
Travelocity to Introduce Onboard Help Desks on Cruise Lines
March 6, 2006
Travelocity to Introduce Onboard Help Desks on Cruise Lines
March 6, 2006 – Sabre’s online agency has kicked off a program with Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Holland America Line in which Travelocity will staff a hospitality desk for its clients on about 40 sailings this year, according to Travel Weekly.
Beginning this month, NTA member Travelocity will launch the Travelocity Onboard Program, designed to service only passengers who booked through Travelocity.
"The Travelocity employee on each sailing will serve as a liaison to the cruise line, help with issues like transfers, recommend shore excursions and book future cruises for Travelocity clients," said Cathy Dooling, Travelocity’s cruise marketing manager.
Travelocity’s sailings include Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal and Europe markets. They typically reserve a block of 50 cabins for the Travelocity Onboard sailings, though some cabins will be reserved for Travelocity clients through general availability.
Consumers who book these sailings will get perks. On Crystal sailings, for example, Travelocity will prepay gratuities of $11 to $15 per person, per day. HAL passengers who booked through Travelocity will get a free meal at the Pinnacle Grill. And, among other perks, Celebrity passengers will get a complimentary bottle of wine. Dooling said that Travelocity is not upping the price of the sailings to pay for the freebies.
The program, which Travelocity views as an extension of its Customer Championship initiative, represents the continued evolution of the online agency model.
To read the complete article on Travel Weekly click here.