Royal Caribbean flags fly-cruise flexibility
Royal Caribbean International has introduced ‘dynamic air packaging’ in a bid to increase airline choice for fly-cruises.
The line claims the innovation, which will cover 80% of its fly-cruise business from the UK, will ensure lower prices throughout the year.
Unveiling 2005-06 brochures for Royal Caribbean and sister company Celebrity Cruises, UK sales director Leslie Peden said: “The introduction of dynamic air packaging will reinforce our ‘book early’ massage for consumers wishing to get the best price for a fly-cruise.
“We now have the opportunity to take advantage of increased airline choice and enhanced flight availability that will allow for a longer selling period for fly-cruises year round. Dynamic air packaging will cover Miami, San Juan and all European gateways with the intention of extending this to other destinations in the near future.”
The 106-page Royal Caribbean brochure details itineraries of four ships to be deployed in Europe next summer, including a dedicated vessel from Southampton for the first time. The US line will have 14 ships either seasonally or year-round in the Caribbean, three in Alaska for next summer and five covering Bermuda and the Bahamas.
The 104-page Celebrity brochure includes details of three ships in Europe in summer 2005, six in the Caribbean in 2005-06, three in Alaska next summer, two in Bermuda and one-off itineraries to South America including the Rio Carnival.
Both lines have an early booking offer of up to £200 off per cabin for reservations made by September 30.
*The sister lines have launched an online toll to enable agents to monitor commission payments and keep track of bookings. Insight, available to agencies registered on the lines’ www.crusingpower.com trade extranet, claims to offer daily updates on bookings, highlights when booking options are due to expire and tracks documentation/ticketing status.
Agents can review bookings for sailings within 90 days and all group bookings for future sailings.
The system should result in fewer phone calls by agents to chase booking information, according to Mr Peden
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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