Agents should use December to “brush up” on cruise line and operator training ahead of the wave period, according to Celebrity Cruises managing director Giles Hawke.
In an interview with Travel Weekly, Hawke urged agents to take the time to complete training and “be ready” for what he predicted will be an “absolutely manic” wave season from January.
He encouraged agents to focus particularly on experiences they can have in destinations and that while the ships and ports are important, telling customers what they can do once they have disembarked is “key”.
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“It’s all about education,” he said. “Knowing the cruises, the ships and the ports of call is important so you can explain why a customer would want to buy a sailing.
“But knowing what a customer can do in a destination is key – it’s not just about the ports but what you can do in the ports.
“Use the quieter period at the start of December to sit and read through the details on all the itineraries you are going to be selling.
“Do the Celebrity training, do the Clia training and make sure you’re up to date by the time customers walk in your door in wave.”
He added: “We think wave is going to be absolutely manic which we’re really excited about, so agents need to be ready.”