Travel agents will be able to book Carnival Cruise Lines online for the first time from next week after a new automated booking tool went live.
The booking site GoCarnival.co.uk, which has been developed with Traveltek, allows Carnival to transact in Sterling prices and offer by cruise-only and fly/cruise product. Future developments will include full dynamic packaging capability.
As an incentive to use GoCarnival.co.uk, all agents who make a cruise or fly/cruise booking using the system between February 8 and April 30 2010 be entered into a prize draw to win an Apple iPad.
Carnival’s UK managing director Lynn Narraway, said: “GoCarnival.co.uk is a great way for agents to increase their Carnival sales and lower their acquisition costs.
“The system features live pricing and is designed to enable agents to check availability, see special cruise offers, and price their own fly/cruise Carnival holidays for clients – all without the need to call our sales centre.
“The timing of this launch is perfect, as it allows our travel agent partners to make early bookings for our recently announced Carnival Magic Mediterranean 2011 programme”.
Agents will be asked to register their company details to use the system which will create a unique password that will be emailed.
Once logged on the site allow users to view special offers and search for cruises by ship, destination or itinerary before adding customer details.
Carnival said a booking can be made in six easy steps process and the system allow agents to add commission, which can be shown or hidden, and add other holiday components.
Fly/cruise packages include scheduled flights, one night pre-cruise stay at the port of embarkation and transfers, as well as the cruise.
Agents will be able to choose and book flights and timings as well as departures from regional airports plus upgrades and after a booking has been made, an email detailing the booking will be sent.
Narraway added: “The pricing will automatically show the cheapest gross cruise only fare available per person, with special offers reflected in the final costing shown.
“Since agents will be able to view the full range of cabin availability and pricing, it will be easy for them to “sell in” to their clients the benefits of upgrading to a higher cabin type, for instance a balcony, at a marginally higher price.
“Looking ahead, phase two of the project will offer dynamic packaging options as well as many other enhancements.”