Travel Smart, June 2009, Eleanor Doherty

Travel agents can make booking a cruise easier, cheaper

Some people enjoy researching and booking a cruise. Others find it a frustrating and arduous task, filled with hidden surprises, unexpected costs and confusing promotions that often aren't all what they first seem. To save time, eliminate worry about which cruise line is the best for you, understand cabin categories and dining choices, plan pre- and post-cruise travel while insuring all your T's are crossed and I's are dotted, you need a good travel agent.

It's a common misperception that travel agents can't get the same low prices you can find yourself on the Internet. In many cases, that is true with airfare, but when it comes to booking a cruise, travel agents can usually offer better pricing and always provide more personal service than any website.

What is their secret?

They negotiate special rates with the cruise lines that allow them to provide generous shipboard credits and complimentary gratuities on some cruise and even free shore excursions and exclusive welcome receptions with a ship's senior staff on luxury lines.

A good travel agent and cruise specialist understands the complicated cruise booking process. She will help you select you to the right cruise line, itinerary and cabin type for your budget and personality. A cruise specialist's goal is to have you return from your trip with great memories, very satisfied and wanting to take another cruise in the future. It is to her benefit to make sure you have an outstanding cruise vacation because she wants you to be a long-time client and refer your friends because you know the service they'll receive.

As important as personal service and the best prices, a professional travel agent will act as your advocate should you experience difficulties along the way. Additionally, she'll advise you on the best travel insurance, arrange customized private shore excursions and make the planning process an enjoyable experience.

So, where's the savings?

Many internet shoppers turn to the Internet to look for the lowest prices for a cruise without knowing that travel agents have access to the unpublicized promotions, upgrades and shipboard credits offers. Agents also know about military, senior and other discounts that may not be easily accessible on the myriad of website touting the "best deals."

Additionally, clients of premier travel agencies who book "guaranteed" cabin categories always receive priority with their clients' cabin upgrades, while individuals who booked over the Internet will be the last in line. Maria Espinoza of Travel ASAP said, "I've never had a client booked in a guaranteed category who didn't get an upgrade."

Travel agents also have access to special deals by belonging to consortiums, such as Ensemble or Virtuoso. These consortiums negotiate extra benefits with travel providers on behalf of their clients. Linda Terrill, managing director of The Luxury Travel Group, explained that, "clients sailing on Virtuoso Voyager Club cruises always receive complimentary exclusive shore excursions or $150 per person shipboard credits plus invitations to private Virtuoso welcome cocktail parties aboard the ship. The level of extra service and VIP recognition they receive by booking with a Virtuoso agent is unsurpassed in the industry."

Member travel agencies of Virtuoso and other consortiums pass bonuses on to their clients, offering them perks such as free airfare and shipboard credits. And some agents even surprise their clients with a bon voyage gift, such as a free bottle of champagne or spa treatment.

Another way a travel agent can save you money is by watching for changes in fares after a booking is completed. Some cruise lines will refund your money or give you shipboard credits if the price of your cruise goes down after you've booked. "I closely watch cruise fares from the initial deposit to the sail date for price adjustments," says Espinoza. If the price drops, she gets that money back for her clients. You may not have time to check the cruise fares every day, but a travel agent will keep your your best interests as her priority.

Take the stress out of the planning process

Researching travel on the Internet can be time-consuming and confusing. Travel agents have access to live inventory, the best cabin availability and resources that cruise lines' consumer websites don't offer. Let a travel agent take the stress out of the planning process and have them do the work while you plan your wardrobe.

Experience

Travel agents take many cruises and make numerous ship inspections every year, as well as attend seminars and classes the cruise lines offer them. They can tell you which ships serve the best food, which have the better service, the types of people your fellow travelers will likely be, and which cruise lines would be a good fit for your interests.

Inexperienced travelers can often make mistakes when making their pre- or post-cruise travel arrangements. "Some people who book cruises online don't book the air travel right and miss the ship," says Espinoza. Travel agents are well versed in booking transportation, accommodations and packages and can make the necessary arrangements for getting you to and from your ship. They can also offer alternatives to the cruise lines' pre- and post-cruise land packages if you want to save money or travel on alternate dates.

Your advocate, your travel advisor

Today's travel agent should be considered a "travel advisor." When things go wrong, from an arriving flight to the cruise being cancelled to canceling your trip all together due to illness or accident, a travel agent will work on your behalf to resole any difficulties. Your travel agent is your consumer advocate.

It is not uncommon for people to make a mistake when booking a cruise on the Internet. For instance, if you accidentally book a cruise for the wrong week over the internet, you have a problem. If you booked your cruise through a travel agent, she has more more influence with the cruise line to fix a mistake. Travel agents have the relationships, you get the benefits.

The relationship with you, the customer

First, you want to establish a rapport with an agent that is interested in building a long-term relationship with you. The agent should spend some time asking you about your interests in order to find the best fit for your vacation. You should expect return calls or emails promptly and expect regular communications from her between trips.

Ultimately, you don't have to stop researching travel over the internet, but why deal with the headaches that may arise when booking a cruise through a no-name, no-face, no-service website? The personal service you receive may be worth any satisfaction you get from booking it on your own.