Enter the new luxury River and Ocean Cruise Program for Aussie and Kiwi agencies. A program that will offer shipboard credits, private car and guide tours, pre or post night hotel stays, prepaid gratuities and the services of an experienced host as well as special events onboard and in select ports. There will also be enhanced commissions on select sailings and local advisors will gain access to Sig Cruise Pro – Signature’s customised booking engine.SIG Cruise Pro, powered by Oddyseus, has been in operation for four years. The platform is integrated with all Signature Travel Network’s content, promotions, etc. It provides live inventory and pricing with direct APIs to cruise partners.
According to Julie Howard, Vice President, Cruise Partnerships, Signature Travel Network, until now there had been different sales teams, contracts and commercial terms – depending on the cruise line – between US and ANZ markets.
“It took some time to sort through it to find a win/win for our members and partners.”
“It was extremely important to us that we could offer our Australia/New Zealand members strong commission levels and the same rich benefits that we offer to our US member agencies,” Howard told LATTE.
The previous lack of cruise contracts made it necessary for Signature’s ANZ agencies to make their own arrangements with cruise lines, which may have deterred non-aligned or prospective retail agencies from joining the group.
“Both current members and prospects have expressed an interest in having a cruise program included so we would be a one-stop shop for their luxury leisure travel,” Howard said.
“While the primary focus is always serving our members better, we do expect others will have interest in aligning to take advantage of everything Signature has to offer them.”
What is Sig Cruise Pro?
She said that Sig Cruise Pro is “extremely easy to use, saving advisors and our partners time in the booking process so they can focus on selling the product and destination.”
Howard said amenities offered by the member cruise lines vary depending by the brand, the ship and the sailing date.
“In some cases the offers are combinable because our amenities are generally combinable with other public promotions, so it gives the advisor multiple closing tools and the customer an amazing value.”
One of the benefits of the Signature Cruise Program is the “services of an experienced host” on some sailings. She explained that the host is a representative of the network, offering travel advisors peace of mind. Their primary responsibility is to extend the service of the guests’ travel advisor.
“They host a welcome cocktail reception and other special events, and are there to assist the guests and ensure that they have a wonderful travel experience. If there are any issues experienced onboard or in port, the host will work to remedy the issue, and work with the guests’ travel advisor on any issues where appropriate,” she said.
Launch cruise brands in the Australia and New Zealand Cruise Program include AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Azamara, Crystal, Explora Journeys, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Uniworld and Windstar Cruises.
The localised cruise program is centred around luxury River and Ocean cruises, however Expedition sailings are also offered with Seabourn and Silversea.
” are currently working on agreements with additional Expedition partners,” Howard told LATTE.
SIG Cruise Pro, powered by Oddyseus, has been in operation for four years. The platform is integrated with all Signature Travel Network’s content, promotions, etc. It provides live inventory and pricing with direct APIs to cruise partners.
According to Julie Howard, Vice President, Cruise Partnerships, Signature Travel Network, until now there had been different sales teams, contracts and commercial terms – depending on the cruise line – between US and ANZ markets.
