In today’s digital age, when it comes to travel it is very common for folks to default to booking everything for themselves. The internet is flooded with informational sites like Google, Bing, and Yahoo, alongside the countless travel sites, which promise to digitally find you the lowest fares and hidden deals. Naturally, many people feel as though they have access to all of the information necessary to book a trip on their own, especially when it comes to something as straightforward as booking a cruise. What many people don’t know is that there are many valuable benefits to working with an actual cruise agent, rather than trying to do everything for oneself. From cost to convenience, here is why using a cruise travel agency is the always the best choice.
It’s Free
A common misconception is that you pay more for your cruises when you use an agent, because agents earn a commission. In actuality, this is far from the truth. Travel agents charge the same fares that cruise websites advertise, and in fact sometimes they have access to reduced rates that aren’t advertised online at all! Agents are well-informed on where to find deals on travel. Some cruise lines offer discounts to residents of certain states, others offer discounts to senior citizens or former members of the armed services with military discount cruises. With years of experience under their belts, using a cruise travel agent will never cost you and will often save you money.
It’s Personal
At some time or another, most of us have experienced the frustration of dealing with a string of electronic devices rather than an actual human. Serene as voice of the robotic woman on the phone may be, when giving a long list of increasingly confusing options it is not sufficiently soothing to calm our nerves as we shout into the phone a desperate plea: “A human, for the love of God, let me talk to a human!” Thankfully if you have an agent, all of that frustration is pleasantly avoided and in its place is the personalized experience that only an experienced agent can provide. They will take care of all of the confusing details so that you don’t have to. Furthermore, you can tell an agent your exact circumstances, whether you’re taking a honeymoon or a family vacation, or perhaps you prefer a quiet and soothing atmosphere as opposed to a fun, party atmosphere. Whatever your conditions may be, agents know what cruise lines specialize in, and can find what best suits your personal needs in the way only a living, breathing human being can.
It’s Useful
When it comes to travel, it is absolutely essential that there are no missed steps or lost details along the way. For example, some countries require travel visas, even if a cruise only ports there for a few hours while other countries only require a birth certificate rather than a passport. Moreover, with the busy schedules that many of us have, it’s easy to have due dates for deposits and final payments slip our minds. Luckily, your cruise agent will know all of these details and make sure that you are 100% prepared for your trip. Cruise Agents are there to support you from start to finish. They will remind you about deposits and final payments, and they will assist in attaining your travel documents and answer all of your logistical questions. Their knowledge and experience is their most valuable asset and it is there for your convenience!
It Comes With Extras
Not only is working with an agent free, but often it comes with extras for the client! As a thank you for your business, cruise agents often offer portions of their commissions to their clients in the form of on board credits, extra amenities, or fun gifts like chocolate covered strawberries or a bottle of wine.
Cruise travel agents offer clients an invaluable resource and a wealth of knowledge at no cost to the client at all. The benefits are numerous, the knowledge and experience from years in the travel industry will assist you in finding the cruise that suits your needs and desires perfectly, and at the lowest cost available, while the costs of using a cruise travel agent are virtually non-existent. So with all of this in mind, the decision is clear: when booking a cruise, using a travel agent is always the better choice!
How to Book a Discount Cruise
Option 1: Call (800) 474-5678 to speak to a live cruise agent.
Option 2: Request a free quote online and a travel agent will contact you shortly.
More Suggestions
Check out these pages for more cruise information:
- Popular cruise destinations
- Discounts by cruise line
- Military discount cruises
- Last minute cruise deals
- How to choose the best cruise ship cabin location