A Guide to Cruise Line Education Programs for Travel Advisors

Educated travel advisors benefit everyone. Staying on top of everything there is to know about cruise lines’ fleets and itineraries is paramount to ensuring clients get the best possible cruise experience for their needs. Fortunately, most cruise lines recognize the importance of well-informed advisors and have created education programs tailored specifically for them.

These programs often provide not only in-depth knowledge about their brand, fleets, and itineraries, but also provide courses on how to enhance sales and marketing strategies.

From AmaWaterways’ AmaAcademy to Windstar’s Star Specialist, here are (most of) the education programs offered by cruise lines. (This article will be updated as more cruise lines share their education programs details with TMR.)

AmaWaterways | American Cruise Lines | Avalon Waterways | Carnival Cruise Line | Celebrity Cruises | Celestyal Cruises | Cunard | Disney Cruise Line | Emerald | Explora Journeys | Holland America | HX | MSC Cruises | NCL | Oceania Cruises | Paul Gauguin Cruises | PONANT | Princess Cruises | Quark Expeditions | Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Riverside Luxury Cruises | Royal Caribbean International | Scenic | Silversea Cruises | UnCruise Adventures | Uniworld Boutique River Cruises | Viking | Virgin Voyages | Windstar Cruises

AmaWaterways: AmaAcademy

The AmaAcademy offers four in-depth courses to introduce advisors to AmaWaterways’ way of river cruising, offering content on the river cruise line’s fleet, itineraries, group program, and onboard experience.

Benefits: Advisors can earn three CLIA elective credits for each of the four courses.

Where: Advisors can find the AmaAcademy at courses.amaacademy.com.

American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines’ education program comprises six on-demand videos that focus on the guest experience, the line’s fleet of river and coastal ships, and the rivers and coastal routes it sails.

After viewing all six videos, advisors can take an exam to receive official certification.

Benefits: Advisors who complete certification earn a $50 bonus commission on their first booking with American Cruise Lines, and can apply for FAM rates. Additionally, they will receive three CLIA elective credits.

Where: Advisors can access American’s training program via the cruise line’s travel advisor portal.

Avalon Waterways: GFOB U

Training for Avalon Waterways is wrapped up in the Globus family of brands’ training program, GFOB U. There are five chapters of the program, of which the Avalon training is one. There is also a chapter on selling groups (will all the Globus brands), as well as one on Globus’ sales support products and strategies for advisors.

Advisors need approximately two hours on average to complete all of the chapters, and look through the extra content that is also available.

Benefits: After completion of all five chapters, advisors receive a certificate of completion as well as access to a specialist logo that they can use online. Becoming certified is also a pre-requisite for participating in incentive and travel programs, such as travel advisor discounts and Suite Rewards.

Advisors who reach specialist status will also earn three CLIA elective credits.

Where: Advisors can log into GFOB U on the Avalon Travel Advisor Portal.

Carnival Cruise Line: Learn & Earn

Carnival’s Learn & Earn program provides easy-to-digest video content that the line says puts advisors on an 80% faster path to graduation. Additionally, the program is mobile-friendly so advisors can work on it on the go.

The program has three levels (gold, platinum, and diamond), each with its own array of benefits. To graduate, advisors must complete 30 courses. Advisors receive Loyalty Rocks reward points for individual course completions, as well as 100 bonus points for graduation.

Benefits: Advisors can earn Carnival Loyalty Rocks! Reward points and CLIA credits by completing Learn & Earn courses. Graduates also receive a graduation certificate and a Carnival Diamond Graduate logo to use on their marketing materials. Advisors can redeem the Loyalty Rocks points they earn throughout the program for items from a reward catalog.

Where: Advisors can find the Learn & Earn program inside of GoCCL.com.

Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Learning

Celebrity’s travel advisor training is available on its Celebrity Learning platform, which provides a variety of practical information and selling tips. Courses are organized into micro-lessons from Celebrity-specific information to how to target and market to the right clientele. There are also courses on maximizing earnings with upselling and Celebrity groups.

Advisors can further take advantage of the Seas Today webinar series that covers a diverse range of topics, as well as a monthly Celebrity Learning Essentials live learning event.

Benefits: Advisors who graduate the Celebrity Learning earn CLIA credits and get access to Celebrity travel advisor rates and onboard coupons. Graduates can also participate in any of the line’s Celebrity Learning at Sea opportunities.

To maintain these Celebrity Learning graduation benefits, advisors must recertify annually.

