Table Of Content
In addition, an agent can answer any questions or assuage any apprehensions you might have about taking a cruise for the first time. With everyone attached to their phones, laptops and tablets, many people assume that online is the only way to book travel. But, as booking online can often be confusing, a travel agent might be just what you need. Our travel experts craft the perfect trip for every traveler through our award-winning customer service. From destination weddings to corporate retreats to family reunions, turn your special occasion into a memorable getaway with the experts at Liberty Group Travel. They’ll plan a custom group vacation package complete with elevated services, exclusive rates, and unique amenities for a celebration you and your guests will never forget.
Global Travel Collection Reports Surge in Summer Cruise Bookings - Travel Agent Central
Global Travel Collection Reports Surge in Summer Cruise Bookings.
Posted: Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Training and Credentials
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. Understanding the multifaceted role of a cruise travel agent is essential for success in this career. By embracing these responsibilities and providing exceptional service, you can excel in assisting travelers to embark on unforgettable cruise journeys. If you're concerned that working with an agent will make your cruise more expensive, don't be.
Costco Travel
Becoming a cruise travel agent is an exciting and fulfilling career choice for those who have a passion for travel and a deep fascination with the world of cruises. As a cruise travel agent, you have the opportunity to help clients create dream vacations, explore new destinations, and navigate the complexities of the cruise industry. Cruise travel is a booming industry, with millions of travelers embarking on exciting and adventurous maritime adventures every year.
Book a Stay With SmarterTravel Hotels
The agent might also have first access to sale prices because the cruise lines notify their agent partners and loyalty club members first before they announce a sale to the public. When you book a cruise, you are making a vacation decision that goes way beyond a flight or hotel nights. Which ship you choose determines your dining and evening entertainment choices for the duration of your vacation. Which itinerary you choose impacts which destinations you'll visit and which shoreside activities will be available to you. It can be overwhelming to evaluate the options on your own if you've never cruised before. If you don't see a sign or advertisement, always ask -- the agent may have fabulous offers the cruise lines won't let him or her publicize.
Credit Card Reward Programs
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. You can book a cruise through a huge travel retailer with branches around the country, a local cruise agency or even a home-based agent who will talk cruising with you at your local coffee shop.
Shopping for Great Deals
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. Margaritaville at Sea will take you from relaxation to revelry with your choice of stops anywhere in between. Delectable food, St. Somewhere Spa & Salon, live music and shows–from sunrise to sunset and every moment in between, there’s always something exciting happening. Easy to book and easy to plan, Margaritaville at Sea invites you to climb aboard for nonstop fun, where it’s always 5 o'clock at sea. Our cruise offers are an irresistible opportunity to get a great deal on your next Caribbean escape.
Connect with a Travel Consultant
Budget Cruising: 7 Ways To Save Money On Cruise Vacations - Forbes
Budget Cruising: 7 Ways To Save Money On Cruise Vacations.
Posted: Sun, 07 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Embrace the continuous pursuit of knowledge and stay attuned to the ever-evolving landscape of the cruise industry. In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the journey of becoming a cruise travel agent. We will explore the skills, knowledge, and certifications necessary to succeed in this industry. We will also delve into the intricacies of the cruise booking process, customer relationship management, and the challenges and rewards of being a cruise travel agent. But being a cruise travel agent is not just about booking trips – it’s about building relationships and creating dream vacations. It’s about immersing yourself in the world of cruise travel and continuously expanding your knowledge to provide exceptional service to your clients.
Priceline
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. Question the agents on cruising trends or up-and-coming destinations, and ask them to explain the differences between cruise lines. Find out how many cruises they've taken that year and with which lines they've personally cruised. If the agent has rarely cruised, you might want to take your business elsewhere. In addition, you might want to look for an agent who is a cruise specialist -- either at a cruise-dedicated agency or within a larger general agency -- to get the best service.
View all flight deals from your city.
Anyone can read a ship deck plan outlining ship spaces (which you can find online), but you are looking for people who really know their stuff. Do you have a deep fascination with the magnificent ocean and luxurious cruises? If so, becoming a cruise travel agent might be the perfect career path for you. As a cruise travel agent, you have the opportunity to help people plan their dream vacations, and immerse yourself in the thrilling world of cruise travel. Though Tripadvisor is technically a meta-search site for cruises, which means that it will send you elsewhere to actually book, its search engine lets users sort by destination, length, cruise line, and month of travel. The default search results are ordered by “best value”, unless you specifically click that you’d rather see the results organized by price, cruise length, departure date, or cruise ship.
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. We are members of CLIA (Cruise Line International Association), NACOA (National Association of Cruise Oriented Agencies), and ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents). We are leaders in the luxury cruise business and have been since 1987. For your first cruise, you might need help in matching your lifestyle and budget with a cruise line and destination. Choosing a cruise is not the same as picking a hotel or flight, as there are many more options to consider.
Making a mistake in these categories can ruin your cruise experience, as there are such thing as "bad" cabins and dining times (think noisy or claustrophobic cabins, dinner at 8 p.m. with cranky children, etc.). With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help.
So, you've decided to go on a cruise -- perhaps your first venture on a vacation at sea -- and you're a little overwhelmed. You have to consider how much you're willing to pay, whether to book an inexpensive inside cabin or splurge on a suite, and which cruise line and ship are right for you. Add dinner seatings, shore excursions and cabin location to the list, and planning a relaxing getaway suddenly seems like a second job. Many people think of Tripadvisor mainly as a travel review site, where you go to get real talk on hotels and attractions, and to see non-glamorized photos of places as seen through actual travelers’ eyes.
Going online to book an airline ticket or hotel stay is a familiar and fairly easy transaction. 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.
Expedia’s cruise deals tend to come paired with other enticing offers, including steep discounts on pre-departure hotels when you book both your cruise and hotel through Expedia. There’s also a dedicated 800 number that lets you speak to Expedia’s cruise experts and, often but not always, a generous amount of onboard credit thrown in for good measure. On Expedia, it’s common to find bookable cruises for 70 percent off face value, with the ability to sort by price so the best cruise deals come up at the top of the list, saving you the scrolling. A sample search for a mid-June cruise to Alaska, for example, quickly came up with a seven-night itinerary starting at $389 per person—that’s less than $56 per person, per night for a mostly inclusive weeklong vacation. Expedia is an obvious first mention in a list of the best cruise booking sites, in part because it’s an absolute juggernaut (Expedia also owns Travelocity and Orbitz). Its cruise-booking interface is simple and straightforward, only requiring you to enter your preferred sailing destination and date range, as well as how many passengers you’ll be bringing along.
A cruise travel agent will guide you through choosing your cabin and dining times, deposits and final payment, and options for shore excursions and specialty dining. 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 cruise travel agent should have questions for you as well, to better understand your dream vacation desires. If you are calling a cruise agency for the first time, the agent should be interviewing you as much as you are interviewing him or her. The agent should be focused on helping you choose the cruise line, ship and cabin that is right for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment