John Diorio, Virgin Voyages' vice president of North American sales, sent an email to the cruise line's “first mate” specifically prohibiting a number of sales tactics he deemed unacceptable.
“We would like to discuss the important and serious issues surrounding inducements and discounts that continue to be raised by seafarers, chief officers and crew members,” he wrote, saying such practices were inconsistent with the spirit of partnership Virgin desires.
“We also recognize that the vast majority of our first officers are not engaging in harmful behavior and want to reassure you that we take the concerns you have shared seriously and will work with you to stop such behavior.”
Virgin Voyages will immediately “work aggressively to prevent” the following actions:
First mates solicit cruisers on social media groups, asking them to transfer their booking from another first mate or Virgin Voyages. Onboard solicitation. This can include leaving business cards, branded merchandise, and flyers advertising your travel agency around the ship and terminal. Or casually meeting cruisers in line at the My Next Virgin Voyage desk and asking them to transfer their sailing in exchange for offering to “help.” Message cruisers on board through social media groups, asking them to purchase My Next Virgin Voyage placeholders. Give your clients a commission back and provide them with more value.
“As a reminder, when you sail with Virgin Voyages, you agree to our Ticket Agreement, which covers onboard solicitation and is a condition of doing business with us. The above actions are expressly prohibited,” Diorio wrote.
Virgin reserves the right to cancel a chief mate's account and, in extreme cases, restrict or cancel his or her ability to sail.We do not believe that the above actions are contrary to the spirit of good partnership. We do not believe this is fair to our colleagues in the industry, and we must not allow them to continue.”
Travel advisors who witness examples of the above behavior are encouraged to share it with Virgin's sales team who will “resolve it as soon as possible”.
