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Cruise bookings go online
Complex cruise bookings, including ground excursions and flights, will soon be bookable online following developments by Norwegian Cruise Line.
The company has been testing a system that allows agents to book cruises online and says that already 15% of trade bookings are coming through the web.
Called “Freestyle Live” the online booking system allows agents to access live data to check availability of cruises within specific dates and routes, as well as checking cabin availability through www.uk.ncl.com.
The next stage for NCL is to introduce an “e-document” system that will collate booking information to be emailed to the client.
After that NCL plans a more complex online system that will enable agents to enter a personal account online to retrieve booking history, as well as booking the whole package for clients, including flights, car hire and ground excursions. This should be operating by Spring 2005.
NCL UK head of passenger services, Sally-Anne Beasley said: “Freestyle Live does not replace our call centre, but rather if offers another access point with minimum hassle. We continue to upgrade our systems and create a state-of-the-art connection to agents so that 2005 can be as successful a year of growth as 2004 has been.”
Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
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