Qantas has teamed up
with Cruise Guru to launch an
unprecedented integration of
cruising into the national carrier’s
website (TD breaking news yest).
For the first time, consumers
can now book domestic and
international cruises through
www.qantas.com/cruises, which
is expected to go live later today.
The backbone of the longterm
partnership is the “unique
technology” of Cruise Choice,
powered by Cruise Guru,
providing live cabin availability,
prices, and instant confirmation.
Justin Montgomery, joint
managing director, Cruise Guru,
said the “100% Australian team”
worked with “the most dynamic
technology in the industry”.
While Qantas passengers are
not yet able to book flights and
cruises together through the
website, they will earn Qantas
Frequent Flyer points on any
Qantas Cruise booking, with a
launch offer of two points per
dollar spent, valid until 14 Feb.
Speaking to TD Cruise Update,
Montgomery said the industry
would benefit from Qantas’
endorsement for cruising.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity
to bring new people to cruising
and, for existing cruisers, to
showcase cruise lines such as
Disney and Hurtigruten, which
aren’t commonly available in this
marketplace.”
He indicated it would take
four to six weeks to determine
whether the new online offering
attracted mostly first-time or
existing cruisers.
“I think we’ll probably get more
new customers after an email
goes out to the whole Qantas
Frequent Flyer database [today].”
River cruise lines are expected
to be added to the site by Apr.
The current line-up of 17 ocean
cruise lines includes Azamara,
Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Holland
America, P&O Cruises Australia,
MSC, Princess, Royal Caribbean,
Seabourn, Silversea and more.
Mark Foley, business
development manager, Qantas,
added that the company was
“delighted to offer our members
greater choice, opportunity and
variety” and to help “grow the
cruise pie”.
Also at the event, held onboard
Celebrity Solstice in Sydney
yesterday, CLIA Australasia
chairman Gavin Smith said: “This
is a demonstration of cruising
really arriving in the mainstream
of the Australian holiday market,
it’s bringing cruising into more
Australian households.”
