Jumping in to Q1
TRenD: ‘SKI’ - Spending the Kids’ Inheritance
Charter Your Family’s Way Through the ARCHIPELAGO
Multi-generational vacations continue to be hot heading into the new year, but with a new and improved budget. It was found that grandparents are overwhelmingly the ones footing the bill for their full family vacations and they are increasingly opting to take their children and grandchildren on once-in-a-lifetime trips that go all out… “spending their kids’ inheritance” on experiences and making memories they can all enjoy rather than leaving the money behind when they are gone.
We propose leveraging the trend to do another push for our full-ship buyouts, encouraging multi-gen family charters as the ultimate way to spend away those savings on a “once in a lifetime sail” through the Galapagos. To give it some new media legs too, we propose providing the option for families to theme their departures if they choose to customize their sail to their family hobbies/preferences — for example, turn your multi-gen charter into a family sail that is perfect for younger kids, or if the family is older, opt for a wellness sail with a yoga instructor and spa therapist/masseuse or even a private photography sail!
We also love this angle as the perfect over-the-top vacation to propose just in time for Spring Break family travel.
*Still working on strategically pitching this angle, with potential coverage pending for Family Vacationist
Let’s jump onboard
WAVE Season
TIMELINE: JANUARY / FEBRUARY
“What's wave season, you ask? Although we've been seeing it starting earlier and running later the last few years, it's typically in the first quarter of each new year, when cold winter weather in many parts of the U.S. has potential cruisers dreaming of warmer climates. Cruise lines have taken note, luring travelers with discounted fares and inclusions like free Wi-Fi, drinks and more.”
- The Points Guy
While we know sales on sails are rare for Ecoventura to protect the departures’ exclusivity and rate, in 2024, we saw successful media coverage from our Leap Year flash sale along with a resulting interest spike following the accomplished exposure. This year, we propose hopping aboard the WAVE Season trend to secure coverage in any and all outlets that may be writing about special promotions being offered by cruise lines around the world. Last year, special sales were covered by CNT, T+L, The Points Guy, Forbes, Luxury Travel Advisor, Cruise Critics amongst more.
We think this could be the perfect opportunity to leverage national exposure and sweeteners to entice last-minute bookings over any lower occupancy departures through the end of Q2 and push slower sail dates through the end of the year! To be competitive based on last year’s covered deals, we would recommend offering at least a “save up to 20% off” promotion with a discount of up to 25% being more competitive, only applicable to select departure dates.
Placement in Travel Market Report + Feedback: Securing offer by October/November 2025 will optimize pitching for print and bigger national opportunities
TREND: ai, chat gpt & Press releases
What’s New ABOARD ECOVENTURA
While historically, our team has always opted for curated pitching, leveraging our media contacts and only using press releases for major announcements, whether it be a new ship or a major renovation, throughout 2024, we’ve gained valuable insight into the crucial role that press releases amplified over a newswire are playing in making sure there is correct and accurate information being used by AI bots and Chat GPT with SEO rapidly evolving. So in addition to our strategic outreach, this year for the first time, we are strongly recommending dispursing 1 to 2 factual, high-level releases over a paid newswire service (budget-friendly recommendation: EIN Newswire ~ $700 USD).
Given the media engagement and interest in Ecoventura’s sustainability and conservation program within the past year, we’d recommend publishing a “sustainability by the numbers” press release that publicizes the updated accomplishments of both our reforestation program and our recycling program historically to date.
TIMELINE: JANUARY / February
Pivoted this idea to focus on all “newsy” specialty departures and evergreen offers aboard Ecoventura in 2025. This very successful strategy secured placements in DRIFT Travel, Luxury Travel Magazine, Travel Dreams Magazine, Travel Daily News, Insider Travel Report, Seatrade Cruise News, North Palm Beach Life and more.
INDIVIDUAL Media Sails
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Sophie-Claire Hoeller, Shermans Travel
COMPLETE: Jan 26 - Feb 2
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Carlos Suarez, VENICE Magazine
Rescheduling
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George Coyle, LUXE Magazines
Rescheduling: Fall 2025
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Jamie Davis Smith, Freelance (National Geographic, USA Today, etc.)
Rescheduling
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Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, Media Decision, MSN
Confirmed: June 15 - 22
Other available upcoming sails…
February 23-02 March (A) – 2-3 cabins available
May 04-11 (A) – 2 cabins
March 30-06 April (B)
June 15-22 (A) – 1 cabin
August 24-31 (A)
THIS QUARTER’S OTHER
Pitch ANGLES
Agency will focus on evergreen storytelling angles, but will also pitch ideas based on timely trends, news, and holidays, including but not limited to….
Short lead
Once in a lifetime experience in 2025 - Placements in The Travel, MSN, Matador Network and more
Where to take a “Me-moon” for a new you - “Solo Travel” Offer - Upcoming coverage in The Muse Magazine
Seasonal events in the Galapagos: Tortoise/iguana hatching, Sea lion sunbathing and more
Themed Departures - Placement in Taste & Travel Magazine + Pending potential coverage in Travel + Leisure and Food & Wine as a result of recent sails
Long lead
Spring Break: Family departures - Upcoming coverage in Family Vacationist
Where to Celebrate Earth Day (April 22) - Team actively pitching this angle
Holidays: Mental Health Awareness Month, Mother’s/Father’s Day, Graduation vacations and more
2024 IDEAS WE STILL LOVE
In addition to the ideas above, we accomplished some new programming in 2024 that we will continue to focus on pitching and leveraging for coverage throughout this quarter including:
Stargazing in the Galapagos for the “Astro Pursuits” trend
The “Galapagos Affair” Baroness High Tea on the High Seas
Quiet Travel in the Archipelago
A Sneak Peek at Our Ideas for Q2
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ALL ABOARD: GoPro Ambassador Partnership
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NEW THEMED DEPARTURE: Adventure
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NEW THEMED DEPARTURE: Wellness
