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Which itinerary you choose impacts which destinations you'll visit and which shoreside activities will be available to you. It can be overwhelming to evaluate the options on your own if you've never cruised before. For example, we found a cruise offering a $45 Costco Cash Card for booking the cheapest stateroom for just $409. In other words, that deal is like getting 11% off the price of your cruise.
Shopping for Great Deals
These are, after all, professionals, and this is what they do day in and day out. 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. Select "cruises" or "cruise lines" under Specialties to find agents that focus on selling cruise travel.
DESTINATIONS
Plus, the price of your cruise includes accommodations, meals, entertainment and activities — and in some cases drinks, tips, shore excursions, Wi-Fi and other extras. There's a lot bundled into some fares and not as much with others. A travel agent can help you determine what your cruise fare gets you. The cheapest base cruise fare does not always provide the best value or best overall vacation deal. 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.
Cruise Line Websites
Life happened and by late-January, I found out that my guest would no longer be able to join me. Even though this this was well past the final payment date, my travel agent was able to change the reservation to a single cruiser with ease! There is no better feeling than getting a great deal on your cruise vacation! While booking a cruise through a travel agent does not guarantee a lower rate, it can happen, especially when they negotiate group space with the cruise line.
Carnival adds accessible cabins to agent booking tool - Travel Weekly
Carnival adds accessible cabins to agent booking tool.
Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 11:27:01 GMT [source]
Additionally, a travel agent will be able to assist in rebooking flights in the event that yours is cancelled or delayed. Weather is unpredictable, and you never know when you will fall victim to airline chaos (one of the best cruise tips is to arrive the day before your cruise!). The last thing you want to do when trying to kickstart your vacation is wait in line at the customer service desk in the airport or on hold with the airline.
Margaritaville at Sea Launches New Travel Agent Incentive - Cruise Industry News
Margaritaville at Sea Launches New Travel Agent Incentive.
Posted: Mon, 08 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Online sellers, as well as sites like Cruise Critic, can provide you with lots of information -- deck plans, cabin layouts and information about cruise ship amenities and in-port activities -- to help you book. The hardest part of using a travel agent is finding a good one, especially if you don't know anyone who can recommend one. You might need to talk to a few before you find the right fit. If you pick an agent who is not very professional, you could waste time listening to bad advice or trying to track the agent down when you have a problem. 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.
What’s the Best Length of Time for a Cruise?
Cruises can be booked online through the cruise line directly or via a third-party online cruise seller. You can easily compare fares and special deals across multiple sites. You also can sign up for email alerts to inform you about last minute deals, price drops and limited-time promotions. They are an invaluable resource, helping yousave time, money, and avoid the stress of vacation-planning. A travel agent is afulfiller of dreams, offering all the tips you need about our ships, activities, and destinations! The contact information below is provided by the travel agents.
Select your region to be directed to the correct website
Refer to the key on the right side of the results page to understand CLIA Certification levels. While the bulk of a travel agent's income comes from commissions paid by the cruise lines, most travel agents also charge a small service fee ($15 to $30) for their time and effort, though not all do. Most travel agents who do choose to charge for their service are worth the expense, as they tend to be the most educated and well-traveled in the industry.
Reserve now. Pay later.
Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. In that case, you’ll want to contact the website that you booked through — not the cruise line (unless you booked through the cruise line’s website). For example, if you book through CostcoTravel.com, then contact them first for any price drops you see. It’s possible that if you book one day, the next day the price may go down. The good news is that the price is unlikely to move much (unlike airfare). That’s a big help if you’re not entirely sure about which cruise you should book.
It’s hard to talk about canal barge cruising without thinking of Ellen Sack, aka the Barge Lady and expert in the world of all things European barge cruising. Sack and her family-run travel company work as brokers for canal barge cruises in Europe, connecting travelers to the right sailing experience to suit their needs. You’ll find everything you need to know about sailing on waterways like the scenic Canal du Midi in the South of France or the Caledonian Canal in the Scottish Highlands with help from Sack and the rest of the Barge Lady crew. Contrary to what you might expect, travel agents might actually be able to get you better deals than internet retailers or even the cruise lines themselves.
You don’t always find that with the large aggregation websites. Their staff are also focused on cruises, giving you someone who knows what they are talking about compared to someone with more general travel knowledge. Think of all the options you have to consider — the length of your trip, the cruise line, the ship, the date, ports of call, and more.
With six classes of ships, Royal Caribbean lets guests go ice-skating, sample sushi, or do whatever else they desire both onboard and offshore. Hurtigruten Cruises offers premium exploration voyage cruises to a variety of places like, Norway, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Iceland, Europe, Africa, South America, Central America, Arctic Canada, and Antarctica. Sail in boutique luxury with AmaWaterways, discovering hidden gems and captivating cultures across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Let their personalized service and exquisite comfort become your passport to unforgettable adventures. 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.
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