Norwegian Cruise Line is anticipating busy phone lines next week, and so is urging travel agents to use its new online booking engine. To encourage them, the line will give away one cruise in a balcony stateroom on the Norwegian Getaway every week through March 1.

“Wave season is off and running!!” Camille Olivere, senior vice president of sales, wrote in an email to agents. “The big, new and innovative ships that have joined the fleet (Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway) and our best Wave Season offer ever are keeping us busy. … Because of next week’s anticipated demand we are expecting accelerated phone volume, which may possibly contribute to longer hold times. I encourage you to take advantage of Norwegian’s new online booking engine.”

She explains that the new system lets agents view all available staterooms and categories on a specific deck and hold multiple cabins for 30 minutes. Agents also can update and change rate codes before final payment in case promotions change and apply a Cruise Reward as payment.

The tool allows side-by-side comparisons of individual and group pricing and also lets agents book into either their agency’s group space or that of their network or consortium. FITs also can be moved into groups for Norwegian promotions.

Agents who make new bookings at www.bookncl.com between Jan. 19 and March 1 will automatically be entered into the free cruise giveaway.

Norwegian’s Wave Season offer, good through April 14, is a reduced deposit, up to six category upgrades and e-coupons worth over $300 for all cruises departing before Dec. 31, 2015. Program codes are 14WAVE and UPGRADE.