New agent appreciation campaign as Royal Caribbean pushes 2008-09 brochures
New destinations and itineraries feature in revamped Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises brochures published for 2008/09.
To coincide with the launch the company is stepping up its rewards and incentives for travel agents with a new Travel Agent Appreciation campaign.
The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line BIG HAND awards will see agents rewarded for consistent excellence across all areas of their business, from finance to the front line.
All award winners will be invited to a summer ‘extravaganza’ and one overall winner will receive a cruise holiday.
A new Cruising for Excellence online training programme offers travel agents more information on the company’s brands.
Besides the world’s largest cruise ship, Independence of the Seas, sailing from Southampton, Royal Caribbean is targeting first-time cruisers with four and five -night cruises from Barcelona on Navigator of the Seas.
Navigator of the Seas will also run new itineraries sailing from the port of Rome to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Longer Mediterranean cruises from Rome onboard Splendour of the Seas are included together with a longer season in the Mediterranean from May to November including Brilliance of the Seas from Barcelona sailing year round offering winter sun options.
Two standalone brochures from Royal Caribbean International – Worldwide Cruises and Europe & The Med – cover more than 85 different itineraries.
They include a cruise planner highlighting all cruises, departure dates and page numbers for a reference guide to all sailings and a feature dedicated to new European ports of call for 2008/09.
A discount of £200 per cabin applies to bookings made by July 31 on cruises of seven nights or more. Regional air fares to Southampton are available from £70 per person and free car parking at the Port of Southampton will also be available for early bookers.
Sample prices include a four-night Western Mediterranean fly cruise onboard Navigator of the Seas departing on May 15 and 29, 2008 leading-in at £570 per person.
Celebrity Cruises’ new ports of call include Tunis, Gijon in Spain, Split in Croatia and Harwich.
The brochure features new ship Celebrity Solstice from October 2008, new Cruisetours in Europe and Canada and an ‘i-brochure’ as a selling tool, available online at www.cruisingpower.co.uk.
A similar £200 discount also applies to early bookings for the Celebrity programme.
Sales and marketing director Jo Rzymowska said: “Launching our biggest ever brochures for the 2008/9 season – the biggest ever in the history of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line – is a fitting move to demonstrate the scale of our growing business.
“Not only will 2008 see the largest cruise ship in the world, Independence of the Seas, dedicated to the UK market, we will also celebrate the launch of a new ship in Celebrity Solstice.
“Plus, the recently launched Azamara Cruises, part of the Celebrity Cruises family, will offer more destinations and a new luxury cruise experience for travellers.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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