Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises are gearing up to train travel agents on a new intuitive technology platform called Espresso.

Agents will be visited by the cruise lines’ training and sales teams, and a new dedicated training module on Espresso has been added to the award winning Cruising for Excellence e-learning programme at cruisingpower.co.uk. Plus, agents will also be able to listen to a vodcast found in ‘CFE TV’ – part of Cruising for Excellence online - to learn more about the new platform and increase earnings.

The training blitz begins from late April, ahead of the new technology platform taking over from the existing CruiseMatch system in June 2015. As part of the training phase, travel agents attending the launch of Royal Caribbean International’s new ship Anthem of the Seas in April 2015 will also enjoy a preview of Espresso.

Agents completing the Espresso training have the chance to win Starbucks vouchers in a supporting incentive to ensure that they are fuelled for maximising the new technology.

The new dynamic platform makes bookings simpler, allows clear comparison of different sailings and accommodation options, and ensures that the best available offers are always highlighted. Agents are encouraged to continue using the existing CruiseMatch booking tool until they have completed the Espresso training in order to ensure that they are able to maximise all of the new benefits to the new technology.

Michelle Russell, head of training, RCL Cruises Ltd, explains:

“The Espresso booking tool is our most comprehensive ever technology upgrade to make it easier for agents to compare prices and upsell. When any agent currently goes to make a booking for a Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises or Azamara Club Cruises sailing they can currently see the new Espresso platform alongside our existing CruiseMatch tool. It is really important that agents complete the dedicated Espresso training module at cruisingpower.co.uk  before making a booking via Espresso.

“The new technology delivers a quicker booking process, is mobile responsive, includes interactive deck plans. Once agents have completed the training they will be able to show clients the best available offers, compare sailings and ensure that all possibilities to upsell have been highlighted. We’re really excited to show off Espresso to thousands of our agent partners throughout April, May and June this year.”

The Espresso booking platform is a global development, and the new technology is rolling out around the world. UK and Ireland trade partners of the RCL Cruises Ltd business have fed into the testing phase of the new booking tool, and are benefiting from an extensive investment into training to ensure they can make the most of the opportunities it offers.