VIRGIN Voyages CEO Tom McAlpin this morning announced a new partnership with Travel The World (TTW), which will see the fledgling cruise line’s innovative product become available through travel agents in Australia. The move was unveiled at CLIA’s Cruise360 conference, with McAlpin telling Cruise Weekly about his vision for the...
VIRGIN Voyages CEO Tom McAlpin this morning announced a new partnership with Travel The World (TTW), which will see the fledgling cruise line’s innovative product become available through travel agents in Australia.
The move was unveiled at CLIA’s Cruise360 conference, with McAlpin telling Cruise Weekly about his vision for the line which has the tagline “An Epic Sea Change for All”.
Although only carrying passengers 18 and over, there’s no particular demographic being targeted, with Virgin Voyages instead focusing on a particular mindset of cruisers who have a “zest for life” and are “young at heart”.
“Everything we do is about being different,” McAlpin said, from interactions with passengers (“Sailors”) through to dealing with travel agents (“First Mates”).
Virgin Voyages has four ships on order, with the first, the 2,750-guest Scarlet Lady, set to embark on her first commercial voyage on 01 Apr next year.
Scarlet Lady will be based in Miami, undertaking four- & five- night itineraries in the Caribbean, and a key difference is that trade partners will receive a base commission of 10% on the entire transaction – plus an annual 6% bonus if targets are met.
A training roadshow will kick off in Oct, with TTW and Virgin Voyages visiting agents in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Australian agents will be able to register from next month, with NZ to follow soon after.
Consultants interested in working with the line can call 1300 857 037 or email sales@traveltheworld.com.au.
McAlpin is pictured centre with Andrew Millmore, Travel The World and Virgin Voyages Director of Sales, Shane Riley.
