TRAVEL agents can
earn considerable
commissions when
booking cruise holidays for
clients. Cruise operators are
now doing more to extend
commissions, offering agents
the opportunity to increase
their earning potential.
Cruises International
has introduced a sliding
scale of commission for
all its brands. Standard
commission is currently 8%
but can be increased to as
much as 13% for bookings
of $200 000 (R2 145 899)
and above.
The cruise operator
encourages agents to
buy into its HULLA sales
strategy, through which they
can increase their earnings.
HULLA stands for higher
categories, upsell, long
cruises, luxury cruises and
add-ons – representing the
various ways agents can
earn extra commission.
Commercial manager,
Tracey Krog, notes that
agents can earn particularly
well on the operator’s luxury
brands, such as Crystal and
Seabourn, where the price is
higher and all-inclusive and
agents can earn commission
on a higher cruise fare level.
She says most of Cruises
International’s cruise lines
offer commission on cruise
insurance as well as preand
post-accommodation.
What’s more, Royal
Caribbean International
offers commission on
contracted groups.
Significantly, Tracey
believes it will only be a
matter of time before other
mass market lines begin
offering commission on
pre-paid cruise activities
“especially if they would
like the trade’s continued
support”. “Agents will expect
to be remunerated for their
services in selling auxiliary
services such as shore
excursions and beverage
packages.”
MSC Cruises offers agents
7% commission on pre- and
post-services booked in
conjunction with an MSC
cruise, such as shuttle
services between the port
and airport, private transfers
from the airport to the hotel,
hotel stays and uShaka
Marine World tickets. The
cruise operator also offers
5% commission for prebooked
on-board services on
both local and international
cruises, including drinks
packages and spa packages.
David Randall, MSC
Cruises marketing manager
for SA, says MSC’s
commission initiative is
fairly unique to the cruising
industry. He says the offering
forms part of MSC’s strategy
to increase on-board revenue
as well as the uptake of pre
and post transfers and hotel
stays.
