Buoyed by the huge resurgence in travel, Oceania Cruises is considering two new programs to help its travel advisor partners – possibly adopting a no-NCF payment structure and introducing a new value-added promotion this summer.
“We’re 100 percent committed to the trade and don’t do anything that will put them second,” said Harry Sommer, the incoming president and CEO of parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Ltd. “Your success is our success.”
The executives made the comments during a panel with travel advisors and media on board Oceania’s brand-new, 1,200-guest Vista, now sailing toward Malta, where the christening ceremony will be held on May 8. Godmother is Giada De Laurentiis, a celebrity TV chef and restaurateur.
Oceania President Frank A. Del Rio poses with celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentiis, who is godmother of the new 1,200-guest Vista. (Photo Credit: Theresa Norton)
The upper-deluxe line is now experimenting with a no-NCF commission structure similar to one launched by sister company Norwegian Cruise Line in November. Nikki Upshaw, Oceania’s senior vice president of sales, said a pilot program is underway with some of Oceania’s top agency accounts.
A no-NCF policy generally will pay commission on non-commissionable parts of the fare, such as port charges or beverage packages.
Also, Oceania President Frank A. Del Rio said a new promotion will be launched in mid-July that will offer updates and replace the O Life program that offered a choice of free shore excursions, onboard credit or beverage packages.
“We’re making it easy because instead of making choices, you’re just going to get it all,” Del Rio said. “It’ll be perfect timing to launch our 2024 and 2025 seasons.”
Upshaw said the new promotion will help travel advisors “interpret and speak to the value of Oceania.”
Sommer and Del Rio were both upbeat about the business now that travel has rebounded in a major way.
“I was surprised by how quickly things returned back to normal. There were times in the early part of last year that I wasn’t sure. But I’m sure now,” Sommer said. “Wave Period started earlier than ever. Wave started for us around November 1 across all three of our award-winning brands and really hasn’t died off. We continue to see outstanding booking pace across all the brands. Yes, we saw a few pockets in Q3 and Q4, that’s natural for this time of year. But when I look across 2024, we are booked so far ahead of where we would be in a normal booking cycle, it’s very, very encouraging to see.”
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