Carnival Cruise Lines has dramatically enhanced its on-line travel agent training program, CCL University, providing an even greater variety of proven sales and marketing techniques and comprehensive information on the “Fun Ship” vacation experience.

Available within the line’s travel agent Internet portal, BookCCL.com, the CCL University training program is divided into five distinct chapters, each covering a different aspect of the company and its operations.

Carnival will also make a donation to five different charities ““ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Make-A-Wish Foundation, American Red Cross, and Special Olympics ““ on behalf of the first 1,000 travel agent graduates who will earn the distinction as CCL University’s Inaugural Class. CCL University graduates can designate which charity will receive their contribution. A total of $20,000 will be donated to the various organizations.

“The newly expanded CCL University provides even more opportunities to learn about Carnival as well as insightful tips and techniques for honing selling and closing skills,” said Joni Rein, Carnival’s vice president of worldwide sales. “In addition to receiving tips for growing their business, travel agents who participate in this program are helping families in need within our communities,” she added.

Chapter 1, entitled “The Evolution of Carnival Fun,” provides information on the company’s 37-year history and recent enhancements to its on-board product, including upgrades to dining options, children’s programming and more.

In Chapter 2, “The Fleet of Fun,” travel agents can learn about the 22 vessels in the Carnival fleet with various facilities and features outlined for each class of ship. The next chapter, “Carnival’s World of Fun,” outlines the line’s wide selection of itinerary choices, homeports and cruise lengths.

The “How to Become a Funologist” chapter includes effective strategies for building a database and developing a marketing plan, as well as information on current vacation trends, cruise demographics and more. The final chapter, “Partnering with Carnival: Your Fun Resource,” provides an overview of the line’s wide-ranging training opportunities, commission structure and benefits of utilizing BookCCL.com’s automated reservations, sales and support systems.

At the end of each training module, travel agents must complete a test to confirm their knowledge of the chapter. Participants will also be able to download printable summaries for each chapter for future reference.

Following successful completion of the program, travel agents are awarded a Funologist Degree indicating they have achieved their Bachelor’s of Fun. To achieve a Master’s of Memories advanced degree, agents must also complete Carnival-sponsored webinars or seminars and ship inspections/”Fun For All” Weekend fams and meet certain other criteria.

For the highest level, a Ph.D. of Awesome degree, travel agents must complete all of the requirements of the Master’s of Memories plus other requirements such as participation in the line’s Seminar at Sea program.

Agencies can also earn an Agency of Funology degree and be eligible for bonus commissions and are also entered into a quarterly drawing for a three- to five-day Carnival cruise.

Travel agents who graduate from CCL University with the Bachelor’s of Fun degree will earn five CLIA credits and four CEUs (Continuing Education Units) from The Travel Institute. Additional credits are earned for completing the Master’s and Ph.D. levels, as well as bonus commission opportunities.

Further details on the program, including requirements for earning the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. levels, are available within Carnival’s travel agent Internet portal, BookCCL.com.