Six agents with varying degrees of cruise experience have signed up for the scheme, which offers access to industry events, educational trips and training courses.
The activities are donated by cruise lines and the Association of Cruise Experts (ACE), which also offers a year’s free membership as part of the package.
New Cruise Club member Tracy McFall, who runs a franchise in Bristol South for disabled travel specialist agency Accessible Travel & Leisure (ATL), said she looked forward to gaining first hand experience of a variety of ships. “It will give me the confidence that I know I can faithfully tailor the cruise to my customers needs,” she said.
Martin Hay, proprietor of GoCruise, Ribble Valley, said he hoped membership would reinforce his working knowledge of mainstream cruise products. “And I hope to quickly learn about the new opportunities out there including river cruising, expedition cruising and luxury six star sector,” he added.
Cruise Club co-ordinator and Travel Weekly chief reporter, Juliet Dennis said: “Following Travel Weekly’s Cruise Month, we want to continue helping agents to improve their cruise sales.
“Cruise is one of the trade’s biggest success stories and we urge cruiselines to contact members with opportunities we can then report on.”
For further details email Juliet Dennis