The official trade organization of the cruise industry of North America, CLIA pursues its goal to promote the value, affordability and desirability of cruise vacation experience and educate travel agents accordingly. It is the organization that works in compliance with the agreement signed with the Federal Maritime Commission in 1984. Since its foundation, the Cruise Lines International Association has determined its key function: to promote generically the cruise product to buying public and selling agent through the broad activities of advertising, public relations and travel agent training. The final objective of CLIA is to raise awareness concerning the cruise experience.
Following the consolidation of other industry organizations into the Cruise Lines International Association in 1984 that has marked the turning point in the organization's history, CLIA became thus the principal external marketing organization for its members. Currently it is comprised of cruise lines, representing 95% of the cruise capacity, marketed from North America. The organization is rated consistently the most effective travel operator in terms of quality of its training programs, the value for money and overall support of travel agency community.
Thus, the most comprehensive training of CLIA is the Cruise Counselor Certification Program that requires travel agents to complete successfully a range of compulsory training courses and exams among others. The organization also provides training videos and classroom training at Management and Sales Institutes.
The Cruise Lines International Association is administered by the New York City based staff, pursuing the objectives of the collective member lines. Formed by the principals of the member lines is the organization's major body -- the Managing Committee -- that is headed by an elected chairman serving a two-year term. Serving as a liaison with the Association's staff on activities with the Managing Committee meetings, the Executive Committee consists of seven members, including the Association president. The Marketing Committee also collaborates with CLIA staff in designing and implementing the Association's programs.
Today approximately 17,000 travel agencies across Canada and the United States are affiliated with the Cruise Lines International Association. They join CLIA for cruise product training and sales, as well as for information concerning current cruise vacation trends. Planning your cruise vacation with travel agents affiliated with CLIA, you are sure to get the best vacation value, designed to contribute to your positive vacation experience.
The Association affiliated travel agencies take advantage of the numerous CLIA programs, including completion of the Internet based training courses; study of CLIA cruise vacation textbook; attendance of the organization's advanced training academy, the CLIA Institute; and attendance of CLIA cruise conference for familiarization with cruise ships and cruise lines. Today a number of travel agencies boast CLIA Certified Cruise Counselors on staff, whose members have earned a designation of the Accredited Cruise Counselor or Master Cruise Counselor.
By working with a member of such staff, you are sure to get cruise vacation recommendations that are based on personal experience.