At Virgin Voyages, travel agents continue to play a fundamental role in the operator’s success and now the line is demonstrating its gratitude.

Until 31 July, agents can take part in the line’s First Mate Appreciation Month concept.

Every booking until the closing date means a chance to win a sea terrace cabin for two on any Caribbean voyage through to December 2023.

In addition, agents can win 130,000 Virgin Red points, which is enough for two round-trip premium economy tickets on Virgin Atlantic and a $600 bar tab to toast the victory.

The more bookings made, the better the chance of winning.

Virgin Voyages vice-president of international sales Shane Riley said: “‘First Mate Appreciation Month is our way of thanking our agent partners.

“We appreciate them every month but even more so in July when we are celebrating them with our biggest ever incentive. We set out to change business for good, as such we committed to being brilliant for our First Mates.”

Virgin Voyages has also launched First Mate Appreciation Voyages.  First Mates who have not sailed with Virgin Voyages before are eligible to request an access key to redeem on select summer voyages on either Valiant Lady or Resilient Lady.

Brilliant for agents

Virgin Voyages offers 16 per cent commission on the voyage fare and no NCFs.

In addition, agents can also earn 10 per cent commission of things like airfare, hotels and voyage protection. Then there is the Seacademy, the line’s virtual training programme.

With this, agents can become a five-star First Mate in five hours and completing Seacademy also provides access to agent rates and additional opportunities.

Resilient Lady launch

In May, Virgin Voyages’ third ship, Resilient Lady, set sail for the first time.

At the time, Virgin Voyages CEO Tom McAlpin said: “Since our launch just a few years ago, we have received the travel industry’s top awards and have experienced a very high rate of return with up to 40 per cent of our sailors rebooking their next cruise while they’re still on-board with us.

“I know people are going to love voyaging with Resilient Lady as much as they have with Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, and I look forward to sharing this five-star experience with even more sailors this summer.”

On board, the ship features plenty of new entertainment options, including five new shows, exclusive on-board parties, more live music acts and a festival stage of rotating performances.