Double Dip: ACTA Opens Applications for 2026 Aurora Expeditions Cruise & Avalon Waterways River Summit

ACTA is offering two distinctive cruising and educational experiences to its members this year.

The advisor association has announced a first-of-its-kind Immersive educational expedition experience in partnership with Aurora Expeditions. This professional development opportunity will take place June 9–16, 2026, aboard the Sylvia Earle, sailing through Iceland’s Westfjords region.

Designed for ACTA-member travel advisors seeking deeper knowledge and hands-on training, the experiential learning opportunity will be limited to 30 participants. A professional development participation fee of USD $3,250 per person (about $4,475 CAD at current exchange), based on double occupancy, will be payable directly to Aurora Expeditions to cover voyage-related costs. Full details of the itinerary are available here.

Interested members can apply here. Airfare is not included; however, ACTA is working with airline partners to secure discounted rates. Details will be shared upon acceptance.

The application deadline is Friday, April 9. Successful applicants will be notified on April 15.

Its back! Avalon Waterways European River Cruise Summit 2026!

The Avalon Waterways European River Cruise Summit in partnership with ACTA will return for a fourth year in 2026.

Through ACTA’s long-standing partnership with Avalon, ACTA member travel advisors can benefit from immersive professional development opportunities designed to build confidence and deepen product knowledge in river cruising.

This year, the European River Cruise Summit will take place on November 14-21, along the Danube River, consisting of an 8-day onboard education program and river cruise itinerary from Nuremberg to Budapest.

“This Summit continues to be one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the Canadian advisor community,” said Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways. “There is simply no substitute for experiencing river cruising first-hand while learning alongside industry peers and leaders.”

ACTA President Suzanne Acton-Gervais added, “Providing impactful, experiential professional development opportunities remains central to ACTA’s mission. This Summit gives ACTA member travel advisors the opportunity to build knowledge, strengthen relationships and position themselves for success in the growing river cruise market.”

Participation is limited to 120 ACTA member travel advisors. A fee of $1,300 CAD per person, based on double occupancy, will be payable directly to Avalon Waterways to cover program costs.

Again, airfare is not included; however, ACTA is working with airline partners to secure discounted rates and details will be shared upon acceptance. Applications close on April 17. For more information and to apply, click here.