Norwegian Breakaway arrives in Southampton

By Phil Davies

Norwegian Breakaway becomes one of the biggest ships to make its debut in Southampton today for a special trade preview.

The latest Norwegian Cruise Line ship made a pre-inaugural overnight sailing from Rotterdam to arrive in the UK port this morning.

Hundreds of agents will be on board as the 4,028-passenger ship is showcased today by senior executives led by chief executive Kevin Sheehan.

They will be able to earn up to 4% bonus commission for their agencies by attending educational sessions onboard.

Norwegian believes the Engage and Reward initiative on board new ship Norwegian Breakaway is a first for the travel industry.

Agents will be given a unique barcode on arrival, which they will have scanned as they attend ship tours and presentations from senior managers, Ace and Travel Weekly among others.

The maximum bonus commission they can earn is 4%, which will be available to all staff in their agencies between May 15 and June 14 for sailings before the end of 2013.

Agents are being given the opportunity to meet representatives from key cruise destinations as they move through check-in and embarkation at Southampton.

Participating destinations include Alaska, Seattle, Miami, Clearwater Beach, Barcelona, Malaga and Palma.

Norwegian is also providing £25 bonus commission on new bookings made by May 14 as part of promotional campaign involving price cuts of up to £150 per cabin across various ships in the fleet.

UK & Ireland business development director Nick Wilkinson said: “Our Partners First philosophy recognises the central part that the trade plays in product distribution, and the Engage & Reward programme idea is rooted in that.

“Attending agents will have the opportunity to earn incremental commission for their organisation through attending the various educational elements of the launch activity.”

Norwegian Breakaway leaves tomorrow for its homeport of New York where it will be officially named on May 8. Summer cruises to Bermuda start two days later.

Norwegian Breakaway features seafood restaurant Ocean Blue by New York celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian, three Broadway shows, a quarter mile long ‘broadwalk’ and five water slides.

The vessel will be joined in April 2014 by sister ship Norwegian Getaway.

Clia move means 'business as usual', says Ace

By Lee Hayhurst 

The Association of Cruise Experts has promised no reduction in the support it offers agents after it becomes part of a global cruise organisation next year.

Ace, and parent body the Passenger Shipping Association, this week announced they were one of nine international cruise bodies that will form the global Cruise Lines International Association (Clia).

The two UK brands will become known as Clia UK. They will retain their London office, from where their training and trade events will continue to be run.

The PSA is understood to be fully funded up until April 2013 but after that there will be a 12-month period of transition to Clia UK.

Cruise lines will join the global group, which will allocate funds to projects around the world.

Regional cruise bodies will generate their own funds to support local activity.

Ace director Andy Harmer vowed it would be "business as usual" in 2013:

We Travel 2U ACE Certificate

“All Ace activity will continue; we will just become Clia UK, with the Clia global organisation focusing on the regulatory side of things in Brussels and Washington.

“This will allow us to focus on what we are good at: travel agent training and events. We will be judged based on the work we do, not on what we are called.”

Clia was formerly a US-only trade body. Outside of the US, Europe has the most well-established cruise organisations, with the PSA and the European Cruise Council the two most significant entities.

Ace, which was rebranded from Psara five years ago, is considered a leading light in agent training and it is likely Clia will seek to emulate much of its work in other markets.

As part of the changes, all the PSA’s ferry interests will be transferred to the Chamber of Shipping.

The PSA this week became the official complaint-handling body after maritime passengers in Europe were given the same rights as rail and air traveller.