In late 2025, Virgin Voyages invited 100 First Mates to undergo a four-week training session to test the company’s first iteration of intelligent tools aimed at “revolutionizing the travel advisor experience,” according to the brand. Created in tandem with Canva, a popular online graphic design platform, the new resource aims to help travel advisors create high-impact, Virgin Voyages-branded marketing materials in just a matter of clicks with help from Canva’s AI-powered capabilities including collateral like customizable flyers, social media posts, destination content and booking materials.
Virgin Voyages said Phase 1 of the Canva program was extremely successful and shared that the company plans to expand the offering to 1,000 First Mates in the first quarter of 2026. As for what the program entails, the cruise line says participants can expect to learn how to master the Canva platform, earn badges and “unleash their creativity while sailing through engaging design challenges” over the course of several weeks.
"Travel advisors are the heart of Virgin Voyages' success story," said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages. "Our First Mates don't just sell cruises; they're brand ambassadors who bring our vision to life for Sailors every single day. This partnership with Canva is about investing in their success and giving them the tools they deserve to grow their businesses alongside ours. When our First Mates win, Virgin Voyages wins."
"We're creating the cruise industry's first AI-amplified sales force," said Billy Bohan Chinique, head of global brand marketing at Virgin Voyages. "While other cruise lines talk about AI transformation, we're actually deploying it at scale through our distributed network. This partnership with Canva is just the beginning of our commitment to equipping advisors with intelligent tools that minimize administrative burdens and maximize their ability to connect Sailors with unforgettable experiences. We're pioneering what agentic AI looks like in travel retailing."
In a press release about its new Canva programming, Virgin Voyages shared that the partnership between the two companies works to solve a critical inefficiency in the travel industry by minimizing off-brand and duplicate advertising materials while simultaneously speeding up the marketing process for advisors. The brand went on to share that the program’s corresponding immersive training features weekly sessions dedicated to highlighting different marketing materials while interactive creative challenges boost participation — there are even prizes!
"By democratizing access to professional design tools today and rolling out AI-powered solutions tomorrow, we're raising the bar for what travel advisors can achieve," said Chinique. "This is about giving First Mates their time back so they can focus on building relationships and creating extraordinary experiences for Sailors. We're not just talking about the future of AI in travel, we're building it."
To learn more about Virgin Voyages’ First Mates program, click here
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