ACV launches all-in-one cruise packages

Air Canada Vacations is making select cruise packages available in Sirev, Travelport and Amadeus, the tour operator announced this week.

The move coincides with ACV's recent migration of its Caribbean and Mexico product. With the addition of cruise, ACV “will further standardize its content; increase its distribution; maximize its visibility to the travel trade and allow agents to conveniently book cruise and air packages,” the company said.

Initially, Caribbean cruises departing from Florida, San Juan and Montego Bay will be included followed by Europe cruises departing from London, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Rome, Venice and Athens.

The move to these platforms will also include special rates and added value from ACV’s preferred partners including Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Celestyal Cruises:

• Clients sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas will receive exclusive rates and will also receive a specialty dining dinner for two.
• Norwegian Getaway will offer exclusive rates and the Free at Sea Promotion. Inside staterooms will receive a free beverage package and ocean view or higher staterooms will receive a free beverage package and a free alternate dining package.
• Packages onboard Celestyal Crystal will include unlimited beverages; three shore excursions and pre-paid gratuities. Currently, Air Canada Vacations is the only operator offering these packages with boarding in Montego Bay.

For the launch, ACV is offering air-inclusive cruise packages on the following ships: Norwegian Getaway, Costa Deliziosa, Oasis of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Celebrity Summit and Celestyal Crystal.

Packages on MSC Divina and Carnival Sensation will be offered in the near future.

Clients that book these packages by Sept. 30 will only have to pay a $100 deposit per person and will receive instant savings of up to $200 per person, while agents will receive a two per cent bonus commission for a total commission of 12 per cent.

This offer applies to travel from Nov. 15, 2016 to April 30, 2017. Reduced deposit, instant savings and bonus commission are only applicable when booking the new pre-bundled cruise packages. Cruise packages include flight, cruise, transfers and all taxes. Full details are available at vacations.aircanada.com.