Crystal Cruises changes pricing policy
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Crystal Cruises has tightened its anti-discount policy on agent transferred bookings to discourage clients from shopping around for prices while onboard.
The new policy, from immediate effect, states that when guests make a future booking with Crystal’s onboard cruise consultants and subsequently ask that it be transferred to another agency, only 5% commission will be paid to the receiving agency regardless of when the booking is processed (including cancel/rebook).
Agency-transferred bookings that originated onboard will also be excluded from any earned overrides or group conductor credits. Conversely, when the onboard booking remains with the original agent, full commission will be paid.
Crystal also reaffirmed its long standing policy that no travel seller may advertise and or promote Crystal Cruises to the general public at a price lower that the lines current applicable and authorised fares. Agents may continue to advertise value added amenities with a total combined value not exceeding 8% of the cruise only fare, with commission or marketing support to be taken away if agents do not follow the policy.
“While there may not be a complete solution to the rebating issue, we sincerely hope our continuing policy evolution will help provide a level playing field, “ said Jack Anderson, SVP of marketing and sales at Crystal. “We believe that a Crystal cruise vacation should be marketed and sold on the unsurpassed ‘World’s Best’ customer experience, and that all of our retail partners should compete on marketing creativity, knowledge, sales skills and service – not by giving back hard-earned commission”,
Crystal is the latest in a string of upscale lines to introduce anti-discount policies. In May Prestige Holdings, the parent to Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises & Paul Gaugin, announced new anti-discounting measures, as did Fred. Olsen.
