Eight visits will take place from July to October in conjunction with MSC, Holland America and Saga. As well as Cruise Club members and their staff, customers can also attend and enjoy a three-course lunch.

Other activities include a two-day seminar in Southampton on board two Oceania ships with an overnight stay and dinner at the Hilton, as well as a Cruise Forum, that will be staged for agent managers and/or cruise specialists on a ship. In addition, Cruise & Maritime Steering Group visits will include presentations, a five-course lunch and a ship tour. These will take place in Liverpool, Hull and Bristol.

Members will have the opportunity to do a piece to camera about their visit and what the ship has to offer. These personalised videos, made by The Travel Network Group’s marketing team, can then be used by guests as part of their social media and local marketing activities.

Si Morris-Green, group marketing director, The Travel Network Group, said: “The best way for agents to sell cruises is if they have first-hand experience of the ships and what they have to offer. We are delighted to have secured eight VIP ship visits for our Cruise Club Members, with an open invite for them to bring their staff or customers along to experience the ships.

“We expect the take up to be high, with over 100 Members attending the various activities. This is another demonstration of how we are constantly adding value to our membership.”

He added: “At all of the events we will listen to feedback from members on how we can continue to improve our cruise services and provide further support in this sector. We will also have an honest and open discussion on where we believe the industry is heading and how we can, collectively, attract new to cruise customers.

"Cruise continues to be a key sector for us and our members and we know that if we can better educate and equip agents to sell cruise then an increase in sales will follow.”