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Cruise Guests Sail Through Airline Process!
Hi Everyone,
I received this press release from Royal Caribbean/Celebrity and thought it would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are available on my web site. Best regards, Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905 http://www.lighthousetravel.com Alaska Cruise Guests Sail Through Airline Check-In Process Innovative Onboard Check-In Program - Quick And Convenient For Customers MIAMI, Sept. 30 Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, the Vancouver International Airport Authority, Air Canada, and Alaska Airlines today announced the successful completion of a 10-week pilot program called "Onboard Check-in and Luggage Valet." The innovative program allowed participating cruise guests to conduct their airline and luggage check-in for their return flights home while still onboard their cruise ship. The program allowed guests to bypass the traditional check-in process at the Vancouver International Airport, adding convenience and saving time. Results show that Onboard Check-in and Luggage Valet saved guests 45 minutes to two hours, compared to the traditional airport check-in process. Some 2,170 passengers participated in the pilot program, which ran from July 13 to September 21, 2003. Canadian authorities and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration approved and oversaw the program. Onboard Check-in and Luggage Valet was designed for U.S. residents cruising to Alaska on Royal Caribbean International or Celebrity Cruises sailings that concluded in Vancouver. Guests also had to be flying to the U.S. on Air Canada the same day their cruise ended. Based on the initial success of the program, and government approval, the program was expanded to include Alaska Airlines customers during the final two weeks of the Alaska cruise season. While onboard their ship, and by the end of the fourth day of their one- week cruise, participating guests confirmed their flight information and number of bags to be checked. Based on this information, boarding passes were printed by airline staff at the Vancouver International Airport. When the ship arrived at the Port of Vancouver, guests were given their boarding passes and luggage claim checks, were taken by bus to Vancouver International Airport, and were processed through security and U.S. federal inspection services in a dedicated area. Their luggage was secured, taken separately to the airport, processed, and moved directly to their aircraft. Guests then picked up their luggage normally upon arrival at their destination airport. The companies and government agencies involved now will review the program to further refine it and determine to what extent it could be permanently implemented in the future. "Onboard Check-in and Luggage Valet made returning home easier than ever for our guests," said Nick Hafner, vice president of Air, Sea, and Hotel for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "At the completion of their cruise, our guests didn't have to locate their luggage, transport it to the airport, or stand in long lines waiting to check-in. And, because of our control over the luggage, the program actually improves security. This is a model we hope to offer on all our ships, at all turn-around ports." "Cruise ship guests are an important and growing part of the Vancouver International Airport's customer base," said Kevin Molloy, vice president, Information Technology for the Vancouver International Airport Authority. "This program is an example of how the Airport Authority and our business partners are working to enhance customer service through leading-edge solutions." "Air Canada is always looking at innovative ways to enhance and streamline the customer's airport experience," said John Ring, Air Canada's general manager for Customer Service -- Western Canada. "We are pleased to have helped lead the development and implementation of this very successful onboard cruise ship check-in program, and we look forward to the opportunity of offering this convenience to all of our cruise ship customers in the near future." Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, with a combined total of 26 ships in service and three under construction or on firm order. The company also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe through its cruise-tour division. Additional information can be found by contacting your travel professional. Vancouver International Airport is a community-based not-for-profit organization that has developed and managed Vancouver International Airport (YVR) since 1992. In 2002, YVR welcomed some 15 million passengers and was rated as the #1 airport in North America by the International Air Transport Association. For further information visit www.yvr.ca . Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 150 destinations on 5 continents. With the most non-stop destinations and flights, Air Canada carries more passengers between Canada and the US than any other airline. Canada's flag carrier is the 11th largest commercial airline in the world and serves more than 30 million customers annually with a fleet of more than 300 aircraft. |
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Cruise Guests Sail Through Airline Process!
Hi Ray,
This sounds like a great plan, any idea if they will follow suit and do this in Miami or San Juan? Thanks, Donna Tuesday Chat Host http://www.cruisemates.com |
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