Apprentice Cruise Travel Consultant
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Company: IGLU.COM LIMITED
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Location: Portsmouth, PO6 3TD
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Type: Apprenticeship
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Salary: Apprenticeship Minimum Wage
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Sector: Sales, marketing and procurement
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Ref: NAS-2000031764
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Application Deadline Date: 30/06/2026
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Start Date: 01/09/2026
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Positions Available: 10
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Working Week: Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm
Brief Description
Our programme builds elite Sales Consultants through hands-on experience. Start in Customer Service (Months 1–9) to master logistics, tech, and global ports. Transition to Sales (Months 10–16) to leverage your expertise for consultative selling and high margins. Earn a Level 3 qualification with mentorship from industry veterans.
Training to be Provided
Phase 1: The Service Foundation (Months 1–9)
Focus: Technical proficiency, logistics, and "The Cost of Error."
Mentorship & Shadowing: Pair with "Industry Veterans" to observe how they handle complex guest issues and navigate the "mechanics" of a voyage.
Geography & Port Workshops: Structured sessions to master global port layouts, seasonal weather patterns, and local attractions to become a "walking atlas."
Systems Training: Hands-on "Sandbox" sessions with internal booking CRM and external supplier platforms.
Compliance Boot camps: Deep dives into the legal side of travel, including:
GDPR: Protecting guest data.
Package Travel Regs: Understanding guest protection and company liability.
Health & Safety: Mastering visa and medical protocols.
The Service Desk: Daily real-world application by supporting guests post-booking to understand the impact of errors.
Phase 2: Sales Excellence (Months 10–16)
Focus: Commercial acumen, relationship management, and high-value closing.
Consultative Sales Coaching: Shifting from "order taking" to expert advice. Training focusses on matching customer needs to the right cruise line and cabin.
Commercial Finance Training: Learning the "Business of Travel"—understanding the difference between Turnover vs. Profit and how to maximise margins.
The Art of the Upsell: Learning how to identify value-add opportunities (upgraded suites, excursions) that enhance the guest experience.
Rapport & Retention Workshops: Techniques for building a loyal client base through personalised follow-ups and CRM management.
Qualification Preparation: Dedicated study time and portfolio building to complete your Nationally Recognised Level 3 Qualification.
Ongoing Professional Development
Earn While You Learn: You will have regular "Off-the-job" training hours dedicated to your qualification.
Expert Reviews: Monthly progress meetings with mentors to review sales targets, technical accuracy, and career goals.
Product Immersions: Opportunities to learn directly from cruise line representatives about new ships and itineraries.
Future Prospects
Immediate Post-Apprenticeship: Graduate Sales Consultant.
Once you earn your Level 3 Travel Consultant qualification, you transition from an apprentice to a full Sales or Customer Service role based on business needs.
Rewards: You move onto their commission structure. At this stage, your earning potential increases significantly based on your ability to convert leads into bookings.
Iglu has a strong history of promoting from within. Many of their current managers started as agents. A follow-on career path could look like this:
Assistant Sales Manager: Helping to run a sales pod, coaching agents, and monitoring daily targets.
Sales Manager: Overseeing larger teams, focusing on workforce planning and hitting department-wide KPIs.
Specialist Sales & Service Manager: Managing specific departments like Cruise Sales or Customer Resolution.
Vacancy Detail
Phase 1: Service & Operations (Months 1–9)
Post-Booking Support: Managing guest enquiries and assisting travellers after their initial booking is confirmed.
Logistics Review: Checking visa requirements, medical protocols, and travel documentation for accuracy.
Technical Data Entry: Utilising internal and external booking platforms to manage guest itineraries.
Compliance Auditing: Ensuring all guest data and transactions adhere to GDPR and Package Travel Regulations.
Geographic Research: Studying port details and global maps to provide expert travel advice.
Phase 2: Sales & Consultancy (Months 10–16)
Consultative Selling: Handling new enquiries to match customers with specific cruise lines and cabin types.
Financial Costing: Calculating complex travel quotes, managing profit margins, and balancing turnover.
Lead Management: Following up with previous guests to build rapport and secure repeat business.
Upselling: Identifying opportunities to add value to bookings through excursions, upgrades, or extended packages.
Objection Handling: Communicating with hesitant leads to provide product clarity and close sales.