CLIA: Cruise Line International Association

Cruise Lines International Association is a marketing and training organization composed of 19 of the major cruise lines serving North America. CLIA was formed in 1975 in response to a need for an association to promote the special benefits of cruising. CLIA exists to educate, train, promote and explain the value, desirability and affordability of the cruise vacation experience.

CLIA became the principal external marketing organization for its member lines in 1984 following the consolidation of several other industry organizations into CLIA. Currently, nearly 17,000 travel agencies are affiliated with CLIA and display the CLIA seal, which identifies them as authorities on selling cruise vacations.

CLIA is consistently rated the most effective travel association in terms of overall support of the travel agency community, the value for the money, and the quality of its training programs. For example, CLIA's most comprehensive training is the Cruise Counsellor Certification Program, which requires agents to successfully complete a number of compulsory training courses and exams, attend cruise conferences and conduct ship inspections, among other things. CLIA also offers Management and Sales Institutes, classroom training and training videos.