P&O Cruises and Cunard Line, two UK focused brands of the Carnival Corp & plc group, have temporarily increased the commission they pay to travel agents in the UK to 13.5% from 7.5%, Travel Weekly reports.

"The promotion, running through July for Cunard and until the end of August for P&O Cruises, covers cruises departing from September 2014 to June 2015. It comes after the Carnival UK that operates the two companies in the UK cut commission to 5% in 2011, only to restore rates to 7.5% last year," Travel Weekly said.

Agents applauded the brands for “showing the love”, but expressed fears the increased commission would encourage discounting.

Chris Truscott, sales and distribution support director at Carnival UK, urged agents to keep the extra cash themselves rather than pass it on to customers. He was quoted as saying: “I’m hoping agents will take these rewards and reinvest in their businesses to assist their growth and earnings in the longer term.”