Selling the Sea: An Inside Look at the Cruise Industry [Hardcover]

Bob Dickinson (Author), Andy Vladimir (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 1996

Critical praise for two of the brightest lights in the retail travel industry… "Carnival attracted passengers largely because of the effort [Bob] Dickinson oversaw to change the image of cruising from a pastime for the rich to a vacation for the masses. That change in consumer perception was perhaps the single most important event in the development of the modern cruise business." —Miami Herald "Andy Vladimir, marketing superstar, living legend, award-winning professor and scholar, is known as ‘Mr. Quotable Quote’ by industry professionals everywhere. His business and academic achievements easily put him on top." —Anthony G. Marshall Dean, School of Hospitality Management Florida International University

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

While not as impressive as transatlantic crossings on the great black-hulled ocean liners must have been, the smaller, slower cruise ships now provide the closest thing to seafaring adventure for the middle class. In this authoritative work, Dickinson, the president of Carnival Cruise Lines, and travel industry expert Vladimir (The Complete Travel Marketing Handbook, NTC Pub., 1992) offer an overview of the industry along with their business philosophy. They begin with an interesting history of oceangoing passenger vessels. Primordial cruises of the 19th century included passengers such as Mark Twain, who noted the mighty appeal of cruises to travelers between the ages of 40 and 70. The authors then turn to a thorough but numbing discussion of marketing strategies to ensure that no berth go unfilled. And yes, no book on cruising would be complete without mentioning the television show that benefited "every cruise ship afloat"?The Love Boat?as the authors bring on actor Gavin MacLeod (Captain Stubing) to say some nice things about the industry. Recommended for business collections.?Ben O'Sickey, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

Written by the man who helped make Carnival Cruise Lines the largest cruise line company in the world and a travel and tourism expert, this book is the guide to marketing in the cruise industry. It takes the reader through the basics of the cruise line industry, ship operations, and on-shore business operations--while continually sharing the business secrets of one of the leading figures in the travel industry. Includes insider information, anecdotes, background, and history. Explores all aspects of marketing a cruise line.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471120014
• ISBN-13: 978-0471120018
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #705,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best I've read about the cruise industry, August 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Selling the Sea: An Inside Look at the Cruise Industry (Hardcover)

I have to admit I was a bit concerned about an "impartial" book about the cruise industry written by the president of the world's largest participant. I was dead wrong. Bob Dickinson and Andy Vladimir have written a no-holds-barred, painfully honest account of the state of today's cruise industry. They don't mince words when it comes to the actual decline of cruisers! They finish up with a case study of an ideal cruise only agency that makes sense.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Facsinating!, October 1, 2002

By 

Thomas L. Smith (Denver, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Selling the Sea: An Inside Look at the Cruise Industry (Hardcover)

This book provides a facinating behind the scenes look at the cruise industry, from the ship to the home office to the travel agent. I was expecially surprised on how broad based it was, although Carnival (Bob Dickinson is president of that company) does play a prominent role. For example, a section on advertising features old Carnival ads. However, the book does include quotes from presidents of all major cruise lines, and the book freely uses examples from other major cruise lines. That said, it is a great book if you want a behind the scenes look at the industry, or work in the travel industry.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars definitely a text book, February 11, 2002

By 

David L Zumchak (Rochester, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Selling the Sea: An Inside Look at the Cruise Industry (Hardcover)

As a previous reviewer noted, thes is very much a business text book focusing on the cruise industry, probably aimed at people working in (or preparing for working in) travel agencies. There is some interesting general information in the early chapters, but then gets dry quickly.