Virgin Voyages’ new E-Learning platform is a “one-stop-shop and resource tool” for the line’s travel agent partners.

Known as the ‘Seacademy’, it has been designed to help agents learn about different areas of the brand, ranging from destinations to on-board activities.

The platform features four learning levels, from violet to gold. The first tier is now available on FirstMates.com, the line’s agent hub.

Travel agents who complete the violet tier on or before 31 January 2021 will receive an invite to sail on either Scarlet Lady or Valiant Lady in 2021.

In addition, each level has its own reward to encourage agents to complete each tier at their own pace. Benefits include access to upcoming pre-inaugural events, bonus commission vouchers and access to agent rates. Agents who complete each tier will also receive access to social media assets.

Virgin Voyages AVP international sales Shane Riley said: “We already have an extensive First Mates learning programme, including face-to-face Facebook lives, webinars and more.

“The development of our E-Learning platform is in direct response to requests from our First Mate partners, offering them a meaningful format to learn at their own pace with clear bitesize modules. We conducted a survey and 96 per cent of First Mates told us an E-Learning platform would be a valuable addition.”

Writing for Cruise Trade News in November, Riley added: “For our travel agent partners we wanted to reward their loyalty by launching our Brilliant To Do Business With promise.

“This includes a significant commission increase to support agents with rebuilding their business. As we’ve seen, booking with a professional agent is more important than ever. The darkest hour comes before the dawn and I believe the industry will have a bright dawn. The time to sail will come again and we’ll be counting down every moment.”