Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
U.S.A.
English
Canada
English
Canada Quebec
Français
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Luxury Travel Report

Virgin Voyages Eliminating Non-Commissionable Fares

by Daniel McCarthy  January 29, 2019
Virgin Voyages Eliminating Non-Commissionable Fares

BranchUP and Virgin Voyages have expanded their relationship.

Virgin Voyages, the new cruise line from Richard Branson’s Virgin company, announced this morning that it will not feature any non-commissionable fares (NCFs) for its travel advisor partners, or First Mates, as part of its outreach that its calling “An Epic Sea Change.”

The news means that all of Virgin’s fares, starting with the cruise fare to add-ons like flights, hotel stays, insurance, shore excursion, spa packages, onboard credits, basic beverage packages, fitness classes and taxes and fees, will be commissionable at 10 percent for its advisors.

First Look: RockStar Suites from Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady
 

“While the debate is often about this percent versus that one, the underlying issue travel professionals have is not being compensated for their hard work on the entire sale. With Virgin Voyages you will be,” said Stacy Shaw, vice president of sales for Virgin Voyages.

“With our combination of premium pricing that includes so much more, no NCFs and the ability to earn on everything you sell, total dollars earned on every sale with us will be more. Percentages don’t matter, total dollars do.”

Virgin, which will debut its first ship called Scarlet Lady in 2020, also said today that all of its onboard gratuities will be included in the cruise fare, giving agents something else to make commission on. Virgin had already announced that its first ship will feature 20-plus eateries with no surcharges.

Also today, Virgin unveiled that there will be no penalties or change fees for its cruise—cabins can be held for 24-hours with no money down and after an initial 20 percent non-refundable deposit, all guests will get a one-week grace period. Name changes and sailing date changes will not incur any penalties or fees.

All of the news follows Virgin’s promise to make its line a value sell for agents rather than one based on price—the cruise line is hoping to attract advisors who will make more off of its 10 percent commission.

“We’re giving ten a makeover. Our First Mates asked us for something simple and they’ll be able to earn more total dollars on every transaction with Virgin Voyages. So it simply isn’t the same old 10, we call that ‘The Perfect 10,’” said Shaw.

Agents can register with Virgin on its new website, FirstMates.com, starting on Feb. 5, the same day that those holding pre-sale deposits can book the line’s inaugural sailings (the inaugural season will officially open for sale for the general public on Feb. 14, 2019).

Aside from booking capabilities, the website will offer agents marketing and learning materials, including an online education course, called Cabin Fever, that will start on Feb. 6 and aims to introduce agents to the line’s cabins and suites.

The line’s first agent seminar, called Cabin Fever, will take place on Feb. 6 for all registered on as a First Mate.

Virgin Voyages made waves in 2018, slowly revealing details of what’s to come when the line officially launches, including a preview of its onboard spaces for its debut ship, Scarlet Lady; and news that it will launch a new PortMiami Terminal.

The line has already expanded its plans to include four ships built with Fincantieri shipbuilders, with one debuting for each of four consecutive years starting in 2020.

  
  

MOST VIEWED

  1. Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels 40+ Cruises on Two Ships
  2. U.S. Issues Worldwide Travel Warning for All Americans Traveling Abroad
  3. Travel Leaders Network President John Lovell to Depart for Cruise Role
  4. Hilton Rewards Reservations Canceled Amid Transition of Playa Hotels to Hyatt
  5. Here Are All the New Cruise Ships Coming in 2026, 2027, and Beyond
  6. Ask-an-Advisor: How Do I Know When It’s Time to Fire a Client?


  1. U.S. and International Airlines Halt Dubai, Mideast Flights Due to Iran-Israel Conflict
  2. Overtourism Backlash Heats Up in Europe as Summer Season Kicks Off
  3. New Greece Cruise Passenger Tax Coming this July
  4. What Does Success Look Like for a Travel Advisor?
  5. Two Wins and Two Losses for Travel in the New U.S. Budget Bill
  6. New U.S. Travel Bans Would Hinder Tourism, Industry Leaders Say
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth luxury coverage, analysis of luxury news, luxury trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Explora Journeys Holds Triple Celebration for Three Cruise Ship Newbuilds
Explora Journeys Holds Triple Celebration for Three Cruise Ship Newbuilds

The three ships currently under construction represent half of the Explora Journeys’ planned six-ship fleet.

French Court Finds Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer Cruise Ship Ban Is Illegal
French Court Finds Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer Cruise Ship Ban Is Illegal

The ban would have limited cruise ships to 450 passengers in Nice and 2,500 passengers in Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Celestyal’s Heavenly Greece, Italy, & Croatia: What To Expect
Celestyal’s Heavenly Greece, Italy, & Croatia: What To Expect

Celestyal’s Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia offers clients a standout combination of Greece, Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro.

Viking to Debut India River Cruise Itinerary in 2027
Viking to Debut India River Cruise Itinerary in 2027

The eight-day river cruise will be part of a larger 15-day itinerary.

Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery of Second Icon Class Ship
Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery of Second Icon Class Ship

Star of the Seas debuts in Port Canaveral next month.

Uniworld to Debut First-Ever Women-Only River Cruise
Uniworld to Debut First-Ever Women-Only River Cruise

SNL alum Rachel Dratch will headline Uniworld’s first-ever women’s only river cruise.

TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
View All
Advertiser's Voice
AmaWaterways’ Unrivaled Christmas Onboard Experience
About Travel Market Report Mission Meet the Team Advisory Board Advertise Syndication Guidelines
TMR Resources Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
© 2005 - 2025 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Manage cookie preferences