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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. 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. 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.
Booking a cruise recapped
When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. You will also want to ask the travel agent if they have a preferred relationship or negotiated agreement with any specific lines that could lead to special perks for you. Many agents become accredited cruise counselors through CLIA's Cruise Academy or take courses through the different cruise lines to become more expert at selling their products. Inquire whether the agent has attended any of these training programs.
Cruises
You don't want to get caught in an agent's agenda if the cruise line isn't right for you. For this reason, you should stick with one of the best cruise booking sites on this list because they've been vetted for legitimacy and have a good track record with travelers. TripAdvisor is an online reviewer community where travelers share their experiences, pictures and ratings of hotels, suggested activities and more. This honest feedback and travel inspiration also make it one of the best websites to book a cruise. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services.
You're Experienced
Rising Star Travel Advisor Makaila Curtis returns from Alaskan Cruise - The Gila Herald
Rising Star Travel Advisor Makaila Curtis returns from Alaskan Cruise.
Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Take advantage of the partnerships we have throughout the travel industry with top cruise lines. Cruise Planners has a rich history of exceeding travelers expectations by booking top destinations for their clients at special rates, and also providing extra benefits and amenities to their clients. Cruise Planners/American Express Cruise Travel Agents specialize at selecting destinations that work well with their clients specific interests. Our cruise travel agents are also experts at letting travelers know the best time of year to travel to their destination of interest. The last thing we want is for you to spend your vacation in bad weather. Instead, our expert travel advisors will let you know the best time to travel, as well as things to do, excursions and/or activities that you will enjoy during your vacation while visiting your selected destination.
Book a Cruise Online with the Best Cruise Finder and Cruise Booking Website
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. Along with group pricing, they might have special perks to offer like onboard spending money, prepaid gratuities, a free bottle of wine or comped dinner in a for-fee restaurant. 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. When you're ready to purchase your cruise, you can either go directly to the cruise line you've chosen, or you can book a cruise with a travel agent.
The level of service and interaction you can expect to receive from a travel agent after booking your cruise varies significantly. Some travel agencies will simply send you a booking confirmation letter within a day or two of booking and a payment reminder as the final payment date nears. 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. 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.
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. Plus, the price of your cruise includes accommodations, meals, entertainment and activities — and in some cases drinks, tips, shore excursions, Wi-Fi and other extras. A travel agent can help you determine what your cruise fare gets you. The cheapest base cruise fare does not always provide the best value or best overall vacation deal.
How to find a travel agent for a cruise
Add dinner seatings, shore excursions and cabin location to the list, and planning a relaxing getaway suddenly seems like a second job. If you're worried your trip plans being disrupted by bad weather or a change of plans, travel insurance might help. This optional standalone insurance can be purchased separately from your cruise bookings. The best place to book a cruise will vary depending on what you're looking for out of the experience. We have a pulse on the land travel and cruise industry and have up-to-date information on what's hot and happening in travel, as well as access to the best travel rates.
Find A Cruise Travel Agent Near You
Once you've chosen your cruise and, with the agent's help, matched your style with your vacation goals, you've got to book the trip. Your agent will also be able to sort out travel insurance, if required, and will collect payment for the cruise (usually a deposit at the time of booking and the full amount 60 to 90 days before departure). In addition, the agent can help you with the rest of your travel plans, such as pre- or post-cruise stays, airfare and transfers. But you might not even need to pay out-of-pocket for trip insurance because many credit cards offer travel insurance as a built-in benefit to customers who pay for travel expenses on that card. CruiseDirect is the best cruise website when all you want are cruise prices. It doesn't offer hotels, flights, rental cars or other reservations you may want for your next vacation.
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. Not only do our cruise travel agents provide an invaluable travel service, they can also save you money on your next cruise vacation. Your cost for booking a cruise through a Cruise Planners travel agent may include exclusive amenities and upgrades that are not usually available with many online travel booking services. At Cruise Planners, our cruise travel agents will work with you to plan the cruise vacation of your dreams.
Ultimate Cruise Job: Making Travel Dreams Come True - portseattle.org
Ultimate Cruise Job: Making Travel Dreams Come True.
Posted: Mon, 12 Aug 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Some cruise specials offer up to 100,000 miles based on your selected cruise. 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.
Instead, they may offer you onboard credit, complimentary excursions or credit toward another cruise booking. When prices are the same, we recommend cruise bookers compare the perks being offered, then book on the site with the most appealing bonuses, like onboard credits, airline miles, hotel points or cash back. If you have an American Airlines credit card, you'll earn 2x miles, up to 20,000 miles. Additionally, trips booked through this site are eligible for promotions offered by the cruise lines. Some travel agents also will monitor your cruise fare and, if the price drops, alert you to the difference and try to get you a refund, onboard credit or an upgrade. Look for travel agencies that are cruise-only or a home-based agent who specializes in cruises.
United Airlines MileagePlus members can earn up to 25,000 miles when booking a cruise through United at Cruises.United.com. The downside is that online pricing is not "live." Therefore, you must speak with a travel planner to get the latest prices and book your cruise. If you find a better deal within 24 hours of booking, CheapCaribbean will price match and beat it by $25. The company's customer service is available seven days a week, from 9 a.m. Before you book, though, have a look at these credit cards that come with cruise benefits to sweeten the pot even more. While you may find comparable prices on different sites, each site has its own benefits, offers and cancellation policies.
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. When you have a United Airlines credit card, you'll earn up to 45,000 miles. By offering up to 4x miles per dollar spent (or 7x as a cardholder), this site is the best way to book a cruise and earn airline miles on your purchase. If you have Premier status, you receive additional perks on select cruise lines, like wine and onboard credits. While the bulk of a travel agent's income comes from commissions paid by the cruise lines, most travel agents also charge a small service fee ($15 to $30) for their time and effort, though not all do.
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