New and existing agents will be invited to participate in tailored Cruise Academy sessions, which will include specific cruise-related modules and sessions from the brand’s cruise partners.

The academy is part of Barrhead’s Training Academy division which has three full-time trainers. Face-to-face training is complemented by an online platform which features self-guided development opportunities.

Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel, said: "Cruise has always been a big part of our business; pre-pandemic, around one third of our usual business was made up of cruise bookings.

"The scope of opportunity to connect more customers with experienced advisors is significant because cruise is such a vast product with so many options to choose from.

"Cruising is a great holiday option as there’s quite literally something for everyone - no matter if a customer has a budget of £1000 or £100,000, or whether they’re cruising solo or as part of a multi-generation family booking."

The initial intake, made up of ten new recruits, completed their first training programme in June. As well as introducing the academy, the group advertised home-working roles for cruise specialists to attract talent beyond its cruise call centre locations.