Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence

Destination Training Excellence

From hands-on tour operations to global training programs,
Aquila helps destinations deliver guest experiences that shine
with excellence and heart.

Practical. Proven. Powerful.

Our real-world-tested training equips guides and operators
worldwide to deliver exceptional guest experiences with
confidence and care.

Cruise Industry Expertise

Trusted by cruise lines for decades, Aquila turns
real-world experience into proven training and coaching
strategies that drive excellence.

Over 40 Years of

Tourism Excellence

25,000+ Total
People Trained

To Elevate the
Guest Experience

140+ Cruise Destinations

and Partners
Worldwide

Living Lab in Action

Proven, Real-World
Training

3020
Training Programs

10+
Trainers

Industry
Certifications

112+
Destinations Trained

FCCA'S

Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s Exclusive Training Partner

ABOUT US

Excellence in Cruise Destination Training

It all began on the East Coast of Canada, on the shores of the Bay of Fundy.

Over forty years ago, Aquila started as a small tour company sharing the magic of Saint John with cruise guests — and what we learned along the way became the foundation of something much bigger.

Since 2007, when cruise executives asked us to share our model, Aquila has grown into the leading destination training provider for the global cruise industry.

Today, our Living Lab welcomes tens of thousands of cruise guests each season, serving as the real-world classroom where we test, refine, and live everything we teach. From this home port, we help destinations and tour operators worldwide create guest experiences rooted in excellence, authenticity, and heart.

The Aquila Difference

Setting the global standard for Cruise Destinations and empowering teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Over four decades of experience in the tourism industry

Strategic Training Plans and Consulting Services

Multi-mode learning experiences

Living lab curriculum testing

Regular and relevant course additions

Expert, multilingual trainers and coaches

Values-driven partnership development

A commitment to cruise destination success

Industry-Certified Standards

TESTIMONIALS

What Our Partners Say About the Aquila Difference

Discover how destinations, tour operators, and cruise professionals worldwide describe their experience with Aquila and the impact it has on service excellence.

I am proud that Aquila Centre for Cruise Excellence is our official and exclusive training partner. This partnership has led to immense benefits for both destinations and cruise lines, as training has a direct improvement on the guest experience that drives spending, ratings, and so many other factors that positively impact all facets

Michele Paige, President, Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association

For almost a decade, our fruitful partnership with Aquila has been a cornerstone to ensure service excellence in Puerto Rico’s cruise industry. The trainings offered by Beth and her amazing team have made a measurable difference: improving our port ratings and bolstering desirability of our destination in the context of the Caribbean, the industry’s most competitive area. We are eager to continue this partnership for years to come.

Crystal Bell, Air & Cruise Access Director, Puerto Rico Tourism Company

Different tour operators and port agencies from Aruba recently joined the 'Excellence in Sustainable Destination Experiences' workshop by Aquila. It was a truly transformative experience. The insights and strategies shared were useful, greatly improving our sustainability efforts. The expert guidance and collaborative environment encouraged deep learning and creative thinking. We highly recommend this workshop to any destination looking to improve their sustainability practices and offer great experiences.

Monica Bos, Cruise Manager Aruba Tourism Authority

Designer

This season (2023) holds special significance as it follows a Product Analysis conducted by Aquila. “…the findings from this assessment informed Tourism Trinidad’s efforts to enhance the cruise activity in Trinidad, ensuring that the country meets and exceeds the expectations of our valued guests!

Carla Cupid, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Trinidad Limited

One of my key takeaways was that our understanding of, and training upskilling from your Team now is for ‘whole of destination’. This goes far in creating a service excellence destination environment and a national culture of tourism excellence!

Nikoyan Roberts, Manager Nautical Development, Grenada Tourism Authority

I’m always excited to see Aquila conducting training around the Caribbean because their methods always result in happier staff and even happier guests. Safety, customer interaction and guest satisfaction are key results of their courses.

Megan Shaw, Account Manager, Shore Excursions, Royal Caribbean Cruises

From the Yucatan Tourism Board, we consider that the courses represent an opportunity to keep our knowledge updated and learn about the cruise industry. Aquila has helped us a lot to improve the services that our tour operators offer in the Port of Progreso, Mexico to cruise passengers.

Raúl Paz Noriega, Technical Director, Yucatán Tourism Board, México

What the team at Aquila has created is exactly what our guests at Explora Journeys are looking for: curated and unique experiences that bring our guests close to the local communities!

Nicholas Radin, Destination Experiences Expert, Explora Journeys

Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence continuously develops and delivers engaging and valuable workshops... Over the years they have met and made friendships with our stakeholders who appreciates the high level of training they have come to know and expect. The team is always filled with anecdotes and stories that explain, clarify and encourage our stakeholders. Aquila’s experiential approach reinforces learning … We constantly get asked when will we have another training as the trainings never fail to inspire.

Noriko Gamero, Director of Cruise & Destination Planning, Belize Tourism Board

We could not envision just how comprehensive the training was or the reception and the enthusiasm that the course would solicit from the participants. The seminar was packed with a wealth of information… It also focused on achieving certain standards of excellence, skills for dealing with specific sectors… more than anything, it drew our attention to the fact that cruise tourism is an industry that at its core is about human relations and how well we conduct our customer service.

Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool, Former President of the Office of Tourism of St. Martin

The Aquila Training has made a total difference in Cartagena regarding the confidence of the tour guides… improving the service quality, which has impacted in a positive way the passengers satisfaction levels.

Maria Claudia Lacouture, Former President, PROCOLOMBIA

We really enjoyed the AQUILA Tour Guide course. It's super easy to access, well-structured and very informative. It offers the perfect mix of topics for anyone looking to embark on a career in shore-based tour guiding. The lessons are delivered in a very relaxed manner and students are able to go back over the topics and learn at a pace that feels right for them.

Sarah, Tour Guide, United Kingdom

Take a look at some of our success stories below

Destinations, cruise lines, and organizations worldwide share how Aquila’s training has inspired transformation and excellence within their teams.

Excellence Alone Isn’t Enough: Real Destination Success Requires Coordinated Excellence

Across hundreds of destinations, Aquila’s assessments and training sessions have revealed a common theme: excellence exists, but often in silos.

Puerto Rico Boosts Cruise Guest Satisfaction Scores with Aquila

Puerto Rico transformed cruise guest satisfaction through a long-term service excellence strategy with Aquila—raising ratings, building skilled teams, and earning global recognition.