Travel Counsellors set sail in luxury

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the River Seine, over 50 Travel Counsellors, five support team colleagues, and key supplier partners, immersed themselves in an extraordinary two-night stay aboard Uniworld’s opulent S.S Joie De Vivre last weekend.

The exclusive experience featured an in-depth luxury showcase with top cruise suppliers, including Explora Journeys, Silversea Cruises, Hurtigruten, TTC Touring and AE Expeditions. These cruise industry experts provided valuable insights, equipping our Travel Counsellors with the knowledge to enhance their cruise offerings for clients.

Beyond the learning, the group experienced first-hand luxury onboard, from impeccable service to fine dining and cocktail making. Highlights included a full ship tour, a decadent four-course dinner, evening entertainment, and a breathtaking view of the sparkling Eiffel Tower illuminated from the water. The following day, Uniworld hosted guided excursions, enabling those on the trip to explore the charming streets and landmarks of Paris, either by foot or by coach.

Janet Whittingham, Head of Cruise at Travel Counsellors, commented: " We believe in combining immersive experiences with expert training, and after three years of running this trip, we know there’s no better way to deepen our Travel Counsellors’ cruise expertise than by experiencing luxury first hand in the heart of Paris. This event not only showcased Uniworld’s outstanding offerings but also inspired and connected our Travel Counsellors to a range of luxury cruise suppliers - empowering them to create unforgettable luxury cruise experiences for their clients. We can’t thank Uniworld and all our valued supplier partners who made this event so special enough."

Cruise continues to be a popular trend among travellers, with us exceeding £11 million in cruise sales as a business across January and February.

This trip is just one of many cruise-focused training initiatives we run for our business owners. Earlier in the month, 130 Travel Counsellors attended the CLIA River Conference in Budapest, with many also experiencing post-event cruises with Scenic and Riverside, while others participated in our dedicated Cruise Roadshow. Meanwhile, over 160 Travel Counsellors are currently enjoying an immersive experience aboard the brand-new NCL Aqua as part of its maiden voyage.

Whether you’re already a cruise enthusiast, want to explore this buzzing market, or are brand-new to selling any kind of travel, we have a training programme to help you not only set up a thriving travel business, but to specialise in a niche you’re passionate about. And the training doesn’t stop after your 2-week induction – there are plenty of ongoing opportunities just like this one, as well as support from our dedicated Cruise Ambassadors – Travel Counsellors who are experts in all things cruise.

Want to take the leap into an exciting venture, where you can turn your love of cruise – or travel more generally – into a successful business? Book onto one of our Discovery events to learn more about our award-winning franchise model and how we’ll help you to hit the ground running.

Plus, we’ve also got our very special webinar series with Sara Davies, who will be sharing her top tips for becoming an entrepreneur and chatting to some of our incredible business owners who are achieving amazing things. You won’t want to miss it, so sign up today!