Royal Caribbean is expecting agents to get behind its 10,000 free flights promotion saying the idea has already received positive feedback from trade partners.
This week the line announced what it claimed was the biggest ever free flights give away by a mainstream cruise operator.
The flights are available on a first come first served basis for bookings on selected 2011 Mediterranean sailings made between October 30 and December 20.
Agents will be sent a daily “traffic light” alert showing them which free flights are still available and a £100 Marks and Spencer voucher will be given away each day of the 59 day promotion to agents who log a booking in a prize draw.
Jo Rzymowska, Royal Caribbean UK general manager, said: “This is a true promotion offering a true saving, we are not just raising the price of the cruise and taking off the cost of the air.
“When times are tough it’s important you continue marketing. People are still going to go on holiday and this clearly is a deal and clearly value for money.”
It is hoped the promotion will bolster pre-Christmas bookings ahead of the traditionally busy ‘wave’ period in January and February.
Rival lines under the Complete Cruise Solution trade arm including P&O Cruises have already running an autumn booking “spectacular” offering a range of incentives.
Rzymowska believes offering free flights will be particularly appealing to customers. “It gives us a bit more of a cut through because it’s different to the usual money off message.
“In these times of doom and gloom it’s important we get the message out to our consumers and trade partners that we are continuing to support them.”
The promotion represents a £200 per person saving on average and Royal Caribbean will be paying for £2 million worth of flights.
The flight give away includes several regional options and are available on:
– 7-night Spanish Mediterranean cruise on September 15 and 7-night Italian Mediterranean cruise on October 2, 2011 onboard Grandeur of the Seas departing Palma de Mallorca
– 7-night Canary Islands cruise onboard Adventure of the Seas departing Palma de Mallorca on October 8 2011
– 7-night Adriatic Sea Coastal cruise onboard Voyager of the Seas departing Venice on October 8 and 15 2011
– 7-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia) on October 9 and October 16 2011
– 12-night Egypt and Eastern Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona onboard Brilliance of the Seas on October 22
In addition to the 10,000 flight give away, Royal Caribbean is also promoting early bookings made for selected Independence of the Seas cruises from Southampton with savings of up to £500 per stateroom and free car parking.
The Offer applies to new cruise bookings only, cruises must be booked and confirmed on the same day, and the flight giveaway offer cannot be combined with other early booking offers.