Celebrity Training for Home Based Travel Agents

Celebrity Cruises' new "Starring You@Home" program includes regional learning opportunities, online training, and a ship tour and luncheon for home based travel agents .

Throughout March and June, more than 500 agents and prospective guests will take part in 11 events on six ships in five North American homeports. "One of the things we know from listening intently to our travel partners is their interest in gaining access to our incredible ships," said Dondra Ritzenthaler, Celebrity's senior vice president-sales.

"But they've also expressed interest in bringing prospective clients onboard, so they can see firsthand what we have to offer."Each program includes an escorted tour of the ship by a CLIA-certified sales representative, a brand update presentation, lunch, and a booking incentive and gift.

Travel partners can find further details at www.CruisingPower.com, and clicking on the "Working-With-Us," "Event-Management" navigation links. After entering the Event Management screen, agents can select "Register for an Event Open to the Public" to see the schedule of tours in their region. Events are scheduled to take place in San Francisco, Vancouver, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Seattle.

Complementing the program are regional learning opportunities including "The Home Based Success Series: Power Up with Technology and Marketing" in conjunction with NACTA, visiting six cities through June (Miami, Anaheim, Houston, Baltimore, Sacramento and Chicago), and "It's Your Ship: Navigate Your Way to Profits At Home" training at the Home-Based Agent Show on April 27 in San Diego, where Celebrity and Azamara Cruises President and CEO Dan Hanrahan will deliver the keynote address.

Additionally, Celebrity and Azamara are offering a new series of online training with the National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA) and Outside Supplier Support Network (OSSN) on topics including "Double Your Profits with Celebrity Cruise-tours," "Untapping the Meeting/Incentive Group Market," brand training, "Selling to the Deluxe Market," and destination and technology training.

For more information on the online training, visit www.nacta.com and www.ossn.com. For more information, call 800-437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.