How Do You Become a Certified Cruise Ship Agent?

By Michael Ferguson

A certified cruise ship agent is a professional who works with travel and hospitality companies to provide passengers with an enjoyable, safe, and memorable experience on board a cruise ship. These individuals are knowledgeable in all aspects of the cruise industry, from booking tickets to arranging shore excursions.

They also often serve as mediators between passengers and crew members, helping to resolve conflicts and ensure that everyone has a good time. Becoming a certified cruise ship agent requires dedication and hard work, but it can be an extremely rewarding career.

The first step in becoming a certified cruise ship agent is to obtain the necessary qualifications. This typically involves completing an accredited degree program in travel and tourism from an accredited college or university.

Most programs also require additional courses related to the cruise industry such as hospitality management or business administration. Once you have obtained your degree, you will need to pass a certification exam administered by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). This exam tests your knowledge of the cruise industry, its regulations, and safety protocols.

Once you have passed the CLIA certification exam, you will need to acquire additional knowledge related to the cruise industry. You should become familiar with different types of ships, their amenities, routes, ports of call, onboard services, etc. You should also become knowledgeable about the laws governing international travel as well as the regulations for operating within U.S. waters.

In addition to gaining knowledge about ships and maritime regulations, you will also need to obtain practical experience working on board a vessel or in another aspect of the cruise industry such as reservations or customer service. You can gain this experience by working for a company that specializes in cruises or by taking on internships or volunteer positions with established companies.

Once you have acquired your qualifications and gained enough experience within the industry, you can apply for certification through CLIA’s Certification Program for Cruise Ship Agents (CPCCA). This program requires applicants to pass an oral interview and demonstrate their knowledge of different aspects of working on board a vessel including safety protocols and customer service techniques.

Conclusion: Becoming a certified cruise ship agent requires dedication and hard work but it can be extremely rewarding career path for those interested in pursuing it. To become certified one must obtain their qualifications through an accredited degree program related to travel/tourism followed by passing CLIA’s certification exam; gaining knowledge about ships/maritime regulations; obtaining practical experience through internships/volunteer positions; and finally applying for certification through CLIA’s CPCCA program which includes passing an oral interview demonstrating one’s knowledge related to working onboard vessels.