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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. Plus, Marriott cardholders can earn an extra 2x points when they use that card for their purchase. While most cruises max out at 25,000 Bonvoy points earned, some luxury cruise lines offer up to 250,000 Marriott points.
The 14 Best Black Travel Specialists to Help You Create Your Next Dream Vacation - Robb Report
The 14 Best Black Travel Specialists to Help You Create Your Next Dream Vacation.
Posted: Mon, 27 Feb 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Does it cost money to book a cruise with a travel agent?
You should consider booking a cruise through a travel agent because a knowledgeable agent can help you understand the nuances of a cruise purchase and help you make the best decisions for your vacation preferences. 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.
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Below is a list of travel agencies in your area who are knowledgeable and experienced in cruising. 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. 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.
Travel Agent Finder
Bookings can be made online or over the phone with either the cruise line or the travel agent. You might get more personalized care from smaller agencies than from the huge online agencies, though websites such as icruise.com, Cruise.com and Cruise411.com also have experienced cruise agents. 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. Unfortunately, most cruise lines do not offer free cancellations or changes to take advantage of price drops after you book. Passengers can always negotiate with a booking site or cruise line, but they aren't obligated to refund the difference.
How can I learn more about booking a cruise with a travel agent?
In most cases, its located in one of the menus located near the bottom of the page. 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. If your travel plans are flexible, these deals can save you a lot of money. Keep in mind that you may not be able to book your preferred destination or routing if it is sold out.
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We have great relationships with all the major cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, and more. Remember, you might be a DIY type when booking airlines and hotels, but booking a cruise is more complex. If you enjoy doing your own research, focus on what to do and see in the ports of call. 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. A good travel agent will also get to know your travel style and guide you to the cruise line, ship and even room type that are best for you. 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 are using a full-service travel agency, ask for the cruise desk. In choosing a cruise travel agent, you will want to tap into the person's specific expertise about the cruise line and ship you are considering. 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. Companies such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line provide online directories to help you find an experienced cruise travel agent near you.
CruiseDirect does, however, offer bonuses for travelers booking through its site. 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. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money.
Most travel agents who do choose to charge for their service are worth the expense, as they tend to be the most educated and well-traveled in the industry. 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. Costco is a retailer that offers exclusive products and pricing to its members.
Its message boards offer ways for website visitors to ask questions and share feedback with others based on their personal experiences and opinions. The site also acts as a metasearch for cruise deals, pulling in prices from multiple cruise websites. A good cruise travel agent will not only help you navigate these tricky questions they will hopefully provide you with some reassurance. Cruise Planners travel agent is merely a selling agent and makes no warranty expressed or implied.
Cruise Travel Agents are perfect for those who want the best cruise travel agent deals, accommodations, onboard cruise credits, and all inclusive deals! Discover similar offerings your friends have taken advantage of for years! The secret is out, personalized travel agents get travelers better deals than what can be found on online travel agent websites such as Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, and more. Stop waiting for Groupon travel deals, and start gaining access to extra benefits such as onboard cruise credits, and many more amenities. 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.
At Cruise Planners, our cruise travel agents are dedicated and fully committed to providing their clients with the world-class service they deserve. Cruise Planners is a licensed, bonded, and insured travel agency with local travel agents in all 50 states. We are members of CLIA (Cruise Line International Association), NACOA (National Association Of Cruise Oriented Agencies), and ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents).
If there's a problem with your reservation or you need to make a change, you don't have to worry about the booking site and the cruise line pointing fingers at each other. Travelers who book a cruise with Priceline receive up to $2,000 to spend at sea, plus waived deposits on their reservations. 4.7 Overall Satisfaction Rating based on over 10,000 Ratings from our customers. You will likely run into a lot of questions to which you have no ready answer. Our directory offers listings for Celebrity Cruises' offices and representative worldwide.
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! Carnival does not verify that the contact information below is accurate or complete. 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.
CruiseDirect and One Tree Planted have partnered to plant a tree for every cruise booking that sails with us. 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. On the plus side, an agent who is a preferred supplier might have negotiated rates with the cruise line and be able to call in favors, such as that bottle of Champagne or a cabin upgrade. 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. Searching through the boatload of amenities and onboard activities on every ship could take you weeks. Skip the headache and talk to a Cruise Planners Travel Professional about your vacation wishes, likes, and interests.
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