SITTTVL011 - Provide specialist advice on cruises

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Unit code: SITTTVL011 | Study level: TAFE
Credit points
N/A
Location
Footscray Nicholson
Prerequisites
N/A
Overview
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Overview

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop detailed knowledge of cruise operations, products and destinations and to provide information and advice to customers on extended cruise options.
The unit applies to travel operators, such as travel agencies and tour wholesalers, and in particular to those which specialise in the sale of extended domestic and international cruise products. Cruises can include ocean, river, adventure, expedition and niche cruises.It applies to frontline sales and operations personnel who operate with some level of independence and under limited supervision.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment tasks will be designed to reinforce & extend knowledge and skill competence within set & controlled parameters in accordance with each units learning outcomes & performance criteria requirements, including the setting of work based practical application tasks designed to provide evidence of competence outcomes, within periodic and scheduled timelines.

Students will be expected to demonstrate the following required skills:

  • obtain current, relevant and accurate information for at least four cruise products each in different cruise regions as listed in the knowledge evidence including:
  • itinerary and ports of call
  • cost and breakdowns
  • accommodation categories and locations
  • on-board features and facilities:
    food and beverage
    retail outlets
    entertainment
    availability of child and family activities
    fitness, health, beauty and spa services
  • documents and visa requirements
  • provide tailored domestic or international cruise product information and advice to meet the requests of customers from at least three of the following different customer types:
  • singles
  • couples
  • families
  • groups
  • special interest
  • retirees
  • complete above activities within commercial time constraints and deadlines determined by the customer or the organisation.

Students will also be expected to demonstrate the following knowledge:

  • current and emerging product development and market trends for domestic and international cruises
  • basic aspects of cruise industry governance issues that affect customer participation:
  • passenger safety and security
  • environmental impact practices
  • health and sanitisation policies
  • medical facilities
  • operational safety practices
  • awareness of responsible conduct of gambling
  • awareness of responsible service of alcohol
  • security
  • waste management
  • general objectives and content of the Passenger Bill of Rights
  • sources of information on cruise products and destinations:
  • cruise line operators and the use of business development managers
  • local sales agents
  • distribution and marketing networks
  • government tourism authorities
  • social media
  • sources of information on current health and safety issues for cruise destinations:
  • travel warning advice issued for Australian travellers by the federal government
  • health advisory notices and vaccination information issued by local and international bodies
  • trade associations
  • sources of information on regulatory issues affecting customer participation in cruise destinations:
  • passport and visa requirements
  • customs, quarantine and border security requirements
  • major cruise operators and their product style, target market, major turnaround ports, main ports of call on cruise itineraries and major shore excursions for the main ports of call for the following geographical cruise regions:
  • the Americas
  • Europe
  • Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific and Antarctica
  • Asia and the Indian Ocean
  • responses to common reservations regarding purchasing cruise holidays:
  • cost
  • sea-sickness
  • safety and health
  • unique features of cruising as a type of holiday
  • concept of a cruise ship as a destination and an on-board experience
  • key characteristics of:
  • ocean cruises
  • river cruises
  • adventure, expedition and niche cruises
  • features and benefits of major types of on-board facilities and services:
  • accommodation locations and categories
  • food and beverage venues
  • retail outlets
  • facilities for people with special needs
  • fitness, health, beauty and spa services
  • entertainment activities
  • kid's clubs and family activities
  • other activities
  • features of key ports of call
  • key maritime terminology, jargon and common abbreviations for cruise products:
  • accommodation types
  • on-board facilities and services
  • operational features of the itinerary
  • operational features of the ship
  • ship specifications
  • key operational features of cruises:
  • health and safety issues
  • regulatory issues
  • seasonality
  • visas
  • profile of different types of cruise passengers listed in the performance evidence and their cruise product preferences
  • how to interpret brochures and deck plans for:
  • accommodation and categories
  • entertainment facilities
  • key ship features.

Required reading

The qualified trainer and assessor will provide teaching and learning materials as required in the form of workbooks produced by the VU Polytechnic and/or via the VU Polytechnic e-learning system.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management
SIT50122 | Diploma | Duration:

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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