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NEW Norwegian Cruise Line UK general manager Stephen Parks has promised to step up marketing activity with agents

as it develops its Hawaii programme.

Industry veteran Parks, who spent 11 years as sales and marketing director with Walt Disney Attractions, said NCL would launch aggressive promotions through the trade in the wake of huge capacity increases in the cruising market.

Speaking exclusively to Travel Weekly, he said: “Agents sell around 95% of our product and we are committed to them.

“The launch of our Hawaii programme will allow us to differentiate ourselves from the other cruiselines and we want to invest in ways to help agents sell - whether it’s consumer marketing, joint promotions or more training.”

NCL will launch Pride of America into Hawaii next April, and Parks said UK agents would get a preview of the vessel before its inter-island sailings start. Norwegian Sky, which will be renamed Pride of Aloha, will join it in October 2004.

Parks also pledged NCL would not make its website bookable to ensure customers go through the trade.