Royal Caribbean Launches FlexPay for Travel Partners

Royal Caribbean has added a flexible payment option to its booking system, Espresso. The FlexPay payment program enables travel advisors to give their clients the flexibility on how and when payments are made towards their cruise vacation.

FlexPay is designed to emphasize convenience and is fully customizable. Travel advisors can give their clients the option to pre-schedule up to 10 automatic payments that can be arranged by date and amount, and can even accept more than one credit card.

“We value our travel partners and aim to provide the tools and resources they need to be successful," Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales and trade support for Royal Caribbean, told Travel Market Report. "FlexPay is the latest automation tool developed by Royal Caribbean based on the feedback from our valued travel partners who have asked us for a fully customizable, flexible, and interest-free payment plan for their clients. The full range of automation enhancements from FlexPay and eQuote to Latte, are designed around delivering on that trifecta."

The payment system is the latest in a series of enhancements to Espresso over the past several months. These include an automated FCC redemption tool that allows travel partners to redeem FCCs in three steps, as well as check on the status of an FCC. Advisors can also use Espresso to send personalized FCC reminder emails to clients.

A vaccine, testing and requirements tool was also added to help travel advisors access and share the current protocols specific to their client’s sailing date and itinerary. Their clients receive a customized email with all the information that also includes the travel advisor’s name.

Introduced in March 2022, Cruise Planner gives advisors the ability to explore which specific shore excursions, dining options, beverage/dining packages, and other similar offerings are available for their clients based on ship and sail date.