The scenery is always the main attraction on an Alaskan cruise, but for one lucky group of Aussie agents, the go-kart racing, chocolate cake and Olivier-nominated entertainment came a close second.
The group was travelling on a recent seven-night Norwegian Bliss voyage through the Inside Passage.
The 10 agents – all recipients of Travellers Choice’s annual Choice Awards – boarded the ship in Seatle for a round trip that included the Alaskan capital of Juneau, the 24km-wide Dawes Glacier and calls at Sitka, Ketchikan and Vancouver Island.
Nicola Strudwick, Travellers Choice General Manager – Sales, says the group “tested every part of the ship,” sampling a selection of the 13 specialty restaurants and literally taking part in the award-winning entertainment.
“The specialty restaurants were exquisite, with the highlight for me being a seven-layer chocolate cake at Cagney’s that made my eyelashes curl – I’ve never had such intense chocolate taste,” said Ms Strudwick.
“The entertainment was also impressive, with NCL focusing on original productions, including The Choir of Man, a West End musical set in a British pub.
“As well as being high-energy it’s also very interactive, with actors inviting audience members, including a couple of our members, up on to the stage to join them in the ‘pub’ for a beer during the actual show.”
The group also conducted their own competition on the open-air go-kart racing track, with Belmore Travel’s Sue Brownley taking top spot on the podium.
Ms Brownley said Norwegian Bliss offered a multitude of engaging activities – one of the benefits of being on a ship that accommodates more than 4,000 passengers.
Given the size of the vessel, however, she recommends that Australian agents upsell to The Haven by Norwegian, an exclusive enclave on the top of selected NCL ships.
“The sheer number of people onboard means that big and bustling crowds can descend on public spaces and restaurants, particularly, for instance, when shore excursions return to the ship,” added Ms Brownley.
“A suite in the Haven by Norwegian means clients can enjoy everything the ship has to offer, then retire to a nice, quieter space, away from the masses.”
In addition, Haven by Norwegian guests enjoy the added benefit of priority embarkation and disembarkation at ports of call, along with exclusive onboard inclusions.
All the Travellers Choice agents taking part in the journey were recipients of Choice Awards, an annual program that recognises those members who make the greatest contribution to the group through preferred supplier sales.
Winners are offered a choice of three Reward Trips, each hosted by a preferred supplier partner.
Main image: Nicola Strudwick (left) and Debbie Grace
www.travelagentschoice.com.au.
