Speaking during Norwegian Prima’s handover ceremony in Fincantieri Shipyard in Italy on Friday (29 July), NCL president and chief executive Harry Sommer said the line "doesn’t win" when online agencies deal with customers.
"Travel partners who do well with us, are those that spend time with customers," he said. "A lot of times, the models which typically focus on online distribution when it’s all about price point, we don’t win.
"We’re not going to win against Princess, or MSC, because they sell cheaper. Where we’re going to win, is with the travel partners who have communications with their clients.
"So if a guest calls up and says ’I want to take a cruise to the Med’, do you talk about price or product first? The agents talk about price first sell a lot of MSC and Costa. Those agents who talk about the product first, sell a lot of NCL."
NCL also announced plans to offer 10,000 cabins to the trade onboard Prima during its inaugural European season.
Sommer said the line is "putting ourselves in the hands" of the trade. "We want you to do the best you can," he added. "It’s why we want to get agents onboard, so you can train you staff how to passionately talk about our product and what we can offer, that’s where we will win, together."
