Saturday, April 20, 2024

Top 5 things to look for in a good travel agent for your cruise vacation

royal caribbean cruise travel agent

It is great to walk into your stateroom and see a thank you note, a little extra onboard credit for spending onboard, or bottle of wine. For travel agents, they want you not to just book one cruise with them, but many more. So they work very hard to ensure you have a great cruise, and want you to know they appreciate your business. Many travel agencies do not charge you a fee for their services, because Royal Caribbean pays them a commission. This means there are no cancellation or change fees charged by the travel agent.

My Personas

A really common excuse for not using a travel agent is, "Can't I just do it myself?". Of course you can, but travel agents spend a lot of time learning about all aspects of a Royal Caribbean cruise. Prices can change many times, but a good travel agent is willing to work with you to watch for discounts when you book, and keep track of small changes that can benefit you. You should consider an online booking if you're an experienced cruiser, know exactly which sailing and cabin you prefer and are savvy about finding the best deal.

Travel agents can get access to lower cruise prices

I'm 72 years old and have cruised 41 times in a scooter. Here's what other seniors should know about taking a cruise - Royal Caribbean Blog

I'm 72 years old and have cruised 41 times in a scooter. Here's what other seniors should know about taking a cruise.

Posted: Thu, 15 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Your Royal Vacation Planners will make the arrangements, and your Onboard Coordinator will ensure everything goes as planned. The awards recognize travel agencies that do show a commitment to selling Royal Caribbean cruises, and this year's accolades recognized more than 10 top performers. From the more laid back Radiance Class ships that can sail to smaller and more unique ports of call, to the mega Oasis and Quantum class ships offering non stop thrills and fun you are sure to have an epic family vacation.

They Can Book (and Help Pick the Best) Shore Excursions

The one deal-breaker for me with any travel agent is no service fees for their services. 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. If you don't utilize a travel agent, here are 6 reasons why you should consider making the switch when booking your next cruise vacation. In its latest way of giving back to travel agents, Royal Caribbean is announcing a new instant booking bonus option for travel agents that coincides with Travel Partner Appreciation Month in September. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more.

It is not uncommon for the hold times with the cruise line to take a very long time, but a travel agent can be the one dealing with that. Our Royal Caribbean travel agents can assist you in booking air/car transportation, accommodations, cruises, tours, travel insurance, concert tickets and more. Utilize our personalized Royal Caribbean Travel Agent services to ensure that you get the best out of your next vacation. The biggest advantage of booking a cruise through a travel agent is personalized advice from a knowledgeable source. A good travel agent will discuss your vacation preferences, budget and other travel needs and suggest which cruises will be the best fit.

Questions to ask a cruise travel agent

In addition to sharing their expertise, the agent may have negotiated group space at lower rates with the cruise line, which could save you money on the cruise fare. The agent might also have first access to sale prices because the cruise lines notify their agent partners and loyalty club members first before they announce a sale to the public. You love your family, and enjoy spending time with your friends, but reminding Aunt Kathy to make final payment or figuring out if your bestie's 7 year old son needs a passport is not something you need or should be worried about. For residents of certain countries (United States, Canada, select Caribbean countries, et al), if you are before final payment date, you can re-price your cruise if the price goes down. This entails contacting Royal Caribbean to re-price the booking, and a travel agent can do it all for you.

You can access Royal Caribbean University via the Cruising Power travel agent site using the same Royal Caribbean Cruising Power login you normally use. Royal Caribbean travel agent training is available via Royal Caribbean University. The line is known for its active onboard atmosphere with such attractions as rock climbing, water slides, simulated surfing, vertical tunnel skydiving, ice skating, bumper cars, and more. The line also has a robust suite-life offering, particularly on its newer ships. We can arrange private shore excursions, cocktail hours, or other events, just for your group. 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.

royal caribbean cruise travel agent

Royal Caribbean promises to protect travel agent commissions on deferred cruises from coronavirus concerns

If you book a cruise online, you take on all the responsibility for doing the research, making decisions and figuring out who to contact in case of a problem. No one is going to alert you to a factor you forgot to consider or remind you to book excursions (or, in some cases, alert you when your final payment is due). Also, if you book online through a cruise line's website, you might miss out on agency-specific promotions that could get you extra perks and savings. Unlike when booking online, you can't book a cruise with an agent in the middle of night; you'll have to arrange times to talk during the agent's business hours. Finally, if you book your cruise with a travel agent, you'll have to carry out all communications with the cruise line through the agent, which can sometimes slow the process down if your agent is unavailable.

Shopping for Great Deals

You should book your cruise with a travel agent if you're a first time cruiser, have a lot of special requests or want to get the best deals. At Cruise Critic, we tend to think that most people should use a travel agent for the best experience. This could also include researching fares online and then calling up travel agent representatives who work for an online retailer. The upside to booking a cruise online is you have many options and can do your travel research and purchasing at whatever time is most convenient to you.

The fact that this ship has yet to be amplified also keeps pricing a little lower than other in it’s class. From ziplining across the Boardwalk, to catching Grease in the main theater, Harmony continues to be a fleetwide favorite. Among Royal Caribbean's fleet of ships, there's quite a few choices to consider, and plenty of attention given to Royal Caribbean's newest ships. Royal Caribbean has many nuances, and the more experience an agent has, the more confidence you can have that they will take good care of you.

He or she can help you arrange flights and pre- or post-cruise stays, recommend in-port excursions and help with any special arrangements (think celebrations onboard or making arrangements for dietary and medical concerns). 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. One of the most requested options from anyone booking a cruise is a way to pay off the cruise over time, and travel agents can take payments along the way leading up to your final payment date.

Travel agencies are paid by Royal Caribbean (and all cruise lines) a commission, and that is baked into the cruise fare. There are a lot of travel agents out there, and the key is to find one that not only takes payments and other requests, but works in a manner that you are expecting. When you choose to work with a specialized Royal Caribbean travel agent, you’re investing in a seamless vacation-planning partnership. There are many travel agents that solely specialize on cruises, and in particular Royal Caribbean. These exclusive offers are the result of the strong relationships agents build with cruise lines, and their clients are the beneficiaries.

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. Royal Caribbean announced today its 17 top-performing travel advisors for the 2018 Travel Partners of the Year Awards of North America and Puerto Rico. These services will include one-on-one assistance and access to key resources and the latest information pertaining to recovery benefits available under the act. This amplified Freedom class ship continues to be in high demand sailing 3- and 4- night itineraries from Miami.

Get on island time and unwind on some of the best beaches in the world, venture deep into the rainforests, and snorkel the most vibrant reefs on a Caribbean or Bahamas cruise getaway with the whole family. Having a professional in your corner who is dedicated to ensuring your satisfaction beyond the cruise itself adds an invaluable layer of service that booking platforms simply can’t match. This personal touch adds a layer of convenience to your cruise planning, turning it into an effortless endeavor that enriches your holiday from the very start.

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. 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.

Anyone can transfer a Royal Caribbean cruise reservation to a travel agent as long as you are within 60 days of the initial booking. Of all the benefits a travel agent provides, this might be the least known, yet most important benefit of using a travel agency. If you encounter a problem, either before or during your cruise, a good travel agent will be the one to contact Royal Caribbean and not only rectify the issue but make things right again. When you use a travel agent, you get an agent who works with you from start to finish.

No comments:

Post a Comment

10 Largest Domestic Cat Breeds Ranked

Table Of Content More Cat Breeds and Further Research Weight: up to 35 lbs Facts about the Savannah cat Instagram : European Maine coons. Hi...