among the various service departments. For other cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, that do not have this policy, here is a tipping guideline:
Cabin Steward - $3.50 per person per day Waiter - $3.50 per person per day Assistant Waiter - $2.00 per person per day
There is also a 15% gratuity that is automatically added to your bar bill or wine check when you are served.
Gratuities for other crew members are based on your discretion.
In sum, tipping is very subjective. Trust your instincts. Any form of recognition is recognition, and I'm sure the crew members who provided you with excellent service will greatly appreciate it! Bon voyage!
Email me if you have any questions or comments regarding this article. Or drop by and say hi!
Cruise Encounters #109 - 8850 Walnut Grove Drive Langley, British Columbia V1M 2C9 Tel: 604-888-1756 Toll Free: 1-800-608-7245 Fax: 604-888-2512
Since 1987, Cruise Encounters has been a leader in planning individual cruise vacations (parties of 1 – 14 passengers), group cruise vacations (15+ passengers), and corporate cruise vacations.We are a 100% debt-free company, family owned and operated and fully bonded by the B.C. Travel Assurance Fund. While our location, just minutes from the Vancouver cruise ship terminals (Canada Place and Balantyne Pier), has made us Alaska cruise and tour experts, we have been planning successful vacations throughout the world for more than twenty years.
Our staff is specialized and experienced - a combined 37 years experience in the travel industry - and our senior agents answer your telephone calls each day. While named as the only Canadian travel agency to serve on the original cruise line advisory boards for Royal Caribbean International and the Big Red Boat (the original Disney character cruise), our staff has become experienced in contributing to the improvement of the shipboard experience and the operational policy of each cruise line.From these appointments and extensive personal cruise experience (more than 250 cruises sailed), we have become experts in advising on details such as each ship’s better cabin locations, better itinerary choices to see your preferred destinations, and tips for good use of your time ashore in your ports of call.We confidently guarantee that our knowledge and standards of service are the best in the travel industry.You can reach our staff at:
• 1989 – 2006 Celebrity Cruises top sales and service award
• 1989 – 2006 Royal Caribbean top sales and service award
• 1992 Appointed a "Holland America Premium Preferred Agency"
• 1989 – 1992 Royal Caribbean Advisory Board Member
• 1992 – 1994 Big Red Boat Advisory Board Member
• 1996 – 2006 Ensemble top 10% nationwide in sales
We are bonded by the British Columbia Travel Assurance Fund.All customer monies are insured and placed in a registered trust account until travel is completed. The bonding requirements are the most comprehensive in North America.Our trust account is registered with Canada Trust/Toronto Dominion Bank.Call 604 534-0307 for credit and account verification.
Affiliations
-CLIA - Recognized by Cruise Lines International Association (an association of all major -cruise lines) as an official travel agency for the cruise industry.
-Tourism Vancouver – member since 1988
-GIANTS – An internationally recognized association of travel suppliers and agencies -Better Business Bureau A+ rating
HOURS Monday to Friday - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday - 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Sunday - closed
Drop by for a brochure or to ask a question - we'd love to see you!
DRIVING DIRECTIONS We are located north of HWY #1 in Langley's Walnut Grove Town Center with the IGA Market Place, at 210 Street and 88th Ave.
From White Rock/South Surrey Follow Fraser Hwy #10 across 200th Street, to 204 Street (A&B sound on South East corner). Turn Left (north) and follow to 88th ave. Turn right (east) on 88th ave. In 100 meters, turn left into the IGA Mall.
From Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, North Surrey (using HWY #1) Follow Hwy #1 east. Take 200th Street North exit. Turn right (east) at first traffic light onto 88th ave. Proceed 1.5 kms to IGA Mall (on your left).
From Abbotsford, Aldergrove, Chilliwack (using HWY #1) Follow Hwy #1 west. Take 200th Street North exit. Turn right (east) at first traffic light onto 88th ave. Proceed 1.5 kms to IGA Mall (on your left).
Alaska Bargain!
Alaska! Alaska! Alaska!
7-Night Vancouver Roundtrip! Don't Miss The Boat!!
Contact us today for up-to-the-minute cabin availability! Singles looking to share? Email us your details! 604-888-1756or1-800-608-7245 or info@cruiseencounters.com or click on "read more" below for more details tails
Segment 1: 10-nights Round trip Sydney, Australia Sydney, Airlie Beach (Australia), Cairns, Port Douglas (Aust.), Willia Island (Aust.), Brisbane, Sydney.
Segment 2: 16-nights Sydney to Honolulu Sydney, cross the International Dateline, Bora Bora (French Poly.), Raiatea (French Poly.), Papeete (Tahiti), Moorea (French Poly.), Lahaina (Maui), Honolulu.
Segment 3: 10-nights Hawaii to Vancouver Honolulu, Maui (2 days!), Kona, Hilo, and sail into Vancouver! All 3 segments! $5350 cdn/p Book early to get the same cabin for the entire cruise! All prices include one-way flight to Sydney! Sails right into Vancouver - no flight home needed!
