Norwegian Cruise Line is celebrating the 15th anniversary of “Partners First,” the philosophy that has consistently placed travel agents at the heart of the company’s business for more than a decade. To mark this milestone and reaffirm its ongoing commitment to the industry, May is once again “Partners First Month.”
Introduced 15 years ago, “Partners First” represents a firm commitment to fair, collaborative, and long-term partnerships with travel agencies and distribution partners. Over the years, the initiative has defined how NCL builds stable, reliable, and sustainable relationships within the travel industry, with a focus on investing in training and developing collaborative, agile, and transparent ways of working together.
“Even after 15 years, our priority remains the same: to be a trusted partner for the travel industry and to equip our partners with the right tools, in-depth product knowledge, and the security they need to grow their business with NCL,” said Sonia López Corrales, Senior Manager of Business Development in Spain and Portugal at Norwegian Cruise Line. “This year’s ‘Partners First Month’ focuses on training and specialization, because well-informed partners are our best brand ambassadors.”
Training and professional development at the heart of “Partners First Month”
Ongoing dialogue with the travel industry has made one thing clear over the years: training and education are essential. This vision is shaping “Partners First Month” in 2026, where NCL is putting hands-on training opportunities and direct sales support front and center.
Throughout May, travel agents will benefit from a wide range of training designed to support daily sales while also building a long-term experience, including:
- Norwegian Central and NCL University: Through its industry hub, Norwegian Central, travel agencies gain easy access to sales tools, marketing assets, and up-to-date product information. This is complemented by NCL University, which offers structured online training courses, allowing agents to deepen their product knowledge flexibly and at their own pace, providing the ideal foundation for confidently and competently selling NCL cruises. Furthermore, it includes an additional benefit for the industry, as agents who successfully complete NCL University courses receive progressive discounts on their own cruises. On select European itineraries this summer, Master graduates are currently enjoying savings of up to 50%.
- Webinars: Two “Partners First” webinars for Spanish travel agents will be held in May. On May 5, 2026, Sonia López Corrales will present NCL’s main European crossings for this summer season, followed by a webinar on May 12, 2026, focusing on NCL’s booking system, Book Norwegian.
- “How to Book with NCL” Videos: The step-by-step “Book with NCL ” videos , combined with additional booking support resources, help travel agents use the booking tools efficiently and provide their customers with a seamless booking experience.
- Ship visits in Spanish ports: Complementing its digital training formats, NCL is offering a series of ship visits in Spanish ports, giving travel agents the opportunity to experience the product firsthand and interact directly with NCL's sales teams. Travel agents can visit the Norwegian Dawn® on May 9, 2026, in Palma de Mallorca and on May 10, 2026, in Barcelona. The Norwegian Sun® will be available for inspection on May 30, 2026, in Vigo, followed by a visit to the Norwegian Epic® on May 31, 2026, in Barcelona.
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