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Virgin Voyages launches Seacademy online learning platform

Seacademy will feature tiers as agents build knowledge.

Virgin Voyages has launched a new online learning platform for agents called Seacademy.

The new platform will serve as a one stop shop for all things Virgin Voyages for agents, which Virgin calls First Mates.

This news follows Virgin Voyages’ recent announcement unveiling a 16 per cent commission, which includes a policy of no NCFs, meaning that no portion of the base voyage fare is set aside, designated, deducted, or excluded from potential earnings.

“We already have an extensive First Mates learning program, including Face-to-Face, Facebook Lives, webinars and more,” said Shane Riley, AVP International Sales. “The development of our E-Learning platform is in direct response to requests from our First Mate partners, offering them a meaningful format to learn at their own pace with clear bitesize modules. We conducted a survey and 96 per cent of First Mates told us an E-Learning platform would be a valuable addition.”

The Seacademy will feature four learning levels – ranging from Violet to Gold – each of which is designed to build confidence in different areas of the brand, ranging from Destinations to Onboard Events and Gigs.

Each level will come with its own unique reward to encourage completion. Benefits include access to upcoming pre-inaugural events, bonus commission vouchers, access to First Mate rates and even Sailor Loot (on board spend)  on their own future Voyage. Agents who complete a tier will also receive social media assets to show off about their tier.

Violet tier is available now on FirstMates.com. If First Mates complete the Violet tier on or before January 31, 2021, they will receive an invite to a sail onboard either Scarlet Lady or Valiant Lady in 2021.

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• Agent Incentives

Virgin Voyages launches new travel agent platform

Virgin Voyages’ new E-Learning platform is a “one-stop-shop and resource tool” for the line’s travel agent partners.

Known as the ‘Seacademy’, it has been designed to help agents learn about different areas of the brand, ranging from destinations to on-board activities.

The platform features four learning levels, from violet to gold. The first tier is now available on FirstMates.com, the line’s agent hub.

Travel agents who complete the violet tier on or before 31 January 2021 will receive an invite to sail on either Scarlet Lady or Valiant Lady in 2021.

In addition, each level has its own reward to encourage agents to complete each tier at their own pace. Benefits include access to upcoming pre-inaugural events, bonus commission vouchers and access to agent rates. Agents who complete each tier will also receive access to social media assets.

Virgin Voyages AVP international sales Shane Riley said: “We already have an extensive First Mates learning programme, including face-to-face Facebook lives, webinars and more.

“The development of our E-Learning platform is in direct response to requests from our First Mate partners, offering them a meaningful format to learn at their own pace with clear bitesize modules. We conducted a survey and 96 per cent of First Mates told us an E-Learning platform would be a valuable addition.”

Writing for Cruise Trade News  in November, Riley added: “For our travel agent partners we wanted to reward their loyalty by launching our Brilliant To Do Business With promise.

“This includes a significant commission increase to support agents with rebuilding their business. As we’ve seen, booking with a professional agent is more important than ever. The darkest hour comes before the dawn and I believe the industry will have a bright dawn. The time to sail will come again and we’ll be counting down every moment.”

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Posted by Lee Hayhurst on Dec 16th, 2020 at 14:59

Virgin Voyages launches e-learning for travel agent partners

New cruise line’s ‘Seacademy’ aims to give its ‘Ship Mates’ more confidence to sell

New cruise operator Virgin Voyages has launched an e-learning ‘seacademy’ platform for its First Mates travel agent partners.

The seacademy was described as a one stop shop and resource tool to help agents learn about the brand at their own pace and access perks.

Virgin Voyages said the training module is an extension of its “brilliant to do business with” mantra which sees it offer 16% on the entire cruise fare.

The platform was created as a thank you for partners dedicating their time to learning about the brand, the operator said.

Shane Riley, AVP, International Sales, said: “We already have an extensive First Mates learning program, including face-to-face, Facebook lives, webinars and more.

“The development of our E-Learning platform is in direct response to requests from our First Mate partners, offering them a meaningful format to learn at their own pace with clear bitesize modules.

“We conducted a survey and 96% of First Mates told us an e-learning platform would be a valuable addition.”

The Seacademy will feature four learning levels, ranging from Violet to Gold to build agents’ confidence in different ranging from destinations, on-shore events and onboard events and gigs.

Each level will come with its own reward to encourage First Mates to complete each tier at their own pace.

Benefits include access to upcoming pre-inaugural events, bonus commission vouchers, access to First Mate rates and ‘sailor loot’ to spend on their own future Voyage.

First Mates who complete each tier will also receive access to social media assets to promote their knowledge to their network and attract more interest from potential clients.

Violet tier is available now on FirstMates.com. If First Mates complete the Violet tier on or before January 31 they will receive an invite to a sail onboard either Scarlet Lady or Valiant Lady in 2021.

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Brilliant to Do Business With Means Being Brilliant For You.

We’ve got a great thing going with you, our first mates. and, to continue our fabulous relationship, we’re putting in the work to support your success and keep you cashing in..

