CLIA is helping to prepare the trade for the return of overseas sailings following the announcement that cruise lines can once again operate internationally.

The association is running a series of ‘summer schools’, with the next events due to take place later this month.

The sessions – which will consist of product updates and training briefs, delivered via cruise lines, and destinations – will now include the latest international travel news.

Three sessions are taking place, all from 9.30-10.30am:

• 12 August, MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises
• 19 August, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, APT and Port of Seattle
• 26 August, Amadeus River Cruises, Fred Olsen and Carnival Cruise Line

In addition, CLIA has previously arranged two agent-dedicated ‘selling cruise days’, which will give the trade insight and advice from a wide range of expert speakers and panels.

These will now cover both domestic and international sailings, with the first seminar taking place in Southampton on 4 November and the second in Dublin on 11 November.

CLIA UK & Ireland chair Ben Bouldin said: “The international travel announcement is fantastic news for everyone within the cruise community, and it is a thrilling prospect to once again be able to offer guests the opportunity to sail the world.

“The last 18 months have been hugely challenging for the UK cruise sector. The industry came together and a lot of people have worked incredibly hard to reach this point. We also appreciate the cooperation shown by UK government departments throughout this process.

“The industry has shown its resilience and has risen to the challenge by reinventing the cruise experience while preserving what makes a cruise holiday so special.”

The resumption of international sailings follows the successful restart of domestic cruises earlier this year. Lines have been sailing round Britain since May, while around 800,000 guests have travelled on sailings globally during the past 12 months.

More information about CLIA’s agent events can be found at cruising.org.