TravelAge West
Intel and Insights for Today's Travel Advisor

Explore TravelAge West

Destinations

Back
  • Africa & Middle East
  • Asia & South Pacific
  • Caribbean
  • Central & South America
  • Europe
  • Hawaii
  • Mexico
  • USA & Canada

Travel Types

Back
  • Family
  • Adventure
  • Cruise
  • River Cruise
  • Tour Operators
  • Luxury
  • Hotels
  • Culinary
  • Romance
  • Wellness
  • Sustainability

Directories

Back
  • Hotels
  • Cruise

Interactive

Back
  • Click & Win
  • Geo Quiz
  • Slideshows & Video
  • Wave Winner Videos

Professional Development

Back

Industry Insight

  • Business Features
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Opinion
  • Tech
  • Podcasts
  • Coronavirus and Travel
  • Need to Know Research

Education

  • Certifications
  • Digital Guides
  • Fams
  • Thought Leadership
  • Advertiser Spotlight
  • Webinars
  • Quick Q's

Events

  • Global Travel Marketplace
  • GTM West
  • WAVE Awards
  • GTM by Northstar

Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Search TravelAge West

Clear Field
Jason Leppert
Jason LeppertCruise Editor

Share

  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Cruise

This New Luxury Cruise Line Will Never Put You on Hold — and Pays Rolling Commissions

Sep 25, 2021
Cruise  Travel Agents  
This New Luxury Cruise Line Will Never Put You on Hold — and Pays Rolling Commissions
Travel advisors can now book appointments with customer service representatives at Explora.
Credit: 2021 opolja/stock.adobe.com

Explora Journeys may be a new luxury cruise line, but it is already making waves in the travel agent community with news of its “By Appointment” service. Touted by the brand as an industry-first offering, advisors can easily get exclusive attention as requested.

All travel advisors need to do is set up an appointment with a customer experience representative, which is confirmed via personalized message from a dedicated Explora Ambassador. Avoiding any hold time, a representative will simply call the agent at the appointed 30-minute block of time.

During that window, advisors can put a hold on a specific suite for one or more of eight inaugural voyages during the inaugural year of Explora I. Waitlist requests are obligation-free and do not require an immediate deposit. During a follow-up appointment, waitlisted bookings can be deposited, at which time commissions will be paid.

"One of our key points of differentiation is how we support our global travel advisor community,” said Chris Austin, chief sales officer for Explora, in a press release. “We wanted to totally remove on-hold time and put the control in the hands of our travel partners. The result is, they get to speak to our dedicated Ambassadors at their convenience and waitlist suites for their valued clients exclusively before we open for public sale later this year. Initial industry feedback recognizes our service as being ‘best in class,’ for which we are most proud.”

Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Travel Leaders president, John Lovell, is already a fan, according to the line.

“The Explora Journeys `By Appointment` service is one of many industry-first, bold initiatives the brand is making along with the first ever rolling commission program that will pay advisors commission on deposits and on final payments received,” he said, in the release. “These and others were key factors for Travel Leaders Group determining the brand should be awarded a ‘preferred’ status. We are, therefore, delighted to welcome Explora Journeys into our roster of especially important preferred partners.”

Explora I will first set sail on May 16, 2023. Advisors can register now for appointments..

The Details
Explora Journeys

Tell Us What You Think! forum

Related Content

Norwegian Cruise Line Previews Robust List of Activities and Entertainment Onboard Prima

Norwegian Cruise Line Previews Robust List of Activities and Entertainment Onboard Prima

  • Most Read
  • Most Shared
  1. Top Summer Travel Trends for 2026
  2. The 10 Best Luxury Golf Resorts in California
  3. Carnival Glory and Carnival Magic Return to Service After Upgrades
  4. Why Advisors Are Booking More Air
  5. 5 Southern Italian Beach Towns Beyond the Amalfi Coast

From Our Partners

More From TravelAge West

Hawaiʻi Loves Travel Advisors

Hawaiʻi Loves Travel Advisors

Webinar | Watch Now

The luxury line’s next ship will carry 850 guests and debut in 2026, with a sister ship to follow in 2029.

New Ship Preview: Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Prestige

Crystal Serenity's atrium will be contemporarily redesigned.

Crystal to Follow Symphony Drydock With Refurbishment of Serenity This October

The new Mangrove Bay pool area at Isla Tropicale

Carnival Reveals Updates for Its Honduras Destination

Oceania is calling its new restaurant the most exclusive fine-dining restaurant at sea.

Oceania Cruises Introduces the Most Exclusive Fine-Dining Restaurant at Sea

MSC Cruises is among the lines with sailings that have been affected by the conflict.

Tracking Middle Eastern Cruise Interruptions Amid the Current Conflict

Crystal Grace will feature a collection of new dining experiences.

Preview: Crystal’s Crystal Grace

Leigh Barnes Talks Meaningful Travel and Growing Intrepid's Brand Presence in the U.S.

Leigh Barnes Talks Meaningful Travel and Growing Intrepid's Brand Presence in the U.S.

A new crest adorns Carnival Magic's bow.

Carnival Glory and Carnival Magic Return to Service After Upgrades

More Stories Like This

Rotterdam is a mainstay of the legendary cruise brand.

Holland America Line Expands to Year-Round Europe Cruising

Read The Story
The 170-foot Tidal Tower will anchor Great Tides Waterpark.

NCL's New Great Stirrup Cay Waterpark Gets Opening Date, With Advance Tickets Now on Sale

Read The Story
Atlas Adventurer will be a luxury expedition sailing yacht.

Preview: Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Atlas Adventurer

Read The Story
Crystal Grace will feature a collection of new dining experiences.

Preview: Crystal’s Crystal Grace

Read The Story
The luxury line’s next ship will carry 850 guests and debut in 2026, with a sister ship to follow in 2029.

New Ship Preview: Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Prestige

Read The Story
A new crest adorns Carnival Magic's bow.

Carnival Glory and Carnival Magic Return to Service After Upgrades

Read The Story
Oceania recently eliminated NCFs, following corporate cousin Norwegian.

Will Regent Seven Seas Follow Oceania in Eliminating NCFs?

Read The Story
MSC Cruises is among the lines with sailings that have been affected by the conflict.

Tracking Middle Eastern Cruise Interruptions Amid the Current Conflict

Read The Story
The new Mangrove Bay pool area at Isla Tropicale

Carnival Reveals Updates for Its Honduras Destination

Read The Story
Crystal Serenity's atrium will be contemporarily redesigned.

Crystal to Follow Symphony Drydock With Refurbishment of Serenity This October

Read The Story
TravelAge West

About TravelAge West

  • About Us
  • Contributors
  • Sales Team
  • Contact Us
  • My Profile
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Data

Advertise

  • Advertise With Us
  • Write For US
  • Media Kit
  • Upload Ad Material
  • Digital Ad Specifications
  • Reprints
  • Subscribe to Print

Stay Connected to TravelAge West

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.


Northstar Travel Group

Northstar Travel Group

  • Travel Weekly
  • Travel Weekly Asia
  • TravelPulse
  • TravelPulse Canada
  • TravelPulse Quebec
  • Meetings & Incentives
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • AGENTatHOME

Copyright © 2026 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000

Load Carousel Here
Load Video Here