USA’s Dream Vacations and CruiseOne Expand 2026 Training Calendar — Global Tourism Industry Set for Smarter Travel Advice Boom

Published on December 7, 2025

Dream Vacations and CruiseOne are set to transform the travel advisor landscape in 2026 with the introduction of an expanded training calendar. This initiative aims to enhance the skills of travel agents, empowering them to offer more personalised and effective services to travellers, ultimately benefiting global tourism and local economies.

As the tourism industry continues its recovery from the global pandemic, travel advisors are more critical than ever in helping holidaymakers navigate the complexities of travel. Dream Vacations and CruiseOne’s investment in advisor education ensures that clients receive the best advice, leading to better travel experiences, sustainable tourism growth, and increased bookings for suppliers worldwide.

The Expanded Training Program

The revamped training calendar for 2026 includes a variety of programs designed to cater to advisors at every stage of their careers. From newcomers to seasoned professionals, the training offers a comprehensive approach to enhancing skills, product knowledge, and sales techniques.

The core offerings include:

• Business Intensive: A three-day program designed for new travel advisors, focusing on essential business skills such as market analysis, database mining, sales reporting, and commission tracking. This course aims to help new advisors build a strong foundation for running a successful travel business.
• Cruise Control Intensive: An in-depth session dedicated to mastering the CruiseOne booking platform. Advisors will gain hands-on experience with the tools and features of the platform, ensuring they are equipped to handle bookings efficiently and effectively.
• Foundation Series: A monthly webinar series covering the basics of the travel industry, including supplier selection, payment processes, and travel requirements. This program is ideal for early-stage advisors looking to build confidence in handling bookings and client queries.
• Masterclass Series: This series targets experienced advisors, offering monthly advanced training on topics such as budgeting, team building, group bookings, and branding. It also covers industry trends and strategies to keep advisors ahead of the curve.

In addition to these core programs, Dream Vacations and CruiseOne are rolling out destination-specific certification courses, including certifications for the Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii. These certifications aim to deepen advisors’ knowledge of popular and emerging travel destinations, making them well-equipped to recommend the best options to their clients.

Elevating the Standard of Travel Advisors

One of the most exciting aspects of this expanded training is the partnership with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which has recognised Dream Vacations and CruiseOne as the first CLIA Premier Agency Member to offer elective credits for training. Advisors who complete the program can earn up to 40 elective credits towards their Certified Cruise Counselor (CCC) certification. This collaboration with CLIA underscores the commitment to maintaining high standards in the industry and ensures that advisors are well-equipped with the latest industry knowledge and skills.

This recognition not only enhances the credibility of the training programs but also boosts the overall professionalism of the travel advisor community. It provides a pathway for advisors to further their careers while ensuring that customers receive expert advice and service.

Hands-On Experience and Networking Opportunities

Along with the training programs, Dream Vacations and CruiseOne’s 2026 calendar includes a host of immersive events designed to bring advisors together with industry suppliers, destinations, and tourism experts. These events provide invaluable networking opportunities and real-world experience for travel advisors.

• Regional Training Sessions: The company will host six regional training events across the United States, in addition to a virtual session for advisors who cannot attend in person. These sessions will cover the latest trends and tools in the travel industry and provide a space for advisors to network and share insights.
• Specialised Summits: Dream Vacations and CruiseOne will also hold several summits throughout the year, including a River Cruise Summit, a Luxury Summit at The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, and a MarTech Summit focusing on marketing and technology tools. These events will help advisors deepen their expertise in specific travel niches and enhance their ability to offer tailored recommendations to clients.
• National Conference: The 2026 National Conference will take place onboard the Star of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean. This exciting event will combine workshops, supplier engagements, and networking opportunities, providing advisors with the tools and knowledge they need to grow their businesses.

How It Benefits Global Tourism

By investing in advisor education, Dream Vacations and CruiseOne are not only enhancing the capabilities of individual advisors but also driving growth in the global tourism sector. Better-trained travel advisors are more capable of offering tailored recommendations to clients, which leads to higher satisfaction and increased bookings.

Furthermore, the focus on destination certifications and special interest groups helps promote lesser-known and niche destinations, diverting tourists from over-visited locations and spreading the benefits of tourism more evenly across regions. This approach not only supports the sustainability of popular destinations but also brings economic benefits to emerging travel spots.

For the tourism industry, this kind of education is essential. It ensures that travel advisors can effectively promote sustainable travel practices, educate clients about responsible tourism, and highlight destinations that align with the growing demand for eco-conscious travel experiences.

Dream Vacations and Cruise One’s expanded 2026 training calendar represents a significant step forward in the development of the travel advisory profession. With a comprehensive range of programs and immersive events, the initiative will empower advisors to provide exceptional service to travellers, benefiting both the tourism industry and the global economy. As the travel industry continues to evolve, these efforts will help ensure that advisors remain at the forefront of industry trends, providing clients with the best advice and experiences possible.