[Travelandtourism] Crystal tapping into the dance market

[cheryl echevarria]

>From Travel Weekly

Crystal tapping into the dance market
By: Donna Tunney
June 20, 2010
Nearly 24 million viewers tuned in for the 2010 season premiere of "Dancing 
With the Stars," the TV show that pairs celebrities with professional 
dancers. This year, a cruise line is hoping to tap into the nation's dance 
fever, offering a dance-themed cruise on a transatlantic crossing.

This is a perfect example of a sailing that CRM-savvy retailers can 
target-market to appropriate clients: Do you have customers who want to kick 
up their heels on vacation?

It's Crystal Cruises that's putting its own spin on the dance craze with the 
Dancing With the Crystal Stars program, offered on the Crystal Serenity's 
Dec. 1 cruise from Lisbon, Portugal. The nine-night cruise visits Ponta 
Delgada, Grand Turk, before ending in Miami.

"The emergence of hit shows like 'Dancing With the Stars' has created a 
renewed interest and excitement for dancing," said Bret Bullock, the line's 
vice president of entertainment. "Crystal's dance classes have been 
increasingly popular for guests of all ages with and without partners. The 
days at sea on this southern Atlantic route presented an ideal opportunity 
for us to expand the music and dance theme."

Headlined by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the ocean crossing will feature 
more dance classes, more Ambassador Hosts for ladies without dance partners, 
nightly dancing and performances by championship dancers.

An onboard show called "That's Ballroom" will showcase crew members who will 
perform with professional dance instructors after completing a "ballroom 
boot camp" to master the steps, grace and nuances of various dance styles.

Two-for-one cruise fares start at $4,000, double occupancy. Free airfare 
from more than 20 North American gateways is included, and the cruise 
features $500 in shipboard credits per passenger.
Cheryl Echevarria
Independent Travel Consultant
C10-10646

http://Echevarriatravel.com
1-866-580-5574

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Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Montrose Travel CST-1018299-10