You don’t apply to Norwegian Cruise Line directly to become a Norwegian-focused travel advisor. Start by becoming a travel advisor through a host agency, then register with Norwegian through your agency to start booking.
Here’s how to choose a host agency, get set up with Norwegian, and start booking cruises for clients, whether you’re a general cruise enthusiast or a Norwegian Cruise Line loyalist.
Who can sell Norwegian cruises?
There isn’t a specific license to sell Norwegian cruises, and there’s no degree or licensing required to be a travel advisor in most U.S. states. A few states require seller of travel registration, but typically that’s either handled with your host agency or only required for agencies with a physical office.
However, you’ll need a CLIA or IATA number to be recognized as a travel professional and earn commission on bookings. These come through your host agency, not Norwegian. You can also get a CLIA or IATA number if you have your own travel agency, but joining a host agency is a faster and less complex way to get started.
1. Join a host agency
A host agency provides the resources, licensing, and industry relationships you need to be a travel advisor, so you don’t need to set them up yourself. Ideally, your host will also provide training and booking and invoicing technology to run your business smoothly.
Some host agencies specialize in cruise, while others give you the tools to book any type of travel. When you’re choosing your host agency, consider what you need most now and long term. In addition to basics like commission splits and invoice management, consider:
Training: Does the agency offer continuing education? Is there cruise-specific training?
Supplier relationships: Do they have partnerships with Norwegian and other cruise lines, or with CLIA?
Restrictions: Can you only book cruises? Are there booking minimums?
2. Complete advisor training
Your host agency will provide an initial onboarding and training on their systems and ways of working. Not all agencies offer the same type or depth of training. For example, Fora offers foundational training for new advisors, plus specialized training for cruises, specific destinations, flight booking, and business skills, but others might not.
Fora’s training is more than enough—more than most host agencies give you.
Randy Marsden
joined November 2022Before you start booking, learn how the reservation system works with Norwegian and other cruise lines, and how to manage client travel with Norwegian. If your goal is to specialize in Norwegian, take the time to dive deeper on its full fleet and onboard offerings so you can match clients to the right experiences, destinations, and add-on options.
3. Register with Norwegian Cruise Line
Like most cruise lines, Norwegian requires travel advisors to book through its own booking portal or directly with its team. Follow your host agency’s instructions for booking to ensure your booking is logged correctly under your agency and commissionable. The exact steps can differ from host to host.
Once you get access to Norwegian Central, NCL’s booking portal, you can manage marketing materials and client trips. If you plan on selling to international clients, make sure to check NCL’s policy on cross-border selling before committing to a booking.
4. Complete Norwegian’s training
Once you have access to the Norwegian portal, you can also take additional training from Norwegian University. While your host agency will help you learn the cruise industry and how to plan cruises, supplier training tends to focus on growing sales within that specific cruise line.
Norwegian’s self-paced certification covers the fleet, itineraries, packages and perks, and sales techniques. Get to know:
Fleet differences: The fleet spans seven classes, plus unique ships not available in a class—like the Pride of America, the only ship sailing solely around the Hawaiian Islands—and The Haven, a luxury suite complex available across most of the fleet Newer ships are in the Prima, Breakaway, and Breakaway Plus classes.
Promotional and reward programs: Free at Sea is NCL’s bundled add-on package for open bar, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and shore excursion credits, while Latitudes Rewards and Cruise Next certificates impact how loyal cruisers rebook.
Advisor programs: Partners First is an advisor loyalty program that unlocks higher commission, co-op marketing, and familiarization (Fam) trip access as booked revenue grows. Access and benefits flow through your host agency’s relationship with NCL, so ask how that works at your agency.
5. Book your first Norwegian cruise
Most travel advisors start with people they know. You can book your own cruise, or plan for a friend, acquaintance, or family. Focus on giving your first client an excellent experience, then encourage them to help you spread the word. Word-of-mouth is one of the most effective ways to build your client base.
