Trade commission will rise from 16% to 22% from 9 December to 16 February, during which time customers will receive a 20% discount on all sailings through to October 2023.

An additional 10% off will also be given when clients pay their full balance 180 days or more before departure and an extra $100 will be added to guests onboard accounts when they spend $300 or more on their Bar Tab drinks package.

Speaking to TTG, Shane Riley, Virgin Voyages associate vice-president of sales UK and Australia, said it was the highest level of commission the brand had ever paid. 

“We’re expecting a huge wave and wanted to offer massive earning opportunities at the busiest time for our First Mates [Virgin’s nickname for agent partners] especially at the start of such an epic year for us as a brand.

“There are so many voyages available through to 2023, we think our First Mates can make the world their oyster and make as much money as possible.”

Virgin Voyages will launch its second ship Valiant Lady from the UK in March before a third vessel - Resilient Lady – joins its fleet in August.

Both ships will sail the Mediterranean next summer – with Valiant homeporting out of Barcelona and Resilient offering Greek Isles itineraries.

Riley said Virgin Voyages would be bringing Valiant to the UK earlier than planned for a series of showcase events in “multiple locations” around the country.

He added how the line intended to show the ship to more than 3,000 UK agents – with those achieving gold tier status on its Seacademy training programme given priority access.

“It’s going to be a bigger deal [than Scarlet Lady’s arrival in February 2020] as we’re more established and now we’ve sailed consumers and the trade know more about who we are,” he added.