Holland America Line has begun an education campaign with
travel agents to build awareness for the Nieuw Statendam, a ship coming in
December.
The 2,660-passenger follow-on to the Koningsdam will be the
subject of four webinars on May 9, 16, 24 and 30. The webinars will also touch HAL's
Caribbean cruises, including the addition of Cuba cruises on Veendam and
private island Half Moon Cay.
"Our travel partners are the core of our business, and
in May we're making more in-person connections and setting our agents up with
the information they need to become confident selling our new ship, Nieuw
Statendam, and our diverse mix of Caribbean cruises," said Eva Jenner, HAL's
vice president of sales.
Registration for the webinars is through GoHAL.com.
HAL said it has developed a new selling guide that includes
details on Nieuw Statendam; Caribbean and Cuba cruises; and programs with America's
Test Kitchen, Food & Wine Aficionado and O, The Oprah Magazine.
It also details holiday sailings; the GAP Plus program, with
information about earning an additional 1% commission on Caribbean groups; and
the Connections Program, where agents can receive an accelerated one for 10
tour conductor credit and two extra GAP points for each group.