Carnival Cruise Line and Virgin Atlantic are hosting agents on a week-long land-and-cruise fam trip to showcase a mix of US-based products.
Top agents from Iglu Cruise, Cruise1st, Jetline Travel, Vision Cruise and Barrhead Travel have been invited by the operators to experience the carrier’s aircraft, Universal Orlando Resort and the line’s latest vessel Mardi Gras.
After a night at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, agents went on the 70mph Velocicoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure park before boarding the cruise on Saturday.
Mardi Gras is currently sailing to San Juan, Puerto Rico, before calling at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. The 5,200-passenger vessel launched last year and is powered by liquefied-natural gas.
Iain Baillie, Carnival Cruise Line’s international sales vice president, said: “We’re delighted to work in collaboration with Virgin Atlantic to bring our UK partners to the US to showcase Mardi Gras. The agent feedback so far has been spectacular.
“We enjoy our relationship with Virgin Atlantic,” he added. “It all fitted well with our brand.”
Asked why certain agencies were invited on the fam trip, Baillie explained: “There’s a real range of agents from different businesses. They were very important for us during the pandemic in terms of sales.”
Mel Wood, head of product at Cruise1st, said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic to experience it all. The sail away [party] says it all really.
“Until you fully immerse yourself, you do not know what the ship is all about. The first impressions have been amazing, especially for multi-generational [groups].”
On the Orlando leg of the fam trip, Wood added: “It was all so accessible that’s a massive tick.”