The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) announced that Royal Caribbean International will join ASTA in a fall public relations campaign promoting family reunions and family gatherings. The campaign will target broadcast and print media to reach families and other groups gathering for the holidays to promote destination travel for their next get-together.

“Families, neighbors, old classmates and friends want to travel together,” said Richard M. Copland, CTC, ASTA president and CEO. “We know that family reunions are on the rise, and Royal Caribbean is once again out in front with its Royal Reunions program. We appreciate their partnership in ASTA’s campaign to let travelers know that travel agents are the best way to make arrangements for family gatherings of any size.”

A recent survey sponsored by ASTA and Vacation.com, a travel services marketing company, indicated that families are showing increased interest in catching up with loved ones at family reunions. Of the 400-plus ASTA and Vacation.com travel agents polled, two thirds (66.9 percent) reported booking travel accommodations for family reunions within the past year. And almost as many (64.5 percent) reported an increase in requests to book family reunion trips over the past five years.

When asked where people are hosting their family reunions, respondents indicated cruise ships (52.8 percent) are by far the most popular venues followed by all-inclusive resorts (19.8 percent).

“Cruising is an ideal choice for both small and large groups that want to travel together, and Royal Caribbean ships offer all the components for a successful reunion, including activities for all ages, group dining, and nearby or adjoining rooms–all neatly bundled into a safe, convenient and affordable package,” said Lisa Bauer, CTC, senior vice president, Sales, North America, for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “And now, our Royal Reunions program takes group travel to a new level with additional amenities and activities that make a special event even more enjoyable and memorable.”

Royal Caribbean’s Royal Reunion program currently offers two packages—a standard package and an elite package—that offer a variety of activities and extras designed to create a celebratory mood for reunion cruisers and help group members feel connected onboard.

Royal Reunions packages start at $50 per person and are available to groups booking eight or more staterooms. The Royal Reunions packages are currently available on all of Royal Caribbean’s Voyager-class ships—Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and the new Mariner of the Seas, which debuts in November 2003. Guests should contact their travel agents to book cruises.