EDUCATION
UPDATE: Platinum Seminars and the Cruise Line
International Association have introduced an Express CLIA
Certification cruise onboard Princess Cruises' Crown Princess. The
Aug. 16 sailing will offer a Platinum Seminars Module, a Travel
Institute approved program. Tom Cogan, director of training for
CLIA, will conduct the CLIA sessions. Agents will be able to earn
65 points toward three certification levels along with 14 credits
from the Travel Institute. The rate is $599 plus port fees and
taxes. The western Caribbean cruise sails roundtrip from New York.
Information is at www.platinumseminars.com
NAME
CHANGE: Cruise Agent Only, an association with more than
3,000 members and the sponsor of Cruise University, has changed its
name to Cruise and Travel Agents Only. Charles Dubinsky, founder
and president of the organization, which counts many at-home and
independent retailers among its members, said the former name
implied that the group focused only on the cruise community, and
"that simply was not true."
MEANWHILE, Cruise University, the
educational arm of Cruise and Travel Agents Only, also changed its
name and is now known as Cruise and Travel University. Training
frequently includes CLIA credits and presenters, and will feature
land-based venues as well as onboard cruise ship courses. More
information at www.cruiseandtravelagentsonly.com.
DATEBOOK: American Cruise Lines is
partnering with Charming Inns of Charleston to showcase some of
their products to travel agents in the Charleston, S.C. area. The
events, set for April 7 and 14, will enable retailers to inspect
upscale hotels and two cruise vessels that ply the South Carolina
coast. To sign up for the inspection event, agents should contact
Mary Brutscher at 843-722-8680, or e-mail [email protected].
FAM OF THE
WEEK
Russia
Departures: May 13 through Sept. 20 from
Moscow to St. Petersburg, cruise only.
Length: 10 nights.
Sponsor: Ambassador Cruise Lines, Boca
Raton, Fla.
Cost: $1,295 per person, double. Includes
three meals daily, entertainment, guided tours, transfers and shore
excursions.
Trip: Cruises the Volga River between
Moscow and St. Petersburg. Visits six cities along the
way.
Noteworthy: Single supplements are
available.
Contact: (800) 255-5551; e-mail: [email protected].
Home-Based
Agent Editor:
Donna
Tunney
Phone: (508) 221-3674
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].