In conjunction with CruiseOne & Cruises Inc.’s 20th and 30th anniversaries, the sister brands as part of World Travel Holdings (WTH) – one of the nation’s top travel retail networks – unveiled today completely revamped websites with new interactive features and enhancements, providing an improved online experience. Featuring a more visually appealing design, the user-friendly sites now offer an enhanced “Cruise Finder” dynamic search tool, a new shopping process and the creative display of cruise line and resort promotions, taking online travel planning to an entirely new level.
“Our new websites (pictured above) streamline the vacation planning process with a multitude of new features and innovative options,” said Dwain Wall, Senior Vice President and General Manager of CruiseOne & Cruises Inc. “The look and feel, design and enhanced search options have been revamped based on agent and consumer feedback. While our agents are committed to providing personalized service to their customers, we understand that many of today’s travelers look online first and need a comprehensive resource for vacation planning.”
The new websites feature brand color schemes and language that align with the companies’ new logos and taglines, which were rolled out in late 2011. Although there are many enhancements, three of the most notable feature updates include the “Cruise Finder” dynamic search tool, a new shopping process and the creative display of cruise line and resort promotions. Additional details on new and enhanced features are below:
“Cruise Finder” Dynamic Search Tool: With this feature, when a consumer makes a selection from a dropdown box within the Cruise Finder, the other dropdown boxes automatically update with the available options, ensuring that vacation shoppers will always find a relevant search result – this mirrors the way in which consumers are used to viewing information when shopping online.
New Shopping Process: The shopping process has been streamlined, as has the itinerary search process, making the online vacation planning experience easier and more enjoyable than ever.
“Cruise Research” Information Page: Serving as an educational resource for consumers, an information page has been added to the booking process. Once a vacation has been booked, the customer will arrive at a “Cruise Research” page, which includes tabs that feature cruise highlights, itinerary information and links, stateroom descriptions and photos, deck plans, information on restaurants, bars and entertainment onboard and a new and improved photo gallery.
Creative Display of Real-Time Cruise Line and Resort Promotions: CruiseOne & Cruises Inc. have incorporated real-time supplier promotions into each page of the site. As consumers search itineraries, they will have access to the best possible pricing, including all cruise line, WTH, CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. exclusive offers and national promotions with available options – including onboard credits, prepaid gratuities, free shore excursions and more. Each offer will be displayed throughout all cruise line, destination and landing pages within an agent’s website, allowing for consumers to shop and compare amongst the various cruise options.
“Today’s tech-savvy consumers should not have to choose between booking online and working with a travel agent,” said Wall. “While our sites have always allowed our customers to book online, by enhancing the site design, layout and content, we are offering the best of both worlds.”
