Agents earned more than £1 million in commission from P&O Cruises on December 1, as two new 2011 voyages went on sale.
Artemis’ farewell voyage, a 14-night Mediterranean cruise from Southampton on April 12 2011, sold out in 17 minutes, with an average of 68 passengers booked per minute, while 500 passengers booked Arcadia’s Grand Alaska Adventure, more than 80% of them taking the full 72-day voyage.
The Alaska cruise also departs Southampton on April 12 2011 and went on sale with prices from £6,999 per person cruise-only for the full voyage.
P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow said: “This is a phenomenal achievement in any environment but it particularly underpins the allure of cruising in today’s climate.
“As these bookings were for 2011 cruises, it is evident that people are optimistic about the future, committing to spending money and bucking trends by booking ahead for a holiday in 18 months’ time.”
Marlow said agents earned more than £1 million in commission in one day from just these two cruises. “It shows without doubt, that cruising is highly lucrative for agents.”