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're Experienced
If you'd like to book a cruise through a travel agent, you can pop into a downtown storefront or search for cruise sellers online. If you want to look for agents registered with travel organizations, here are some resources for finding agencies near you. 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.
Booking a Cruise Online: Pros
Once onboard the ship, the Captain might deem it unsafe to dock at a certain port of call due to weather. Once you're booked, they'll check to see if your rate has decreased before final payment, so you do not have to. If they notice that the price dropped, they'll contact the cruise line to get them to honor the lower rate. As you might imagine, this new instant bonus has already resonated with travel advisors.
GREAT CRUISES NEAR ME
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.
They Provide Stress-Free Payment Plans
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.
Freedom of the Seas
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.
Harmony of the Seas
RCL Cares first offered one-on-one assistance and access to key resources to travel agent partners. At the very onset of the cruise industry shutdown when cruise lines announced cruises were canceled and their return to service was unknown, Royal Caribbean promised to protect travel agent commissions for canceled cruises. Look for travel agencies that are cruise-only or a home-based agent who specializes in cruises. You aren't just booking general passage on a ship, either, as you will be asked to pick a specific cabin and when you prefer to dine. Making a mistake in these categories can ruin your cruise experience, as there are such thing as "bad" cabins and dining times (think noisy or claustrophobic cabins, dinner at 8 p.m. with cranky children, etc.).
Harmony Of The Seas Cabins To Avoid (Check BEFORE Booking…)
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.
A BIG ROYAL THANK YOU: ROYAL CARIBBEAN LAUNCHES ITS BIGGEST INCENTIVE YET - Royal Caribbean Press Center
A BIG ROYAL THANK YOU: ROYAL CARIBBEAN LAUNCHES ITS BIGGEST INCENTIVE YET.
Posted: Thu, 07 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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.
In addition to the agent side of things, it is also nice to hear if they like to cruise with Royal Caribbean on their own. A good working knowledge of the guest and service side of the cruise line is a great asset with any agent. As I said, a good travel agent is one that jives with your expectations, and the key is knowing what to expect in their turnaround time. A reader recently asked me how do you find a good travel agent, so here are the top five things to look for in a good travel agent.
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.
Finally, as cruise lines pay agent commissions, you don't have to worry about paying extra for their planning services. 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 need to cancel the trip, the agent will also help you through the refund process. You'll have a lot less stress before and during your vacation if you book with an experienced agent. 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.
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.
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. Once you've chosen your cruise and, with the agent's help, matched your style with your vacation goals, you've got to book the trip. Again, it's a bit more complex than you might think, but a good agent will make the process go smoothly -- from securing the right cabin type and location to booking the dinner seating that will suit you and your party. Your agent will also be able to sort out travel insurance, if required, and will collect payment for the cruise (usually a deposit at the time of booking and the full amount 60 to 90 days before departure). In addition, the agent can help you with the rest of your travel plans, such as pre- or post-cruise stays, airfare and transfers.
Booking a Royal Caribbean cruise adventure opens the door to a world filled with unexpected delights and hidden opportunities designed to elevate your vacation from memorable to unforgettable. For your first cruise, you might need help in matching your lifestyle and budget with a cruise line and destination. Choosing a cruise is not the same as picking a hotel or flight, as there are many more options to consider.
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