P&O PRINCESS Cruises is offering agent incentives
to increase bookings on its Alaskan itineraries.
Agents taking bookings before August 31 will receive a
stuffed husky, whale or bear toy and at the end of the week all bookings will
be put in a draw to win a one-foot high teddy bear. The company will also put
all bookings in a draw to give one agent and their partner the chance to win a
five-night Rockies tour with a Splendour of the Glaciers cruise.
In its 2002 Alaska programme, launched this week, the
company has introduced the larger 2,600 passenger Star Princess as well as the
existing 1,950 passenger Sun, Sea, Dawn and Ocean Princess, to increase
capacity to the region.
Princess Cruises sales and marketing manager Carol
Marlow said: “Alaska has been a big part of the cruise market for many
years and we are looking to expand it by promoting our land-based tours,
offering deluxe and cheaper standard accommodation.”
Itineraries include Splendour of the Glaciers, round
trip from Vancouver, calling at Juneau, Skagway, Yakutat Bay and Sitka. Prices
lead in at £1,995.
Meanwhile Princess Cruises has put the 2006 delivery
of two new ships on hold. Chief executive Peter Ratcliffe said: “We have
eight new ships on order which will enable us to meet our growth plans by 2004.”
He said that Princess will consider its development plans beyond that time.