Cruise Planners Launches Industry's First Virtual Education Platform

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., During today's opening ceremony of the Cruise Planners/American Express annual convention, company leaders unveiled a new virtual educational platform that integrates Cruise Planners University (CPU) with Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) certification process and cruise line training programs. The online university, accessible at www.MyCPU.com, will allow Cruise Planners agents to graduate as Certified Cruise Planner Experts (CCPE,) the gold standard in the industry.

"Higher learning leads to higher earning", said Terri Burke, senior vice president of relationship marketing for Cruise Planners/American Express. This online university will give our agents unmatched access to information that will put them at the forefront of the industry as top sales achievers. We're in a competitive industry, so w're ensuring our agents have the tools necessary to grow their home-based business by providing them with a one-stop shop where they can obtain the certifications vital to becoming top earners. In its new virtual form, CPU integrates all of the industry's educational resources so agents can receive the training necessary to reach all levels of accreditation in one place. Although it takes only two years for Cruise Planners agents to graduate as a CCPE, the highest certification currently attainable, agents are allowed the convenience to continue their education at their own pace.

"At Cruise Planners we pride ourselves on having the highest percentage of CLIA accredited agents in our franchise category", continued Burke. We knew we needed to raise the bar and create a career learning path for all of our agents that will set us apart as the most highly-trained in the industry, which was the genesis of the virtual CPU concept. The online platform, which was mirrored after user-friendly social networking sites such as Facebook, keeps track of the courses taken, videos watched and industry accreditation so agents can network, share ideas and ultimately graduate. There are six levels through the program along with online incentives and contests to keep agents motivated throughout the process until they earn their CCPE designation.

"The CCPE certification will be a strong indicator to consumers that they can book through Cruise Planners with extreme confidence", said Joel M. Wilder, Cruise Planners/American Express advisory board member and master cruise counselor. The skills taught are invaluable tools, and I plan on being one of the first agents to become CCPE certified.