Cruise Planners, a South Florida-based national cruise agency with a franchised network of more than 700 experienced travel professionals, has expanded its already strong commitment to training and continuing education with the launch of its new CP University program. Designed to help Cruise Planners agents maximize sales and manage their franchises more effectively, the CP University program features a comprehensive curriculum for 2008 covering more than 20 topics – marketing, advertising, public relations, product updates, technology, group and individual sales, customer care, Web marketing and more.
“The dedicated training and support that we provide has always been a big part of what makes Cruise Planners a special home for special agents, but this new CP University program takes us to a whole new level,” said Michelle Fee, CEO of Cruise Planners. All the information that agents need to succeed in today’s ultra-competitive marketplace is available through CP University, further strengthening our commitment to our members.”
The CP University program is free for all Cruise Planners members. There are no credits or points to track (nothing to save or mail in) and members may participate in sessions as often as they’d like. Live webinars are held during convenient morning, afternoon and evening hours, covering a wide range of topics suited to all experience levels. New topics and interactive features will be introduced regularly, keeping the curriculum fresh and entertaining. Cruise Planners experts in specific subject matter areas conduct all sessions with input provided by cruise line executives and other relevant industry officials. CP University also includes seminars at sea and annual conventions where agents have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with the experts and cruise line representatives.
To help agents start their businesses off on a strong footing, CP University also features four orientation webinars. Topics include an introduction to Cruise Planners’ Internet Resource Center, web program, basic steps of the accounting package and start-up marketing and sales support.
“Cruise Planners continues to raise the bar on providing support for its agents,” said Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International senior vice president of sales and trade support services. “The dynamic and robust curriculum offered through CP University will certainly work to help agents boost sales. We are honored to have Cruise Planners as our Homebased Partner of the Year.”
