NEWS ROUND-UP
P&O ups commission to reward agents’ efforts
Lucy Huxley
P&O Cruises is increasing agent commission by 1% from January to the end of March, which bosses say represents a “multi-million pound” investment in the trade. Vice-president of sales and
marketing Alex Delamere-White said the bonus, taking commission rates to 8.5% for three months, was “the first time in at least five years that we have offered an all-trade level incentive in the wave period”. He said the move had three main
purposes: “to thank agents for what they’ve been through; to reward their ongoing efforts; and to serve as something for them to look forward to – a brighter new year sales period.” Explaining the increase would
mean a 15% uplift in potential earnings, he added: “We still believe that 7.5% is a competitive earning rate given the scale of P&O Cruises – one in every two ex-UK cruises taken is a P&O cruise. But this is a significant increase that covers our wave campaign and when we anticipate launching our second new ship. “It’s been an almost impossible year for our travel agent partners,
but the way they have responded under the circumstances has been remarkable.” As well as the 1% bonus
commission, P&O Cruises is also offering a frontline agent incentive from December 16 to the end of February. It is giving away an additional 100,000 Shine points using the Spin to Win feature on its website, with agents rewarded for every Select Price booking made. Delamere-White said the best
way to train agents was to get them to experience the product, with Shine points redeemable for agents’ own
One in every two ex-UK cruises is a P&O cruise. Inset,
Alex Delamere-White
cruises, but noted that points may also be redeemed for shopping vouchers. He said he was “optimistic” about
the future despite the current ban on Brits taking ocean cruises and had been encouraged by P&O’s summer 2022 launch performance, particularly the “double-digit growth recorded from newcomers”. P&O’s sales team will be
undertaking virtual store visits to help agents prepare for the wave period. Agents will be able to book 20-minute slots for advice and up-to-date news from training and engagement manager Steph Adams.
TravelCares appeal for Abta LifeLine hits £20,000
The TravelCares appeal launched byTravel Weekly with industry charity Abta LifeLine has surpassed £20,000 in donations to support those in the industry facing hardship due to Covid-19. The milestone was reached after
a string of donations, and a £1,500 contribution from the Travel Trade Consultancy and The Travel Vault. Since its summer launch,
TravelCares has received a range of donations, large and small, with the funds going to help those who have lost their jobs or are facing other challenges. Services provided by Abta
LifeLine include emergency grants and vouchers, debt, benefit, housing and redeployment advice and mental health support. As of Tuesday, the appeal total
stood at £20,888 including Gift Aid. LifeLine director Trudie
Clements said: “We want to do what we can this Christmas, so please spread the word about the help we can give, and if you can donate the cost of your latte or your Secret Santa, those all add up and really will make a family’s Christmas.” Donate at
justgiving.com/ campaign/travelcares
Most US lines suspend full cruise programmes until March 2021 at earliest
Major US cruise lines have pushed back their resumptions to March. Most sailings on Royal
Caribbean International and sister line Celebrity Cruises have now been suspended through to February 28, 2021 – though Quantum of the Seas resumed service in Singapore this month.
8 10 DECEMBER 2020 Fellow Royal Caribbean Group
lines Silversea Cruises and Azamara suspended sailings to April 1 and March 20 respectively, except for a February 6 Silver Origin sailing. Carnival Cruise Line cancelled
February cruise operations from Miami, Port Canaveral and Galveston, bringing them in line
with resumption plans from other ports. New ship Mardi Gras’ first sailing – from Port Canaveral – has been postponed until April 24. Norwegian Cruise Line has
cancelled sailings until the end of February while sister brands Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises are on hold until March 31.
In Europe, MSC Cruises’ winter
sailing plans were disrupted by new Covid protocols in Italy. Three sailings on each of MSC Grandiosa andMSC Magnifica have been cancelled. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines will not
operate river cruises in 2021 after cancelling its charter of Brabant.
travelweekly.co.uk
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