The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) has launched a dedicated trade page on its website featuring discounted cruises for agents booking trips for themselves.

Savings of up to 75% are available for trips to Antarctica, the Arctic, Galapagos, Madagascar and Mediterranean.

The page, which sits in the members’ section of the ECN site, will be regularly updated to provide agents with an up-to-date overview of the all the trade discounts available.

Agents must be an Expedition Cruise Network member to access the page.

ECN Chairman Martin Johnson said a lack of first-hand experience was a ‘common challenge’ for agents who were new to selling expedition cruises.

“Although a number of our expedition cruise members offer familiarisation trips, these opportunities are infrequent, and often come with specific eligibility criteria,” he added.

“These exceptional travel trade rates give our travel trade members an opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of expedition cruising, not to mention visiting some of the most remarkable corners of the world including Antarctica or the Canadian Arctic.”

ECN CEO Akvile Marozaite said cruise lines knew that giving agents more experience of their products would ensure they had more confidence to make recommendations to their customers.

“We are delighted at the ECN to have worked with our expedition cruise members in creating an essential hub for the travel trade to access some truly fantastic discounts of up to 75%,” she added.

“We hope it will enable more travel trade members than ever before to experience expedition cruising for themselves.”

Pictured: ECN member Ponant’s expedition ship Le Commandant Charcot