Day 1 - Seatrade - Leveraging Technology to Transform Crew Training

As the cruise industry continues to grow and innovate, the need for a highly skilled and prepared crew has never been greater. But with the demands of life at sea, traditional onboard training can often feel rushed or ineffective. This session explores how technology—particularly e-learning platforms, AI, and virtual reality—is revolutionizing crew training, making it more accessible, engaging, and impactful.

Adrian highlights the very reason the Cruise Retail Academy was established: to tackle the limitations of onboard training, where crew often lack the time or energy to fully engage in learning. Instead of relying solely on training at sea, the Academy empowers crew members by giving them the tools, resources, and network to begin their learning journey before they step onboard.

With over 5,000 crew members already part of the platform, and thousands of completed courses, the results are clear: when training is made available during pre-boarding—while crew are waiting for visas, medicals, and certifications—engagement increases, knowledge retention improves, and new hires arrive more confident and capable.

This session will share insights into best practices for online training, strategies to boost ownership and motivation, and the investments needed to future-proof crew education in an industry that’s constantly evolving.