Most travellers will have heard of the more well known
ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and
ATOL (Air Travel Organisers Licence) but few will be familiar with
ACE which represents Association of Cruise Experts and is the award winning training and support organisation dedicated to providing expert cruise training and support for travel agents and peace of mind for customers.
ACE are are supported by 30 of the world's leading cruise lines and in turn support over 12,000 travel agents to make sure that cruise customers get the holiday of their dreams. Through providing travel agents and cruise specialists with the highest possible standard of training which includes online modules and information, Cruise Expo events, Know How seminars, Learning at Sea seminars and ship visits, customers can have peace of mind they really are talking to an expert on cruise.
Booking the right cruise can be a minefield – with such a huge selection of cruise lines, ships and itineraries – it is of great importance that each and every customer is booked on the right cruise for them. There is a large difference between a large and lively ship which has been specifically designed with a family
cruise holiday in mind, a traditional transatlantic cruise or a small ship experience. Add to that making sure you have the stateroom booked which is right for you, the right dining, itinerary and shore excursions, flights and transfers – and have all the advice you need to make your holiday the cruise of a lifetime, it is of key importance that the person on the other side of the desk, or the other end of the phone has been properly trained and that is where knowing your agent has been ACE trained can ensure just that.
Bringing cruising to life is key to ACE, and so they offer all members the widest range of ship visits in the UK, covering most UK ports and dates throughout the year, ensuring agents have the chance to explore, investigate, compare and contrast different cruiselines and ships. This truly is the best way for agents to understand and therefore advise on your holiday and with new ships being launched every year, keeping up to date is essential.
So for complete peace of mind and security, recognition from the industry is vital and this is why the Association of Cruise Experts manages the only official accreditation scheme in Europe. The scheme is based on achieving a minimum level of points through ACE learning, cruise line training, ship visits, your cruise holidays and any ACE events attended and the minimum standard is to become an ACE accredited cruise expert. The ultimate accolade is ACE Ambassador – the top agents who have achieved the highest level of learning and understanding. This is still an elite club, with under 30 Ambassadors in the UK and Europe.