Ocean Village is pinning its hopes on agents to boost the vital first-time cruise market and has promised to give them all the support they need, including coping with the rigours of the festive season.
The informal Carnival-owned cruiseline is sending out Christmas survival kits to agents that include a sachet of strong coffee, a party popper, a mint, an energy tablet and a shot of vodka to help with the “festive fun and frolics”.
With capacity set to double this year with the arrival of a second ship, Ocean Village Two, there will be a focus on helping more agents sell Ocean Village during the 2007 busy, early-year booking period.
Managing director Peter Shanks said: “Central to what we are trying to achieve is to make it easier for agents to sell Ocean Village. We have very competitive prices in our programme and a wider range of regional flying than ever before.
“There is as much a focus on travel agents as there is finding first-time cruisers because we believe the best way to find those cruisers is through travel agents.
“It’s so heartening that more and more travel agents are talking about cruise but I would like to see more agents actually getting into cruise.”