Explora Journeys has shared further details of its ‘By Appointment’ service, offered exclusively for travel advisors and revealed recently by Chief Sales Officer, Chris Austin.
The ‘By Appointment’ service reflects a significant investment by the cruise line in research, surveys, focus groups, consumer intelligence and supporting technology to ensure a thorough customer-centric approach which, along with bold commercial policies, underscores Explora Journeys` commitment to the global travel advisor community.
Explora Journeys is the new luxury lifestyle travel brand from the MSC Group. A month ago it signed on with global luxury travel group, Virtuoso, as the first cruise line in the network’s Preview program.
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The ‘By Appointment’ service will link travel advisors directly with an Explora Journeys customer experience rep at a time of their choice within a 24-hour window.
Appointments provide a 30-minute block of time to allow travel advisors to discuss and place a waitlist on a specific suite for one or more of eight inaugural journeys during EXPLORA I‘s first year, including the vessel’s maiden voyage on 16 May 2023.
Waitlist requests are obligation-free and require no deposit until later when travel advisors, via a follow-up appointment, can convert their option into a deposited booking on which, at that point, they will already earn their commission.
“Explora Journeys will be an ocean escape like no other, allowing guests to relax, create memories, reconnect with what matters most in their lives and experience what we refer to as an “ocean state of mind,” Austin said.
“Built by Italy’s Fincantieri and designed in partnership with them as well as some of the world’s foremost superyacht and luxury hospitality designers, our fleet of four innovative ships provide space, choice, privacy, relaxed comfort and elegance. Furthermore, one of our key points of differentiation is how we support our global travel advisor community.
“We wanted to totally remove on-hold time and put the control in the hands of our travel partners. The result is, they get to speak to our dedicated Ambassadors at their convenience and, waitlist suites for their valued clients exclusively before we open for public sale later this year,” Austin said.
“Initial industry feedback recognises our service as being “best in class” for which we are most proud.”
Travel Leaders President, John Lovell said the new service is one of many industry-firsts and “bold initiatives the brand is making along with the first-ever rolling commission program that will pay advisors commission on deposits and on final payments received.
“These and others were key factors for Travel Leaders Group determining the brand should be awarded a ‘preferred’ status. We are therefore, delighted to welcome Explora Journeys into our roster of especially important preferred partners.”
Explora Journeys’ ‘By Appointment’ service will be maintained indefinitely to always provide the option for travel advisors to schedule an appointment to discuss and make a booking for their valued clients. Alternatively following the brand’s official opening of sales, Travel Advisors will be able to call a dedicated Experience Centre number or click ‘to call’ from the Explora Journeys’ website.
Travel advisors can register for their appointment by visiting explorajourneys.com/en/travel-advisors.html
Or email travelpartners@explorajourneys.com with any queries.