The Travel Institute has launched a new Certified Cruise Travel Specialist course designed to enhance the skills of travel advisors. This comprehensive course covers everything from understanding cruise categories and itineraries to effectively matching clients with their ideal cruise experience.
Key Highlights:
- Expert Guidance: As cruising options expand, having knowledgeable advisors is crucial. Taylor Ruecking, president of The Travel Institute, emphasizes that this course will transform advisors from simple order-takers into adept cruise curators.
- Collaboration with Experts: The course was developed with insights from industry experts and cruise partners including AmaWaterways, Royal Caribbean, and Scenic Cruises, and utilizes data from the Cruise Lines Industry Association (CLIA).
Course Structure:
- Format: Self-paced and online, requiring 10-12 hours to complete.
- Content Includes:
- Cruise categories and itinerary styles
- Client discovery and matching techniques
- Pricing strategies and promotions
- Stateroom selection criteria
- Shore excursions and port experiences
- Documentation and travel protection methods
- Pre- and post-cruise planning
- Marketing techniques for cruise experiences
Certification Process:
To achieve the Certified Cruise Travel Specialist designation, participants must:
- Complete the course.
- Pass a proctored multiple-choice exam.
- Complete a required Experiential Checklist.
Participants have a 12-month window to finish their studies, which include multimedia lessons, industry insights, real-world examples, interactive activities, and knowledge checks.
Educational Value:
Vicki Freed from Royal Caribbean reinforces the importance of investing in this training, highlighting that well-informed advisors can better inspire confidence in clients and personalize their travel recommendations.
Enrollment Details:
The course is available for $89, with a $50 exam fee. However, Education Hub subscribers can access it for free, only paying a $30 exam fee.
This initiative aims to elevate the advisory experience and strengthen client relationships in the evolving cruise industry.
