Regent Seven Seas Cruises is “committed” to working with travel agents and says the trade is “absolutely critical” to sales of the luxury line.
Graham Sadler, managing director, Europe Middle East and Africa, said agents help “articulate the benefits and differences” that the line offers passengers who pay on average between £10,000 to £20,000 to cruise with Regent.
Agents also played a key role in the line’s sales distribution ahead of the launch of Seven Seas Splendor’s sister ship in 2023, Sadler (pictured) added.
Asked about the importance of trade distribution, Sadler said: “[Agents are] absolutely critical. We need agents, we need their distribution and we need them to advocate and articulate the benefits and differences of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. We are different and that is quite a conversation that needs to be had.
“We know we are asking customers to spend quite a bit of money on a purchase – £10,000 to £20,000.”
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Speaking on Seven Seas Splendor’s shakedown cruise, Sadler said that the appointment of training and event manager Kelly-Marie Gregg, who is based in the UK, showed how committed the line was to agents.
Regent Seven Seas’ president and chief executive Jason Montague echoed Sadler’s comments on the benefits of the trade.
He also added that the line had “a problem” with agents who were intent on simply making a sale rather than making sure they got their client on the right ship.
He said: “When you look at our price point Regent is the most inclusive experience out there – not just in cruise,” he said. “We need travel partners to educate that experience to guests. When people are selling out of their own pocket and not looking at the total experience that is when we have a problem.
“I love spending time with the guests and the staff, but when guests come up to me and say ‘I cannot believe I wasted this much time cruising’ not on Regent, it is a testament to that value proposition that we offer.”
Following Harry Sommer’s promotion to Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive this year, each of the three Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brands Regent, Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises have operated independently from one another.
Sommer was previously Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ international president.
As a result of the result of the reshuffle, Sadler now reports into Montague, rather than Sommer.
Sadler said: “What we have done over the last three months is globalise our sales and marketing approach. It allows us to flex our muscles with different booking curves and I can assure you that Europe and UK has been going to the gym.
“What we have done there is develop our distribution with travel agents and tour operators in preparation with the new ships coming – Splendor in 2020 and the new ship in 2023. We’re gearing up for an exceptional strong campaign over the next three years.”