If you need to expand outside of your immediate network, look for opportunities to naturally bring up your travel advising and highlight the benefits of booking a cruise through you.
You’ll use Norwegian Central to quote, hold cabins, apply group rates, and add Free at Sea. Once the cruise fare is paid in full, Norwegian pays your host agency a commission and your host splits that payment with you.
Read our full guide to becoming a cruise specialist
How much do Norwegian Cruise Line travel advisors make?
It depends on how many clients you book, the total booking cost of the trips you plan, and how often you’re booking clients. Norwegian pays a commission on the cruise fare to your host agency. Your host agency splits that with you, and you keep 70–90%, depending on your agreement with them. Your actual earnings depend on:
Volume: The more cruises you book, the more opportunities you have to earn commission.
Booking value: A booking in The Haven, a longer itinerary, or a larger group will all have a higher fare, which nets out a higher commission.
Commission rates: Your commission split often improves the more you sell, and your host’s industry partnerships can also net you higher overall commission.
What makes a great Norwegian Cruise Line travel advisor?
Great travel advisors have a balance of industry knowledge, service skills, and operational ability that help them plan the best trips for clients and stay on top of their business. Successful NCL advisors offer:
Strong cruise line knowledge: You’ll need to stay up to date on the NCL fleet to match the right sailing to the right client and onboard experiences. Ideally, you’ve sailed Norwegian yourself more than once or attended ship tours, so you can make personal recommendations.
Attention to detail: Know what questions to ask to determine the right itinerary for your clients, and how to ensure they have a good experience once they board.
Full-trip planning: Take on pre-cruise hotels, transportation, travel insurance, and shore excursions to curate a complete experience and earn additional commission.
Excellent client service: One of the key benefits of working with an advisor is getting personalized, attentive trip support. Be accessible, patient, and helpful while planning a trip and while your client is traveling.
A clear specialty makes it easier to market yourself and gives you a familiar product to anchor your business on as you expand into other types of travel. But if your host agency allows, consider booking other cruise lines, hotels, and land-based trips to expand your opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to work for Norwegian directly to sell their cruises?
No. You sell Norwegian as an independent travel advisor through a host agency, like Fora. Norwegian pays commission to your host on every booking you make, and your host pays you your share. You’re not a Norwegian employee, and you don’t need to be based near a Norwegian office or hit a corporate hiring bar to get started.
How long does it take to start booking cruises?
You can book your first Norwegian cruise once you’re onboarded, have your advisor credentials, access to Norwegian Central, and the booking tools and training you need. Most advisors at Fora make their first booking within 30 days of joining. Any travel advisor needs dedication and consistency to build a steady business—it can take a year or so to establish a regular flow of booking requests.
Do I need to become certified through CLIA to sell NCL?
No. CLIA’s certification credentials aren’t required to sell Norwegian or any other cruise line. They’re useful if you plan to specialize in cruise, since they signal expertise to clients and can get you access to additional supplier perks, but you can build a successful cruise business without them.
Can I sell other cruise lines too?
Yes, assuming your host agency allows it. As a Fora advisor, you can book Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Virgin Voyages, Viking, and most major cruise lines in addition to Norwegian. Selling across lines helps you match the right cruise to each client.
Can I sell travel besides cruise?
Yes. Many travel advisors sell cruise alongside hotels, villas, tours, and full custom itineraries. Specializing in cruise is an option if it’s where your interest and client base sit, but it isn’t a requirement. The only exception is if your host agency is a cruise-only agency.
Do travel advisors get discounts on Norwegian cruises?
Yes, once you’re an active advisor making cruise bookings for clients. The specific eligibility requirements and rates vary by host agency and cruise line, but advisors can get reduced-rate sailings and Fam trip invitations to experience ships firsthand. These rates are meant to build your product knowledge, so suppliers, including Norwegian, expect you to be actively booking clients to qualify.