Contact us today for up-to-the-minute cabin availability! Singles looking to share? Email us your details! 604-888-1756or1-800-608-7245 or info@cruiseencounters.com or click on "read more" below for more details
The best Canada/New England cruise you will see! We fly you to New York for 2 nights to see all of the sights that make Manhattan the greatest city in North America. Board the Summit for full-day stops in Newport (Rhode Island,) Boston (Massachusetts), Portland (Maine); Bar Harbor (Maine), Halifax (Nova Scotia), 2 days to explore Quebec City, Charlottetown (PEI)! Your flight from Vancouver and transfers are included in your package price. The Fall colors will be at their peak for this sailing - call today!
Total Package Price Includes: * 14 nights Fall Colors on Celebrity’s Summit! * 2 nights pre-cruise hotel to see New York! * Roundtrip YVR air! * All transfers, taxes, fees etc - final price!
Terrific weather time! New York temp: 70's! This is the best weather season of the year!
Contact us today for up-to-the-minute cabin availability! Singles looking to share? Email us your details! 1-800-608-7245 or info@cruiseencounters.com or click on "read more" below for more details
Sign-up Today & We''ll Email You Great Specials! f
12-nights aboard Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas
Departs September 15, 2010
Spend 1 night pre-cruise in Rome and enjoy full day stops in Naples, Italy; Athens, Greece; Rhodes, Greece; Ephesus, Turkey; Alexandria, Egypt; and Taormina, Sicily!
$3399 CDN/p - Final Price!
**Free upgrade to ocean view cabin!**
Includes: * roundtrip Vancouver air aboard British Airways * 1-night pre-cruise Rome hotel *12-night cruise aboard Navigator of the Seas * transfers and all current taxes - final price!
Contact us today for up-to-the-minute cabin availability! Singles looking to share? Email us your details! 604-888-1756or1-800-608-7245 or info@cruiseencounters.com or click on "read more" below for more details
Fly from Vancouver and enjoy an overnight hotel in Hong Kong! Enjoy full day stops in Hong Kong (overnight aboard the ship); Taipei, Taiwan; Nagasaki, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Tianjon, China;, Japan; Shanghai, China (overnight on board the ship); fly home to Vancouver from Shanghai!
15 nights package including round trip flight from Vancouver! $3499 CDNp- Final Price! * 14 nights on Azamara's Quest! * Round trip air from Vancouver to Hong Kong, Shanghai to Vancouver! * Overnight hotel before the cruise in Hong Kong! * All required transfers! * All taxes, fees, and charges - final price!
Contact us today for up-to-the-minute cabin availability! Singles looking to share? Email us your details! 1-800-608-7245 or info@cruiseencounters.com or click on "read more" below for more details
Post Conference Alaska Cruise - July 26 - August 2, 2008
Cruise Encounters is proud to organize Pacific NorthWest Economic Region's Post-Conference Alaska cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas, sailing roundtrip out of Vancouver. Vancouver is the cruise gateway to Alaska!
Alaska’s seas, lands and skies are filled with the adventure that makes this the last great frontier. You’ll cruise the spectacular Inside Passage, enjoy Alaska’s wildlife and gold rush history, dine on award-winning cuisine, and enjoy top-rated entertainment while sitting back and watching the beauty of the Pacific Northwest sail by.
Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas is Alaska’s #1-ranked family cruise experience.There’s the Adventure Ocean Youth Program that will take advantage of every inch of the ship.Between the mini golf, rock-climbing wall, self-leveling pool tables, multiple swimming pools, pizza parlors, ice-cream bars, sports courts and separate meeting areas for kids of all ages, your kids will never want to leave the ship.
But, if you can get them ashore, Alaska is a fun, educational experience that your family will never forget.Optional dog sledding excursions, grizzly bear watches, a zip line, the White Pass Yukon Railroad, helicopter glacier expeditions, and ATV expeditions are just a few of the adventures that will show you Alaska’s land - up close.
While in Vancouver this July, there will never be a better time to simply step aboard and sail to Alaska.July is peak season in Alaska.We urge you to make your plans early – particularly if you would like a family cabin.Contact us today to begin making your Alaska-cruise plans!
Call us today for up-to-date pricing and availability!
Space is extremely limited during this time of the year, so call us today at 604.888.1756 or toll-free at 1.800.608.7245. Begin your Alaska cruise adventure today!
Step aboard your ship in Vancouver and sail west to Hawaii, cross the Equator and the International Dateline, sail the Islands of the South Pacific, and New Zealand. The result: you'll enjoy the excitement of seeing Hawaii, the South Pacific and New Zealand with only one flight!
$4199 CDN/p Upgraded Cabin! Includes * 30 nights cruise, all meals and entertainment aboard the Volendam! * One way airfare from Auckland to Vancouver! * All transfers, taxes, and fees!
Contact us today for up-to-the-minute cabin availability! Singles looking to share? Email us your details! 1-800-608-7245 or info@cruiseencounters.com or click on "read more" below for more details
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