Where: Advisors can access Celebrity Learning via Cruising Power, under the “Training and Benefits” tab.

Celestyal Cruises: Celestyal Campus

In Celestyal Campus, advisors will find 10 training modules covering topics like brand overview, life onboard Celestyal’s two-ship fleet, itineraries, shore excursions, and advice on how to grow sales. Each module takes between five to 10 minutes to complete.

Benefits: The more modules that advisors complete, the more stars they earn.

Where: Advisors can find the Celestyal Campus on the cruise line’s trade portal, the Celestyal Compass.

Crystal

Crystal’s all-new advisor portal has comprehensive training resources, including webinars, video tutorials, and step-by-step guides.

Where: Advisors can access Crystal’s training on its Travel Partner Center.

Cunard: Cunard Academy

Cunard Academy holds about 15 hours of online training that is divided into several categories. As travel advisors progress through the program they achieve new ranks, inspired by the traditional navy ranking system: First Officer, Staff Captain, Captain, and Commodore. Each rank unlocks new benefits.

Benefits: As advisors work their way through the program, they open up new benefits from the ability to apply for ship tours to onboard perks when sailing like complimentary Internet or discounts on onboard services.

Advisors who achieve Commodore status receive a personalized certificate they can display and a special pin they can wear (supplied upon request). Commodore status-advisors can also take a Graduation Cruise, applicable for select sailings (first come, first served) each year. While onboard, each Commodore is required to complete their Cunard education by participating in select educational activities onboard.

Where: Advisors can register for and access the Cunard Academy on OneSourceCruises.com.

Disney Cruise Line: College of Disney Knowledge 

The College of Disney Knowledge eLearning program features a full four-lesson, 65-minute course covering all the basics of Disney Cruise Line, including ships, amenities, stateroom categories, and destinations the line sails to. There are also supplemental webcasts with over 90 minutes of additional on-demand content on specific topics, like a detailed overview of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point or an update about the recently unveiled Disney Destiny ship.

Where: Advisors can find the College of Disney Knowledge platform on DisneyTravelAgents.com.

Explora Journeys: Knowledge Suite

Explora Journey’s Knowledge Suite is a self-paced program that guides advisors through the cruise line’s core brand attributes, itineraries, and experiences. To graduate, advisors must complete two key components. The first is the six-chapter Foundations module that introduces the brand’s heritage, values, purpose, and commitment to travel advisors, along with who the target guest is, ship features, onboard experiences, and destinations. The second is the How-To module, which includes 10 short videos that teach advisors how to use the booking platform.

It takes approximately two hours to complete the Knowledge Suite, but as the brand grows it expects to add more courses to the program.

Benefits: Advisors who graduate the program will receive a certificate of completion and a badge to add to their signature certifying them as Explora Journeys specialists.

Where: Advisors can find Explora Journeys’ Knowledge Suite on the line’s Travel Partner Portal.

Holland America: Holland America Line Academy

Holland America’s Academy offers numerous courses offering education on every aspect of the cruise line, and its destinations. There are four core courses, which advisors must complete to achieve silver status. There are also 12 additional specialist courses. Taking two, along with the core courses, will earn advisors gold status, while taking three will earn them platinum status. Advisors who take nine or more specialist courses will achieve a future status that has yet to be determined.

Benefits: Advisors who achieve any of the three statuses receive a logo they can use in their email signature. Advisors also earn CLIA credits towards their ACC or MCC for each of the levels (10 for silver, 16 totally for gold, and 25 total for platinum.) Canadian advisors also earn ACTA credits as well.

Advisors also receive $50 onboard credit when sailing with Holland America and platinum-ranked advisors furthermore receive priority boarding.

Where: Advisors can find the Holland America Line Academy at GoHAL.com.

HX

HX’s HX Hurtigruten Expeditions training program is a four-module course that provides an introduction to the brand, its destinations, sustainability practices, science and education programs, and onboard life. After each module there is a quiz advisors must pass. The entire program takes about an hour to complete.

Benefits: Graduates receive a certificate upon completion that they can use in their marketing.

Where: Sign up at HX Hurtigruten Expeditions training course.

MSC Cruises: MSC Masters

MSC Cruises’ educational program, MSC Masters, features a variety of courses that provide a comprehensive overview of the line, from detailed walkthroughs of each ship in the fleet to how to sell MSC Cruises to learning about Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, and more. There are seven courses in total and advisors must pass a final exam in order to be considered a specialist.

