New P&O Ferries ticketing system helps agents to sell extras

P&O Ferries has unveiled a ticketing platform that makes it easier for agents to make bookings and sell extras including pet cabins, upgrades and food and drinks packages.

The ferry company developed the new booking system in six months, in partnership with ticketing specialist Expian, “within months rather than the years it takes most operators in the leisure and tourism sector”.

Expian claimed the speedy development of the platform for P&O Ferries’ Hull to Rotterdam service is an “industry record”.

It added: “This remarkable speed follows the successful deployment of the Irish Sea route, Larne to Cairnryan, last year, cementing Expian’s reputation for rapid, reliable delivery.”

The new platform replaced legacy software and integrates with existing systems.

It supports booking for a range of standard, off-peak, return and flexible tickets across the sailing schedule – and powers “smart upsells” including upgrades, food and drink packages, transfers, overnight cabins and a limited number of pet-friendly cabins.  

Kenneth Rasmussen, P&O Ferries head of IT transformation, said: “A significant factor in the success of this project is that what Expian has delivered is aligned with our business needs…Expian’s deep understanding of the ferry business has been good, achieving these positive outcomes.”