Starwood Hotels Launch Pre- and Post-Cruise Hotel Packages

Starwood Hotels (Sheraton, Westin, , Sheraton Suites, W Hotels, Four Points, Meridien, St. Regis and others) has just launched a pre- and post-cruise hotel program for cruisers. Packaging breakfast with the rate, and advertising discounts, Starwood has selected hotels near cruise ports which may be of interest to cruisers in the program.

In taking a look at the options through my agent portal (I"m not sure the package is yet available to the public), the hotel selections are good, and ones I'd choose if I had a client who preferred to stay in the Starwood brands. It does make seeking these properties a lot easier, and is nice to see a hotel group addressing the pre- and post-cruise market with specifically-designed packaging.

I do see on the rates that they are non-refundable and fully pre-paid, which is part of the reason that they are attractively priced. You will want to ensure your trip insurance covers the cost of these rooms if you choose to book through these packages.

In these economic conditions, hotels are taking perhaps the hardest hit in the travel industry, and there are lots of bargains to be found. It will take creative marketing such as this for hotels to keep their occupancy up, so a bit of smart shopping can pay off. Alternative booking methods, such as Priceline Name Your Own Price, are becoming more attractive again, as they were following 9/11, and I'm happy to assist my clients with those options as well. As many of you know, I was the founder of BiddingHELP.com, which was the first of its kind Priceline and Hotwire bidding service. I no longer offer those services to the public, but do for my cruise clients at no additional charge.

So kudos to Starwood for marketing to cruisers, and remember that I can help with your hotel options as well.