Southampton cruise specialist Carrie Purnell has sailed into rarefied trade territory. The Ocean World Travel consultant has clocked up 100,000 points in P&O Cruises’ Shine Rewards Club. It is a six-figure achievement built not on sea days, but on years of bookings, training and decidedly steady graft.
Purnell reached the milestone in June after almost 20 years with the independent cruise specialist. Her result places her among the programme’s highest achievers. It also shows the commercial value of strong product knowledge. In travel retail, confidence can be the difference between browsing and booking.
“I was incredibly proud when I reached 100,000 points. I have worked hard to achieve this milestone, and it is rewarding to see that dedication recognised.
“I have been using Shine Rewards Club since it launched, and it really is a brilliant programme. It is about much more than earning points; it is an invaluable training resource that brings everything you need to know about P&O Cruises together in one place, along with fantastic support tools.
“Shine Rewards Club has helped me build my confidence and knowledge, which ultimately benefits my customers. I always encourage other agents to sign up, take the time to explore everything that is available and get involved with initiatives such as the Facebook Live sessions.”
P&O Cruises describes Shine Rewards Club as a trade engagement programme for frontline travel agents. Members earn points through eligible Select Price bookings, brand training and engagement. They can redeem them for e-vouchers, merchandise and cruise holidays. In other words, useful knowledge goes in, and occasionally a fridge-freezer comes out.
Purnell has sailed on every ship in the P&O Cruises fleet except Arvia. That gives her the sort of first-hand experience no brochure, webinar or glossy deck plan can quite match. Her forward diary is hardly landlocked, either. Ventura is booked for later this year, Aurora for 2027 and Britannia for 2028.
“One of the things I enjoy most about selling P&O Cruises is that there is genuinely something for everyone. Whether it is an adults-only holiday, a family getaway or a solo escape, P&O Cruises offers fantastic value alongside a great level of service.
“We sell a lot of Christmas cruises, with Aurora remaining a real favourite among our customers, and we also have a strong solo cruise market. It is incredibly rewarding to help loyal guests secure their favourite cabin when new itineraries go on sale – it really demonstrates the loyalty people have to P&O Cruises.
“I’ll keep earning as many points as I can. I am currently renovating my kitchen, so my Shine Rewards Club points will certainly help towards a new American-style fridge freezer!”
That final reward may be less glamorous than a Caribbean balcony. Still, it is admirably practical. It also proves that loyalty points, like good travel advice, are best when they earn their keep.
P&O Cruises associate vice president of sales & distribution Ruth Venn said the milestone reflected Purnell’s commitment. She also highlighted the wider importance of travel advisers to the cruise line.
“Reaching 100,000 Shine Rewards Club points is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of Carrie’s passion and expertise.
“Our travel agent partners are at the heart of our business and Shine Rewards Club is designed to support them with engaging training, valuable rewards and the tools they need to confidently sell P&O Cruises. We are delighted to celebrate this milestone with Carrie and thank her for her continued support. We look forward to seeing her continue her Shine Rewards Club journey.”
For the travel trade, the message is simple. Reward schemes work best when they do more than scatter points like confetti. Shine combines structured learning, sales support and useful incentives. That gives agents a reason to keep sharpening their knowledge. It also gives customers a better chance of finding the right ship, cabin and itinerary.
Purnell’s 100,000-point tally is more than a handsome number on a dashboard. It marks consistency, customer service and hard-earned expertise. Those qualities remain the travel agent’s strongest currency. Twenty years into the job, she is still learning and still selling. Judging by that kitchen renovation, she is also still making every point count.
More information is available from P&O Cruises on its website or from a travel agent.
By: Prae Lee – © 2026.
Read Time: 4 minutes.
Author Bio:
You can tell a great deal about a person by how they meet a Bangkok morning. Prae Lee doesn’t charge into it; she glides, unhurried, as if time itself has agreed to behave. There is a calm assurance about her, the sort earned by knowing both your roots and your destination.
A graduate of Chulalongkorn University, she earned her business degree with quiet pride, then further honed it in Singapore and Australia. Travel didn’t change her. It refined what was already there: curiosity, discipline, grace.
Back in Bangkok, she slipped modern life into the family business, mastering social media with an instinct for listening and selling with Thai gentleness.
Prae never seeks attention, yet everything she touches grows brighter.
Now with Global Travel Media, she writes with authenticity, drawing on culture, travel and a rare, steady confidence.