Benefits: Graduates of MSC Masters receive access to travel advisor incentives and receive three CLIA elective credits. They also receive a personalized diploma that they can display.

Where: Advisors can access MSC Master under the “Marketing & TA Resources” tab on MSC Book.

Norwegian Cruise Line: NCL University

NCL University offers 30 e-learning courses that advisors can use to educate themselves on NCL ships, destinations, and selling trips. There is also a selection of other learning resources and videos they can take advantage of.

There are four levels that advisors can work their way through: Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. Each rank earns advisors rewards. To earn an Associate’s Degree, advisors must complete four specific courses. To earn their Bachelor’s Degree, they must complete an additional three courses.

To earn their Master’s Degree, they must also complete three electives (of their choice) and two Graduate-level electives (of their choice). To earn their Ph.D. Degree, advisors must complete everything required for the Master’s plus four more Graduate-level electives (of their choice), and make five bookings.

Benefits: Advisors earn CLIA credits as they progress through NCL University (three for each level completed). Each rank also earns advisors a specific reduced rate (15% off for Associate’s, 20% for Bachelor’s, 25% for Master’s, 30% for Ph.D.).

All levels receive a certificate, an email signature icon, and a digital seal showing their degree status, as well.

Where: Advisors will find NCL University inside of Norwegian Central.

Oceania Cruises: Oceania Cruises University

With Oceania Cruises University, advisors can learn about Oceania’s fleet, destinations, and itineraries, as well as take advantage of sales training modules.

To achieve Oceania Cruises Certified Advisor status, advisors must complete 13 core courses. Completing the 13 core courses and five elective courses earns advisors Oceania Cruises Certified Specialist status. Completing the 13 core courses, three elective courses, and six graduate courses earns advisors Oceania Cruises Certified Elite Specialist status. With all three designations, advisors receive a badge they can use in print and digital communications.

Benefits: All three specialist designations earn a bonus commission certificate of $250 to be applied to their next Oceania Cruises booking for a total of $750 in bonus commissions if advisors complete all three certifications.

Additionally each core, elective, and graduate course earns advisors three CLIA elective credits.

Where: Advisors can find Oceania Cruises University on the Travel Advisor Center.

Paul Gauguin Cruises: PEARLS (Partners Earn Added Rewards and Learn to Sell)

The PEARLS certification program provides 10-chapters of information spread across three sections: the m/s Paul Gauguin, Destination Guide, and the Art of the Sale. At the end of the 10 chapters, advisors must take an online assessment survey to achieve certification and qualify for benefits.

Benefits: Graduates of the PEARLS program earn up to three $100 eGift cards for the first three new bookings made within the first year from date of certification. They also open up access to special incentives and promotions exclusive to PEARLS advisors, along with advanced notice of sales, promotions, and new training opportunities.

PEARLS graduates can also take advantage of a travel advisor rate of 60% savings off the current standard fare. (These advisor rates are confirmed no earlier than 45-30 days prior to departure.)

Graduates can also join the private Paul Gauguin PEARLS Partners Forum Facebook group.

Where: Advisors can access the PEARLS certification program at pgcruises.com/ta-center.

PONANT: PONANT Explorer

The PONANT Explorer educational program can be used online or downloaded as an app, providing multi-media training across devices. Courses include: The PONANT Difference, The PONANT Experience, and Special Collections & Alliances, among other modules the cover the fleet, itineraries, a sales presentation and more.

Benefits: Graduates of the program receive a certificate of completion, and, if they book a trip for a client within four months of graduating the program, they will receive a $100 Amazon eGift card.

Graduates also receive five CLIA elective credits.

Where: Advisors can find the program at ponantexplorer.com/login or by downloading it from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Princess Cruises: Princess Academy

The Princess Academy offers a large selection of training material that covers the Princess fleet, destinations and itineraries, and how to sell Princess. As advisors move through the Academy, they earn higher status and earn more rewards.

In order to achieve First Officer status, advisors must complete five courses. Eleven completed courses earns advisors Staff Captain status, while 18 courses earns Captain and 25 courses are required to reach Commodore status.

Benefits: Achieving each rank earns select rewards including CEU credits with The Travel Institute and the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA), as well as CLIA credits toward an ACC or MCC. The higher the status, the more credits earned.

Rankings also earn advisors Captain’s Circle benefits when sailing (gold for First Officer, Ruby for Staff Captain, Platinum for Captain, and Elite for Commodore).

