So, while time is running out to register for the conference – this year to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia June 2-6 – there is also little time left to submit nominations for the people most deserving to be acknowledged by their peers this year. The nominating process, open to all CLIA members, closes March 31. Nominees are open in three categories of industry service – a cruise retailer, a cruise line executive, and an "At Large” category that may be any individual, such as an additional retailer or cruise line executive, a politician, publisher, or shipbuilder. In 2009, the three selections made for the Cruise Industry Hall of Fame were: Edwin W. Stephan, founder of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines; Walter Sherota, founder of Gold Coast Cruises; and Josephine Kling and Joyce Landry, founders of Landry & Kling, Inc.

Since its well-received inception in 2004, CLIA's cruise3sixty has grown into the official gold standard of cruise industry conferences – the "absolutely must” opportunity for travel agents to advance their business skills and knowledge of cruising, network with top industry leaders, and have a great time. This year CLIA is celebrating the cruise industry's resilience during tough economic times and the contributions of women in business, who make up the majority of travel agents. To kick things off, cruise3sixty's keynote address will be given by a woman who has shown not only resilience but incredible survival skills in climbing to the pinnacle of not one but many careers.

Alison Levine has survived sub-zero temperatures, hurricane-force winds, sudden avalanches, and a career on Wall Street. She served as team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition and skied across the Arctic Circle to the geographic North Pole. In January 2008, she made history as the first American to complete a 600-mile traverse from west Antarctica to the South Pole. All this after being born with a life-threatening heart condition that precluded even walking up stairs until she was 13 and a neurological disease that causes the arteries that feed her fingers and toes to collapse in cold weather. At the same time, Levine was pursuing a two-decades long career in business that eventually led to her being named deputy finance director for Arnold Schwarzenegger in his successful bid to be governor of California. She currently serves as an adjunct professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Other highlights of this year's general sessions include the always illuminating Presidents Panel, with the CEO's of several major cruise lines offering their perspectives on the industry and its future; a Small Ship Cruising discussion; and a timely panel on "Redefining Luxury in a New Economy.”

Educational opportunities at cruis3sixty are unmatched in the industry. In addition to speakers and general sessions, delegates will have the chance to earn 135 credits during 15 seminars – the fastest possible track toward CLIA Certification on several levels of training and experience. Particularly relevant to today's business environment, two new seminars at cruise3sixty include a three-hour program "Getting Connected: A Primer on Social Media Networking,” and a 90-minute session, "Selling Successfully across Cultures.”

Other educational opportunities at cruise3sixty will a trade show of hundreds of exhibitors, including all CLIA member lines, ship inspections of the Alaska fleet representing several CLIA member lines; 50-minute product and destination workshops showcasing top cruise destinations and innovative cruise-related products; the American Express Technology Center – 50-minute workshops offering hands-on, practical experience with the latest travel technology; booking demonstrations offered by CLIA member lines to ensure that agents derive maximum benefits from the latest booking technologies; and cruise line product briefings.

But, cruise3sixty is by no means all work and no play. There is a lavish Welcome Reception at the famous Vancouver Aquarium and other parties, sightseeing tours, and pre-and post-conference fams showcasing what makes Vancouver and British Columbia rank among the top tourism destinations in the world.

As CLIA gathers in Canada for the first time, it will be an unparalleled opportunity to take advantage of innovative programming and the best training and education anywhere to prepare for the challenges to come. But, none of this would be possible without the very generous sponsors of cruise3sixty, which include: American Express, Tourism Vancouver, Amadeus, Sabre Travel Network, Expedia CruiseShip Centers, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Hong Kong and Puerto Rico Tourism for their partnership.

With time running out, CLIA urges all our members to join together in Vancouver; it will be the best and most enjoyable investment you will make in your business this year! Log on to www.cruise3sixty.com to register or find more information at www.cruising.org. See you in Vancouver!

Heading into the homestretch of Wave Season, the industry's biggest promotional period of the year, many cruise lines were happy with the results so far. In fact, there are indications that this year may break all records as many consumers threw off their financial worries to take advantage, not only of outstanding prices, but of such value-added features as generous credits for shipboard spending, accommodations upgrades, free airfare, early booking discounts and more.

One CLIA member travel agent, Terri Burke, of Cruiseplanners.com in Coral Springs, Florida, may have summed up the industry's optimism, telling CLIA: "As we near the end of the first quarter 2010, Cruise Planners could not be more encouraged in sailed and future business on the books for this year and 2011. While there is still a significant amount of close-in business, we're also seeing the long-term benefit of 2009 marketing efforts, proving there is pent-up demand for Americans to travel. The volume is not slowing down; we're seeing each month in 2010 double the prior years' revenue. The per diems are also increasing significantly, creating some pretty amazing numbers even for Wave Season!”

Many CLIA cruise lines agreed. In the small ship, coastal and river cruising category of the industry, American Cruise Lines reported "experiencing its best Wave Season ever. With the addition of the brand new Independence and the Queen of the West, which is the only operating overnight paddlewheel boat in the U.S., our sales are at record levels.” Avalon Waterways said, "Interest in river and small ship cruising continues to accelerate at a faster rate than all other forms of travel. European river cruise bookings in the Wave Season are up more than 90 percent over 2009.” And, Hurtigruten, which operates coastal Norway cruises as well as adventure voyages to many parts of the world, noted that "So far we're 21 percent ahead of the same time last year in revenue.”

With the support of its travel agent partners, targeted marketing initiatives, itinerary enhancements and a variety of close-to-home departure points, Carnival Cruise Lines reported record Wave Season bookings, with strong reservations activity for 2010 departures. From Jan. 1 through Feb. 21, 2010, bookings were at unprecedented levels for Carnival's 22 ships. "We will implement an across-the-board price increase effective March 22,” said president and CEO Gerry Cahill.

"Our first quarter Wave Season promotion definitely persuaded consumers to book a Norwegian cruise vacation as we saw heavy call volumes translating to exceptional bookings,” according to Kevin Sheehan, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian reported strong growth in group business – "up close to twofold” – as well as consumer interest in Hawaii cruises and the new 4200-passenger Norwegian Epic arriving in June. "As we move out of Wave Season, consumers and travel partners can expect to see our prices rise across the fleet, especially for our new, highly anticipated ship,” Sheehan said.

Royal Caribbean International's Fourth Quarter Report "noted an improving booking environment and expects Net Yields for 2010 to improve three percent to six percent versus 2009. First Quarter 2010 Net Yields are expected to improve approximately two percent.”

Among luxury cruise lines, Crystal Cruises reported that "soaring sales for its 2010 cruises continued through the end of January. Bookings for the month were 205 percent greater than for the same month in 2009. Additionally, new-to-Crystal guests booked for 2010 are 89 percent of totals for all of 2009.” And, Seabourn Cruise Line reported: "For January, numbers of bookings showed a 106 percent increase compared to 2009, and were up 215 percent compared to 2008. The number of first-time guests booking in January surged 79 percent over the same period in 2009 and 155 percent of January in 2008, which was Seabourn's best year to date.”

Finally, Windstar Cruises, the only CLIA member line to operate sail-powered cruise ships, reports "strong sales during the first six weeks of the year for 2010 sailings.”