Should I Get A Travel Agent For A Cruise?

A travel agent is a valuable tool for booking a cruise, as they provide expert advice and can guide you to the right cruise line and ship based on your vacation preferences and goals. Many cruisers use a travel agent, whether through local agencies or online booking websites, to book their cruise. These dedicated contacts, known as Cruise Concierges, Cruise Consultants, or Cruise Connoisseurs, receive the bulk of their income via commission from cruise lines.

Booking with a travel agent is recommended for first-time cruisers, those with special requests, or those seeking the best deals. Booking well in advance can generally yield better rates, but last-minute bargains may be available if cruise lines are offering exclusive, non-advertised rates. Travel agents can offer incentives such as onboard credit and can negotiate group space with cruise lines.

Preferred travel agents may also have access to exclusive, non-advertised rates by cruise ships, which can lead to better prices. They can also offer more incentives, such as onboard credit, and can negotiate better prices when booking multiple cabins.

Flexibility with when you can cruise can also help you get a great deal and handle flight bookings and pre- and post-cruise arrangements. While booking a cruise through a travel agent does not guarantee a lower rate, it can happen when they negotiate group space with cruise lines.

Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent or directly with the cruise line?

Is it Cheaper to Book Directly with Cruise line?. Travel agents often have significant buying power, which can result in better prices, especially when booking multiple cabins for a cruise. Travel agents also enjoy early access to special offers and may secure deals like low deposits. You can expect complimentary perks and freebies when booking through them. Moreover, travel agents sometimes have access to specific cabin types that might appear sold out if you book directly with the cruise line. You can also inform the agent about any cabin preferences or features you want to avoid, such as cabins with interconnecting doors or certain floors.

Furthermore, travel agents keep you informed about any itinerary or flight changes after your booking. In case you encounter issues, the agent will liaise with the cruise line on your behalf, saving you from long customer service hold times, which can be especially helpful with cruise lines that may not prioritize customer service. Lastly, travel agents provide impartial advice, ensuring that you book a cruise suitable for your needs, rather than just what the cruise line wants to sell you.

If you are used to booking your vacations yourself you may be reluctant to use a travel agent, or you might not even know of any travel agents you could use, cruise lines often work with travel agencies and will be able to recommend a suitable agent for you to work with.

What is the benefit of using a travel agent to book a cruise?

They can assist clients with determining which line, ship and destination may be the best fit. And if travelers run into an issue or have a question, their agent can handle it for them – a nice benefit given potentially long customer service phone line wait times.

Who pays the travel agent when booking a cruise?

The travel agent is paid a commission by the cruise company. Often they forego some of this commission to give you a cheaper fare than the cruise company, thus ensuring they get the sale.

Can travel agents get better cruise prices?

GET A CHEAPER CABIN RATE Fret not, it’s not a scam. Preferred travel agents are sometimes given access to exclusive, non-advertised rates by cruise ships which allow them to offer discounted cabin rates to their customers.

What percentage of cruises are booked by travel agents?

The report, “U.S. Cruise Market Report 2022-2026,” by Phocuswright, found agents’ share of gross cruise booking fell to 52% in 2021 from 70% in 2019. But the channel’s share is in recovery, climbing to 59% last year. Phocuswright projects it to reach 71% by 2026.

Related: Cruise industry recovery projected to run through 2023;

Intermediaries and online travel agencies also saw their gross booking share decrease during the pandemic, falling to 6% last year from 9% in 2019. The report projects its share will also yo-yo back, to 9% by 2026.

Why not to book with a travel agent?

4. You May Miss Out on Points or Elite Benefits. Finally, by booking through an OTA, you could be missing out on elite traveler benefits and points. Many hotels consider third-party bookings to be ineligible for points or benefits, so your memberships and special status may not apply.

To check whether or not OTA bookings are point- or benefit-eligible, you should check the hotel’s specific policies.

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Is there a downside to using a travel agent?

Cons of using a travel agent. While there are many benefits to using a travel agent, there are also disadvantages to consider. Some of those include:

• Not redeeming points or miles. If you have credit card points or airline miles to cash in, a travel agent might not be the best fit since they typically can’t help you redeem them for the trips they plan. However, niche advisors can best advise you on booking using your points and miles or use your stash to book for you.
• Less flexibility to make updates. Once your travel agent locks in reservations, it can be difficult to change things since you may have put down a deposit.
• Added layer of communication. For your travel agent to plan a vacation you’ll enjoy, you have to clue them in on your likes and dislikes, budget, preferences, needs and more. And when you need to make adjustments, you’ll have to go through them.
• Missing out on planning your own trip. Planning your own trip is exciting for some folks. Plus, you can build the exact type of experience you want at a price point that’s comfortable for you.
• Fees and price. Travel agents can save you money sometimes, but it comes at a cost that might not fit into your budget. Some agents charge high fees or percentages of the total vacation cost.
• Finding the right agent. It can take time to find the right travel agent, advisor or expert. If it takes too long, DIY travel might be more convenient.

