The
chance to enjoy a meal personally
prepared by an expert chef is
a rare treat, but anyone can
enjoy the same kind of expertise
by making vacation plans with
the help of a Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA) member travel
agency.
When it comes
to cruises, travel agents affiliated
with CLIA are the experts with
the knowledge, experience and
training. Because there is such
an extensive “menu”
of cruise choices available
to travelers, CLIA focuses on
developing knowledgeable travel
agents to help consumers find
the cruise vacation that best
matches their lifestyle and
their budget.
Travel agents
at CLIA-member agencies are
the recognized industry experts
when it comes to the 19 CLIA-member
cruise lines, CLIA’s fleet
of nearly 150 ships, the more
than 1,800 worldwide destinations
visited by cruise ships and
the ever-expanding list of amenities
available to travelers.
Before you “place
your order,” CLIA agents
query clients about their preferences
and objectives when it comes
to choosing a vacation. For
example, do they want to try
something new or do they prefer
a more traditional selection?
Something “spicy”
(in this case, meaning adventurous
or active) or a more serene
experience?
This information,
combined with CLIA’s extensive
ongoing education program, personal
cruise ship inspections and
actual cruising experience will
equip CLIA’s cruise experts
to
recommend cruises that best
fits each vacationer’s
needs, and helps ensure that
each cruise vacation will satisfy
every traveler’s “palate.”
The staff at CLIA
member agencies has taken advantage
of CLIA’s extensive ongoing
education program. Their knowledge
of cruise products is enhanced
by CLIA’s ongoing Cruise
Counsellor Certification program.
This extensive training program
is designed to keep agents aware
of the most up-to-date product
information as well as the latest
sales techniques. Through a
combination of training courses
(available across the country
and via the Internet or video)
and personal cruise inspections
and cruise experience, agents
earn certification as Accredited
Cruise Counsellors, Master Cruise
Counsellors and Elite Cruise
Counsellors. The certification
also earns them recognition
as experts in cruise selling.
Because they are
in constant contact with the
cruise lines, CLIA-member agents
also are aware of the latest
deals on the market and can
confidently point consumers
in the right direction.
To help you find
a cruise expert to create your
personalized “menu”
for great vacation, visit CLIA’s
Web site, www.cruising.org.
By typing in your zip code you
can find the nearest CLIA-member
agency. The Web site also features
a wide range of information
on cruises and destinations,
as well as numerous links to
member cruise lines and other
resources. |
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