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If you need to cancel the trip, the agent will also help you through the refund process. You'll have a lot less stress before and during your vacation if you book with an experienced agent. The first thing you need to make sure of is that your agent specializes not just in cruising but in luxury cruising. It's not enough that your agent understands how mass-market cruise lines tick.
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How to Get the Best deal on a Cruise
For most people, the benefits of using a travel agent experienced in selling cruises are well worth it. Travel agents will help you to choose a cruise, offer travel advice and answer questions, and can often find great cruise deals. Some may also provide an extra amenity, like an onboard cash credit or bottle of wine. Agents with a CLIA Certification icon below their name have passed a rigorous program of courses designed to elevate their cruise travel expertise.
Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent? We say yes
4.7 Overall Satisfaction Rating based on over 10,000 Ratings from our customers. One of the best ways to find an agent that matches your travel style is to get recommendations from family members, coworkers or friends. If you’re the group leader, you can concentrate on the fun stuff, like matching t-shirts, and leave the boring details to your cruise consultant.
What to Look for in a Cruise Travel Agent
They have done a great deal of research through familiarization trips and cruise line seminars, so you don't have to do the work yourself. Even better, agents often have access to special discounts or perks -- or know best where to find them -- and as the cruise lines pay their commissions, you don't pay more for their services and expertise. If you're interested in a specific type of cruising (such as river cruising or luxury travel), look for agencies that specialize in the line or type of cruising you prefer.
Experience and Advice
However, when it comes to booking the cruise, we recommend you still contact a travel agent who specializes in cruises to help you learn a few tips and avoid any rookie mistakes. (Cruise lines pay agents a commission, though a few very high-end consultants do charge a planning fee.) Yet they can save you money, time and headaches, and ensure you have the best cruise experience. Another advantage of using a travel agent or cruise specialist, is being able to book when they have a special promotion with the cruise line. Agencies partner with cruise lines at certain times of the year and will offer a booking incentive, such as prepaid gratuities or specialty dining. One of the biggest advantages of using a travel agent to book a cruise is getting great advice. A cruise specialist can guide you to the right cruise line and ship based on your vacation preferences and goals for the trip.
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While there’s often overlap between the two, knowing what you want to see can help you make the most of any free time you have to explore the ship on your own. Especially if there’s a specific cabin type you’d like to see that’s not on the official inspection list. In a bid to capitalize on this strong demand, cruise lines have ordered a plethora of new ships—both large and small. The CLIA member fleet is projected to surpass 300 ocean-going vessels for the first time this year, with eight new ships coming online in 2024 alone. Be aware that not all agents work with all cruise lines; some represent only a few preferred suppliers or specialize in higher-end cruises.
These larger online travel agencies can be a good option for those who prefer to make decisions and ask questions via chat. Just make sure you get the name and phone number of the representative for any follow-up questions. Travel agencies often hold inventory on cruise ships that are likely to be popular with their clients. They reserve several cabins at the earliest and lowest rates, and can continue to sell them even as prices increase with the cruise line.
Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.
Be Prepared“Whatever ship they are seeing, study that ship beforehand online,” said Day. Bill Schneider, owner of a Florida-based Dream Vacations franchise said he looks for obstructions that might make a cabin undesirable. Share pics with your clients, said Carl Bruno, owner of an Oklahoma-based Cruise Planners franchise. And will the rise of virtual reality ultimately hurt the travel industry? Cruise companies like that private destinations allow them to deliver a controlled, high-quality product that meets their standards. Last year, the industry welcomed 31.7 million passengers, up 2 million from 2019.
You're Experienced
They are with you -- figuratively -- from your first call of enquiry through the booking process to the moment you disembark the ship at the end of your voyage. If anything goes wrong during the planning process or on the vacation itself, your agent is just a phone call or email away. If there's a problem onboard, let your agent know immediately so he or she can work out a solution with the cruise line while you enjoy the ship and ports of call. (And they'll likely have a recommendation for that guide!) Having an excellent luxury cruise travel agent in your corner can mean the difference between an OK cruise and a fantastic one. Agents that focus on the luxury cruise niche will have a level of firsthand knowledge about the industry that you could never be expected to match. They've traveled on all of the luxury cruise lines, they've taken cruise line-sponsored workshops to learn more about each ship and destination, and many have even hosted trips aboard these luxury vessels.
Instead, the agent should be versed in lines including Crystal Cruises, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and SeaDream Yacht Club. He or she should also know a lot about the “almost” luxury lines like Oceania Cruises, Azamara, Viking Ocean Cruises and Windstar Cruises. A solid knowledge of today's top-notch river cruise companies -- Uniworld, Scenic, Tauck and others -- is also important if you care to take that type of voyage. Agents will have taken courses courtesy of the cruise lines, sailed the ships and received certification from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Some agents specialize in certain cruise lines and might even be a preferred agent for one or more companies.
Most cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, have some version of a "Find a Travel Agency" search tool on their homepage. In most cases, its located in one of the menus located near the bottom of the page. Remember, you won't just be using the ship as a home base, like you do with a hotel; it will be your home, restaurant and entertainment venue for a week or more. The right ship and itinerary can make your vacation that much more enjoyable -- and an agent can help you determine the best selection for your tastes.
If you’re planning a group cruise with friends or family (like a multi-generational cruise), the travel agent will work with each party to make sure all their questions are answered. In addition, they’ll coordinate dining reservations and cabin locations. Some travel agents charge an administrative fee, or even a cancellation fee. While booking the cruise may be free, booking a flight or hotel may have additional fees. It may still be worth their service, however if you’re keeping track of your cruise vacation budget, it’s good information to know.
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