P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises are encouraging agents to rise through the ranks of their Academy training program with the launch of a new promotion.

The promotion will see every agent who attains one of the four program rankings entered into a draw to win a great range of prizes, including the newly released Nescafe Dolce Gusto Genio mini espresso machines, Tern Link C7 mini folding bikes and Apple iPad Minis.

Running until March 1, 2013, the competition is open to all agents with an existing ranking in P&O Cruises or Princess Cruises Academy, as well as newcomers.

The Academy training program is designed to boost travel agents’ knowledge of P&O Cruises’ and Princess Cruises’ products and help them increase sales.

The P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises Academy now boast more than 8000 registered travel agents across Australia and New Zealand, with feedback showing more than 95 per cent of participants would recommend the programs to colleagues.

The online training programs feature 24 modules and a final exam, and follow the naval tradition of recognising achievement with promotion through the ranks, from First Officer to Commodore.  Program modules include customer service and sales; onboard products such as shore tours and dining; destinations; and selling technology including documentation and POLAR Online.

In addition to boosting product knowledge, Academy training offers a range of benefits including education credits with ICCA, priority access to shipboard events, access to graduation cruises and special offers and promotions.

Participation in the P&O Cruises or Princess Cruises Academy is free.