Expedia CruiseShipCentre worker Bruce Small admits he might not have logged onto the TravelBrands website when making cruise bookings in the past. But after taking part in the company’s six-day SeaU cruise and learning more about TravelBrands, he will now.

“I didn’t really know enough about them,: said Small, who’s based in British Columbia, said on the final day of the SeaU cruise, which saw 160 agents from across Canada meeting with and hearing presentations from TravelBrands staff and nearly two dozen cruise line representatives. But now I’m glad I came because I can see how they work and how the bookings are managed for all these vendors and suppliers. Now I know what they can do, and I can use them. So, it’s great.”

Agents, suppliers and TravelBrands staff started their cruise in Vancouver on board the sensational Norwegian Bliss and stopped in Victoria and San Francisco before disembarking in Los Angeles on Sunday. They worked hard in their meetings, but also had a little time to dine in some of the Norwegian Bliss’s specialty restaurants, ride the on-board race cars, zipped through water slides suspended 15 storeys over the ocean, and enjoy shows such as Jersey Boys. Agents also took part in amazing race on board the ship, had a four-hour tour of San Francisco and were given SeaU graduation plaques and glasses of Champagne at a ceremony on Saturday afternoon.

Agents were treated to a posh graduation ceremony/cocktail party on the final night and a social media/video judging contest. Winners walked away with tremendous cruise trips, courtesy of the SeaU suppliers, including Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Costa. TravelBrands also kicked in to support the trips.

TravelPulse Canada was the only media on board.

Melissa Doucet, a travel agent based in Nova Scotia, said this was her second TravelBrands SeaU cruise.

“I love it,” she said. “I learned a lot of things about different cruise lines and what they offer. Sometimes even agents don’t know everything a cruise line offers or what age group they appeal to. I always thought of Holland America as being for older people but their rep was talking about programs for kids and families, so now I know I can recommend them for families.

“You also meet amazing people and brainstorm with other agents,” Doucet said. “The cruise was terrific and we’re all very appreciative. And then TravelBrands throws in things like the tour of San Francisco, which was great.”

TravelBrands President and CEO Frank DeMarinis made a point of thanking Norwegian Cruise Line for a fabulous six days at sea.

“It’s incredible when we can get 160 agents on board this great ship,” he said. “It really represents the agents commitment to TravelBrands and the value they receive from SeaU.

“This year was one of our biggest and best” of the six SeaU programs they’ve run, DeMarinis said. “Agents find it very informative. The one-on-one engagement with our suppliers is second to none.”

“Our goal is to show the agents everything about cruising and about TravelBrands, from pre- and post-cruise stays to air and everything in between,” said Nathalie Tanious, the company’s Senior Vice President.

“It was definitely an honour to host SeaU,” said Sabrina Greca, Business Development Director, Strategic Accounts for Norwegian Cruise Line. “Travel Brands is such a great partner, and they’re so easy to work with. We had an opportunity to host TravelBrands and 160 agents, and we’re beyond grateful. It was a great opportunity to show off the ship and Norwegian Cruise Line.”