Celebrity Cruises is encouraging passengers to make a repeat booking while sailing with the cruise line this year.
Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, director of sales, said it was a main focus for the cruise line this year and new promotional offers were being launched to lift onboard bookings.
The line is offering a year-long promotion to tempt passengers to book while cruising with Celebrity, with 10% commission from any bookings made on board going back to the agent who made the initial booking.
The new offer means holidays booked on board this year will includes up to $500 onboard credit. Bookings can also be combined with the 123go promotion – the choice between a free classic drinks package, free gratuities or up to $300 onboard credit.
A new training module is being launched this week to give agents the correct tools to help push onboard bookings. New marketing tools and collateral are also available at cruisingpower.co.uk
Tempest-Mitchell said the offer was indefinite and there were no plans to change it and that it would be a consistent and easy message for agents to convey compared to some offers which change every two or three months.
“This is a very easy process on board and I really want travel agents to realise that our sales team on board are an extension of their agencies,” she said.
The training will give agents “the knowledge and confidence to suggest booking again on board” according to Tempest-Mitchell. She said the new module was 15-20 minutes long and takes an agent through the process of onboard bookings.
As well as the Cruise Now option of booking onboard, Celebrity also offers a Cruise Later deal which means customers can show their interest and make a full decision later.