Interview Summary: Mark Murphy with Shannon Bonadurer of D2Travel.com
Interview Overview
Mark Murphy, host of TravelTube.com, interviewed Shannon Bonadurer, a dedicated travel advisor and agency owner, who shares insights about Royal Caribbean cruise ships (particularly Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas), Universal's Epic Universe theme park, and tips for travel agents. Shannon is known for her passion and dedication to the travel industry—Mark notes she even continued selling travel from her hospital bed during a recent stay.
Royal Caribbean Insights
Brand Overview & Appeal
* Royal Caribbean appeals to a wide range of clients due to their diverse fleet.
* Suitable for families, singles, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and themed cruises.
* Clients consistently report getting "the most bang for their buck" with Royal Caribbean.
* Once someone becomes a Royal Caribbean client, they tend to remain loyal to the brand.
* The cruise line regularly innovates and elevates the experience with each new class of ship.
Icon of the Seas Highlights
* Despite the ship's massive size, Shannon found it didn't feel crowded even near capacity.
* Innovative elevator technology helps manage passenger flow.
* Spacious staterooms with "infinity balconies" (windows that go up and down) provide extra space.
* Improved bathroom designs with glass shower doors instead of curtains.
* So many activities that Shannon couldn't experience everything despite being "on the go from 6am to 3am."
* Family-friendly areas with dedicated water parks and activities.
Utopia of the Seas Features
* Smaller than Icon but similar in design philosophy.
* Positioned as a "weekend party ship" for shorter getaways.
* Narrower promenade compared to Icon but still spacious.
* Standard balconies instead of the infinity balconies found on Icon.
* Features Central Park area but smaller than on Icon.
* Sails from Port Canaveral, making it easily accessible.
* Perfect for those seeking an alternative to Vegas for weekend trips.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
* Royal Caribbean's private island described as "like nothing I'd ever seen before."
* Excellent venue for team-building activities and corporate events.
* Features wave pools, rock climbing, stunt plane shows, and various activities.
* Corporate areas can be rented for around $5,000 for team-building events.
* All-inclusive food and drink options available.
* Private cabanas and adults-only areas.
Common Cruise Objections & Solutions
Motion Sickness Concerns
* Top concern for first-time cruisers.
* Eastern Caribbean itineraries recommended due to currents (forward/backward motion instead of side-to-side).
* Suggests bringing Dramamine, Benadryl or getting a patch (available onboard).
Other Common Concerns
* Fear of getting lost on large ships.
* Worries about being left behind at ports.
* Passengers without passports on closed-loop cruises face more challenges if left behind.
* Shannon advises against booking third-party excursions due to risks of delays and missed boarding times.
* Some third-party operators may intentionally delay returns to generate additional hotel stays.
Universal Epic Universe
New Park Overview
* Located one mile from the existing Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
* Features multiple themed areas: Wizarding World with Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon, and Dark Universe.
* Universal is building dedicated bus lanes to transport guests between properties.
* Current travel time is approximately 12 minutes between existing properties and Epic Universe.
* Managing attendance to avoid overcrowding issues that occurred with previous Harry Potter opening.
Access & Experience Options
* Currently designed for one-day visits.
* VIP packages and Express access available.
* High-quality restaurants featuring steaks, seafood, and unique themed food items.
* Some popular Halloween Horror Nights food items will become permanent offerings.
Pricing & Value
* Theme park tickets priced similarly to existing Universal parks.
* Universal mindful of keeping prices accessible to middle class, unlike other parks.
* Family of four: 4-night, 5-day stay with 3-day park-to-park access including Epic for approximately $3,400.
* Standard accommodations include Loews Dockside and Sapphire Falls.
* Premium accommodations (Portofino Bay, Royal Pacific, Hard Rock) approximately $600 more.
* VIP tours include guide, breakfast, lunch, front-of-line access, and VIP lounges.
* Solo VIP experience: $800-900; shared VIP experience: approximately $400.
Universal's Expansion
* Building dedicated Harry Potter experiences.
* Developing a new Halloween Horror Nights-type attraction in Las Vegas.
* Planning a family-focused theme park in Texas.
* Receiving excellent feedback, particularly from guests with disabilities.
Travel Agent Tips
Onboarding New Agents
* Provide one-on-one training with agency trainers or owners.
* Identify the destination an agent is passionate about or knowledgeable about.
* Send new agents to experience that destination firsthand.
* Arrange knowledge-sharing sessions upon return so all agents benefit from the experience.
Agency Operations
* Hold meetings after agent trips to share insights with the entire team.
* Record these sessions for future reference.
* Share content with social media directors.
* Foster a team environment where "every client belongs to the entire agency."
* Ensure all agents can answer questions about various destinations.
Value Proposition for Clients
* Shannon positions travel advisors as an "insurance policy" for travelers.
* Commissions are already built into pricing whether clients book directly or through an agent.
* Agents provide backup when things go wrong (storms, airport closures, etc.).
* Agents handle rebooking, notifying employers, and arranging accommodations during disruptions.
Interview conducted by Mark Murphy for TravelTube.com with Shannon Bonadora, travel advisor
