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That’s right, you get their expertise without any pesky agent-imposed cancellation or change fees. These insights are not just about making your trip easier; they’re about enhancing every moment aboard and ashore, ensuring that your cruise is as seamless, enjoyable, and rich with experiences as possible. Through years of navigating the nuances of cruise planning, these agents have gathered a treasure trove of tips and tricks that can make all the difference in your voyage. Royal Caribean's Certified Vacation Planners give you a one-way ticket to a sea of cruising opportunities. Are you looking to bask in the warmth of the Caribbean, experience the charm of the Mediterranean or even go north to explore the natural beauty of Alaska?
My Personas
The more, the merrier – especially on a Royal Caribbean International® group cruise. Whether it's for weddings, reunions, birthday milestones or simply getting together with friends and family, there are many reasons why groups choose to sail with us again and again. 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. Not only does this save you from not having to call in to make a payment, but they can do it automatically for you.
You're Experienced
Cruise lines prefer that you use a travel agent rather than going online and booking directly. They have small in-house reservation teams, and when you have a question while making a booking, good luck in getting an expert on the phone in a timely manner. You should consider booking a cruise through a travel agent because a knowledgeable agent can help you understand the nuances of a cruise purchase and help you make the best decisions for your vacation preferences. During hurricane season, a travel agent can assist if you vacation is impacted by changing flight plans or excursions. Errors in a reservation, mechanical issues in a stateroom, hurricanes and a great deal of other unforeseen situations can occur.
Royal Caribbean announces policy to protect full value of Future Cruise Certificates for travel professionals
Cruise travel agents receive the bulk of their income via commission from the cruise lines. Their service to you is usually free, though some might charge first-time clients a minimal fee. 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. The cheapest base cruise fare does not always provide the best value or best overall vacation deal. A travel agent can set up a group with Royal Caribbean that can possibly save money, or get you special perks back.
Asking friends who have cruised to recommend a travel agent is another good idea. Their expertise can help you avoid mistakes, whether you are a first-timer or a repeat cruiser checking out a brand you have not tried before. I have been booking into 2024, and noticed that cruisers are gravitating toward the same ships and sometimes booking them multiples times. By offering personalized payment solutions, travel agents ensure that your dream cruise is within reach, letting you focus on the excitement of your upcoming adventure without the burden of financial strain.
Search Travel Market Report
This intimate knowledge transcends into efficient and tailored booking experiences. They aren’t just cruise lovers; they’re trained professionals who continually update their expertise. Imagine them as students whose classroom is the very ships you dream of vacationing on—they regularly participate in ship tours to grasp the nuances of each vessel. They step in as your personal cruise coordinators, dealing with the various preferences and requirements of your group. When you book with an agent, you’re not just getting a ticket aboard; you’re potentially unlocking a suite of extras that can make your cruise even more enjoyable and memorable. Your agent tackles the necessary calls, manages any complications, and ensures your cruise plans are smooth sailing.
CruisingPower
Some agencies will charge change fees or service fees when you make changes to the reservation, and frankly, I do not believe that is warranted. In the rare event that something goes awry or you have a very specific request, travel agents have a direct line to Royal Caribbean. Imagine not having to juggle everyone’s cabin types, pricing, or individual payment schedules — your travel agent has it all under control. You may be surprised to know that using many travel agents won’t cost you a dime extra. While not super common, cruise lines will sometimes make changes to your sailing. Dry dock maintenance, for example, might require Royal Caribbean to change your ship.
Wonder of the Seas
While unfortunate, a travel agent is advantageous in these instances, as they'll act as your advocate and liaison, meaning that you won't have to worry about communicating with the cruise line. Before any changes are made, they will ask how you'd like to proceed and then work with the cruise line to honor your specified wishes. The cruise line then announced a new program to assist thousands of travel professionals in the U.S., Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories dealing with the negative impact of the Covid-19 crisis. Graduates of Royal Caribbean University receive CLIA elective credits, and qualify for bonus commissions, onboard credits, complimentary VOOM Wi-Fi, monthly giveaways, and more. Plus, graduates can download special social media banners to show off their graduate status. 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.
Travel agents can help you book unique staterooms or get onboard special sailings
If they do, having a travel agent means you have someone in your corner fighting for you, and taking care of the details. By booking with a travel agent, you can take advantage of the great service they provide, as well as the lower rates. Before I talk about any other benefit a travel agent provides, you should know any good travel agent charges you absolutely nothing extra for their services. A good travel agent provides so much value and service, and they are an invaluable component to many seasoned cruisers.
Waterslides, mini golf, a Flowrider and ice shows make this ship perfect for a weekend family getaway. Touted as the ship that will bring the World’s Best Family Vacation, Icon will be taking cruisers on 7 night Eastern and Western itineraries, with each including a stop at Perfect Day at CoCoCay. With 2024 on the horizon, I was curious which ships people are gravitating towards and booking the most. So I reached out to Jenn Greene, who is a Travel Planner affiliated with MEI Travel. They are the person that goes back and forth with Royal Caribbean on your behalf, offers options to you, and more.
A round-robin agency means you have the advantage of getting serviced without relying on just one person's schedule. It is important to get a sense of on average of how quickly they will make changes after requesting. Whether that's 24 hours, 48 hours or a week, make sure you are on the same page with the agent in timing to avoid frustrations later. Our expert team is dedicated to helping you plan the ultimate cruise vacation, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey. No more repeating your needs during every call—it’s all recognized and anticipated by your agent, allowing for a straightforward and quick reservation process.
In addition, any booking created through an online sales platform, such as Espresso or any third-party tool, will receive an additional $10 bonus. Throughout the global health crisis, Royal Caribbean has been a steadfast supporter of the travel agent community with various programs aimed at helping them stay afloat during this turbulent time. Not only will you enjoy those value-added benefits and amenities, but you'll also have a cost-saving travel agent service working for you before, during, and after your vacation. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience.
I'm a travel agent. Here are the 6 most popular Royal Caribbean ships my clients are booking for 2024 - Royal Caribbean Blog
I'm a travel agent. Here are the 6 most popular Royal Caribbean ships my clients are booking for 2024.
Posted: Wed, 04 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruises can be booked online through the cruise line directly or via a third-party online cruise seller. You also can sign up for email alerts to inform you about last minute deals, price drops and limited-time promotions. In these days of policy changes, future cruise credits, and fear of what may come tomorrow, a travel agent is invaluable because they are the ones that will spend hours and hours with the cruise line to sort out these issues.
Although you can book everything entirely online by yourself, there is a network of seasoned Royal Caribbean travel agents, experts in crafting the perfect cruise experience. 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. When Icon of the Seas' bookings opened, the inaugural cruise sold out within 24 hours. Those who worked with travel agents didn't have to worry about logging on and securing a reservation themselves, as the agent was on the ball the second itineraries were released.
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