Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched a new, innovative and personalized approach to pre-cruise information with the debut of its “Welcome Aboard” booklet, a customized cruise guide featuring everything a guest needs to know in preparation for cruising with NCL. The 21-page booklet is one of the more than 75 new programs and services launched as part of Partnership 2.0, NCL’s company-wide commitment to its travel partners.

The personalized “Welcome Aboard” booklet front cover features the guest name, ship and sailing date, stateroom number and the name of the travel agency. Inside is shore excursion information pertaining to the specific itinerary; personalized luggage tags with the guest name and stateroom number pre-printed; and deck plans for the specific ship, including the location of the guest’s stateroom. In addition, the booklet offers cruising advice; important information on what a guest needs to know before they cruise; what to pack; the amenities on board, and bon voyage gifts and packages.

Travel partners can opt to have NCL mail the booklet within 60 days of sailing to their client; thereby reducing the agency’s mailing costs; or if the travel partner prefers, the cruise line can mail the booklet to them to give to their clients.

“NCL’s new ‘Welcome Aboard’ booklet is another facet of Partnership 2.0 that provides our travel partners with the information their clients need in order to set sail on a vacation of a lifetime,” said Vivian Ewart, NCL’s vice president of passenger services. “It was imperative that the travel partner’s name was positioned on the front cover of the booklet in order to highlight the importance of our relationship with them.”

Since Partnership 2.0’s inception in late 2007, NCL has instituted the following programs and services for travel partners including earlier processing of group commissions, a seven-day a week resolution desk, simplified and consistent pricing quotes, improved credit card policies, electronic payment processing, enhanced confirmations; the availability of a premium air desk and a flight assistance hotline, NCL University, the first-of-its-kind online travel partner networking and education community, as well as Groups 2.0, an enhanced group booking program.