Learn 2 Cruise

From working in the luxury travel industry I’ve met with countless cruise line executives and sales representatives. Over and over they would continually express their gratitude to travel agents and need for agents to promote and sell their brand. Cruise lines invest a lot of time and money to develop travel agent specific training programs, cruise schools and onboard ship experiences. Keep in mind with all of this training comes vast knowledge of cruise lines and their ships. In addition to training, travel agents also have access to industry events and FAM (familiarization) trips. These trips allow the agents to experience first-hand what the ships have to offer, including the best cabins, dining options and the most exciting and “worth it” shore excursions for a particular destination.

In addition to training, travel agents are privy to new ship builds, fresh itineraries and agency specific promotions. Often cruise line reps develop sales, shipboard credits and onboard cocktail parties for clients who book with a particular travel agency or consortium such as Virtuoso or Signature. Knowledge is not the only thing a travel agent can offer you. They also prepare final documents for your trip and include such items as currency lists, temperature charts, and travel books for your destination. Another perk (depending on the cruise line) is that they can pre-book shore excursions and dinner reservations in specialty restaurants, saving you lots of time on the phone or just freeing you from spending time online making reservations yourself.

• L2C Tip – Looking for a Travel Agent? Check the back of travel magazines like Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure Magazine for a list of some of the best travel agents in the country. You’ll find travel agents that specialize in things like multi-generational travel, adventure trips, and group cruise travel.

I know some of you may be worried about going to a travel agent fearing that there will be fees and charges for booking your vacation. That’s just not true. Cruise lines pay generous commissions and additional override commissions to their top agencies therefore eliminating the travel agencies need to charge endless fees to their clients. Some agencies may charge for booking airfare, pre and post hotels and anything that you have chosen not to book with the cruise line.

From past experience I can assure you that a travel agents main focus is to find the destination and cruise line that fits the style and personality of their clients. And who better to know what works for you than someone who has had an opportunity to travel aboard the many cruise ships and spend countless hours learning the details of major cruise lines. When it comes down to booking your cruise just think, would you go online to handle your legal problems? No, you would go see a lawyer. Would you go online to sell your house? No, you would go see a real estate agent. And that’s why when it comes to booking something as important as a vacation you should go to the vacation specialist, travel agents!