Complete Cruise Solution Seminars Prepare Agents for Australia’s Biggest Cruise Year

Complete Cruise Solution (CCS) has launched its biggest ever series of national training seminars to give agents the opportunity to update their cruise knowledge across its six cruise brands.

The extensive program of seminars reflects CCS’ biggest ever cruise year, encompassing the arrival in November of P&O Cruises Australia’s new flagship, Pacific Dawn, as well as the debut of Princess Cruises superliner Sun Princess for its first Australian cruise season.

Designed to prepare agents for the year ahead, the seminars provide all the latest information on P&O Cruises Australia, P&O Cruises World Voyages, Princess Cruises, Cunard, Seabourn and Costa Cruises. Travel agents also have the chance to win one of eight P&O Cruise holidays when they attend the seminars.

“This year is shaping up to be the biggest ever for the Australian cruise industry with the November arrival of Australia’s first superliner – Pacific Dawn – creating a three-ship fleet for P&O Cruises in its 75th year of local cruising and giving passengers even more choice in itineraries and destinations,” Complete Cruise Solution Vice President Sales John Molinaro said.

“November will also see the debut of Princess Cruises’ premium superliner Sun Princess for a six-month Australian cruise season, so there are some very exciting times ahead,” Mr Molinaro said.

Mr Molinaro said agents attending the seminars would also learn more about Cunard’s newest liner, Queen Victoria, and her maiden Australian visit in February 2008, which follows in the wake of Queen Mary 2’s spectacular visit to Australia earlier this year with her ‘little’ sister QE2.

“There will also be more detail on P&O Cruises’ return to Asia with Pacific Star in 2008, new itinerary options available on Pacific Dawn and updates on new superliners and sailings for P&O UK World Voyages and Costa Cruises.

The sessions also offer updates on Cunard trans-Atlantic and world voyage programs, as well as Princess’ Europe and Alaska programs, Dawn Princess’ maiden cruise season from Melbourne in 2008 and the latest Seabourn itineraries.

“Travel agents who attend the seminars will also receive bonus commission offers, additional onboard credit for their clients and the chance to win one of eight cruises,” Mr Molinaro said.

The seminar series will run from April 30 to June 12, targeting more than 2700 travel agents in more than 74 cities and towns throughout Australia. It has been endorsed by the International Cruise Council Australasia (ICCA), with those attending earning five points toward their ICCA Agent Accreditation.

For a full list of sessions and dates, or to RSVP for a seminar, please visit http://web.tifs.com.au/rsvp/events/current_events.htm

Report by The Mole