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Franchise independently owned and operated by
Richman, O'Hare & Associates, Lantana, FL
Main Number (561) 899-3206 |
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a publication by Richman, O'Hare & Associates |
July 2014 |
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Greetings!
We appreciate the ideas suggested by those of you who participated in the May survey. One great suggestion was to share our clients' thoughts about their excursions and experiences (while on their own) in Ports of Call, i.e. interesting places to see, visit or dine.
In Cozumel, Mexico, one such local restaurant we have enjoyed is called Poncho's' Backyard. Authentic dishes, great Margaritas and a relaxing yet fun atmosphere (not wild like a Carlos and Charlie). You can take a cab from any of the port areas for about $8-10. They also have an excellent shopping venue with some items not found elsewhere. Next time in Cozumel, it might be worth your time to check it out.
So, when you return from your future trips, look for our new Welcome Home Survey. We want your reviews and thoughts (the good, bad and ugly) so that we may share them in future issues of CNAV.
Our best regards,
Al & Helen, and the team at Richman, O'Hare & Associates. |
Our Exclusive Customer Monthly Appreciation Program | |
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July Question of the Month and June Question Results |
Our question last month was "which type of promotions are most apt to get your attention?" The results were:
73% said "reduced rates"
13% said on-board credit
7% Reduced Deposits
7% Specialty Dining
Yes, we agree, "price" is always an important factor in the decision to purchase anything, not just your cruise vacation (it is for us too). The results were interesting though, since we almost always get asked if there are any on-board credits when someone is looking to make a new reservation. So the % difference between reduced rates and on-board credits was a surprise.
Many times, there are multiple active promotions! (Remember, there were 19 at the time we wrote the article last month?) There are times, the lowest "price" is not always the best "value" when factoring in a promotional offer. That is just one major advantage of contacting us when it is time to plan your next trip.
Your Richman, O'Hare & Associates' agent has access to all the prices and promotions offered by the cruise lines at all times. In addition, we may have lower pricing and a value-add due to an exclusive promotion and/or a "group block" on the sailing you inquire about, especially if you are a little flexible with your travel dates.
Did you know? A "group block of cabins" is actually held under contract by an authorized agency and no other agency (or that cruise line) is permitted to book into that privately held space because the agency holding the block may have secured preferential (lower) pricing which is reserved for that agency's clients only.
A "group block" can only be held for a specified period of time. Once the time expires, the cruise line takes any unsold cabins back, and the preferential pricing and extras are lost.
The question then for July is:
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FYI- Importance of Pre-Cruise Registration |
We were recently informed (by a cruise line) that Homeland Security Border and Immigration may no longer allow the cruise lines to do the traveler registration when checking passengers in as they do not have enough time to verify the information prior to people boarding the ship. If this happens, and you have not done your pre-cruise registration prior to arriving at the port, you might be denied boarding! In this type of a situation, there is no compensation given and it is not something that is covered by travel insurance.
Pre-cruise registration or APIS (Advanced Passenger Information System) was put into law in 2002 as a result of the tragedy of 9/11. It is a simple process, and we are always ready to help you complete it (legally, we cannot just do it for you).
Once completed, you print out your boarding pass. Even if you forgot or lost your boarding pass, you will still be OK when you get to the terminal as the authorities are able to find you on the manifest and will allow you into the terminal to finish checking-in where you get your "ship ID card" and board your ship.
You can also pre-reserve shore excursions offered by the cruise line (don't forget to check our website for special excursions and resorts' opportunities we may have for that itinerary as well); for some of the ships you can pre-reserve shows and specialty dining in advance to get your preferred times.
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Client Recommendations & More! | |
This is going to be our clients section to share thoughts, opinions and perhaps photos on ports they visit, excursions to take (or avoid), ships, or anything you feel others should know about to make their vacation better. |
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Featured Destination - Greek Isles |
In some future millennium, when the definitive history of Planet Earth is chronicled for all to see, the impact and influence of both ancient and modern Greece will occupy countless chapters.
Greece is quite a remarkable place as you can literally touch the antiquities of the past and stand right where the genesis of our modern cultures and political systems began. You can enjoy the colorful charms of its many islands, towns and villages, shop till-you-drop in non-stop Athens and meet a friendly face at every turn.
It was here in ancient times that many accomplished architects, philosophers, poets, teachers and thinkers would prove influential in the development of the Western World and the collective works and legends of such great men as Aristotle, Hippocrates, Homer, Plato and Socrates live on today, and for very good reasons.
