Sabre Travel Network has launched a new promotion for travel agents booking cruises online via Sabre Cruises. For the next six weeks, agents will automatically earn Sabre Rewards Plus points when booking select cruise lines through Sabre Cruises. Sabre Cruises is a 24/7 online booking tool that allows agents to search and book 13 of the world’s largest cruise lines. The Sabre Cruises API powers 18 of the top 20 online cruise sites. There are currently 17,000 participating agents (Sabre and non Sabre) located in 24 countries.
For each cruise booking sold between September 14 and October 31, agents will earn 300 Rewards Plus points. Redemption starts at only 1,500 rewards plus points, so after as few as five cruise bookings, agents can reward themselves with merchandise, training, gift cards and much more.
Sabre Cruises has access to all the same cruise prices and inventory agents get when they call the cruise lines directly. It reduces time and can identify the best matched cruise based on their customers preferences. Agents can better serve their customers by providing the best value for their money because they can create an efficient snap shot of what the market offers and select the best choice. Sabre Cruises also sells cabin upgrades as well as pre/post sailing packages.
Recent Enhacements
Sabre Travel Network continues to invest in Sabre Cruises, delivering enhancements that help agents drive sales via access to cruise inventory and efficient booking technology.
One-Step Reinstatement of Previously Canceled Bookings
Every leisure agent has endured the process of re-building a booking for a client who cancelled their trip, but then changed their mind. Re-creating the record, perhaps calling the cruise line, can be time consuming. With new one-click technology that reinstates the cancelled booking (as long as the space remains available), Sabre has delivered yet another enhancement that drives both efficiency and superior service for travel agencies.
Different Transportation, Different Customers, Same Cruise Booking
Now when booking Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Cruises, agencies can book individualized trip details for two or more travelers in the same cruise booking. For example, one passenger flies in from DFW via cruise line air, while the other is booking the cruise only - both can now be booked together. Travelers in groups can also have their own pre/post packages without all travelers required to book the same package.
Cashing in with the right Currency
When an agency books Royal Caribbean, agents may select a currency authorized by Royal Caribbean for their agency and have rates returned in that selected currency.
More Dining Options
My Time Dining: Royal Caribbean and Celebrity now offer dining preferences that may be selected at the passenger level instead of the booking level. Travelers also have the option to choose selected times or open seating. Plus, they can book available dining preferences in addition to being waitlisted.
Family Time Dining: When booking Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, travelers may choose a dining program that serves children (ages three through 11) first, after which the kids are escorted to their own special event while the adults continue their relaxing dining experience.
In the Know on E-mail
An e-mail address may be added to a booking so that it will be included in the PNR PE field. An email address can also be added on the "User Preferences" page and it will automatically populate the Passenger Information Field.
Sabre Rewards Plus is a free agent appreciation program, available to agents on any global distribution system (GDS). Members earn points by selling select cruises, cars, hotels, insurance and more. Agents can also earn Rewards Plus points by participating in surveys and quizzes.
Sabre Rewards Plus makes it easy to register and easy to redeem rewards plus points. Once an agent has registered they can begin earning Rewards Plus points instantly. Points can be spent on valued items such as brand-name merchandise, gift cards, travel perks and educational opportunities. Redeemable rewards include TVs, DVD players, digital cameras, jewelry, household furnishings and much more, Sabre reports.