When we launched last year, we launched with a promise for you: to be Brilliant To Do Business With. And, just as we’ve evolved into smooth sailing and showing your clients the time of their lives (and showing you the money), that promise is evolving.

Now we’re Brilliant For You, and that can mean a lot of things, from being Brilliant For Your Career to being Brilliant For Your Experience. This next, exciting phase of our partnership is concentrated on continuing to build your business and further your success. To do that, we’re sharing our four areas of focus:

BRILLIANT COMMISSIONS When it comes to earning for the work you do booking your Sailors on the best vacations of their lives, you can kiss those asterisks goodbye. We take you to the bank with 16% commission on voyage fare, always, and no NCFs…ever. And that’s not just 16%; it’s 16% on a sailing with a higher fare than many other cruise lines and travel products. 

Then, when you set your Sailors up with pre-voyage bookables to make their getaway truly the greatest — including airfare, hotels, Shore Things, and Bar Tab — you’ll earn 10% commission on those (even when your Sailors add it on their own). Just as we want to see your Sailors ecstatic over the experience when they’re sailing away, we want to see you loving the cash that you’re banking away.

EPIC EXPERIENCES Proof is in the numbers (and in your Sailor’s smiles); a 95% satisfaction score speaks to the extraordinary experience we deliver for your Sailors. And, with an industry-leading onboard booking rate exceeding 40%, the high likelihood of your Sailors returning again for a future sailing—on which you still earn, no matter how they book it—means that each booking you make is really more like 1.4 bookings.

Our epic experience goes beyond what your Sailor’s enjoy on board, however; it’s also about your experience of partnering with us. With the lucrative My Next Virgin Voyage program that delivers commission for you even when your Sailors rebook on board, and our innovative LetsGoBook personal link to fast-track converting leads and confirming bookings, it’s clear that we have your success always in our sights.

IN THE KNOW You’re more than our First Mates; you’re our first line of ambassadors and we know how integral it is to have first-hand experience. So you can count on access to exclusive events, both in-person and virtual, as well as entry to SeaCiety, our social community of more than 20,000 First Mates with invaluable experience, where we share news first and announce incomparable opportunities (like the Spectacular Soiree!). 

And we can’t forget Seacademy; our virtual training program and winner of two Gold Magellan awards speeds your knowledge of selling Virgin Voyages and leaves the snooze-fest saga of never-ending training modules to other lines. You’ll become a five-star First Mate in five hours, and completing Seacademy also opens the gate to First Mate rates and additional opportunities, not to mention that Gold-level Seacademy agents are 15 times more likely to make bookings. 

TOGETHER FOR SUCCESS We’re all-hands-on-deck ready to support you and your Sailors, and we’ve got the dedicated crew for you, no matter the Q. Our Sailor Services team is primed to handle all booking-related inquiries. Or reach out to Brilliant Support for technical, web-related needs. Then look up our Learning Development Representatives for all things Seacademy. 

For solutions for your success, our sales and marketing Shore Crew is ready with guidance to help you take your business to the next level. We’ve even got an email hotline ( [email protected] ) just for questions about your commissions. No matter where, when, how, or why, we’re here to support you.

A FINAL NOTE Your trust and partnership through our first year of sailing mean the world to us, and we are so excited for the incredible continued success that the future — our future together — has in store. Our ambition is to always be Brilliant For You. Thank you for your support.

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Virgin Voyages Launches Travel Agent Portal for First Mates

Virgin Voyage's first ship, Scarlet Lady, is currently in construction in drydock, and is expected to debut in 2020. Photo: Virgin.

Ahead of its 2020 debut, Virgin Voyages, the new cruise line from Richard Branson, has officially opened registration for its travel agent partners, which the new line has dubbed its “first mates.”

Agents can register with Virgin on its new website, FirstMates.com , starting on Feb. 5, the same day that those holding pre-sale deposits can book the line’s inaugural sailings (the inaugural season will officially open for sale for the general public on Feb. 14, 2019).

Aside from booking capabilities, the website will offer agents marketing and learning materials, including an online education course, called Cabin Fever, that will start on Feb. 6 and aims to introduce agents to the line’s cabins and suites.

All agents registered on FirstMates.com before Feb. 14 will be entered for a chance to have tea with Branson.

Virgin Voyages made waves in 2018, slowly revealing details of what’s to come when the line officially launches, including a preview of its onboard spaces for its debut ship, Scarlet Lady; and news that it will launch a new PortMiami Terminal.

The line has already expanded its plans to include four ships built with Fincantieri shipbuilders, with one debuting for each of four consecutive years starting in 2020.

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Travel Advisor Resources

Travel Agent Training Guide: What are Your Options?

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https://www.foratravel.com/the-journal/travel-agent-training

Fora Advisor Swaylah Faroqi

Curious about how to become a travel agent , or how to become a luxury travel agent ? Then you might be thinking about your options for travel agent training.

Read on to discover how we at Fora set ourselves apart when it comes to travel agent training programs, plus a few tips to make your training more worthwhile.

Interested in a career in travel? Become a Fora Advisor today.

How do people become travel agents? What kind of travel agent training is available?

