ONBOARD THE NORWEGIAN SEA -- Norwegian Cruise Line extended a
promotion to give agents retroactive commission on the
noncommissionable, or NCF, portion of the cruise fare, and it set
lower targets in 2004 for agents who increased their NCL business
this year.
The original NCF promotion, which was introduced in January with
much fanfare from NCL, required agents to double their business
with NCL to receive 10% commission on the NCF -- the
noncommissionable category that generally includes non-governmental
and port fees.
Next year, the line said NCF rewards will be based on a sliding
scale. For example, if an agency increased the number of NCL
passengers sailing in 2003 by 100%, the 2004 growth target will be
20%. If the agency increased NCL passengers by 75% in 2003, the
growth goal in 2004 is 25%. Agencies who decreased their NCL
business in 2003 need to double their business in 2004.
The line bases growth on the number of passengers sailed; an
agency needs to book at least 25 passengers to qualify.
As an added incentive, NCL said it will count passengers booked
after Nov. 7, who sail before the end of the year, toward an
agency's 2004 achievements.
NCL announced the NCF extension during a travel agent cruise on
the Norwegian Sea, which returned to Texas Nov. 7 for year-round
seven-day Caribbean cruising from the Port of Houston. NCL's
executive vice president of marketing and sales, Andy Stuart, said
the line has been "very pleased" with the way the NCF incentive
played out this year.
NCL had "lots of partners stepping up to the plate," he
said.
To contact reporter Rebecca Tobin, send e-mail to [email protected].