Other benefits for Commodore-ranked travel advisors include priority placement in Princess’ Travel Advisor Locator and a special marketing kit they can use to highlight their Commodore rank.

Where: Advisors can register for and access the Princess Academy on OneSourceCruises.com.

Quark Expeditions: PolarPro Polar Specialist

The PolarPro educational program provides detailed answers to any logistical questions travel advisors might have about the Quark Expeditions product. Learning modules include “Why Travel with Quark Expeditions,” “Best Time to Visit the Polar Regions,” and “Itinerary Overviews,” among others. PolarPro is cross-functional, so advisors can access it on their personal computer, tablet, and smartphone.

Upon completing the modules, advisors will earn a PolarPro Expert badge to use in their marketing.

Benefits: Advisors will receive a $100 gift card for the first sale made within 90 days of graduation. Additionally, advisors will receive three CLIA elective credits each for taking the Quark Expeditions Specialization: Ultramarine module and for earning Quark Expeditions Specialist status.

Where: PolarPro can be found on the Quark Expeditions Partner Portal.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: RSSC University

Regent Seven Seas’ RSSC University offers a specialized curriculum with three graduate degree levels (Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s) that advisors can advance through. Advisors can also take advantage of select webinars for additional education on sales and marketing strategies and tactics.

Benefits: Advisors will earn three CLIA elective credits for each of the three degree levels they reach. For each degree completed, advisors also earn a $200 bonus commission on their next booking made within 120 days after degree completion.

Where: Advisors will find RSSC University on Regent Seven Seas’ Travel Partner Center.

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Riverside’s educational platform is a five-part, multi-media course designed to help advisors with all levels of river cruise experience. The course includes an overview of the brand and the company’s history, a primer on the destinations that Riverside visits, details on the onboard experience including the culinary offerings, an introduction to the shore excursion program, and procedures for seamless booking of clients.

Benefits: Advisors who complete the program – passing short quizzes along the way – earn their certification and will enjoy special travel advisor rates on FAMS.

Where:  Riverside’s educational platform can be found at riverside-training.travelminds.com.

Royal Caribbean International: Royal Caribbean University (RCU)

Royal Caribbean University provides comprehensive education on the cruise line’s fleet, features, benefits, selling points, and more. RCU is made up of micro-learning segments, and new courses and enhancements are added to the core curriculum on an ongoing basis.

There are two levels of education, a Bachelor’s degree for completion of the core curriculum and a Master’s (after completing advanced curriculum). It takes approximately six to eight hours to achieve a Master’s certification. Advisors are required to take any newly added courses in order to maintain their certification status.

Benefits: Upon completion of either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, advisors receive CLIA elective credits, as well as bonus commission eligibility, onboard credit, complimentary VOOM Wi-Fi, and more. Graduates also receive special social media banners they can use in their own marketing.

Where: RCU can be accessed through CruisingPower.com (click on Training & Benefits, then Training & Certification, then Royal Caribbean, and then Royal Caribbean University).

Scenic/Emerald: Agent Academy

The Scenic Group’s Agent Academy features 10 modules: four for Emerald, five for Scenic, and one module on the ExpressBook booking system. Each module has in-depth information about ships and destinations, and features a quiz at the end that must be completed in order to receive a certificate of completion (80% is considered a passing grade).

Benefits: CLIA members will receive three CLIA credits per module completed. Additionally, all FAM participants are required to complete at least the modules their FAM travel is related to.

Where: You can find the Agent Academy on the Scenic Travel Advisor Portal and Emerald Cruises Travel Advisor Hub.

Silversea Cruises: Silversea Academy

Silversea Academy has three certifications available: Classic Ocean Specialist, Expeditions Specialist, and Ultra-Luxury Specialist (achieved by completed both of the other certifications).

Additionally, there are six themed course compilations: Silversea Experience, Silversea Expedition, Destinations, Ships, Selling Tools, and Longer Voyages. (There is overlap between what is required for the specialist programs and what’s in the themed course compilations.)

Each individual unit located within the certifications or course compilations – there are more than 30 total courses – take on average 12 minutes to complete.

Benefits: Graduates of Silversea Academy qualify for special incentives and to win prizes. The more modules advisors complete, the more opportunities they have to qualify for prize drawings, or win a place on FAM trips or receive invitations to events and roadshows.

Additionally, advisors receive three CLIA elective credits each for the two core specialist programs.

Where: Advisors can find the Academy at silverseaacademy.com.

