Apprentice Cruise Travel Consultant

Phase 1: Service & Operations (Months 1–9)

Post-Booking Support: Managing guest enquiries and assisting travellers after their initial booking is confirmed.

Logistics Review: Checking visa requirements, medical protocols, and travel documentation for accuracy.

Technical Data Entry: Utilising internal and external booking platforms to manage guest itineraries.

Compliance Auditing: Ensuring all guest data and transactions adhere to GDPR and Package Travel Regulations.

Geographic Research: Studying port details and global maps to provide expert travel advice.

Phase 2: Sales & Consultancy (Months 10–16)

Consultative Selling: Handling new enquiries to match customers with specific cruise lines and cabin types.

Financial Costing: Calculating complex travel quotes, managing profit margins, and balancing turnover.

Lead Management: Following up with previous guests to build rapport and secure repeat business.

Upselling: Identifying opportunities to add value to bookings through excursions, upgrades, or extended packages.

Objection Handling: Communicating with hesitant leads to provide product clarity and close sales. 

Training:

Phase 1: The Service Foundation (Months 1–9)

Focus: Technical proficiency, logistics, and "The Cost of Error."

Mentorship & Shadowing: Pair with "Industry Veterans" to observe how they handle complex guest issues and navigate the "mechanics" of a voyage.

Geography & Port Workshops: Structured sessions to master global port layouts, seasonal weather patterns, and local attractions to become a "walking atlas."

Systems Training: Hands-on "Sandbox" sessions with internal booking CRM and external supplier platforms.

Compliance Boot camps: Deep dives into the legal side of travel, including:

GDPR: Protecting guest data.

Package Travel Regs: Understanding guest protection and company liability.

Health & Safety: Mastering visa and medical protocols.

The Service Desk: Daily real-world application by supporting guests post-booking to understand the impact of errors.

Phase 2: Sales Excellence (Months 10–16)

Focus: Commercial acumen, relationship management, and high-value closing.

Consultative Sales Coaching: Shifting from "order taking" to expert advice. Training focusses on matching customer needs to the right cruise line and cabin.

Commercial Finance Training: Learning the "Business of Travel"—understanding the difference between Turnover vs. Profit and how to maximise margins.

The Art of the Upsell: Learning how to identify value-add opportunities (upgraded suites, excursions) that enhance the guest experience.

Rapport & Retention Workshops: Techniques for building a loyal client base through personalised follow-ups and CRM management.

Qualification Preparation: Dedicated study time and portfolio building to complete your Nationally Recognised Level 3 Qualification.

Ongoing Professional Development

Earn While You Learn: You will have regular "Off-the-job" training hours dedicated to your qualification.

Expert Reviews: Monthly progress meetings with mentors to review sales targets, technical accuracy, and career goals.

Product Immersions: Opportunities to learn directly from cruise line representatives about new ships and itineraries. 

Training Outcome:

Immediate Post-Apprenticeship: Graduate Sales Consultant.

Once you earn your Level 3 Travel Consultant qualification, you transition from an apprentice to a full Sales or Customer Service role based on business needs.

Rewards: You move onto their commission structure. At this stage, your earning potential increases significantly based on your ability to convert leads into bookings.

Iglu has a strong history of promoting from within. Many of their current managers started as agents. A follow-on career path could look like this:

Assistant Sales Manager: Helping to run a sales pod, coaching agents, and monitoring daily targets.

Sales Manager: Overseeing larger teams, focusing on workforce planning and hitting department-wide KPIs.

Specialist Sales & Service Manager: Managing specific departments like Cruise Sales or Customer Resolution.

Employer Description:

Founded in 1998 and now part of Flight Centre Travel Group, Iglu.com is the UK’s leading specialist for cruise and ski travel. Through brands like Iglu Cruise and Planet Cruise, we offer expert, independent advice and over 20,000 holiday options. We prioritize innovation and expertise, recently winning UK Cruise Awards 2026 (Carnival UK).

Working Hours :
Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm

Skills:
Communication skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills