Hurtigruten. the Norwegian company that operates the coastal express service and expedition cruises, has announced a restructuring of commission payments in the UK, which it said could result in agents earning up to 20% commission, amid a raft of changes designed to re-engage the trade in selling the adventure cruise line, Travel Weekly reports.

“While the standard commission rate will drop from 15% to 13%, UK head of sales Anthony Daniels stressed this was ‘absolutely not a cut’, with new quarterly bonus payments of up to 4% and an annual bonus of 3%. Payments will be made at the time of booking rather than departure, meaning agents who meet specified targets could find themselves better off, “ the report said.

The company recently left CLIA UK & Ireland in order to profile itself as an expedition company rather than a mainstream cruise ship operator.

Speaking during an international fam trip hosting nearly 40 UK agents onboard the refurbished Kong Harald, he was quoted assaying: “The earning potential is now up to 20% because [agents] have got more departure years they can sell into, and the more they support us and the more business they drive, the more they are going to earn with us.

“It’s absolutely not about a cut; it’s the chance to earn more. The more you do with us, the more you will earn. We will pay per quarter so the actual cash flow is enhanced; now you can get four payments a year, and they will be based on booked revenue regardless of departure date, so the portfolio to sell has tripled.”

The company has a sleet of 14 ships, two of which are tailored for expedition cruising, mostly in Arctic and Antarctic waters.