New Seminar at Sea Program

NCL has unveiled “NCL U PhD. -- Higher Learning on the High Seas,” a new seminar at sea program. The program, which launches in May, will show NCL’s true competitive differences, offer unique experiences, take agents behind the scenes and show them how to sell NCL.

Agents will see the product as passengers see it, but will also offer additional perks. Among them: meeting with the hotel manager, food and beverage manager and other shipboard staff; accommodations in balcony staterooms to help agents sell more of that category; access to concierge service; priority tendering and disembarking; a special group dinner; group treats in the staterooms; a custom farewell gift; 25 percent savings on a spa service during port days; 20 percent savings on shore excursions on sea days; and a group photo.

In addition, each seven-day seminar at sea sailing will be accompanied by two NCL executives, as well as a CLIA executive who will present a special, three-hour CLIA training. The first sailing, which departs Boston on May 15 for Bermuda.

The CLIA training on that cruise will focus on public relations, including low- or no-cost P.R. techniques to enhance your promotional strategies and how to position yourself in your community as an expert. Each participant will receive a press release that’s ready to place in local newspapers and other media outlets upon returning home. The second seminar at sea will be a Hawaii cruise departing June 5, and the third will be an Alaska cruise departing Sept. 5. Five more will follow.

Agents who participate in a seminar at sea will earn 25 NCL U Campus Bucks, as well as 15 CLIA credits for a potential 30 points with NCL U. (Agents must be accredited with CLIA to earn the CLIA credits.) The nonrefundable fare for each NCL U PhD. sailing is approximately $200 per person, double, depending on the sailing. Each agents may bring a guest over age 21 at the same fare.

Agents must be enrolled in NCL U effective week of Feb. 16 in order to receive an invitation. NCL will invite enrollees by priority, in this order: Freestyle Certified, Freestyle Advanced Specialist and Freestyle Specialists. For more information, visit www.ncluniversity.com. For general information about NCL, call 866-234-7350 or visit www.ncl.com.