Virgin Voyages has updated its group travel booking options to provide “greater flexibility, richer benefits and improved offers” based on agent feedback.
The newly renamed ‘Circles, Groups, and Weddings’ programme is designed to make group bookings “easier and more rewarding” for the trade.
Circles is designed for groups still being finalised and will have no minimum cabin requirements, no deposits, more time to form a group and one complimentary Sea Terrace cabin for the organiser once a 10 cabin threshold is met, or a 2% bonus commission.
Groups is for those where numbers and destination are already decided and will have an eight cabin minimum, no deposit, onboard bar tab options and price.
Wedding bookings will have no minimum cabin requirements, a 30-day hold and onboard bar tab options.
All options will have price and promotion protection.
Agents can also earn up to a 10% discount to a maximum value of £235 in free drinks and a dedicated group dinner at one of Virgin’s six restaurants.
This comes after the line reported UK revenue was up 40% compared to February 2024.
Nirmal Saverimuttu, Virgin Voyages chief executive officer, said: “Thanks to our incredible First Mates we are having a record wave season with a more than 60% increase in [overall] revenue from February of last year, and a more than 80% increase coming specifically from our dedicated travel partners.
“We made a commitment to our Travel Advisor community to always take feedback and turn it into action.
“This new program is a direct result of listening, learning, and making improvements. The First Mate community is everything to us as we build this brand together and celebrate a record-breaking wave season.”