Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises Introduce “ASAP”

In light of current economic conditions and the impact on travel agents, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises have created an extraordinary support program expressly designed to help agents offset today’s business challenges. On the heels of suspending fuel supplements, the three brands today announced “ASAP,” or Agent Support Action Program.

The goal of ASAP is to help the agency community during this period and to encourage proactive activities that will not only help in these unique circumstances, but also ensure that agents emerge from the recession strong and prepared to take advantage of the upturn when it occurs.

The three brands will maintain their ongoing consumer marketing efforts to drive more business to travel partners, and already have extensive, ongoing educational tools which will be enhanced through the new program.

ASAP also will incorporate a series of special initiatives effective across all three brands for agencies in North America through the upcoming Wave period (January 1 through February 28, 2009), including a 1 percent commission supplement on any cruise bookings for sailings from January 2009 through March 2010 increased coop funding for qualifying agencies undertaking significant marketing plans a reduction in Tour Conductor credits, from 1-for-16 to 1-for-10, which will help agents earn more money while encouraging group bookings a 50 percent reduction in deposits for all FIT bookings an individual agent booking incentive through which agents can earn a complimentary cruise.