0
Spend a few minutes on the web or with brochures before you call the agent. Know what month and year you want to travel, who the passengers are, what destination you'd like to go to, and your approximate price range.
It sounds amazing, but some people call and expect the Travel Agent to tell them all these things. An agent can't possibly know if your Aunt Tillie will want to come with you, or your teenaged son. That's something you need to work out with Aunt Tillie and Junior.
Many, many people call without thinking about where they want to go. The Bahamas and the Carribean are both warm, but they have different high seasons, different climates, different attractions and different cultures. Both are radically different from an Alaskan cruise. This is a decision you have to make yourself. The Travel Agent can't do it for you.
And if I may add, once you have decided where you want to go, who is going, when, and have a budget range in mind, find yourself a qualified travel consultant, answer the million and one questions he/she asks as plainly and clearly as you can, make sure everyone understands exactly what it is
YOU are looking for.
Then is simply becomes a matter of matching what YOU want, with YOUR time frame, and YOUR budget to the closest match available. A little fine tuning, or, maybe none, and then you reserve your space while it's available.
The communication between you and your consultant is key.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What are some good cruise line travel agents?
For a good cruise line travel agent, you should find a Cruise Lines International Association certified travel agent. You can be sure to get quality service from a certified agent.
How do cruise travel agents make their money if they offer cruise tickets for less than I can buy them directly?
The cruise travel agents pay less for the tickets than you pay the travel agents. Cruise companies sell them tickets for less than retail price, and in return the travel agent promotes the cruises and handles some of the paperwork details.
Is it best to book a cruise through a travel agent?
Unless you�re a very experienced cruiser, or are lucky enough to find a fantastic fare on one of the travel mega-sites, a Travel Agent is usually your best bet. Be sure you get an agent who specializes in cruises. He or she will be able to book groups and negeotiate better discounts for you. Many larger Travel Agencies specializing in cruises now rebate some of their Travel Agent commissions to the consumer, although technically that's supposed to be a no-no. Most of them do a very large volume in cruises, and maintain 800#s and websites of their own. One word of caution: never let a travel agent, or anyone else, talk you into a cruise that's not right for you, just because the fare is low. If you have your heart set on going to the Bahamas, you are NOT going to be happy with an Alaskan cruise! It's usually better to develop a good working relationship with a Travel Agent, even if you end up paying $10 or $20 more.
Where can one get cheap Oosterdam cruise tickets?
"One can get cheap Oosterdam cruise tickets from the holland america site, or from discount cruise sites. Also going through a travel agent could save you some money."
Can you help me with top-rated cruise line recommendations?
Carnival and Disney Cruise Lines are always good. I would talk to a travel agent and see what they recommend. Some may have taken some of the trips that they are recommending. Ask what cruise they would take their family on.
Is there a travel agent you can recommend that might have a good deal for an Alaskan cruise?
If you are looking to go on a cruise to Alaska, you can go with many tour guides. Some recommended tour guides for many places would be Maritime Travel, or West Jet.
What is the plot of the movie 'Boat Trip'?
The 2002 movie 'Boat Trip' is about two friends, Jerry and Nick, who decide to take a cruise ride to find love. Their travel agent, who is vengeful, decides to book them onto a cruise ship for gay men, and they try to hook up with some of the women working there.
Do you know some cruise deals?
The cruise lines highly recommend you use a travel agent to book your cruise. Trained agents will direct you toward the itinerary and line that is best for your needs and your wallet. But, they are also a wonderful source for deals. "Travel agents have access to the best cruise values," says Terry Dale, President of the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA).
Can I get a better deal on a cruise through a travel agent?
Most cruise lines do not allow travel agents to advertise prices lower than the cruise lines offer to those who book directly with the cruise line. However, some do allow travel agencies to discount by rebating part of the commissions, when dealing directly with a potential customer. If you are shopping the Internet for cruise prices, you're most likely going to find many travel sites quoting the same price. But, the price you're seeing on a travel agent's web site is not necessarily the best price that travel agency is able to offer you. To find out a travel agency's best price on a particular cruise, you should call them, or e-mail them a request for a price quote. Most travel agencies have toll-free phone numbers
What is the difference between a travel agent and a travel company?
Travel agents are individuals, whereas a travel company is a corporation which hires individual travel agents to work for them. That being said, there are some travel agents who are working solo, unincorporated.
Where can one find good deals on Caribbean cruise travel?
Caribbean cruise travels are becoming increasingly popular. One can find good deals on cruises to Caribbean by checking with their local travel agent or by visiting a travel website. Some travel websites to consider are Expedia and Travelocity.
What are some key destinations in cruise travel?
Some current hot spots for cruise travel are the Royal Caribbean international, the Holland America Cruise to Alaska, a five night cruise through the Mediterranean, and the Celebrity Cruises seven night trip.
