A range of enhancements to Carnival Cruise Line’s online trade booking tool are due to be introduced by the end of the year.
The Go Carnival facility will include an API link allowing agents to sell full fly-cruise packages including pre or post-cruise accommodation from their own websites.
Sales and marketing content which agents can tailormake to personalise under their own branding will be made available together with advice on dynamic packaging and promoting groups business.
A news area with images, sales tips and more cruise information will be added.
The phase two elements are in the process of being developed following the initial launch of online booking for cruise-only and fly-cruise earlier this year.
UK managing director Lynn Narraway urged agents to make more use of the online option to reduce their cost of passenger acquisition.
“We have responded to their feedback with Go Carnival, now we need them to use it more but a lot of them are still ringing us,” she said.
The enhancements to the online platform come as the line prepares to bring new ship Carnival Magic to the Mediterranean next summer with departures from Barcelona.
Carnival is looking to agents to be “creative” to build cruise and stay arrangements around the departures which are seen as an ideal draw for families and first time cruisers.
The company is discussing pre or post-cruise stays at nearby Port Aventura as well as fast rail connections via Paris to join the 3,646-passenger ship which will be running seven, nine and 12-night itineraries between May and October, 2011.
“With Ocean Village not there next year, agents should see Carnival Magic as a great value opportunity for Med fly-cruises,” said Narraway.