Tips on Thursday - Your Travel Professional, a Trusted, Best No-Cost Asset for your Travel Needs

Your Trusted Travel Professional – Your Best No-Cost Asset for Cruise Booking

When booking a cruise, the cost should be the same to you whether you book it directly with the cruise line or through a travel agent.  The perception that travel agents cost more persists - that they have large service fees, or that they will steer you to the cruise line they prefer instead of what is best for you. But that perception is truly an incorrect one.  While those things are possible, most travel agents, especially ones that specialize in personalized service and have a track record of satisfied clients, will simply give you exemplary service at no extra cost to you.  The reason is that travel agents survive on repeat business.  Their primary concern is YOUR satisfaction with the cruise vacation that you purchase through them.  If they steer you to the wrong cruise line for you, you won't return to them the next time you’re ready to go cruising.  Or if you find later on that you could have gotten the cruise for less you won't return to them.  Regardless of whether you purchase your cruise vacation directly from the cruise line or through a travel agent, the cost you pay should be the same as reputable travel agents don’t add fees on top of the cruise fare.  Ultimately travel agents will get paid, but the commission payment that they receive is the same amount that the cruise line would simply keep for themselves if you book directly with the cruise line.   

What advantages are there to using a travel agent? First and foremost a travel agent will be your advocate if anything goes wrong along the way.  If for some reason you miss a flight they will get on the phone to book a new one. Of if you have a dispute with the cruise line travel agents have a lot more pull to fix things than you do, because they do more volume buying with that cruise line.  And as a result of volume buying, travel agents can get discounts or other perks which they often pass on to you - depending on how loyal you become to them.  

Travel agents are there to help guide guests to the right ship and itinerary for them.  There are so many different cruise lines, with itineraries from ports all around the globe, it truly can be overwhelming trying to figure it all out.  Travel agents are well versed in the world that they sell, and are happy to help you make a decision on the sailing that will best suit your individual needs and desires.  Simply put, travel agents sell about 85% to 90% of all cruises because they know what they are doing. The cruise lines like it that way, because cruising is a complicated product to sell and the big lines don't have time for a lot of hand holding.  Websites are great, providing a lot of knowledge and information, but when push comes to shove when problems arise, websites and call centers will not provide the personal attention that YOU might need, but your travel agent will.  When you need to seek medical, legal or financial advice, you turn to your trusted professional in each respective field.  Why not be able to do the same when you need advice or help with your travel plans?