Ritz and Virgin Cruise CEOs Think Agents Will Benefit From Brand Clout
Photo Credit: This rendering depicts a side view of Scarlet Lady, a Virgin Voyages ship. Virgin Voyages
Skift Take
As they ramp up their outreach to travel advisors, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Virgin Voyages are both presenting themselves as new and different options for luxury clients. They say this means agents will be able to sell cruises to those who don’t normally cruise, but who are intrigued by the brands.
Travel agents who partner with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Virgin Voyages, new high-end cruise lines launching their first ships in 2020, will have an opportunity to broaden their client base for cruises, according to the CEOs of both lines.
The executives also say that agents will be an important part of their distribution channels. Ritz-Carlton rolled out a travel trade web portal with commission and incentive booking details earlier this year, while Virgin is in the process of formulating its plans.
First Mates
How the two lines are reaching out to travel agents reflects their particular corporate brands. For Virgin, this includes such characteristically quirky touches as calling its agent partners First Mates (passengers are called Sailors).
“The captain’s right-hand man is the first mate, and we see travel agents as a big part of our success,” said Tom McAlpin, Virgin Voyages CEO.
While no specifics have yet been announced, McAlpin said the line will be intr
