A cruise line which cancelled Christmas sailings as its ship was forced into dry dock for repairs is offering to pay an agent’s rent or mortgage for a month in return for bookings.
The ‘bonus prize’ is part of a turn of year trade booking incentive introduced by Ambassador Cruise Line.
The company is offering a range of other prizes in a bid to encourage bookings until the end of January.
These include a £500 food shop voucher, petrol paid for a month, a family day out, weekend away and a theatre break.
Members of the line’s trade partners’ Facebook group will also be offered the opportunity to win several smaller prizes, which include cinema and takeaway vouchers and a gin set.
The promotion follows the cancellation if two departures by the 1,400-passenger ship Ambience from London Tilbury in December following a problem with a lifeboat station.
The vessel instead had to be moved to Bremerhaven in Germany for repairs.
The next cruise is a 21-night itinerary to Cape Verde, the Canary Islands and Morocco.
The turn of year promotion is valid for bookings made until January 31 for sailings between April this year and March 2024 on Ambience and second ship Ambition, which is due to enter service from Newcastle on May 12.
Passengers are being offered discounts of up to 30% on selected sailings including a round the world cruise; up to 50% off drinks package upgrades; up to £840 of onboard credit plus low supplements for additional berths and solo travellers.
Head of distribution Nicola Harper said: “Our trade partners are integral to our success, and these incentives are about showing our appreciation for all they do.
“With our competitive turn of year offers, January is the best time for agents to get those bookings made – and we want to celebrate their successful support by offering them the chance to earn some great rewards when booking a cruise with Ambassador.”