More Cruise Ships Are Coming And the Industry Needs Travel Advisors to Help Fill Them

Table Of Content

• Select your region to be directed to the correct website
• How to Get the Best deal on a Cruise
• Final Thoughts: Is It Better to Book a Cruise with a Travel Agent or Direct with the Cruise Line?
• Can I transfer my cruise booking back and forth between a travel agent and the cruise line?
• GREAT CRUISES NEAR ME
• Experience and Advice
• The Future Is Bright for Private Islands

Generally, the transfer must be made before final payment is due and before the cruise is paid in full. Keep in mind you can also transfer a booking made onboard a cruise ship to a travel agent, as well. Agents often have access to group pricing (buying cabins in bulk at lower per-room rates), which the agency consortium or franchise group they belong to has been able to negotiate with the cruise lines.

Select your region to be directed to the correct website

However, there are some instances when some people will prefer to book directly with the cruise line. I’ll also go through some of the most important and frequently asked questions about booking a cruise. Showing your clients that you’re actively touring ships is a great way of reinforcing your cruise expertise. To make sorting through them easier take a picture of the cabin number before you walk in. “This will help you remember which cabin your pictures are from,” Rhonda Day, owner of a Kentucky-based Dream Vacations travel agency, told Travel Market Report. Earn your wilderness badge as you cruise between the Alaska glaciers, pan for gold in prospecting towns, and trek across the rugged tundra on an Alaska vacation.

How to Get the Best deal on a Cruise

There can be exceptions to this, as some travel agents may charge booking or administrative fees. In cabins, Day said she pays particular attention to the size and style of the bathroom and whether showers have curtains or doors. Focusing on luxury small-ship cruises can also be a good way to convert customers who usually want to book land-based vacations. You should also ask if the travel agency offers 24/7 assistance (usually an 800 number) in case you have last-minute questions or something goes wrong before or during your trip.

Final Thoughts: Is It Better to Book a Cruise with a Travel Agent or Direct with the Cruise Line?

Look at what restaurants are onboard, write down the room types, and browse the activities. This way, you’ll have an idea of what you’ll be seeing, giving you a chance to formulate any questions you might want to ask. “My advice is to take notice of the ship’s features that can help you sell the ship to your clients,” Bruno said.

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They are an invaluable resource, helping yousave time, money, and avoid the stress of vacation-planning. A travel agent is afulfiller of dreams, offering all the tips you need about our ships, activities, and destinations! Carnival does not verify that the contact information below is accurate or complete. Beyond the excellent advice and onboard perks cruise sellers can provide, one of the greatest things about working with a travel agent is she or he will have your back if something goes wrong. Travel agents, on the other hand, have much more of an incentive to keep you coming back, as their customer list is significantly smaller than the cruise line's.

GREAT CRUISES NEAR ME

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Please let me know any questions, as well as any tips that you may have. When booking a cruise with a travel agent, there’s no additional cost, and it may be cheaper in some cases. If you’re a first time cruiser or booking a group cruise, booking with a travel agent is probably best. However, things that have to do with your own vacation planning are left up to you.

Get on island time and unwind on some of the best beaches in the world, venture deep into the rainforests, and snorkel the most vibrant reefs on a Caribbean or Bahamas cruise getaway with the whole family. Our directory offers listings for Celebrity Cruises' offices and representative worldwide. You might, for instance, see a fare listed online without the port charges, taxes and fees, which you only see after you give your personal details. You will likely run into a lot of questions to which you have no ready answer. You can also ask to receive the booking confirmation from the cruise line, showing payments, for your records.

The Future Is Bright for Private Islands

In addition, an agent can answer any questions or assuage any apprehensions you might have about taking a cruise for the first time. While this is great, who is available if you have a question or need assistance? Often, those working for larger agencies or franchises will have a main contact number if the need arises.

When you book a cruise, however — particularly your first cruise — you might want to reconsider the impulse to handle the transaction yourself through a cruise line website or an online advertiser with cheap prices. This DIY approach might not be the best way to find your dream vacation at sea. In the luxury market, look for a travel adviser that belongs to Virtuoso, Ensemble Travel Group or Signature Travel Network. If you're a do-it-yourself type, and you have the time and inclination to thoroughly research your own trip using resources like Cruise Critic, then go right ahead. However, these cabins can be limited, and may not be available closer to sailing. Book 6 months to a year, or more, before your cruise for access to these special rates.

Look for travel agencies that are cruise-only or a home-based agent who specializes in cruises. Companies such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line provide online directories to help you find an experienced cruise travel agent near you. Cruise lines prefer that you use a travel agent rather than going online and booking directly. They have small in-house reservation teams, and when you have a question while making a booking, good luck in getting an expert on the phone in a timely manner.

If you’re new to cruising, using a travel agent to book a cruise is a good idea. First time cruisers need to know about travel documents, online check in, cruise line gratuities, new health protocols and more. Having a travel agent to hold your hand and answer questions, right up to embarkation day, is very helpful.

In most cases, larger agencies or franchises have huge influence and buying power with the cruise line. This can mean better pricing on some cruises and/or some extra perks or amenities. While many travel agents will try to keep an eye on price drops, the reality is it can be missed. Did you know that many cruise lines will adjust your cruise fare if it drops before final payment? Often it needs to be on the same cabin category and it won’t be combinable with past promotions, but it’s always worth checking.

Many luxury cruise travel agents will specialize in a few lines, and all can explain how the cruise lines and their ships and itineraries differ. Their industry knowledge is especially useful if you're relatively new to luxury cruising or are indecisive about which lines, ship, suite or itinerary you should choose. A good travel agent will also get to know your travel style and guide you to the cruise line, ship and even room type that are best for you.

Their service to you is usually free, though some might charge first-time clients a minimal fee. Use ASTA's consumer website to locate a travel agent who has agreed to conduct their business activities in accordance with the organization's code of ethics. Select "cruises" or "cruise lines" under Specialties to find agents that focus on selling cruise travel. Your cruise specialist will take care of everything you need, and manage all the reservations.

In the travel business, there are organizations called "consortiums" that are considered status symbols for professionals. Travel agents can belong to one of these groups -- such as Virtuoso, Ensemble Travel Group or Signature Travel Network -- as a way of showing clients that they are sought after in the field. Belonging to a consortium opens up a bevy of perks to these agents' clients. There are a number of travel agent consortiums that you should research before selecting a travel adviser. For example, when booking a voyage through a Virtuoso agency, you might have access to a special onboard host (depending on the sailing you choose). You'll also be invited to a welcome cocktail party and will get your choice of a cultural shore excursion, private car and driver (on select sailings), or shipboard credit.

Most travel agents who do choose to charge for their service are worth the expense, as they tend to be the most educated and well-traveled in the industry. High-end travel agents, like those that belong to the Virtuoso or Signature consortiums, will typically charge more, but they're less likely to sell mainstream cruises like Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. Consortiums -- and there are several travel agency consortiums out there -- are groups of agencies that pay a yearly fee to participate in a large selection of shared programs and resources. CruiseDirect is a leading online cruise travel company dedicated to providing customers with better deals than any other cruise website and access to great deals on cruise vacations. Offering special rates and savings on cruise bookings with some of the most popular cruise lines in the world, we are so confident in our cruise packages that each and every deal is backed by a price guarantee. One of the most important things to know is that agents -- in particular, cruise specialists -- have been onboard the ships and can really give you firsthand advice about different cruise options.