Traditionally, people become independent travel agents the same way they join most other professions: schooling and a job search, usually at separate institutions. (Our article, " What is a Travel Agent? " provides a nice overview of what this career can look like.)

Many old-school agencies argue that the additional schooling and advanced travel degrees make prospective agents more desirable to work with. We disagree (more on that later).

The end goal of some traditional travel agent training is to obtain a sort of travel agent certification , which tells agencies and clients that you know how to book accommodations and plan experiences on others’ behalf. As our guide covers in more detail, this kind of certification isn’t required by law so much as it's a requirement by specific travel agencies.

Some travel agencies may also require prospective agents to have at least earned an associate’s degree.

Interested in joining us? Learn more about  becoming a travel advisor with Fora.

Is there a “best degree for travel agents?”

Not necessarily. 

Some agencies may have preferences for degrees in fields such as hospitality, tourism or foreign affairs — all of which may grant holders a useful perspective — but there’s no widely accepted answer to this question. For this reason, many agencies require additional travel agent training.

How many years of experience do you normally need to be a travel agent?

This varies by agency. Fora welcomes individuals who are passionate about travel — no formal agency experience required. Other agencies require agents have considerable experience. Learn more about why Fora is different from other agencies below.

What can you expect from traditional travel agent training programs or schools?

Typical travel agent training programs vary by institution. But it’s fair to say that many are expensive, and some schools and programs struggle to keep up with a field that’s constantly evolving. In other words, what you’re taught may not necessarily apply to your career.

So is Fora different when it comes to travel agent training? You bet.

Fora Advisors and HQ staff on a Virgin Voyages FAM trip

Fora is different from other travel agencies in a ton of ways, including  how travel agents get paid . And yes, Fora does travel agent training differently, too. Here’s how.

You don’t need prior experience to become a Fora Advisor, and there aren’t special requirements

For one, Fora travel agents (aka Fora Advisors) come from a variety of backgrounds, professions and walks of life, though they have one thing in common: a love of travel. (Learn more about how to become a travel agent .)

And while some of our advisors were travel pros before joining our team, the vast majority had no professional travel experience at all.

Better yet, we pride ourselves on having a warm and inclusive community, constantly sharing tips for how to be a successful travel advisor .

We provide all the travel agent training you need

Fora provides in-house travel agent training as part of our advisor plan. This plan also grants advisors access to our extensive network of hotel partners, business resources and much more. 

Training can be done on your own time, and it’s fully remote (in case you were wondering how to become a travel agent from home ).

Our travel agent training covers all types of travel, from cruises to group bookings & more

Fora travel agent training covers everything from the basics to the most advanced types of bookings.

Want to know how to become a cruise travel agent ? Or perhaps you’re curious about how to become a Disney travel agent ? No problem. 

Connect with us to learn more about Fora travel agent training

Ultimately, the best way to become a Fora Advisor is to dive in. We can tell you all you need to know on how to become a travel agent — or a travel advisor , as we prefer.

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Turn gastronomic exploration into an advantage and elevate your sales with our Eat & Drink Festival. From the 1st Asian Night Market at sea to the beloved Seven Seas Sippers, these exclusive experiences are not just attractions — they’re your summer sales pitch, offering exceptional value.

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Our Summer Season Pass was a major smash and met with such enthusiasm that we're expanding our horizons. We’re thrilled to open up more (although still very, very limited!) month-long itineraries on Resilient Lady in the Adriatic Sea, visiting stunning Greek isles and Croatian coastal wonders.

• Transatlantic itineraries are here!

Our award-winning Resilient Lady ship is relocating from Athens to San Juan this fall, and your Sailors can be part of the epic voyage. We’re launching brand new one-way itineraries in fall 2024 and spring 2025, so they can share the excitement with us.

• Sunshine State Savings.

Let your Florida residents know that they’ll score (extra) savings when they sail on any 4 to 8-night Caribbean voyage. They’ll receive an extra 5% off for a getaway in the DR, Mexico, and our Beach Club at Bimini when they sail in the next 45 days (or less) from Miami.

Brilliant For You

Brilliant commissions.

16% commission on voyage fare is only the start. We make sure to take you to the bank with earnings on bookables like airfare, hotels, Bar Tab, Shore Things, and more. And with no NCFs, you can kiss those asterisks goodbye.

Epic Experiences

Proof is in the numbers; a 95% satisfaction score and 40% onboard rebooking rate speak to our extraordinary experience. Plus, with LetsGoBook and My Next Virgin Voyage, we ensure that your experience as our partner is just as epic.

Together For Success

Our award-winning support teams are on deck for you and your Sailors, with solutions for your sales (and sails), and guidance to set your business full speed ahead for success.

In The Know

Access to exclusive, first-hand opportunities, social media groups, webinars, events, and streamlined continued learning through Seacademy, winner of two Gold Magellan awards.

Introducing LetsGoBook - an easier, faster way to book and earn more commission (plus major rewards). All First Mates get their own, dedicated link which can be used to book their Sailors, or share it over email, text, & on social media so Sailors can secure a booking which you can customize after.

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