Cruise line encourages online bookings
Online cruise bookings are to be introduced for UK agents by Princess Cruises.
The line, part of the giant Carnival group, is opening an online booking engine under the name Agent E-cho to coincide with the launch of 2006 brochures. The online booking service will operate later this summer alongside viewdata and Amadeus, according to the company.
As previously reported, Princess and three other Carnival UK brands operating under the Complete Cruise Soluion umbrella – P&O Cruises, Cunard and Ocean Village – will offer the online facility.
Princess is expanding Mediterranean fly-cruises next year with the addition of direct charter flights to serve Grand Princess. Golden Princess will also operate in the Med in 2006 while Sea Princess returns for a second summer of sailings from Southampton with four 14-night itineraries and a series of short cruises. Sea Princess – formerly P&O Cruises’ Adonia – is being re-named tonight at a gala event in the port by actress Joanna Lumley.
The line claims Star Princess will be the largest ship in the Baltic region operating two 10-night itineraries from Copenhagen. Meanwhile, four itineraries will run in Alaska, Canada and New England.
Brochures are being distributed to agents by Monday with bookings opening on June 6. Early booking discounts of up to 45% apply for reservations made by August 31 and Alaska land tour prices have been pegged at this year’s rates.
Princess adds a 2006-07 Caribbean brochure in July followed by a 2006-07 Exotic Cruises programme in September.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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