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Cruises can be booked online through the cruise line directly or via a third-party online cruise seller. You also can sign up for email alerts to inform you about last minute deals, price drops and limited-time promotions. Find out if the travel agent has preferred status with any cruise lines or whether he or she belongs to travel consortiums that would enable him or her to get you better deals, upgrades, etc.
Extra Perks
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. Another advantage of using a travel agent or cruise specialist, is being able to book when they have a special promotion with the cruise line. Agencies partner with cruise lines at certain times of the year and will offer a booking incentive, such as prepaid gratuities or specialty dining. Travel agents can take care of the booking and making payments, and even help with booking flights and pre and post cruise hotels. Of course, if you prefer to book online with an online travel agency website, that’s a convenience too. One of the biggest advantages of using a travel agent to book a cruise is getting great advice.
Cruise: Offers
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Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, has a tremendous reputation for quality, service, and very competitive pricing for ALL of your travel needs. Cruise Planners travel advisors will help you discover exciting adventures around the world. To find the ship and sailing right for you, go through a cruise specialist. 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. If you're worried your trip plans being disrupted by bad weather or a change of plans, travel insurance might help.
Create a New CLIA Account
They can also help with pre- or post-cruise travel, such as booking hotels and flights or arranging tours. When you're ready to purchase your cruise, you can either go directly to the cruise line you've chosen, or you can book a cruise with a travel agent. Bookings can be made online or over the phone with either the cruise line or the travel agent. 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.
In my experience, they are passionate travelers themselves, and can offer excellent first person advice. However, when it comes to cruising, you need a travel agent that specializes in cruise travel. When you do book online with a large website like Expedia Cruises or Vacations to Go, these are large travel agencies. In some cases, depending on the company, you can work with a specific cruise specialist for every cruise. If you're concerned that working with an agent will make your cruise more expensive, don't be. Cruise travel agents receive the bulk of their income via commission from the cruise lines.
Luxury Travel Agents: 3 High-End Cruises My Wealthy Clients Are Booking for 2024 - Yahoo Finance
Luxury Travel Agents: 3 High-End Cruises My Wealthy Clients Are Booking for 2024.
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Tips
You can also find experienced and certified cruise travel agents through CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association, which is the industry's main marketing group. Asking friends who have cruised to recommend a travel agent is another good idea. 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. Instead, they may offer you onboard credit, complimentary excursions or credit toward another cruise booking.
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. 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. When you book with a travel agent, they’re responsible for your booking, and all major changes need to be done through them.
Travel agents might also thank you for your business with a small gift, such as a free bottle of wine in your cruise room or prepaid gratuities onboard. 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. You might, for instance, see a fare listed online without the port charges, taxes and fees, which you only see after you give your personal details. You can also ask to receive the booking confirmation from the cruise line, showing payments, for your records. Impact on your credit may vary, as credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.
American Airlines AAdvantage members can earn airline miles when booking cruises at BookAACruises.com. All members earn one mile for every dollar they spend on cruise reservations, up to 10,000 miles. Some cruise specials offer up to 100,000 miles based on your selected cruise. CruiseDirect is the best cruise website when all you want are cruise prices. It doesn't offer hotels, flights, rental cars or other reservations you may want for your next vacation.
It can be overwhelming to evaluate the options on your own if you've never cruised before. Going online to book an airline ticket or hotel stay is a familiar and fairly easy transaction. This DIY approach might not be the best way to find your dream vacation at sea.
It's easy to independently book flights, hotels and car rentals, but cruises are a different story. Since most of us haven't used a travel agent in a long time (if ever!), we'll lay out for you the pros and cons of using a cruise travel agent versus online booking. Cruise Planners has a rich history of exceeding travelers expectations by booking top destinations for their clients at special rates, and also providing extra benefits and amenities to their clients.
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. This may be the best approach if you know which cruise line you want to book and which cities you want to visit. Travelers who book a cruise with Priceline receive up to $2,000 to spend at sea, plus waived deposits on their reservations. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. You will likely run into a lot of questions to which you have no ready answer.
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. The cruise travel agent should have questions for you as well, to better understand your dream vacation desires. If you are calling a cruise agency for the first time, the agent should be interviewing you as much as you are interviewing him or her. The agent should be focused on helping you choose the cruise line, ship and cabin that is right for you. Making the correct choices is very important to your overall cruise experience.
Yes, there are differences between booking directly with the cruise line versus using a travel agent. Most specifically, travel agents are known for giving more personalized service than cruise lines, though some cruise sales representatives can be attentive and helpful. 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.
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