Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle
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

MOST VIEWED

  1. Why Travel Advisors Need to Learn to Say No to New Business
  2. U.S. Passport Renewal Processing Time Now 8 to 11 Weeks
  3. Government of Canada Updates Its Mexico Travel Advisory
  4. U.S. Passport Renewal Waiting Time Could Soon Get Even Worse
  5. European Union Delays Launch of ETIAS Until At Least 2024
  6. Here’s What the U.S. and Canada Are Saying About Travel and Crime in Mexico

MOST EMAILED

  1. U.S. Passport Renewal Processing Time Now 8 to 11 Weeks
  2. U.S. Passport Renewal Waiting Time Could Soon Get Even Worse
  3. Why Travel Advisors Need to Learn to Say No to New Business
  4. European Union Delays Launch of ETIAS Until At Least 2024
  5. What Travel Advisors Need to Know about the Florida Seller of Travel License
  6. 9 Travel-Advisor Friendly Paris Boutique Hotels to Know About
TMR THIS WEEK
Sponsored by Explora Journeys
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=78f79d51-15c7-ed11-b00b-005056a8720b&Width=350&Height&250

All About Culinary Immersion at Sea

Travel advisors can help their foodie clients enjoy true immersion experiences by booking them on culinary-focused cruises.

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
NCL Holdings' Frank Del Rio to Retire, Replacement Announced
NCL Holdings' Frank Del Rio to Retire, Replacement Announced

After more than 30 years in the cruise industry, Frank J. Del Rio will retire at the end of June 2023.

Read...
Celebrity Cruises Adds Two Preview Sailings for Celebrity Ascent
Celebrity Cruises Adds Two Preview Sailings for Celebrity Ascent

Celebrity Ascent will debut slightly earlier than scheduled.

Read...
Silversea Cruises to Introduce New Suite Categories on Silver Endeavour
Silversea Cruises to Introduce New Suite Categories on Silver Endeavour

When Silver Endeavour emerges from its upcoming refurbishment it will boast 10 new guest suites in two new suite categories.

Read...
Seabourn Sells Odyssey to Japan’s MOL Group
Seabourn Sells Odyssey to Japan’s MOL Group

Seabourn is trimming its fleet size.

Read...
Royal Caribbean Pulls Erroneous "Premier" Offer
Royal Caribbean Pulls Erroneous "Premier" Offer

A system glitch caused Royal Caribbean to publish and pull a promotion. 

Read...
Crystal and Nobu Renew Partnership
Crystal and Nobu Renew Partnership

What's a Crystal cruise ship without a Nobu restaurant?

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
river cruise 2022
group outlook 2022
lux cruise outlook
CP White Paper
Multi-Gen Outlook
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/BDz_-mzUmZA/0.jpg
Meet South Africa with Your Local Guides
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 |Tours & Packages |Cruise |Hotels & Resorts |Destinations |Retail Strategies |Niche & Luxury |Well-Being Travel |Training & Events |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