Best Cruise Travel Agents

Table Of Content

• Hotels
• Can I transfer my cruise booking back and forth between a travel agent and the cruise line?
• Departure Ports
• What to Expect on a Cruise: Booking a Cruise With a Travel Agent
• Cruise Travel Agents
• I Have Sailed on 5 Cruise Lines—These Cruise Loyalty Programs Have the Best Savings and Perks
• Luxury Cruises

Even if the price is the same, these additional perks are often where the savings come in. Prepaid gratuities, for instance, can save you hundreds of dollars, depending on how many people are in your cruise group. The great thing about working with a travel agent is that you can give up as much (or as little) control as you would like. If you let them deal with the booking, you can handle all the fun add-ons, including airfare, pre-cruise hotel stays, dining and show reservations, drink packages, and shore excursions. Their expertise can help you avoid mistakes, whether you are a first-timer or a repeat cruiser checking out a brand you have not tried before.

I'm a Travel Agent: 4 Vacations Worth the Extra Costs in Retirement - Yahoo Finance

I'm a Travel Agent: 4 Vacations Worth the Extra Costs in Retirement.

Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 14:00:12 GMT [source]

Hotels

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. Companies such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line provide online directories to help you find an experienced cruise travel agent near you.

Can I transfer my cruise booking back and forth between a travel agent and the cruise line?

This means that our travel agents provide their clients with the best hotel rates, airline rates, car rental rates, travel insurance rates, and of course cruise rates, as we have done for the last 20 years. Outside of personal recommendations from friends and family, your best bet for finding a good travel agent is to visit the website of the cruise line(s) you're interested in. There you'll find a "Find a Travel Agency" search option, usually listed in the links toward the bottom of the homepage. You can also go to the Cruise Lines International Association's website and search the Cruise Expert Finder.

Departure Ports

Yes, there are differences between booking directly with the cruise line versus using a travel agent. Most specifically, travel agents are known for giving more personalized service than cruise lines, though some cruise sales representatives can be attentive and helpful. Sometimes, cruise lines will make changes to your booking or sailing. Maybe you booked a cruise on one ship and it was later changed to another due to scheduling issues or dry dock maintenance. Once onboard, your ship may have to cancel or change a port of call at the last minute due to weather. In these cases, your travel agent acts as your advocate and a liaison between you and the cruise line.

What to Expect on a Cruise: Booking a Cruise With a Travel Agent

Keep in mind you can also transfer a booking made onboard a cruise ship to a travel agent, as well. Travel agents also can help with any special arrangements, whether it's organizing a wedding ceremony in a port of call, ordering gluten-free meals, or dealing with accessibility or medical issues. They can also help with pre- or post-cruise travel, such as booking hotels and flights or arranging tours. Additionally, travel agents may have first access to sales, as cruise lines will often notify their partner agents of them before the general public!

On Site at Cruise 360: Generation Shift, Fleet Growth and More - Travel Agent Central

On Site at Cruise 360: Generation Shift, Fleet Growth and More.

Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 14:30:39 GMT [source]

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. One thing to note about booking through a travel agent is that if you want to ask any questions about your upcoming trip or your booking, you will have to speak with the specific travel agency that booked your cruise.

I Have Sailed on 5 Cruise Lines—These Cruise Loyalty Programs Have the Best Savings and Perks

To avoid potential issues, verification of excursion providers is ongoing, whether by agencies or their consortia or host, making it easier for members to book third-party excursions with vetted providers. "My vendors have never been late to a ship and clients have made their departures on time." The passengers traveled through more than a half-dozen countries hoping to meet the ship during a port call in Banjul, Gambia. That call was canceled due to weather, so the group eventually reunited with the ship in Dakar, Senegal, seven days after being left behind.

If you have no idea how you would like to spend a day in port, they can provide some ideas on what you may like based on your preferences. They can even help arrange private tours if there are multiple highlights you'd like to visit. 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.

Others will send information about your cruise line, ports you're visiting, packing lists and tips for an enjoyable cruise. Upon returning home from your cruise, some agents may reach out to see how the trip was; a rare few may even send you a welcome home gift. If this type of service is important to you, make sure to ask about it before booking. Agents with a CLIA Certification icon below their name have passed a rigorous program of courses designed to elevate their cruise travel expertise. Refer to the key on the right side of the results page to understand CLIA Certification levels. Cruise Travel Agents are perfect for those who want the best cruise travel agent deals, accommodations, onboard cruise credits, and all inclusive deals!

The agent should be focused on helping you choose the cruise line, ship and cabin that is right for you. Making the correct choices is very important to your overall cruise experience. Remember, you might be a DIY type when booking airlines and hotels, but booking a cruise is more complex.

Carnival does not verify that the contact information below is accurate or complete. There is so much more that goes into planning a cruise vacation than just picking the right cruise line and ship. Do you want to book any shore excursions or specialty dining experiences? Some cruise travel agents even throw in booking perks, such as a complimentary bottle of Champagne, awaiting your arrival in your cabin.

If you're concerned that working with an agent will make your cruise more expensive, don't be. Cruise travel agents receive the bulk of their income via commission from the cruise lines. Their service to you is usually free, though some might charge first-time clients a minimal fee.

Unless you book a last minute cruise after the final payment date, you will most likely pay an initial deposit and pay it off over a period of time. If you handle the cruise booking yourself, you will have to remember to make these payments. Rather than leave these issues up to one person in the group, let the travel agent remind everyone about the final payment date and renewing passports. Your dining and entertainment options are determined by ship that you decide to sail. For example, some cruisers would rather be on a ship with multiple complimentary dining options, while others are more focused on elevated specialty dining experiences.

Explorethe latest travel news, advice, updates, upcoming exclusive deals and more. If you'd like to plan your vacation with the advice of a travel advisor professional, we can help you locate a travel advisor near you.Simply enter your five-digit ZIP code (USA) or your postal code (Canada) below. When you book your cruise, you are often given the option to select your stateroom ahead of time. If you are not familiar with the ship, you may find yourself in a location that you deem undesirable, like near the nightclub or have an obstructed view. It is a lot to think about, but these are all decisions that a travel agent can guide you through. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but be aware if the agent seems to be putting you off the line you were originally considering, as this could be the reason.

You can search by geographic location if you want someone who lives near you or by expertise if you want someone who specializes in a specific line or type of cruise. Cruise Critic also recommends you look for agents with CLIA-accredited designations like ACC, MCC or ECC, as these indicate the agent has invested a lot of time and money into his or her cruise education. Other affiliations that are good signs an agent is legitimate are affiliations with the National Association of Cruise Oriented Agencies (NACOA) and the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Working with a good travel agent provides so much value and service, and they are an invaluable asset to all cruisers. You can also find experienced and certified cruise travel agents through CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association, which is the industry's main marketing group. Asking friends who have cruised to recommend a travel agent is another good idea.