Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara Club Cruises launch new online training tool

Travel agent training has been taken to a new level with the launch of the award-winning Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises e-learning programme “Cruising for Excellence”. The new online training features 3D environments for agents to explore and learn about the key selling points of the ships and products, as if they are onboard themselves.

According to Gavin Smith, Managing Director for Australia & New Zealand, the considerable investment in the new training programme and its Australian launch is good news for local travel agents.

“Our experience shows that agents who stay up to date with all of the Cruising for Excellence training modules sell the most cruises. This significant Australian launch of the agent training tool brings to life key features of our ships that consumers often simply think are too good to be true. Being able to experience highlights such as Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas’ real outdoor park, or the first-class restaurants onboard Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice Class of ships means that agents can share their cruise ship knowledge with more confidence.

“What’s more, Cruising for Excellence covers all three of our cruise brands – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara – in a single, one-stop-shop tool.  It’s fun and incredibly easy to use – and agents can follow the training at their own pace.  Upon completion there are some great prizes to be won, not to mention the ability to sell our products far more effectively.”

Highlights of Cruising for Excellence online e-learning programme include:

• 35 training modules including ship guides, dining, onboard amenities & activities, family cruising, destinations, accommodation and shore excursions. 
• Fact sheets including restaurant and bar menus, onboard activities, revitalization charts, kids planners, and other useful information.
• Interactive, virtual ship environments that allow browsers to explore key onboard features such as Central Park onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis Class and the Lawn Club onboard Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice Class ships.
• 3D virtual environments include life-like images of people to create a more realistic feel for cruising
• Fun and modern navigation that is easy to engage with .
• Visual training sessions that include quizzes and videos to keep agents motivated and engaged
• A leader board table showing which agents have achieved the highest scores.
• The opportunity to become a brand ‘Captain’ for each of the Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara brands. The first 50 agents to achieve ‘Captain’ Status will receive a $50 Coles Group & Myer gift card or Westfield Gift Card  for New Zealand agents.
• Agents who complete all training modules become the ultimate cruise specialists and gain ’Admiral‘ status – the highest achievement in the training program. All agents who become ‘Admirals‘ by 9 March 2012 will be eligible to win one of 3 amazing cruise prizes.

Cruising for Excellence online e-learning programme allows agents to get closer to our superior ships, to enjoy a more engaging learning experience, to ensure sessions are succinct, and include more visual content that is directly relevant to commonly placed questions from clients.