WASHINGTON — CLIA has brought back an expanded certification program for cruise line sales teams, offering the equivalent of CLIA’s existing Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC), Master Cruise Counsellor (MCC) or Elite Cruise Counsellor (ECC) certifications, minus the product knowledge component.

Initial participants “committing to unprecedented adoption within their sales teams” include Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Avalon Waterways, and Carnival Cruise Line.

“CLIA’s dedication to fostering our members’ success is one of the many drivers behind the CLIA Certification for Cruise Lines,” said Stephani E. D. McDow, ECC-s, TAE, Director of Membership & Professional Development, CLIA.

“By empowering cruise line teams to undergo the same professional development and certification rigours that our Individual Agent Members experience, we’re providing an opportunity for a more thorough understanding of the investment these outstanding agents have made in themselves, while providing a shared experience that will continue to strengthen the bond between the cruise lines and travel agents.”

CLIA member cruise lines that elect to participate in the program can leverage CLIA’s online training to complete certifications, or schedule in-person trainings featuring CLIA trainers and curriculum.