Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Who We Are
    • Brian Israel
    • Briana Bonfiglio
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Jennifer Arango
    • Kelly Fontenelle
    • Keri-Anne Slevin
    • Louis Intreglia
    • Tom McCarthy
Sponsored By ALG
Sponsored By ALG

Virgin Voyages Eliminating Non-Commissionable Fares

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

Virgin will debut Scarlet Lady, the first of four ships planned, in 2020. Photo: Virgin Voyages.


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.

  4
  0
Riviera

MOST VIEWED

  1. The Best Black Friday and Cyber Monday Travel Deals for 2023
  2. The Ten 'Most Christmassy' Towns in the U.S.
  3. U.S. State Department Warns Travelers About GPS Dangers in South Africa
  4. The Worst Airports for Holiday Flight Delays
  5. What Will Be the Biggest Travel Trends of 2024?
  6. Royal Caribbean Monitoring Haiti Violence


  1. Here Are the New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2024
  2. Dondra Ritzenthaler to Join Azamara as CEO
  3. Iceland Travel Update: Southwest Earthquakes Heighten Risk of Volcanic Activity
  4. The World's Most Expensive Flights
  5. CBD Gummies Result in Lifetime Passenger Ban for Carnival Cruiser
  6. Southwest Pilots Set Up Regional Strike Center in Preparation for a Strike
TMR THIS WEEK
Presented by Windstar
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=31e281c0-9d92-ee11-adc6-005056a855ed&Width=350&Height&250

Consultative Selling for Travel Advisors: Why It is Important and How to Do It

With consultative selling, a travel professional is viewed as a trusted advisor (more akin to a lawyer, financial advisor, or other high-level consultant). 

Read More...
TMR Subscription

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

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Windstar Cruises Kicks Off Multi-Million Dollar Refurb of Sailing Ships
Windstar Cruises Kicks Off Multi-Million Dollar Refurb of Sailing Ships

Wind Star has already completed the first phase of its refurbishment.

Read...
Celebrity Cruises' Laura Hodges Bethge Shares What's Next for the Brand
Celebrity Cruises' Laura Hodges Bethge Shares What's Next for the Brand

More Caribbean capacity and a renwed focus on the drive-to market are some of what's driving Celebrity's future plans.

Read...
Silversea to Sail First-Ever Full Summer Season in French Polynesia
Silversea to Sail First-Ever Full Summer Season in French Polynesia

The cruise line will offer 17 sailings of two itineraries in the summer of 2026. 

Read...
Margaritaville at Sea Reveals Details of New Ship, Expanded Caribbean Itineraries
Margaritaville at Sea Reveals Details of New Ship, Expanded Caribbean Itineraries

Margaritaville at Sea is expanding beyond two-day Bahamas cruises. 

Read...
Here are the Cruise Wave Season Promotions for 2024
Here are the Cruise Wave Season Promotions for 2024

Wave Season is just around the corner. Here are all the offers we know about so far.

Read...
Celebrity Cruises Welcomes Ascent to Fleet with Sister Godmothers and Brother Captains
Celebrity Cruises Welcomes Ascent to Fleet with Sister Godmothers and Brother Captains

Celebrity Ascent is the line's fourth Edge-class ship. 

Read...
OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
Trends in River Cruise, 2023
European Travel Trends 2023
Winning in The Tech Era: Essential Insights for Travel Advisors
View All
Advertiser's Voice
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=eab7b0d4-2e94-ee11-adc6-005056a855ed
Video: What Makes a Good Travel Advisor?
Riviera Box
About Travel Market Report Mission Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars 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
News |Packaged Travel |Cruise |Hotels & Resorts |Destinations |Retail Strategies |Niche & Luxury |Air |Training & Resources |Who We Are
© 2005 - 2023 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy