TRIP REPORT Carnival hosts 64 agents at Ibiza Rocks on annual reward trip. Josie Klein reports


Baillie: Carnival team will expand in line with fleet


C


arnival Cruise Line has pledged to expand its UK sales team ahead of next year’s wave season


in a bid to increase agent support. Speaking to Travel Weekly on the


line’s annual agent reward trip to Ibiza, international sales vice-president Iain Baillie confirmed the company would take on additional staff as it grows its fleet. Carnival Venezia entered


service at the end of May, while Carnival Firenze will begin running year- round cruises from California in spring 2024, bringing the line’s total number of ships to 26.


Iain Baillie HOW WAS THE TRIP?


Beth O’Connor, Bolsover Travel “As one of the line’s Fun Ambassadors,


I got to meet DJ Joel Corry, which was brilliant. I love Ibiza and I love my job, so for me this was my two worlds colliding and I feel so lucky to have been part of it. The Carnival brand is incredible and I’m grateful to everyone involved in organising the trip.”


Ricky Cooper, Ocean Holidays “It’s been a great experience and I feel


very privileged to have been involved. It’s been amazing to meet people from


all different companies. Within the industry, this trip is so well known as being the best agent reward trip out there, so when I found out I had a place I was absolutely buzzing. I have done a lot of fam trips but nothing compares to this.”


Seb Nalden, Iglu Cruise


“I came on this trip four years ago and I


loved it then but this year’s has been bigger and better than ever. Having more people on the trip has been great fun and everyone has been super-involved in all the activities and up for anything, so it’s been amazing.”


Carnival celebrates agents as trade engagement hits an ‘all-time high’


Carnival’s director of international sales said trade engagement is “at an all-time high” as he hailed the return of the annual reward trip. Luke Smith told Travel Weekly it was “important” the company


recognised agents, with the Ibiza trip providing the perfect opportunity. “The majority of Carnival Cruise Line’s UK sales come through the


trade, so it’s important for us to recognise that hard work and reward agents in return for their support,” said Smith. “Engagement from the trade is currently at an all-time high. We


supported the trade through the pandemic and they are now paying that back in kind with their loyalty and passion, so it’s great to take them away.” This year was the first time the event had been held since 2019 and


saw 64 agents stay at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel, where they enjoyed a VIP party hosted by DJ Joel Corry. In addition to this year’s Carnival Cruise Line Fun Ambassadors, most


of the agents were selected as they had made sales between January and March and won a place in the line’s wave booking promotion.


“We are absolutely looking to


expand the team in line with our growing business,” said Baillie. “The trade continues to be


central to everything we do and, as we increase our business, we will continue to service them [agents] and we know that we need more people to do so. “Although we haven’t got exact


numbers yet, we know that we will have increased the team by next year’s wave season so we can hit the ground running and support agents.” As part of its efforts to


boost trade awareness, Carnival Cruise Line will welcome agents on six ship visits across


the UK over the next three months. Attendees will take a tour of the


newly revamped Carnival Pride, have lunch on board and watch a presentation by one of the line’s sales team. The visits will take place in


Edinburgh on July 23, Belfast on August 1, Dover on August 11, Greenock on August 14 and Liverpool on both August 16 and September 6. Carnival Pride left dry dock in Cadiz on May 27 after a month of


refurbishment work, which included upgrades to improve accessibility for guests with disabilities. The 2,680-passenger ship will


sail a series of European cruises until October 28, followed by a 15-day transatlantic voyage to Tampa, Florida. To apply to attend one of the


ship visits, agents should email internationalsales@carnival.com with their name, date of birth, company, email address, phone number, gender identity and Covid-19 vaccination status.


Agents on the Carnival trip


NEWS


travelweekly.co.uk


15 JUNE 2023


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