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How to Become A Cruise Consultant

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What is a Cruise Consultant

A Cruise Consultant plans and books cruise holidays for clients. They know their cruise lines inside out and use that knowledge to match each traveller with the right trip.

The day-to-day work starts with a chat about what the client wants: destination, budget, dates, and cabin type. From there, they search cruise options, build a quote, and handle the booking end to end.

They also deal with the details that trip up new cruisers. These include visa needs, port transfers, travel insurance, and what to pack. Clients trust them to make the whole process easy and stress-free.

It’s a social, fast-paced job with real variety. No two clients are the same, and new ships and routes launch every season. If you love travel and enjoy working with people, it’s an exciting career to explore.

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Career Outlook for Cruise Consultant

Cruise Consultants work in travel agencies, call centres, and cruise firms across Australia. Most work full-time. Your Career data shows 8,900 people work as Travel Consultants in Australia. The median age is 43 and the workforce is 78% female (Your Career, 2025). About 53% work full-time.

Demand for cruise experts is rising. CLIA projects 37.7 million ocean-going cruise passengers in 2025, growing to 41.9 million by 2028 (CLIA, 2025). In Australia, cruise tourism was worth $7.32 billion in 2024-25 (Australia Cruise Association, 2025). CLIA Australasia saw a nearly 20% rise in travel agent members in 2024.

Your Career rates future demand for Travel Consultants as moderate. For cruise specialists, career growth ties to CLIA level. The ability to advise on ocean, river, and expedition cruises is key. Senior consultants can move into agency management or work as independent cruise advisers.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

Steps to Become a Cruise Consultant

Step 1: Complete the Certificate III in Travel (SIT30122)

Enrol in the Certificate III in Travel (SIT30122) at a TAFE or registered training organisation (RTO). This takes around 12 months full-time or up to 18 months part-time. It covers travel booking tools, customer service, and the basics of travel products. It is the usual first step into the travel industry in Australia.

Step 2: Build on Your Skills with the Certificate IV in Travel and Tourism (SIT40122)

Complete the Certificate IV in Travel and Tourism (SIT40122) at a TAFE or RTO. This takes around 12 months full-time. It covers sales, tourism products, route planning, and team skills. Many employers want this level before hiring for cruise roles.

Step 3: Earn Your First CLIA Certificate

Register with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia and complete the Cruise Counsellor Certificate (CCC). This is an online course you can finish while working. It builds your cruise product knowledge, sales skills, and client advice skills. CLIA certificates are widely recognised by Australian cruise agencies and cruise lines. Visit cruising.org.au to register and start.

Step 4: Gain Work Experience at a Travel Agency

Apply for entry-level roles at a travel agency or cruise specialist agency. Aim to spend at least 12 months in a client-facing booking role. This builds your skill with booking tools, client calls, and complex trip plans. Many agencies offer famil trips with cruise lines, which deepen your product knowledge.

Step 5: Advance Your CLIA Level and Join ATIA

Once you have work experience, move to higher CLIA levels. Options include the Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC) and Master Cruise Counsellor (MCC). At the same time, join ATIA (Australian Travel Industry Association) through your employer. ATIA offers legal support, events, and industry news. Visit atia.travel to learn more.

What does a Cruise Consultant do?

A Cruise Consultant handles everything from the first client call to the final booking. They listen to what clients want and research cruise options. Then they put together packages that fit each person’s budget and travel style. They manage documents, answer questions, and sort out any issues that come up. Staying on top of new ships, routes, and deals is a regular part of the job too. It’s a busy, people-facing role with a lot of variety.

Tasks

A Cruise Consultant helps clients plan and book cruise holidays from start to finish. They know cruise products inside out. They use that knowledge to guide clients through their options and get the best value for each trip.

  • Client Consultation – Talking with clients about their travel goals, budget, and preferred type of cruise.
  • Destination Research – Staying informed about cruise routes, ship types, and onboard activities across all major lines.
  • Booking Management – Managing reservations, payments, cabin upgrades, and special requests.
  • Customer Support – Helping clients with questions and issues before, during, and after the cruise.
  • Promotional Activities – Marketing cruise deals and packages to attract new clients and keep current ones informed.
  • Supplier Networking – Keeping in touch with cruise line reps to stay current on new offers and products.
  • Travel Documentation – Making sure clients have valid passports, visas, and travel insurance for their voyage.
  • Feedback Collection – Gathering client feedback after each cruise to improve the service and spot new opportunities.

Skills for Success

To do well as a Cruise Consultant, you need a mix of people skills and cruise knowledge. Clients rely on you to guide them through a lot of choices, so clear and confident advice is key.

You’ll also need to be organised. Bookings have many moving parts: cabins, excursions, flights, insurance, and documents. Getting the details right is what separates a good consultant from a great one.

Sales skills help too. You’re guiding clients through a major purchase. Knowing when to suggest an upgrade or add-on can boost both their experience and your earnings.

Skills & Attributes

  • Clear verbal and written communication
  • Customer service skills
  • Sales and negotiation
  • Knowledge of cruise products and itineraries
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem-solving under pressure
  • Time management
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Booking system and software skills
  • Passion for travel
  • Relationship-building and networking
  • Financial literacy for pricing and budgets
  • Research and product knowledge

Average Salaries

Cruise Consultants in Australia earn around $65,000 a year on average. Travel Consultants earn a median of $1,250 a week (Your Career, 2025). Entry roles start near $50,000. Senior consultants with strong sales bonuses can reach $80,000 or more.

min $50 K

max $80 K

av $65 K

About the author

Laura Atkinson - Course Finder Groups
Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.