Canada's Largest Cruise Retailer and B.C's Largest newsroom successfully launched The "Trip of the Century"
VANCOUVER, Oct. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - The Vancouver Sun, British Columbia's largest newsroom and Cruise Connections, Canada's largest cruise retailer successfully launched the first-ever cruise in celebration of The Sun's 100th anniversary, headed by President and Publisher Kevin Bent and Editor-In-Chief Harold Munro.
The Vancouver Sun 100 Cruise, an exclusive once-in-a-lifetime 7-day vacation experience sailed roundtrip from Vancouver on September 12, 2012 and explored the spectacular scenery and culture of Alaska aboard Holland America Line ms Volendam.
The cruise was joined by the ten columnists from The Vancouver Sun's award-winning editorial team and almost 600 guests, majority of whom are loyal Vancouver Sun readers. "This cruise gave us the opportunity to connect with our readers in a way that we don't typically do. We are in our confined quarters, in a newsroom. We are locked away from people," says Editor-In-Chief, Harold Munro.
Vancouver Sun columnist Shelley Fralic comments, "The guests are completely overwhelmed and delighted. It's like the best cruise they've ever been on because they feel like they've been treated like royalty."
"Cruise Connections has been a wonderful partner to us. We could not have done this without them. They are very customer focused and very customer oriented which I think is a must on this business. They did a wonderful job of upfront planning and looking after all the details and when things need to be addressed on the spot, they were there, they were quick to act," says Kevin Bent, President and Publisher of The Vancouver Sun.
Cruise Connections President and founder Sanjay Goel is equally proud of this endeavour. "With 100 years of history, they truly have a great story to tell. It is extremely gratifying to partner with The Vancouver Sun on this very important project which sold-out in four weeks. Given our experience with other large scale projects, we were able to turn this project around in 6 months, from launch to execution."
Highlights of this remarkable 7-day cruise included:
- Exclusive Sail-Away and Farewell Cocktail Reception
- Daily intimate "Breakfast with the Newsroom" which provided readers behind-the-scene stories and a glimpse of the inner-workings of The Sun newsroom
- Engaging forums on a wide range of topics ranging from politics to sports
- A chance to learn the finer points of food and wine with celebrated chef, Karen Barnaby
The Vancouver Sun's wine expert, Anthony Gismondi
Backstage at the movies, a selection of movies and conversations with National Postmedia film critic, Katherine Monk and the First ever premier of Sarah Polley's "Stories We Tell" - A private Salmon Bake in Juneau
At the culmination of this 7-day cruise during the farewell cocktail reception, The Vancouver Sun and Cruise Connections onboard team received a standing ovation from the guests for a remarkable experience.
About Cruise Connections Canada
Cruise Connections, founded in 1993 is Canada's largest cruise retailer. The company has won every virtually major cruise travel award and has been recognized by all cruise lines as being an exceptional retailer. Cruise Connections' success can be attributed to its knowledgeable specialists, Lowest Price Guarantee and focus on customer satisfaction.
About The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun, first published on February 12, 1912, is British Columbia's largest newsroom. It is a broadsheet newspaper publishing six days a week, Monday through Saturday and its website vancouversun.com is the fastest growing newspaper site in Canada, online seven days a week. The Vancouver Sun's parent company is Postmedia Network Inc. Community initiatives from The Vancouver Sun include Raise-A-Reader, The Sun Run, and The Vancouver Sun Children's Fund.
About Holland America
Holland America Line founded in 1873 is recognized as the undisputed leader in the cruise industry's premium segment. Holland America Line's fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to 350 ports in more than 100 countries. The cruise line has received Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards as "consistently among the highest-rated cruise lines."
SOURCE: Cruise Connections Canada
Contact:
Sanjay Goel
604-760-3102
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