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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. People who are looking for a relaxing and quiet cruise trip can now opt for adult only cruises. No more yelling children in the pool or crying toddlers in the restaurants.
Best price guarantee
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. 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. 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. They are an invaluable resource, helping yousave time, money, and avoid the stress of vacation-planning. A travel agent is afulfiller of dreams, offering all the tips you need about our ships, activities, and destinations!
Viking intends to increase direct bookings, but says it remains committed to travel agencies - Travel Weekly
Viking intends to increase direct bookings, but says it remains committed to travel agencies.
Posted: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
River Cruises
Booking with a travel agent gives your transaction a personal touch -- you have a resource for asking questions and someone to contact if something goes wrong during your travels. But, your relationship with an agent doesn't tend to end after one trip. The agent will keep you in his or her database, alert you to deals or sales and can even suggest future trip ideas. Remember, you won't just be using the ship as a home base, like you do with a hotel; it will be your home, restaurant and entertainment venue for a week or more.
Contact a travel agent today!
Finally, as cruise lines pay agent commissions, you don't have to worry about paying extra for their planning services. 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.
Find a Travel Agent
From booking your first cruise to understanding onboard perks -- the questions can be overwhelming, especially for anyone that is new to cruise. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. If you are having any trouble viewing or booking your cruise due to accessibility issues, please email so we can help you book your next cruise.
Popular Cruises
Contrary to what you might expect, travel agents might actually be able to get you better deals than internet retailers or even the cruise lines themselves. The best travel agents have access to discounted group rates and exclusive cruise pricing that's not found anywhere else. In addition, agents occasionally give you extra value on your booking -- such as prepaid gratuities, a free bottle of Champagne or onboard credit -- to sweeten the deal. And if the price of your cruise drops after you book, a good agent will notice and refund you the difference in fare.
In addition, the agent can help you with the rest of your travel plans, such as pre- or post-cruise stays, airfare and transfers. If you'd like to book a cruise through a travel agent, you can pop into a downtown storefront or search for cruise sellers online. If you want to look for agents registered with travel organizations, here are some resources for finding agencies near you.
From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money. You can search for a CLIA-certified travel agent on the organization's website. Use the search tool to locate agents in your area with a variety of levels of CLIA training. 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.
Online travel agency Booking.com to sell cruises - Reuters
Online travel agency Booking.com to sell cruises.
Posted: Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Booking the Trip
If you're used to booking travel independently, consider these reasons why you might want to make use of a travel agent to book your next holiday at sea. 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 agents have a combined 100+ years of experience and have sailed on hundreds of cruises to gain first-hand knowledge and experience to better serve our clients. With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation.
The right ship and itinerary can make your vacation that much more enjoyable -- and an agent can help you determine the best selection for your tastes. In addition, an agent can answer any questions or assuage any apprehensions you might have about taking a cruise for the first time. A good cruise travel agent will not only help you navigate these tricky questions they will hopefully provide you with some reassurance. 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. In addition, you can look for affiliations with the National Association of Cruise Oriented Agencies (NACOA), Better Business Bureau (BBB), American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) or even AAA.
Our policy of guaranteeing some of the lowest price, combined with our commitment to provide the best service in the industry, has made us one of the largest cruise retailers in the country. If you're a do-it-yourself type, and you have the time and inclination to thoroughly research your own trip using resources like Cruise Critic, then go right ahead. The best cruise agents will do a thorough job of interviewing potential clients to find out which ship, line and itinerary would be the best fit.
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. In addition, ask if the agent can meet or beat the best price you've seen elsewhere. 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.
Carnival does not verify that the contact information below is accurate or complete. 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. 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. If you're interested in a specific type of cruising (such as river cruising or luxury travel), look for agencies that specialize in the line or type of cruising you prefer.
They'll often have more complete knowledge of your choices than a generalist. For example, if you want to cruise one of Europe's rivers in an intimate riverboat, you might not want to book with an agent who specializes in selling holidays on 3,000-person mega-ships. 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).
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