Looking to book your first cruise and not sure who or what cruise agent to book with? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered in this blogpost; we cover everything from travel agent reviews to commission. And as always, our opinions are explicitly our own, and we have no affiliation with ANY cruise line or travel agent.
Booking with a cruise agent can offer several benefits, as these professionals are knowledgeable about the cruise industry and can provide personalised assistance.
Advantages of using a travel agent for booking a cruise:
Expertise and Knowledge:
Cruise travel agents specialise in the cruise industry and stay up-to-date with the latest trends, promotions, and destinations. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on their experience and knowledge.
Loyalty:
Loyalty is probably the biggest reason to book with a travel agent. You may already be aware that cruise lines have their own loyalty programme. For example, NCL’s ‘Latitude Rewards’ where you earn points for all the cruises you take, and well, points equals rewards. Well, travel agents also have their own! But, you aren’t tied down to a singular cruise line!
Time Savings:
Planning a cruise can be time-consuming, involving research on various cruise lines, itineraries, visas, and deals. Travel agents can streamline the process by presenting you with options that match your preferences, saving you time and effort. And all you need to do is decide to book or not!
Personalised Service:
Travel agents can tailor their recommendations to your specific needs and preferences. They take the time to understand your travel style, interests, and budget, helping you find the cruise that best suits you.
Access to Exclusive Deals:
Travel agents often have access to special promotions, discounts, and exclusive deals that may not be available to the general public. This can result in cost savings or added perks for your cruise.
Don’t forget that every travel agent has commission with the cruise lines to sell they’re product. For example, MSC Cruises may offer one travel agent 10% commission, whilst they offer another 15%. This is important as it means the travel agent can reduce the price whilst still making a commission. Don’t be afraid to ring around for the best prices.
Handling Complex Itineraries:
If you’re planning on booking a complex itinerary involving multiple destinations, excursions, or transportation arrangements, a travel agent can help coordinate and manage these details to ensure a smooth experience.
Advocacy and Support:
In the event of any issues or changes to your travel plans, a travel agent can act as your advocate, liaising with the cruise line on your behalf and helping to resolve any problems that may arise.
Convenience:
Travel agents handle all the logistics when you book a cruise. This includes coordinating flights, transfers, pre- and post-cruise accommodations, and other details. This can simplify the overall planning process and make your travel experience more convenient.
Group Travel Planning:
If you are organising a group cruise, a travel agent can assist in coordinating group bookings, ensuring everyone’s preferences are taken into account, and handling group-specific logistics.
How to book the best deal from a travel agent:
Sign up to their mailing list
Many travel agents in the UK send out daily offers via email. So make sure to sign up to them all and keep track of pricing fluctuations, last minute availability, and cancellations.
Order a brochure
Just like their digital mailing list, many, if not all, travel agents send out brochures featuring a variety of deals. But as brochures take a week or so to be printed, dispatched, and delivered, pricing may not be the same as it once was.
Buy a newspaper
Many cruise lines, specifically the ones that have been around for a while, still do press ads in the newspaper. Keep an eye out for the Saturday Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, and the Metro to scoop a deal!
Call them
Don’t be afraid to give them a call and have one of their expert sales teams curate you your perfect deal. You’re not obliged to accept it, but you can certainly shop around!
What to look for when considering booking with a cruise travel agent:
Awards
Has the travel agent won any awards for their service? I’m not talking about cruise line specific awards, as they tend to award the agents awards for the most sales, which don’t really count.
Reviews / Testimonials
I ALWAYS read Trustpilot, Feefo, and Google reviews before you book a cruise with a travel agent. How did the travel agent deal with the COVID-19 pandemic? How did they deal if a customer died before taking their cruise? I know these might seem a little extreme, but if you’re paying hundreds or thousands of pounds towards something, you want it to be with the right company.
Licence and Accreditations
Are they licensed to trade? Is this a real company? Is the travel agent ABTA and ATOL protected? These things are paramount to check, and can be a very big deal because it gives you trust and confirmation that you’re protected no matter what.
Travel Agent’s Public perception
This one ties into reviews, but read the comments on their social media posts and see what people are saying. People tend to go straight to social media when they need to vent or complain, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
Who’s the best travel agent in the UK?
To put it quite simply, they’re all the same. But each one will work on different commissions and have different relationships with the cruise lines. For example, Cruise Club UK offer amazing deals on MSC Cruises, whilst ROL do amazing six-star deals. And then there’s Cruise Nation who have the cheapest prices on the market – but don’t offer transportation from airport to cruise port. So it’s worth finding which one works best for you.
Booking with a Cruise Travel Agent: What You Need to Know
In conclusion, booking a cruise with a travel agent offers numerous advantages that can significantly enhance the overall travel experience. From their expertise and industry knowledge to personalised service and access to exclusive deals, travel agents play a crucial role in simplifying the planning process and ensuring that the cruise aligns with individual preferences. The time savings, convenience, and added support in handling complex itineraries or unforeseen issues further underscore the value of utilising the services of a travel agent. Whether seeking cost savings, personalised recommendations, or advocacy during travel, choosing to book a cruise with a travel agent can transform the cruise booking process into a more enjoyable and stress-free endeavour.
And if you only take away one thing from this blog: check out the reviews of the travel agent before you book. It can be make or break to your cruising experience!