Swan Hellenic

A travel advisor education program is currently in the works.

UnCruise Adventures: Certified Adventurist

The Certified Adventurist program covers all the essentials an advisor needs to know to sell UnCruise Adventures from learning about the fleet to understanding the advantages of small-boat cruising to navigating the cruise line’s website, and more. Advisors must take an “open book” test via a google form at the end to achieve certification.

From start to finish, the entire program takes about two hours to complete.

Benefits: Advisors who go through the Certified Adventurist program receive a listing on UnCruise.com’s “Find an Agent” page, and are given a press release that they can submit to their local news outlets. They also receive a $100 per traveler bonus commission for each booking as a Certified Adventurist, as well as priority access to co-op marketing support from UnCruise, and access to reduced advisor-only FAM rates on specific itineraries and dates. (FAMs are confirmed 45 days prior to sailing rather than the standard 30 days prior.)

Certified Adventurists who sell at least two cabins in the course of a calendar year are entered into an annual end-of-year drawing. For each cabin sold, advisors receive one entry into the drawing.

Where: The Certified Adventurist learning program can be found within the cruise line’s travel advisor portal.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: Uniworld University

Uniworld’s three module course provides everything advisors need to know about Uniworld’s fleet of luxury cruise ships, as well as the itineraries the line offers and its “Make Travel Matter” experiences. In addition to the standard modules, Uniworld releases a course each year with everything that’s new for the next year rounded up.

Benefits: Graduates of Uniworld University become Preferred Specialists and are listed on Uniworld’s website. They can also download a Uniworld Preferred Specialist badge to include in their e-signature.

Graduates also have access to exclusive travel advisor rates and receive points toward CLIA’s certification program.

Where: Advisors can find Uniworld University in The Travel Corporation’s Agent Academy.

Viking: Travel Advisor Academy

Viking’s four-module Travel Advisor Academy has everything advisors need to learn about in order to sell the cruise line’s river, ocean, and expedition voyages. This includes both product information on Viking’s fleet, itineraries, and the Viking way, as well as sales and marketing tips. Graduates of the program become Viking Certified Experts.

Advisors will also find additional trainings and guides within the travel advisor portal.

Benefits: Graduates of Viking Academy receive a $100 per booking incentive on a Viking reloadable VISA card for every confirmed booking made within 30 days of completing the four modules. They also receive a certificate to display, and a digital Viking Certified Expert badge to display on their website and in their email signature.

Graduates also gain access to the Viking graduate community, which provides eligibility for special travel advisor cruise rates and FAM sailings.

Where: Advisors can access Viking Academy on Viking’s Travel Advisor Portal.

Virgin Voyages: Seacademy

Seacademy is a multi-tiered educational program broken down into four tiers. The first tier, Violet, is reached after completing just five lessons. The Scarlet level is achieved after 10 lessons, Silver after 15, and Gold after 20.

Benefits: As advisors advance through the Seacademy program that can earn bonus commission vouchers, exclusive rates on future sailings, Sailor Loot (onboard credits), priority access to events, and more. Rewards get progressively better with each tier, with Gold-level advisors getting first dibs on future FAM trips and $150 in Sailor Loot.

Additionally, completing each Seacademy tier is worth three CLIA elective credits (U.S. only).

Where: Advisors can log into Seacademy at seacademy.grow.virginvoyages.com/#login.

Windstar Cruises: Star Specialist

Windstar’s Star Specialist program is a comprehensive educational resource broken out into three main categories: ships, destinations, and itineraries. Courses cover such topics as Culinary Excellence, 37 Years in Polynesia, the Watersports Platform, and much more.

The content is composed of reading material and videos to watch. Each module is assigned a point value. When advisors acquire the required number of points in each category, they will graduate to the next level: from novice to proficient to specialist. After completing all three levels in each category, advisors reach Windstar Cruises Recommended Advisor status and unlock exclusive benefits.

The Graduate Center tab becomes available after all modules have been completed. This is where advisors can download their Star Specialist badge, and apply to receive their CLIA and CEU credits, and more.

Benefits: Advisors who progress through the Windstar’s Star Specialist program earn a $50 bonus commission for each of the three courses completed. They also get priority confirmation of available Windstar travel advisor rate bookings.

Graduates of the entire Star Specialist program also earn two CEU credits from The Travel Institute, two credits from ACTA, and three CLIA elective credits.

Where: Advisors can access Windstar’s educational program at starspecialist.windstarcruises.com.