Holiday reps take to the seas

Thomas Cook have announced they are to take the holiday rep concept to the seas after research into what people want from a cruise.
It has teamed up with Norwegian Cruise Lines to offer holidaymakers what they claim is a new package holiday experience at sea.
On selected 2009 European departures, Thomas Cook reps will be onboard the Norwegian Gem, Jewel and Jade to greet customers, book excursions, and even – they say – to source emergency suntan.
All flights and transfers will be booked by Thomas Cook and customers will check-in through a dedicated area.
Describing it as a “revolutionary move” Cruise Thomas Cook said a recent study of 5,000 UK holidaymakers revealed 52 per cent of passengers believe it is important to book cruises through a specialist agent.
But I don’t believe it’s so innovative or revolutionary. If it is, what have the representatives of agents such as Bath Travel and others been doing when I have seen them on Fred Olsen and Cunard ships?