Agents can earn the bonus on all new retail bookings secured between October 25 and 31, as part of the campaign UK boss Nick Wilkinson described as a “pre-wave push”.

Speaking to TTG, Wilkinson, vice-president and managing director UK, Ireland and MEA, said: “Traditionally cruise bookings tend to tail off slightly towards the end of October so we want to help agents and show them how important they are to us.

“The bonus commission also gives agents another reason to think Norwegian and push us.”

NCL is also running a number of consumer-facing promotions this month to boost agent sales, including unlimited free Wi-Fi on selected cruises booked before the end of October as well as a £50pp deposit offer.

Wilkinson said with NCL having “more ships than ever” (six) in Europe for summer 2019 it would act as “a halo effect” to increase trade sales further.

He added that NCL’s Premium All Inclusive fare option – which has been available permanently in the UK for 18 months – had been “a major success” in growing the number of agents with which the line works.

“It simplifies things for agents who don’t sell that many cruises and breaks down barriers for those who enjoy land-based holidays and haven’t cruised before," he said.

Meanwhile, Wilkinson also revealed details of NCL’s upcoming Presidents Day trade event in London on October 29 featuring Frank Del Rio, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings president and chief executive, Harry Sommer, executive vice-president of international business development and NCL president and chief executive Andy Stuart.

Agent bosses will have the chance to quiz the trio of leaders on NCL’s future strategy and trade plans for the UK.

“It has the makings of a very interesting day and I’m sure we’ll get some great debate,” said Wilkinson. “We want agents to tell us what will make the difference to their businesses in 2019 – what can we do to work more closely together.”