Cruise Lines Offer Incentives for Travel Advisor Appreciation Month

May is Travel Advisor Appreciation Month, and several cruise lines are offering incentives and promotions — bonus commissions and free sailings included — to show their support of the travel agent community.

Below is a roundup of the latest benefits to consider.

AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways is going all in to show its appreciation for agents throughout the month. In May, travel advisors can get a $20 gift card for every new 2022 FIT booking and have the chance to win two free cruises with roundtrip business-class flights by attending the line’s Webinar Wednesday series. Plus, a reward sailing can be theirs for three FIT reservations made between Oct. 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, for 2022 voyages.

“AmaWaterways expresses appreciation to our travel advisor partners all year long, but the month of May is a special time for our teams to share even more love by offering these additional rewards and incentives,” said Kristin Karst, co-founder and executive vice president of AmaWaterways. “As 97% of our sales come from our travel advisors, we also like to use this opportunity to encourage even more travelers to utilize travel advisors by sharing on our social media channels the incredible value they bring to their clients.” 

Atlas Ocean Voyages

For all new bookings made in May, Atlas Ocean Voyages is offering agents $500 in bonus commission for summer 2022 voyages between June and November. To be eligible, deposits must be made by May 31, 2022. Advisors will also be showcased on social media channels during the month.

"Atlas Ocean Voyages recognizes the importance of Travel Advisors and the invaluable role they play in our industry," said Carlos Garzon, senior vice president of business development for Atlas Ocean Voyages. "We sincerely appreciate all the work travel advisors have done to promote our new luxury expedition cruise line. Our new $500 bonus commission program is one of the many ways we thank travel Aavisors for their hard work recommending Atlas Ocean Voyages.”

Azamara

Azamara is showing its appreciation to agents by extending 5% bonus commission for every 2022 booking made using the code BONUSCOMM on May 4 only. Plus, for the whole month, advisors have the chance to enter the AzAmazing Advisors Appreciation Sweepstakes, with every new booking, to win a cruise for two from a select list of sailings.

“Our travel partners have played an integral role in helping Azamara and our guests return to sea following these challenging years and every day we appreciate their support,” said Michelle Lardizabal, chief sales officer at Azamara. “To show our gratitude on this special day, we are pleased to offer this bonus commission and sweepstakes opportunity.”

Emerald Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Corporate cousins Emerald Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours are paying out bonus commissions on new bookings made for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, as well as giving away five free sailings.

For the extra commission, advisors need to make a new reservation through the ExpressBook online advisor portal by June 30, 2022, to receive a 5% bonus on all 2022 Scenic and Emerald river and ocean voyages (or 2% bonus on all 2023 Scenic and Emerald river and ocean voyages). Plus, re-bookings using Future Travel Credits are additionally valid for the bonus commissions.

Among the five free cruises being given away are a pair of eight-day river cruises in Europe or Southeast Asia (for two people) on Scenic; a pair of eight-day river cruises in Europe or Southeast Asia (for two) on Emerald; and one “Iconic West Coast Experience” cruise (for two) onboard Scenic Eclipse.

Advisors will receive one entry to win a free cruise on the line they made the reservation for per booking.

Hurtigruten Expeditions

For the week of May 2-6, Hurtigruten Expeditions is offering a 2022 Galapagos sales incentive on its nine-day In Darwin’s Footsteps itinerary. Advisors who book three of these cruises will receive a free voyage for themselves. Cruises can be  taken through March 31, 2023.

“We are extremely thankful for the wonderful support from our travel advisor partners, who generate a significant part of Hurtigruten Americas’ overall business,” said Jeffrey Oar, president of Hurtigruten Americas.

“To better understand their needs, we carried out a survey among advisors last year,” he added. “Based on the results, we’ve made several improvements since, not only to our portal but also sending more personalized emails, and we’ve partnered with BranchUp to push our social media messages through travel agents’ social media. And as always, we know one of the most appreciated initiatives among our travel advisor partners is the extended sales period that starts before and finishes after it has been open to the general public.”

Lindblad Expeditions

For Travel Advisor Appreciation Month, Lindblad Expeditions is entering agents in a drawing to win one of three prizes for each new booking made in May. A bonus entry can also be received by registering for Expedition 360, the line’s online training program.

The grand prize is a trip for two in a category SU suite on any 2022/2023 "Wild Galapagos Escape” departure on National Geographic Islander II, followed by a first prize of a $500 gift card and second price of a $250 gift card.

Riviera River Cruises

Also for the week of May 2-6, Riviera River Cruises is incentivizing sales by extending gift cards for agents and drink packages for clients. For every cabin reserved on a 2022 European river cruise, advisors will receive a $200 gift card and their customers will get a free drinks package.

“As the only European river cruise line that doesn’t accept bookings directly from consumers, we’re appreciative of all that travel advisors do for us throughout the year,” said Marilyn Conroy, executive vice president of  sales and marketing North America for Riviera River Cruises. “For the week of Global Travel Advisor Day, however, we’re offering this incentive as an additional way of saying thank you to advisors and their clients for choosing Riviera.”

Silversea Cruises

During May, Silversea Cruises is offering $200 bonus commission for every 2022 cruise booking. Additionally, advisors can sail themselves on select 2022 Alaska and Northern Europe cruises for as low as $150 per person, per day.

"Since Silversea's inception over 25 years ago, the travel advisor community has been vital to our success and we are delighted to celebrate their professionalism and knowledge throughout Travel Advisor Appreciation Month," said Mark Conroy, Silversea's managing director for the Americas. "The $200 ($250 CAD) bonus commission and $150 reduced rate cruise rate are a small demonstration of our incredible appreciation for our travel advisors' support and partnership. We look forward to continuing to forge meaningful and rewarding relationships with our partners in the coming months and years."

Virgin Voyages

Each week, for what it calls First Mates Appreciation Month, Virgin Voyages will invite agents to enter to win branded swag via its SeaCiety Facebook community. Virgin's onboard crew and executives will be sharing special messages this month, and sales managers will be meeting with advisors in cities such as Long Beach, Calif., and Dallas, Texas.

“We have the most incredible partners in our First Mates, and there’s no better way to say thank you than with an entire appreciation month that honors their work and commitment to the Virgin brand,” said John Diorio, vice president of North American sales for Virgin Voyages. “We’ve built an extensive agent community and are always seeking new opportunities to engage with First Mates and welcome new advisors into the program.”