Fred Olsen drops 5% online discount & announces new UK ports
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has stopped its 5% online discount for direct customers at the same time as announcing that it is to reintroduce sailings from Belfast next year.
The discount will be removed from its 2013 preview brochure due out in February and is in line with its campaign to drive more business through agents.
Nathan Philpot, sales and marketing director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: "In line with our proposal to end retail discounting and increase profits for agents, we will be removing the 5% online booking discount from our website with the publication of our next brochure.
"This decision demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the trade, whilst continuing to give our customers the widest possible range of options for booking their cruise holidays with Fred. Olsen."
The initiative forms part of a marketing push in 2012 which has included a prominent TV campaign, millions of inserts in the national press and over a million brochures and direct mail pieces produced and mailed for agents.
In October 2013, Fred. Olsen’s 880-passenger Boudicaa will make two turnaround visits to Belfast Harbour from where it will offer a 12-night Iberian cruise and a two-night mini cruise to Liverpool.
The last time Fred. Olsen called at Belfast was in 2007 with the Boudicca’s sister ship the Black Prince.
Next year, Fred. Olsen will also add Harwich to its ports of call, from where it will be offering cruises on the Black Watch in May and June.
By Diane Evans and Linsey McNeill
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