Job Description

About Cruise Connections

We are Canada's largest single-location cruise retailer, with

over 30 years

of experience creating exceptional and personalized travel experiences. Our dedicated team of travel professionals is passionate about exceeding guest expectations and delivering unparalleled service at every step of the journey.

From cruises and flights to hotels, tours, and travel insurance, we offer a full spectrum of services designed to ensure every trip is seamless and unforgettable.

We believe in treating each guest

"One at a Time," recognizing the unique importance of their vacation time. As a valued member of our team, you'll play a vital role in providing thoughtful, tailored travel planning and delivering the highest level of service.

We are proud to be the largest

Luxury Cruise Agency

in Western Canada - on track to serve more than 10,000 guests this year.

Position Summary

:

This role will be reporting to the Customer Experience Manager.

We are seeking an

experienced and detail-oriented Air Specialist

for cruise vacation planning to join our team. This role will focus on planning and coordinating air, hotels, transfers and tours for individual and group cruise vacation clients.

The ideal candidate will have significant, and comprehensive experience working with

Global Distribution Systems (GDS),

particularly Amadeus, and experience in negotiating group contracts with airlines, hotels and other service providers.

Specific

travel industry knowledge

with respect to all air procurement channels and ticketing protocols such as consolidators and other third-party providers is imperative.

The Vacation Planner will be responsible for providing exceptional service primarily focused on in-house clients of Cruise Connections Canada to ensure every aspect of their vacation experience runs smoothly and that there is both compliance and leadership with respect to all of our operational processes. This includes creating customized itineraries, invoicing, managing travel logistics, manifests, and inter-departmental communications. Strength collaboration with peers and ensuring that all bookings and arrangements meet the specific needs and budgets of both our group and individual travelers.

Key Responsibilities

Plan and coordinate

cruise vacation

packages

including flights, hotel accommodations, transfers, and tours to ensure all aspects of each trip are meticulously organized Supporting

upper premium and luxury cruise guests

and the Vacation Planning team Work closely with clients to understand their travel preferences, needs, and budgets, and develop customized itineraries for both individual and group travel. Guest interactions are primarily by phone/Zoom Utilize Amadeus GDS or other procurement channels to book and manage flights, hotels, car rentals, and transfers. Build and manage

hosted and non-hosted groups

including negotiating group rates with airlines, hotels and DMC providers to secure the best possible arrangements, pricing and terms Build seamless pre and post cruise arrangements Build and maintain strong relationships with airlines, hotels and other vendors to ensure excellent service and the best available pricing for Cruise Connection's clients Develop core hotel and transfer relationships with key ports around the world Review and manage all contract terms for group bookings, ensuring accurate documentation and timely confirmations Collaborate with the operations team to ensure seamless execution of group travel arrangements, including managing any changes or special requests Provide detailed travel information to clients, including itinerary, tickets, hotel confirmations, and other travel documents Handle customer service inquiries, promptly addressing to resolution any issues or discrepancies before, during, or after travel Maintain detailed records of all bookings and transactions, ensuring accuracy and organization of all client data Stay up-to-date on industry trends, new destinations, and travel products to offer clients the most current and relevant options

Requirements

Experience

: Minimum of

5 years of experience

in vacation planning or travel coordination, with experience in both luxury and group travel clientele

GDS Experience

: Proficiency in Amadeus GDS is required (knowledge of other GDS systems a plus)

Group Travel Expertise

: Strong experience in managing group bookings and negotiations with airlines, hotels, DMC, and tour providers

Attention to Detail

: High level of attention to detail with the ability to simultaneously manage multiple bookings and complex itineraries

Organizational Skills

: Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage time effectively

Customer Service

: Excellent communication, collaborative skills and a client-focused approach to customer service

Computer Skills

: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)

Education

: A high school diploma or equivalent is required; a degree in travel, tourism, or a related field is preferred

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with international destinations and multi-destination itineraries Experience with the luxury cruise market Experience in contract negotiation for travel groups Fluency in English is required. Ability to speak multiple languages is a plus

What We Offer:

Competitive salary

starting at

$60,000 annually

, plus unlimited incentive opportunities

Extended health and dental benefits

for your well-being

Paid vacation

and

RRSP matching

to support your future A

full-time, permanent position

with stability and growth potential A

well-appointed downtown Vancouver office

with a friendly, collaborative team environment

Professional development opportunities

and a clear path for

career advancement

Cruise Connections is an

equal opportunity employer

committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

If you are passionate about travel,

have a keen eye for detail, are seeking a significant role with an iconic industry leader with opportunities for advancement, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today to join our team and help create unforgettable vacation experiences for our clients!

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From $60,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

Bonus pay Commission pay
Benefits:

Company events Dental care Extended health care On-site gym RRSP match Vision care
Flexible language requirement:

French not required
Schedule:

Monday to Friday Weekends as needed
Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 2025-06-09