A cruise industry first, this innovation will offer clients a reward for booking their cruise nights across their favourite cruises and river cruises, while not affecting their loyalty with the individual cruise lines.
The scheme will give customers access to all cruise lines and they will be able to earn points for each night they stay. Customers of The Cruise Counter will be able to keep track of their points and build them up in a passport style format, which can then be able to trade the points in for rewards.
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Rewards include:
20+ cruise nights on any cruise ship
Cruise Counter Gift Set & Quarterly Cruise Newsletter
30+ cruise nights on any cruise ship
Free parking at your local airport for up to seven days’ subject to availability
40+ cruise nights on any cruise ship
Free parking at your local airport for up to 15 days
50+ cruise nights on any cruise ship
£50 off per stateroom
60+ cruise nights on any cruise ship
£75 off per stateroom & Welcome gift onboard
70+ cruise nights on any cruise ship
£100 off per stateroom
80+ cruise nights on any cruise ship
£125 off per stateroom & On Board Cruise Counter Dining Experience
90+ cruise nights on any cruise ship
Free pre or post cruise stay up to £150 per stateroom and free car park at your local airport for up to seven days
100+ cruise nights on any cruise ship
Cruise Counter Gift Set / Free parking at your local airport up to 15 days / Free soft drinks package for one person travelling or £100 towards drinks package
150+cruise nights on any cruise ship
Cruise Counter Experience
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Sharon Fleming, Director of Thompson Travel commented: “We have had a steady cruise growth from the outset of our business and even though we are based in County Armagh, NI, we have managed to secure business all across NI and UK. Cruises have formed a good percentage of our business for over 20 years and we know the industry very well.”
“We wanted to take our cruise business to the next level, reaching a further geographical customer base and massively increasing our sales, whilst giving the customer extra perks to attract them to book with us – so, The Cruise Counter was born.”
“Our cruise customers are some of the most loyal, and we want to also reward them for coming back to us over and over again all these years. We build our business on customer service, relationships and their confidence, in return they return to us. We switch-sold them from land arrangements to cruise in the first place – so this is just the next step. All points will be added for bookings made from February 1, 2018.”
“We have built excellent relationships with our key suppliers and will be growing those as we progress with our new venture’
The initiative has been in Sharon’s plans since winning the Advantage Dragon’s Den style competition in 2013.
Cruise Counter will allow clients to earn points on all types of cruises including river cruising, around the world trips and the standard 7-14 night itineraries they book – all held in a ‘points’ passport noting all nights travelled.
A dedicated website thecruisecounter.co.uk, fully live from February 19, will keep customers informed and buzzing about cruising.
‘Your Experience Counts’ will be a key area of the site where competitions and promotions will be run to enhance point earning potential for customers with the aim to encourage clients to focus on ‘real-life’ experiences onboard with support and insight from Thompson Travel.
There has been praise across the cruise industry for The Cruise Counter:
Ben Bouldin, Associate Vice President & Managing Director of Royal Caribbean UK said: “On a store by store basis Sharon and her team have developed one of the strongest cruise businesses in Northern Ireland, anchored in outstanding customer service, yet there’s definitely opportunity for more and I’m delighted Sharon has the appetite to drive this through her new Cruise Counter concept.”
Steve Williams Director of Sales, MSC Cruises said: “MSC Cruises have worked as a partner of Thompson Travel for many years and in recent years have seen their growth within the cruise-sector expand rapidly. Learning of their latest venture ‘The Cruise Counter’ We immediately signed-up to support this activity. MSC Cruises are always looking at ways to give their guests more while supporting their partners and The Cruise Counter seems the perfect fit.
“The concept of The Cruise Club is testament to putting the customer first and seems the perfect reward by offering guests rewards in exchange of booking their cruises which can be redeemed against various treats and desirable goods. I look forward to seeing the launch of this initiative and am delighted MSC Cruises are an official partner.”
Amanda Middler, Silversea Regional Sales Manager – Scotland & Ireland said: “Silversea are delighted to work with Thompson Travel on the new ‘Cruise Counter’ Scheme for clients wishing to build loyalties when booking with a Travel agent. The idea is an amazing idea and clients will love the fact that as they build loyalty they are able to earn recognition and gain rewards for booking and adding value add’s onto their booking. Sharon has always been a leader with her innovative ideas in travel and I am sure Cruise Counter will become a great success.
Bhavneeta Taylor (Strategic Account Manager, Consortia & Luxury) said: “We’re really excited to partner with Thompson Travel on their pioneering new initiative, Cruise Counter. It’s a fantastic scheme that encourages guests to share their own experiences, which is a great way to endorse our product and bring it to life for potential guests. Our relationship goes from strength to strength and with the introduction of this new scheme, will continue to grow.”
For more information about The Cruise Counter, please contact Sharon Fleming on 028 38 394489 or log on to thecruisecounter.co.uk.
