The big news this week, although certainly a welcome development, is a bit of an oxymoron: Several cruise lines—including Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and American Cruise Line (ACL)—will begin paying commissions on “non-commissionable fares” (NCFs).
Announced first by Norwegian, the payment of NCFs will go into effect on January 1, 2023 for reservations made outside of final payment (120 days prior to sailing) on sailings departing May 1, 2023 and forward. Note: To qualify for the NCF commission, travel advisors will need to submit a marketing plan through Norwegian Central by December 31, 2022.
Following this news, ACL shared that beginning November 1, 2022, all cruise prices for new bookings will now include port charges and fees, making the amounts commissionable for travel advisors. “We aim to do everything possible to support the businesses of all our travel advisors. They are valued partners and work extremely hard on behalf of their clients,” said Susan Shultz-Gelino, VP, trade relations for ACL. “We intend to implement structures on our end that will increase advisor sales, increase commissions, and improve the overall booking experience with American Cruise Lines.”
This alone should be great news for those in the industry. But to add the cherry on top, so to speak, a recent survey by Allianz Partners found that booking a cruise was one of the top jobs for travel advisors. Results showed that 27 percent of respondents reported that they used a travel advisor to book a cruise, second only to the 28 percent who used a travel advisor to book air travel.
New Luxury Hotels on the Horizon
For those seeking new luxury hotels, several properties made their debuts this week, while some other brands announced future openings.
Hyatt Hotels has announced the opening of Grand Hyatt Shenzhou Peninsula in Wanning, Hainan. The oceanfront resort is set on Shenzhou Peninsula, located off the east coast of Hainan island. Good to know: For families, the hotel offers kid-themed rooms. On the F&B front, guests can expect dim sum, an Italian trattoria, Asian barbecue, and a coffee and tea house. Slated to open in 2023, River Pavilion will house three dining and bar concepts focusing on Japanese cuisine and beverages, including sushi, yakitori, and Japanese beer and sakes.
Opening in March 2023, Atlantis The Royal, Dubai has shared the first images of the property and is now accepting reservations. The 795-room resort is 43 stories high and offers views of the Arabian Sea and Palm Island. Pretty cool: Forty-four of the resort’s luxury suites and signature penthouses will offer private infinity pools, as well as butler service. The dining options at Atlantis The Royal include 17 restaurants and bars, one of which will feature a 21-foot-high jellyfish aquarium housing 4,000 moon jellies. On the 22nd floor, there will be the 295-foot long Skypool, which forms part of Cloud 22 (an outdoor entertainment experience); it will include VIP cabanas with private plunge pools, a swim-up bar and a head-shaped DJ booth.
Slightly further down the line, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, the brand’s first property in Hawaii, is officially accepting bookings for stays beginning July 1, 2023. There are 150 spacious guest hales—a traditional Hawaiian structure, much like a beach bungalow—five dining concepts, including the original resort’s Shipwreck Bar and Talk Story Bar, and a full-service Asaya Spa.
Six Senses is headed to Grand Bahama, where, in 2026, it will open a resort with 45 waterfront and canal villas, as well 2,400 feet of beach frontage and water on three sides. Plans include a signature restaurant, beach venue, boathouse and pool bar, in addition to the future development of a new marina.
Top Trends for 2023
According to American Express Travel, 70 percent of respondents agree they want to travel to “wish list” destinations next year. In addition:
- 88 percent of respondents agree they like to seek out local experiences and learn about culture when they travel
- 43 percent of respondents agree they want to travel more as their New Year’s resolution
- 74 percent of respondents agree they are more likely to spend more on travel in 2023
As for the top trending destinations for next year, they are: Copenhagen, Denmark; Florida Keys, Florida; Istanbul, Turkey; Lisbon, Portugal; Mexico City, Mexico; Montenegro; Paris, France; Sydney, Australia; Woodstock, Vermont; and Yaukuve Island, Fiji.
Separately, according to Affluent Traveler Collection, the most popular trending destinations for the luxury traveler this year were Greece, Italy, France, Portugal and Africa. The marketing group also reported that clients are spending more, staying longer, booking last-minute and want unique customized experiences while also being eco-minded in their travel selections.
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