New Online Program to Become a Niche Cruise Specialist

The Niche Cruise Marketing Alliance, which represents 13 niche cruise lines, has introduced an online training program to allow travel agents to become certified niche cruise specialists. To begin the certification process, agents can create a Niche Cruise Academy account online at the company's web site. Once registered, agents select the Certified Niche Cruise Specialist course and begin their training. Agents will learn about all the alliance's member lines and come to understand each line's target clientele. The online training method is useful for agents who don't have the time for in-person training sessions (which are available) and agents who are home based. "We felt that adding an online training component would allow us to reach a larger number of agents," said NCMA executive director Lawrence Dessler. To retain certification, agents must take and pass at least one Niche Cruise Academy online course every two years. Visit [www.nichecruise.com].