Norwegian Cruise Line has launched its Europe 2011 preview brochure.
Highlights include Norwegian Epic’s European debut, a group points incentive and a simplified booking process.
Norwegian Epic will sail seven-night western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona; Norwegian Sun will offer Baltic Capitals voyages from Copenhagen; and Norwegian Jade will sail the eastern Mediterranean out of Venice.
The brochure is the first to feature NCL’s fleet recategorisation which has standardised stateroom categories designed to make it easier for agents to locate and book accommodation.
Simplified accommodation codes across primary categories and special staterooms, for example those with family accommodation or courtyard access, will become standard on all sailings departing after April 1.
General manager Stephen Park said: “The preview brochure signals the launch of our biggest and newest European deployment in summer 2011, and it marks development in our Partnership 2.0 programme, which is all about implementing agent feedback to make us easier to do business with.
“By combining increased capacity and exciting itineraries with a simple booking journey, we are giving travel partners the tools they need to drive and secure sales in the most efficient way possible.”
Booking incentives for agents include group amenity points applicable on groups created by August 31, 2010.
The three points awarded for each group booking on sailings after May 2011 can be used to attract customers with on-board benefits from speciality dining and spa treatments to free bubbly, wine or chocolates.
The cruise line has also announced that Norwegian Epic will have a 31,000sq ft spa, equivalent to the size of 11 tennis courts and 11 out of 21 dining options will be complimentary.