Live online chat has been introduced by Celebrity Cruises as it looks to step up its support for agents.

The line is stepping up its support for the trade with a number of new initiatives, despite cruises remaining suspended due to the global coronavirus crisis.

Celebrity Cruises, along with the rest of the Royal Caribbean group, have extended a ‘cruise with confidence’ cancellation policy to allow the flexibility to decide to cancel up to 48-hours prior to departure for any sailing departing on-or-before September 1.

The live online chat function has been introduced to the Celebrity Central online platform to supplement the usual trade support, call centre and sales channels.

Live webinars are being held by the company’s sales team to keep agents abreast of news, advice on what is selling well and to share top sales tips. 

Luxury training sessions are being held monthly by business development manager Jonny Peat and luxury business development executive Emma Rigby covering subjects such as Edge class ships and the Galapagos.

A session on The Retreat on board is being held on April 28, with details on how to join to be shared via the Celebrity Cruises’ agent Facebook pages.

The wider team is also holding impromptu coffee mornings and regularly posting on social media.

A spokesperson said: “Celebrity Cruises is encouraging agents to inspire their customers to look further ahead by using Celebrity Central to access ready-to-share offers and social media content.”