Norwegian’s New Upgrade Advantage Program Offers Commission

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced a new Upgrade Advantage program that will allow travel agents to earn commission on stateroom upgrades prior to a guest’s sailing. 

Launching February 8, the new program will allow guests to upgrade their staterooms prior to sailing. Guests have the option to upgrade through their travel partner or on their own online with the travel partner automatically receiving a commission if the upgrade is accepted, regardless of whether or not they coordinated the bid or placed the bid themselves, Norwegian said. 

Norwegian will be launching the program on its large ships — the Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Epic — and Pride of America on February 8, followed by the remainder of the line’s fleet by the end of Q2. Travel agents will be copied on every bidding opportunity and every confirmation where a bid was accepted by Norwegian. 

The program applies to guests who have paid in full, have an email address in their pre-guest registration, and who are not booked in a studio T1 cabin. Guests will be selected and sent an email invite to bid based on a variety of criteria including but not limited to what they already paid and the type of cabins available on their specific sailing.

Guests will receive a pre-cruise email inviting them to bid, with the travel agent copied, and can be upgraded anytime after they place a bid. Guests and agents will immediately receive a confirmation email. If the guest does not win the bid, they will receive an email notifying them two days prior to sail date. Travel agents will only be notified of winning bids. 

Guests can bid on one or two meta (oceanview, balcony, mini-suite, suite or Haven) above their current stateroom. Bidding is on the meta only, not on a specific category (i.e., Ba) or cabin number (i.e., 9526). Guests who can bid on suites and the Haven can bid on each separately. 

Upgrade bids are not combinable with any other promotions. Guests are able to modify or cancel their offer up to 48 hours prior to departure. Accepted bids are final and cannot be altered or refunded. 

Travel agencies can opt out (agency level only) by sending an email with the subject line “Opt Out” to [email protected]. Provide the booking agency name, booking phone number and main point of contact.

Visit www.ncl.com