In February of 2005 I enrolled in the CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) ACC (Accredited Cruise Counsellor) and MCC (Master Cruise Counsellor) programs. In June I was certified as an Accredited Cruise Counsellor. In August I was certified as a Master Cruise Counsellor.
Although I take training offered whenever I can, I’d never “wrapped it all up” into something official that I could proudly display to my clients before 2005. Much of my training and cruise experience I already had qualified me for both the first level of certification (the ACC level), and the higher MCC level. In order to qualify, you have to take a combination of classroom training, a number of actual cruises, sell a certain volume of cruises in a short amount of time, and “inspect” a number of ships. (An inspection can be a tour of a ship while it’s in a port, rather than an overnight sailing of it.) To reach the Master level you have to do more of the same types of things already mentioned, but you also have to write lengthy essays or "case studies". The case studies make you intelligently explain why you'd suggest one line or cruise over another for a specific person or group given a particular scenario.
I competed the Las Vegas Visitor's and Convention Bureau's "Vegas Certified" online training in July, 2009. This seemed like a formality since I go to
I completed the Holland America Academy in January, 2009. It's a paper workbook followed by a 'final exam'. I had completed the thick text in 2007, but had technical difficulties with the online exam back then and didn't give it another try until they fully revamped their online testing software in late 2008.
My training in River Cruises was quite extensive in 2008. In the Spring I did a Webinar class put on by Peter Deilmann Cruises. I completed the Uniworld Grand River Cruise Specialist program in May. And then in June took training from Uniworld both in a Webinar and in person at my annual travel conference. I also took training from Viking River Cruises at my conference in June. And then upon on my return I did a four-part Webinar training program offered by Avalon Waterways. (A Webinar is a seminar online where I watch a presentation on my computer and listen via my phone. Like going to a class, but not having to leave my office.) This extensive effort to do training on River Cruising allows me to help you select the perfect River Cruise line for you!
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Each level of training requires an agent to complete multiple 20-30-minute training modules followed by a quiz. Of course, my desire was to work an entire day or two sometime to be the first “Commodore”, but technology being what it is, they don’t even have that many modules BUILT yet for agents to take! As it stands, I was able to complete enough modules to be a Princess Expert - First Officer level on the first day. The module roll-out took a few months, but I was Commodore on the day the graduation class was launched, November 1, 2006.
Cunard Line launched a similar training program, which I graduated as a Commodore Expert on November 1, 2006.
Each year we are required to take “refresher” courses in both the Princess Academy and
In early May of 2006 I applied to take a 2 ½ week course to be a Certified Destination Weddings Specialist (CDWS). Only about 10% of applicants get chosen to be invited into the program, so I was excited to be accepted in May, but I was too busy to begin training until July. So, in July I did the entire course and graduated July 26th. I now help brides and grooms with beach AND sea weddings.
In addition, I’ve completed a six-part program offered by Norwegian Cruise Line to be considered a “NCL specialist plus” with them.
In 2007 Celebrity Cruises launched an online training program and also a full day 'boot camp' type training program to become a "Celebrity Expert". I did the online training as soon as I could and the full day of live triaining soon after. Not to be outdone, Royal Caribbean launched an online training program in March and I completed all levels available on the day it was loaded into their Website.
In these programs mentioned, there is often opportunities to 'refresh' or 'update', and I also take MANY online Webinars about 'what's happening now' with various cruise lines.
And on the land-only vacation side, I’ve completed the training necessary to be a Club Med Specialist, and Outrigger Hotels Specialist, and a Sandals and Beaches Resorts Specialist.
In addition to the specific programs, I’ve taken seminars on many topics. There are too many to list, but to give you an idea of the diversity of my training, here is a “short list”:
I am also licensed to sell travel insurance in California.
In February of 2005 I became a “Small-Ship Partner” with Cruise West. Their “small ship” training covers not only their line, but mainly the differences between a small ship experience and a big ship experience on all lines. Even folks who think they’re not the “cruising type” probably are if they take time to consider the up-close experience a very small ship offers.
At a travel conference in December, 2006, I completed an afternoon of training to be considered a "Niche Cruise Specialist". This goes hand-in-hand with the Small-Ship training above, as the training was about very small and unique cruise lines.
For example, I learned in-depth about various European and Asian river cruise lines and exploration cruise lines that do the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica.