--- title: "Eat, Sail, Love: Cruise Planners Hosts River Cruise Academy During ASTA River Cruise Expo" url: https://burnaze.com/article/91c1b218-76b6-4047-a1d8-41b18c61c31e source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20260407_eat_sail_love_cruise_planners_hosts_river_cruise_academy_during_asta_river_.html category: "Travel" industry: "Lodging & Travel" segment: "Travel" topics: ["Emerging brands"] published: 2026-04-07T12:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-10-31T20:09:10.662Z image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556761175-b413da4baf72?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop --- # Eat, Sail, Love: Cruise Planners Hosts River Cruise Academy During ASTA River Cruise Expo **TL;DR:** Cruise Planners hosted a River Cruise Academy during the ASTA River Cruise Expo, providing education and cultural immersion for its travel advisors. The academy included sessions on river cruise operations and sales strategies, as well as firsthand insight into the AmaWaterways product. *originally published in Franchising.com on 2026-04-07. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20260407_eat_sail_love_cruise_planners_hosts_river_cruise_academy_during_asta_river_.html).* ## Key facts - 1,600 travel professionals attended the ASTA River Cruise Expo - 153 Cruise Planners advisors participated in the River Cruise Academy - AmaWaterways launched its newest river cruise ship, AmaSofia ## Story ## River Cruise Education The weeklong program included sessions on river cruise operations, sales strategies and positioning, as well as how to effectively communicate the value of river cruising to clients seeking unique, experiential travel. Advisors also gained firsthand insight into the AmaWaterways product, complemented by curated excursions and onboard experiences. The fifth annual ASTA River Cruise Expo brought 1,600 travel professionals to Amsterdam for nine days of masterclasses, peer exchange and ship tours, including 900 first-time attendees. Participating brands included Emerald Waterways, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Tauck and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. A group of 153 Cruise Planners advisors and guests participated in the River Cruise Academy, which began March 7 aboard AmaVenita and provided a firsthand look at the AmaWaterways experience. AmaWaterways Co-Founder and Chief Brand Ambassador Kristin Karst and Florida Regional Business Development Manager Herlan Ruiz led sessions highlighting the cruise line’s fleet and destinations, while also sharing strategies to help advisors better articulate their value to clients. Cruise Planners Chief Strategy Officer Scott Koepf and Business Development Manager, CP Tools & Programs, Melanie Segnorile, also played a key role in directing the Academy’s programming and guiding advisors through the training experience. ASTA Marketing Manager Jaclyn Miller outlined the benefits of ASTA membership, including education, advocacy and industry resources. ## Industry Growth Trends “River cruising continues to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry, but there’s still a lot of mystery” said Scott Koepf, Chief Strategy Officer of Cruise Planners. “The River Cruise Academy provides that hands-on learning environment where advisors can live on the boat and get a feel for the product while building the confidence and expertise to grow their business.” Open to advisors at all stages of their careers, the River Cruise Academy was designed to deepen understanding of the river cruise sector, from converting ocean cruise clients to river experiences to an ASTA-directed media relations session that helped advisors leverage their expertise into press opportunities and bookings. Throughout the program, attendees explored nearby destinations through guided excursions, including visits to the tulip fields of Kampen and the coastal town of Bruinisse, home to the Netherlands’s “Mosselboulevard,” while also experiencing regional cuisine and onboard accommodations and programming. ## Advisor Insights “Attending the River Academy and the River Cruise Expo reinforces my existing knowledge while giving me the opportunity to explore new cruise lines and better match clients with the right experience,” said Honolulu-based Cruise Planners agent Jennifer Hardy. “There are so many nuances to consider, and these training opportunities are well worth the investment. The River Academy helps you begin developing a plan before you even get to the Expo, giving you the best chance for a strong return on investment.” Hardy added that the program also provided opportunities to collaborate with other advisors, work alongside business development managers and develop strategies to implement within their agencies. “The market is growing quickly, and staying on top of changes is essential, as clients rely on advisors to help determine which river cruise line is the best fit,” she said. “I am developing a virtual series targeting my small ship and river cruise clients to showcase brands and itineraries they may not be familiar with, with the goal of growing my business and generating referrals. The Expo concluded with the christening of AmaSofia, AmaWaterways’ newest river cruise ship, marking a milestone moment for the brand and the broader river cruise sector. Attendees also heard from keynote speaker Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat, Pray, Love,” who shared reflections on creativity, overcoming anxiety and the transformative power of travel. The River Cruise Academy, alongside the ASTA River Cruise Expo, underscored both the continued growth of the river cruise market and the increasing importance of advisor expertise in guiding client decisions. With the information acquired through a combination of hands-on experience, education and industry engagement, Cruise Planners advisors return better positioned to match travelers with river cruise experiences tailored to their preferences. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) - Emerging (sector) - Cruise Planners (company) - AmaWaterways (company) - travel industry trends (topic) - ASTA (company) - Kristin Karst (person) - Scott Koepf (person) - Melanie Segnorile (person) - Jaclyn Miller (person) - Jennifer Hardy (person) - Elizabeth Gilbert (person) --- Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20260407_eat_sail_love_cruise_planners_hosts_river_cruise_academy_during_asta_river_.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/91c1b218-76b6-4047-a1d8-41b18c61c31e).