Norwegian Cruise Line is offering free stateroom upgrades in a simplified autumn campaign at the launch of its first dedicated Europe brochure.
The Better Stateroom, Better Price, Better Book Now campaign means all staterooms within each grade – inside, oceanview and balcony – are the same price. The free upgrades allow agents to upgrade clients up by up to seven categories within each grade, with savings of up to £280.
General manager NCL UK Stephen Park said the cruiseline aimed to offer a more straightforward trade message as last year’s campaign attracted criticism for being over-complicated, with too many core messages.
“Last year we tried to over-complicate it – agents want a message that’s easy to understand and will help close a sale,” he said.
The campaign applies to all 2009 bookings made between August 15 and October 31, 2008. It also allows customers to upgrade from a balcony stateroom to a mini-suite from £100 per person.
Meanwhile, NCL’s Freestyle Cruising Europe 2009 brochure includes the cruiseline’s first Black Sea itinerary and two new cruise and stay options on the Costa Dorada and at PortAventura.
“Norwegian Jade is committed full-time to Europe so it gives us capacity to explore new itineraries,” said Park.
The cruiseline has ditched lead-in price messages on brochure front covers. “We want customers to think about the product first as opposed to the price,” he added.
Already sales for this winter are ahead of this time last year – last week alone sales were 67% up on the same week last year.