Do you earn rewards on travel booked by an agent?. You might be hard-pressed to find a travel advisor where you earn rewards by booking through them as opposed to your credit card’s travel portal. However, it’s worth noting that the merchant code for travel agents is often “travel”, which means the travel agent fees you pay through a qualifying rewards credit card could be eligible for bonus points if your card offers boosted rewards on the travel category.

Certain travel benefits still work for you even if a travel agent books your trip. For example, you’ll get lounge access if your credit card offers it regardless of who booked your airfare, which airline or class you’re flying. As long as you use the appropriate card to pay for the trip, it shouldn’t matter if you or the travel agent physically made the purchase.

How much commission do travel agents make on cruises?

Typical Commissions: On average, travel agents can earn commissions ranging from 10% to 18% of the total cruise fare. This means that for every cruise package booked, the travel agent has the potential to receive 10 to 16 cents on every dollar spent.

High/Low Range: High-end cruises and luxury liners like AmaWaterways may offer travel agents higher commissions, while budget or discounted cruises might provide lower rates. Disney, Holland America, and Princess tend to typically fall in the mid-level commission range, around 10%.

Specialized transportation suppliers, such as Yachtico rentals, may offer 3 to 5%.

Why are most cruises are booked with a travel agent?

Just as there are numerous cruise lines to choose from, there are also numerous itineraries to consider. What is the best cruise for a trip to Alaska? What’s the best cruise that departs from Miami before sailing around the Caribbean? What’s the best cruise for a far-flung getaway, like a trip to the Galápagos Islands? A cruise travel agent will be able to answer such questions.

Pricing for cruises can be a bit difficult to navigate. Most cruises are all-inclusive, but what this rate entails can vary between cruise lines. On a Virgin Voyages cruise ship, for instance, all meals, non-alcoholic drinks, gratuities, entertainment, Wi-Fi and even group workouts are included in the upfront lump sum. (Learn more about why we’re obsessed with Virgin Voyages.)

Princess Cruises, in contrast, offers distinct packages, each of which includes different amenities. Higher-tiered packages unlock extras like fitness classes, unlimited juice bar access and “premium” dining options. An advisor can help delineate which package offers the best price for your specific preferences.

Is it cheaper to book with a travel agent or on your own?

Generally not, and especially not for short distances. For the most part, any discount you’d get from using a travel agent would be for a combined package. Still, it never hurts to ask if your travel agent can get you a deal on your flight.

If you’re traveling internationally — especially to a country you’ve never visited — a travel agent can be a useful resource in helping you plan your trip. They can manage all of your booking needs, which can be easier than juggling a long itinerary that includes flights, hotels and excursions on your own.

Group travel is another common situation that can benefit from an agent’s assistance. Coordinating bookings across multiple parties can get confusing. A travel agent can keep things organized, negotiate with services and personally work out any complications that may arise. Rather than trying to reserve rooms in the same hotels and seats on the same flights with multiple credit cards and names, let a travel agent do that work.

Is it still worth it to use a travel agent?

With a few keystrokes, you can find cheap travel deals on the web. But travel agents can do that and more.

Often, travel agents receive deals directly from hotels and tour operators that you may not have access to. They also have contacts with resorts and hotels, so they can bargain for better deals. But just how much do travel agents cost? Some people assume that travel agents are expensive, which may keep them from using their services. However, that’s not necessarily true.

Regardless if you go with a travel agent or plan on your own, it can be a smart money move to book with a credit card thats earns rewards on your bookings and helps you avoid foreign transaction fees if you end up traveling abroad.

The cost of using a travel agent is generally marginal, and often, they won’t charge you at all. Much of their money comes from commissions the hotels and wholesalers pay them. Before you decide to book with a travel agent, inquire whether or not they charge fees.

What does a travel agent do for cruises?

In this role, you may provide information about each cruise and destination, discuss the customer’s budget and suggest travel arrangements within their budget, schedule travel and lodging arrangements, and perform other administrative tasks required for scheduling the cruise.