LOS ANGELES, June 6, 2007 – This July, Crystal Cruises launches the second installment of its online training seminar on CrystalCruisesAcademy.com. The latest course in the luxury line’s comprehensive online sales training program will teach travel agents to boost productivity – and profits – utilizing CruiseBuilder, Crystal’s online booking engine.

Significantly, the course goes beyond guiding agents on the mechanics of making a Crystal booking online. Educational popup windows on the interactive virtual Atlas provide examples and detailed definitions of the specific features related to a booking. For example, agents looking to book a third berth stateroom can see not only which staterooms offer third berths, but also details on the size of the beds and other features specific to those rooms. For those considering a Penthouse, the course indicates the locations of the Penthouse accommodations as well as an explanation of what services and amenities are offered, what the butler does for guests, the upgrade cost differential, and more. Also highlighted will be training and insights on booking Crystal Private Adventures, the line’s specially customized shore excursions for guests who wish to arrange an exclusive or private experience.

“This course is an advanced training tool in becoming an expert at selling the Crystal product,” says Michael von Wittenau, Crystal’s director of business development and group sales. “Even the most experienced agents will benefit from the training and insider tips for utilizing CruiseBuilder.”

Originally launched in July 2006, CrystalCruisesAcademy.com was re-introduced earlier this year on a complimentary basis. The program now offers all travel agents the opportunity to learn how to sell the Crystal Difference for increased profits and satisfied repeat clients. The web-based training program is an ideal forum for home-based agents, allowing them to learn at their leisure, while providing traditional brick-and-mortar agencies with a cost-free option for training each travel agent in their office to be a Crystal specialist.

“More than 70 percent of Crystal’s guests have moved up from mass market or premium lines, which shows that selling Crystal is within every agent’s reach, and within their client database,” continues von Wittenau. “This training offers agents the tools and knowledge to up sell for higher commissions, greater return business and highly satisfied clients - all at no cost.”

To register for this new advanced course, agents can visit crystalcruisesacademy.com or access the site through a link on the travel agent center at crystalcruises.com.

Agents completing Crystal’s online training beginning with the first installment course will also receive the line’s sales binder, which is filled with valuable brochures, insider information not available in regular brochures, sample menus from each restaurant, resources for more information and other comprehensive sales tools.

To arm Crystal specialists with the most compelling sales tools, agents completing the line’s online training courses receive E-Values, a weekly e-mail update highlighting the line’s current best values to promote to their clients. Agents who complete courses on CrystalCruisesAcademy.com will also earn CLIA accreditation towards ACC and MCC.

The Crystal Difference

Crystal Cruises' ultra-luxurious 940-guest Crystal Symphony and 1,080-guest Crystal Serenity are distinguished by impeccable service, abundant space, excellent choices and quality throughout. The line enjoys an unparalleled reputation for excellence, grounded in 11 consecutive years of "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" awards by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler magazines - the only cruise line, resort or hotel to have achieved such distinction.

For reservations and additional information, please call 800-446-6620. Visit the luxury line's website at crystalcruises.com.