NEW crystal Cruises policy protects travel agent partners against unfair discounting prices

LOS ANGELES – Crystal Cruises announced a new policy protecting the price integrity of its brand and the credible business practices of its travel agent partners. Effective immediately, and for all new bookings, Crystal Cruises will apply stiff commission penalties to any agency found to be offering consumers any kind of cash rebate, discount, payment in kind or in any other manner, a Crystal cruise fare below Crystal Cruises' published savings rate.

Under the new policy, agencies may continue to offer value-added, non-cash amenities including Crystal shipboard spending credits, provided that the total value of the amenities does not exceed 8 percent of the cruise revenue. Amenities offered or granted by a group and a member agency of the group must be combined so as not to exceed the 8 percent limit. Under the new policy, gift cards or certificates having a cash value, such as a retail or credit gift card, are not permitted.

Any agency found violating the policy by offering cash rebates, discounts, payment in kind or in any other manner not authorized in advance in writing by Crystal Cruises' Sales Department will receive a written warning for each of the first two incidents. Evidence of a third violation will result in a reduced commission applied to the sale that violates the policy and all subsequent sales by the agency for up to 12 months, regardless of whether or not the future sales violate the policy.