[TravelAndTourism] Training for Blind Agents

Sat Mar 1 20:04:11 UTC 2025

I would also add one thin to my earlier email about choosing a host agency, be sure it isn’t a multilevel marketing agency or MLM. MLMs are frowned on by most of the cruise lines and organizations like CLIA and ASTA. When picking your host be sure to listen for things that would let you know that it is an MLM. Things like, the more people you bring into the agency the more you will make.

Melvin Reynolds CTA, CCC, CATA
Affiliate Agent Cruise Brothers
Alaska Certified Expert
330-708-0592

Ask me about my fundraising cruise for the Cass County COA inFebruary 2026 to the Eastern Caribbean on the beautiful Majestic Princess.

Rates are not guaranteed until booked and fully deposited.

> On Feb 27, 2025, at 5:25 PM, Jana Jackson via TravelAndTourism <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Anita, welcome aboard! I can't add much to Melvin's excellent email, except to say that I agree with absolutely every word! LOL!
> 
> I had to give up my agency for a while because I took a part-time job with an auto club... The job didn't even work out, and now that I'm in the process of getting back up and running, I will never do that again! Having your own agency isn't easy, but it's a lot of fun, and it is rewarding to know that you're helping folks to plan something awesome!
> 
> The host agency I landed with this time is called WorldVia Travel, and they are great! I haven't met her yet, but I'm told that they have at least one other blind agent who is doing quite well. In fact, she won an award last year through them for her agency website!
> 
> Like Melvin said, a lot of the supplier classes have accessibility issues. If I remember correctly, Holland America is pretty accessible. Some of their video trainings even include audio description, or they did a few years ago. And yes, The Travel Institute is amazing!
> 
> I am also happy to answer any questions you might have. You've got this! 😊 Oh, and have a great time on your cruise!
> 
> Jana
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TravelAndTourism <travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Melvin Reynolds via TravelAndTourism
> Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2025 3:24 PM
> To: NFB Travel and Tourism Division List <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Melvin Reynolds <melvinreynolds at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [TravelAndTourism] Training for Blind Agents
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I just started my fifth year of working as a travel agent and love it. There are several courses that you can take, none of them required to be an agent, as there is no licensing requirements for travel agents. I suggest taking a look at The Travel Institute www.thetravelinstitute.com <http://www.thetravelinstitute.com/> for good courses. They offer scholarships once a year, so it is best to sign up for emails from them to find out when they offer the scholarships. They are good scholarships as they give like half the cost of the CTA price. They offer an introductory course that will help you decide if working as a travel agent is for you. After that you can become a Certified Travel Associate, which is a lot of work, but worth it. There is also courses through CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), but those cost around $59.00 per course, but depending on your host agency you may get a discount on courses through CLIA. ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) also have courses that you can take, but I haven’t done any of their’s. 
> 
> Before taking any courses though, it is best to find a host agency. The one I work for is Cruise Brothers located in Rhode Island. They hold three webinars a week that you can listen to , and they also give you a team leader that is there to help you with any issues you have, and it is all free to you as an agent. There are no minimum sales. They do ask that you have gone on at least five cruises before you join, but I know of some that haven’t and are doing fine.
> 
> I will warn you that the trainings for most of the cruise lines are not accessible and you will need a sighted reader to do them.
> 
> If you have any specific questions feel free to email me.
> 
> Thanks,
> Melvin Reynolds CTA, CCC, CATA
> Affiliate Agent Cruise Brothers
> Alaska Certified Expert
> 330-708-0592
> 
> Ask me about my fundraising cruise for the Cass County COA inFebruary 2026 to the Eastern Caribbean on the beautiful Majestic Princess.
> 
> Rates are not guaranteed until booked and fully deposited.
> 
>> On Feb 27, 2025, at 3:37 PM, Anita Ogletree via TravelAndTourism <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello.
>> 
>> I would like to find out more about trainging classes for blind people interested in TravelandTourism. This year my siblings are going to take me on my very first cruise for my birthday. so I thought it would be a good idea to learn more about the industry  and maybe start a business.
>> 
>> 
>> Is the course  expensive? What advice  or recommendations can someone share with me whose been doing this for a while?
>> 
>> Thank  you!
>> 
>> Anita
>> GetOutlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> 
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