Q in the News

“Get Me Out of Here”: Harsh winter spurs cruise bookings – USA Today Cruise Log

February 19, 2014: While much of the country has had enough of what has been an unusually harsh winter, polar temperatures and record snowfall have been a boon for warm-weather travel destinations.

Both cruise lines and travel sellers are finding that last-minute bookings are up this season.

“On the heels of our one-month all-time high reservations record experienced in January, we are continuing to enjoy very strong booking activity, including a lot of close-in reservations,” said Jennifer de la Cruz, vice president of public relations for Carnival Cruise Lines. “Although it is difficult to say how much of a role the severe winter weather may be playing, we think it certainly is a factor as people dream of warmer climates while shoveling their walks and scraping the ice off their cars.”

Rob Clabbers, president of (Q Cruise + Travel, formerly) Cruise Holidays Chicago, said “almost everyone who calls us refers to the terrible weather and the fact that they’d love to see some sun. We’ve seen a healthy bump in new business so far this year.”

The problem, Clabbers said, is that last-minute bookers are running into very high airfares, and that “there are definitely some people that decide to stay home once they realize that last-minute airfare can be higher than they expect.” (more…)

Will European cruises make a comeback in 2013? – USA Today Cruise Log

December 27, 2012:  Will European cruises make a comeback in 2013? According to some travel agents, the answer is yes.

A series of factors dampened 2012’s European peak sailing season, including high airfare costs and regional unrest, as many Americans decided not to cross the pond to cruise.

This year, travel agents think that might change.  …

Rob Clabbers, president of (Q Cruise + Travel, formerly) Cruise Holidays Chicago, said that he specifically thinks Europe’s Adriatic Coast and departures out of Venice will be hot commodities this summer, as well as European river cruises, which he said already are being booked.

“Key with river cruises is to book early, especially if you are planning to go in the summer in Europe,” he said. “And prices tend to increase closer to the sailing dates. Many of the lower category rooms (and fares) are already booked.”

Clabbers said he anticipates that more cruise lines will offer credits or air discounts to offset the higher airfares to Europe.

Citing some of the current Europe offers on the market, Clabbers said that Princess is offering up to $1,000 discounts on cruise fares and up to $1,000 discount for two people on airfares for a selection of European cruises; Celebrity Cruises is offering a $1,000 shipboard credit per room for clients that book a balcony or above by Dec. 31; and Royal Caribbean International is offering between $100-$400 in onboard credit per cabin for cruises of six nights or longer for oceanview or higher staterooms on Europe sailings.  (more…)

Q Cruise + Travel talks about Cruise Travel Safety – FOX TV

As cruise travel specialists, the travel experts at Q Cruise + Travel (formerly Cruise Holidays Chicago) are frequently invited by the media to provide their insight on the cruise line and travel industry.

On November 12, 2010, FOX TV “Good Day Chicago” asked Rob Clabbers, president of Cruise Holidays Chicago, to speak with anchors Corey McPherrin and Kori Chambers about cruise line safety.

Chicago Cruise + Travel Expert invited to Royal Naming Ceremony of Cunard Line Queen Elizabeth

19 October 2010 – Cunard Line invited Q Cruise + Travel (formerly Cruise Holidays Chicago), one of Cunard Line’s top producing U.S. travel agencies, to travel to Southampton, England to attend the Royal Naming Ceremony and related festivities of Cunard Line’s new Queen Elizabeth on 11 October. The group of cruise line executives and top producing travel agents gathered in the ship’s Grand Lobby shortly after Her Majesty The Queen christened the liner in front of more than 1,500 invited guests.  (Rob Clabbers, president of Q Cruise + Travel is at top right in this image.)

The group posed under the Grand Lobby’s signature art installation depicting the original Queen Elizabeth. The 18 and a half foot panel was crafted by renowned marquetry artist David Linley, son of the late Princess Margaret and famed photographer, Lord Snowden, and also the only nephew of Her Majesty The Queen.