Incomparable Santorini (above) is an island archipelago formed from a single volcanic cone that erupted in the second millennium BC burying the islands Minoan culture in ash. Sail in the caldera and drive through windswept vineyards to the beautiful town of Oia. Set high on a cliff, Oia affords unrivaled views of the caldera below.
Mykonos Town (Chora - below) is a stunningly picturesque Cycladic town with a maze of tiny streets and whitewashed steps as lanes, with houses and churches gathered around its harbor in the middle of a wide bay. It is one of the most cosmopolitan and crowded towns of the Aegean.
The Mykonos Windmills are an iconic feature of the island. They can be seen from every point of the village of Mykonos Town, the island's principal village. The windmills are the first thing seen when coming into the harbor of Alefkandra, as they stand on a hill overlooking the area.
And if you are reading this article, the Secret Word for July is Windmill.
Here are 3 special bonuses this month in addition to any applicable cruise line or CruiseOne promotion on the sailing you choose. Book any Greek Isle cruise in 2014 or 2015 (see a sample itinerary below).
1) Tell us the July Secret Word - Windmill - and receive a double bonus $50 instead of $25.
2) If you are the winner of the monthly Customer Appreciation Drawing, we'll double that prize to $50 also.
3) Finally, You will earn "double reward" points in our exclusive rewards program bringing you closer to earning your next reward.
| Celebrity Cruises | | Celebrity Equinox | | 7-Night Greece and Turkey Cruise, Athens to Istanbul | | Day | Date | Port | Arv | Dep | | Sat | 06/13/15 | Athens (Piraeus), Greece - Embarkation - Times are subject to change | | 06:00 PM | | Sun | 06/14/15 | At Sea | | | | Mon | 06/15/15 | Rhodes, Greece - Docked | 08:00 AM | 05:00 PM | | Tue | 06/16/15 | Mykonos, Greece - Tendered | 08:00 AM | 05:00 PM | | Wed | 06/17/15 | Santorini, Greece - Tendered | 07:00 AM | 06:00 PM | | Thu | 06/18/15 | Ephesus(Kusadasi), Turkey - Docked | 08:00 AM | 06:00 PM | | Fri | 06/19/15 | Istanbul, Turkey - Docked | 01:00 PM | | | Sat | 06/20/15 | Istanbul, Turkey - Disembarkation - Times are subject to change | | |
Call your Richman, O'Hare & Associates' agent to find the perfect cruise to these historic islands. |
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Our Client Loyalty Rewards Program |
We want to do more than just tell you how much we appreciate your loyalty. We want to show you! With every reservation you make with a Richman. O'Hare & Associate Agent, you will receive Reward Points for that reservation.
Here are the basics of this program.
Each passenger over the age of 21 receives one (1) point per night sailed.
Once you have accumulated 50 points, you choose whether you wish to receive either a $50 on board credit or a $75 credit towards our travel protection for your next trip.
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ROA Franchise Agent of the Month | |
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July Secret Word of the Month | 
Each month, only for subscribers of CNAV, we have a "Secret Word" and it is worth a $25 on-board credit.
To receive this special bonus, you just have to mention the current "Secret Word" when making a new reservation with your Richman, O'Hare & Associate agent.
The "Secret Word" for July can be found in the article about the Greek Isles. |
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 And a little humor to end with.........
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Church Squirrels
There were five Houses of Religion in a small town.
A Presbyterian Church, a Baptist Church, a Methodist Church, a Catholic Church, and a Jewish Synagogue.
Each Church and the synagogue was being overrun with pesky squirrels.
One day the Presbyterian Church called a meeting to decide what to do about the problem. After much prayer and consideration they determined that the squirrels were predestined to be there and they shouldn't interfere with God's divine will.
In the Baptist Church, the squirrels had taken up habitation in the baptistery. The deacons met and decided to put a cover on the baptistery and drown the squirrels in it. The squirrels escaped somehow and there were twice as many there the next week.
The Methodist Church got together and decided that they were not in a position to harm any of God's creations. So, they humanely trapped the squirrels and set them free a few miles outside of town. Three days later, they were back.
The Catholic Church came up with what they thought was the best and most effective solution. They baptized the squirrels and registered them as members of the Church. Now they only see them on Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Easter.
Not much was heard from the Jewish Synagogue, but they took a squirrel and had a short service called Circumcision and haven't seen a squirrel on their property since.
A Joy Filled month to You And Yours
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The Team at Richman, O'Hare & Associates | |
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All Clients who make a new reservation during the month are automatically entered into that month's drawing with the winner receiving $25 on-board credit for the qualifying reservation.
