With everyone attached to their phones, laptops and tablets, many people assume that online is the only way to book travel. But, as booking online can often be confusing, a travel agent might be just what you need. So, you've decided to go on a cruise -- perhaps your first venture on a vacation at sea -- and you're a little overwhelmed. You have to consider how much you're willing to pay, whether to book an inexpensive inside cabin or splurge on a suite, and which cruise line and ship are right for you.
Luxury Cruises
Asking friends who have cruised to recommend a travel agent is another good idea. You can book a cruise through a huge travel retailer with branches around the country, a local cruise agency or even a home-based agent who will talk cruising with you at your local coffee shop. You'll find pros and cons of working with the different types of agencies; for example, you might get more personal service from an independent agent but better deals from a large company with a high volume of bookings.
Shopping for Great Deals
Carnival Panorama Sets Sail On First Cruise From California - Travel Agent Central
Carnival Panorama Sets Sail On First Cruise From California.
Posted: Mon, 23 Aug 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. In addition, cruise fares can be hard to understand and compare.
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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 a cruise, you are making a vacation decision that goes way beyond a flight or hotel nights. Which ship you choose determines your dining and evening entertainment choices for the duration of your vacation.
River Cruises
Take advantage of the partnerships we have throughout the travel industry with top cruise lines. 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. The best travel agents have access to discounted group rates and exclusive cruise pricing that's not found anywhere else.
Hotel Reward Programs
In other words, you can book your spot on the ship completely online at any time of the day. That’s because some sites can offer perks like onboard credit or even a direct phone number to call to talk to someone with any questions you might have before you cruise. Thanks to this comprehensive price history, Cruisewatch can predict cruise prices and drops with an accuracy rate of around 80 percent. Using the site’s cruise price prediction alerts, travelers can save up to 71 percent just by booking at the right time.
Search SmarterTravel Hotels for great accommodations in your port of call. It can be a complicated, time-consuming process that involves dozens of open tabs and maybe a spreadsheet or two. People who are looking for a relaxing and quiet cruise trip can now opt for adult only cruises. No more yelling children in the pool or crying toddlers in the restaurants.
Princess Cruises to Sail to Mexico, Hawaii and California Coast - Travel Agent Central
Princess Cruises to Sail to Mexico, Hawaii and California Coast.
Posted: Fri, 11 Feb 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]
SHOP SEASHELLS BY THE SEASHORE
Find out how many cruises they've taken that year and with which lines they've personally cruised. The more knowledgeable an agent is, the better advice you'll get. If the agent has rarely cruised, you might want to take your business elsewhere. 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.
In addition, you can look for affiliations with the National Association of Cruise Oriented Agencies (NACOA), Better Business Bureau (BBB), American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) or even AAA. Remember, you won't just be using the ship as a home base, like you do with a hotel; it will be your home, restaurant and entertainment venue for a week or more. 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. Whether you just take a three or four-day Baja Mexico cruise or extend your trip as long as a week, there's no limit to the discoveries you can make exploring the Mexican Riviera.
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. 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.
Add dinner seatings, shore excursions and cabin location to the list, and planning a relaxing getaway suddenly seems like a second job. Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day At CocoCay top 4 insider travel tips uncovers free things to do, places to go and thrills you can share with friends. There are dozens — if not hundreds — of websites that you can use to book your cruise. Frankly, not all of them look professional, so it is understandable you might question the legitimacy of a website or their deals.
Take a nature walk or a Jeep adventure through the pine forests, or stretch your legs at the Rand Nature Center, which offers bird-watching and installations by local artists. 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). So if you want to sail from Miami, you’ll see all the options from the port for every cruise line. That gives you a better chance of finding something that matches your budget and schedule versus just searching one line. Cruising is big business, and that’s why you have dozens of websites at your disposal, all competing for your travel dollars.
The site’s vibe is beach-oriented and a bit cheeky, with a front page that can overwhelm—but click on the “Cruises” tab, and a cleaner interface appears. There you can search by cruise line, ship, destination, departure date, and departure port. You might get more personalized care from smaller agencies than from the huge online agencies, though websites such as icruise.com, Cruise.com and Cruise411.com also have experienced cruise agents. These larger online travel agencies can be a good option for those who prefer to make decisions and ask questions via chat.
If you take a three or four-day Baja Mexico cruise from California, you're sure to call in Ensenada, the first stop on the way traveling down the Mexican Riviera. Although Ensenada is right on the sea, you'll want to make a beeline toward the Wine Route that snakes through northern Baja's lush interior. Whether you enjoy tapas and cheese boards, or simply sip the red and white wines on offer at vintners like Casa Pedro Domecq and Vinedo Cuatro Cuatros, it's easy to see what all the buzz is about.
At Cruise Planners, our cruise travel agents will work with you to plan the cruise vacation of your dreams. We have great relationships with all the major cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, and more. If you like saving time and money before, during, and after your vacation cruise, contact us today.
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