Small Ship Partner Questions

HOW THE SMALL-SHIP PARTNER PROGRAM WORKS: Frequently Asked Questions about the Cruise West Small-Ship Partner Program.

What is the Small-Ship Partner Program and how can I qualify?

The Cruise West Small-Ship Partner Program is an education-based training program for travel agents to help them learn how to sell Cruise West and the profitable small-ship market niche. As a travel agent with a verifiable IATA or CLIA number and verifiable business address, you are qualified to enroll in this program.

I'd like to enroll in Small-Ship Partner training. What should I do?

It's easy to get started. You can download the Small-Ship Partner workbook or you can request a Small-Ship Partner training kit by mail. Or you can call 1-800-426-7702, prompt #3, to order your kit by phone. Mail and phone orders require a one-time fee of $25, reimbursable with your first Cruise West booking as a Small-Ship Partner. Agencies may order up to 5 Small-Ship Partner Kits for a fee of $75, also reimbursable in $25 increments with your Small-Ship Partner Agents' first 3 Cruise West bookings.

How long does it take to become certified as a Cruise West Small-Ship Partner?

The workbook and test are a self-study program. You can complete the training on your own timeframe. You will receive your Certification Kit within about three weeks of your successful completion of the test. You'll start received Hot Leads as soon as you are certified.

What does the Certification Kit consist of?

Your Small-Ship Partner Kit contains a framed certificate, with your named inscribed on it, 3 bonus commission coupons worth $50.00 each, a $250.00 FAM discount coupon - and, if you ordered your workbook by mail or phone, the kit also includes a $25.00 reimbursement coupon.

What are Hot Leads?
Hot Leads are the names of potential clients in your area who have either contacted Cruise West directly or who have asked for specific information about a Cruise West destination. When we send information to them about Cruise West, we include your name and contact information with it. We'll send their names to you, also, so you can follow up and make a sale. Hot Leads are sent to the designated contact person in your agency every Monday night in a PDF file.

Can you send my Hot Leads in a different format. I can't download a PDF file.
Of course. After verifying your contact name and email address, we can send your Hot Leads by fax.

I haven't received any Hot Leads in a long time. Are you still sending them out?

Hot Leads go out to our Small-Ship Partners every Monday night to one designated contact person at each agency. Check to find out who your contact person is and make sure we have the correct email address.

I am a Small-Ship Partner, but I am at a different agency now. Do I have to retake the test?

No. We can simply transfer your Small-Ship Partner status to your new agency. Please let us know your new email address and agency contact information.

Our Small-Ship Partner Agent has left our agency. Will we still get our Small-Ship Partner benefits?

No. You must have at least one active Small-Ship Partner at your agency in order to receive Hot Leads, referrals, bonus commissions, and advance notice of special promotions and FAM trips. Get started right away!

I haven't made any bookings in a long time. Am I still a Small-Ship Partner?

We hope your training as a certified Small-Ship Partner will inspire you to make many Cruise West bookings for a long time into the future. However, if you do not make a booking with Cruise West for 24 months, your Small-Ship Partner status will become inactive until your next booking. During your inactive status you will not receive Hot Leads or referrals from Cruise West. Your status will immediately return to active level with your first booking and you'll start receiving Small-Ship Partner benefits again. Your Small-Ship Partner certificate will never expire and you will never have to retake the Small-Ship Partner test to be reactivated. A booking is all it takes.

Does Cruise West sponsor the Alaska Destination Specialist Program through The Travel Institute?

Yes. We are proud to sponsor a scholarship fund which reimburses the course fee for Small-Ship Partner agents who successfully complete The Travel Institute's Alaska Destination Specialist training. In addition to the course fee reimbursement, Cruise West provides Small-Ship Partner agents a $100.00 bonus commission coupon to use on their next Cruise West Alaska booking. More information is available here.

Still have questions?

Feel free to contact us and we will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have