P, E, O, P, L, E - LET'S BEGIN WITH PLANNING SELECTING YOUR TRAVEL SPECIALIST
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Selecting The Right Travel Agent Who Is Right For You.
One of your most important decisions before booking a cruise is selecting a travel agent who specializes in cruises.
We often say that a strong travel agent is worth their weight in gold. A well-versed travel agent can provide you with first hand knowledge about the cruise line(s), ship(s), and even itinerary that you are considering based on their own experiences. By getting to know you and what you desire they can offer you some recommendations that would be a good fit for you. They can also take care of a variety of items for you from the actual booking to transfers, private excursions, pre-cruise and post cruise hotels, airlines reservations and can run down other questions for you.
Just as importantly they can be your advocate should something go wrong with the cruise line, they can save you money, and they can help you to prevent mistakes.
Just like other professionals, such as physicians, lawyers, real estate agents, travel agents capabilities/competencies are not all the same so the key is to find a highly capable and competent agent and someone who is a good match for you in terms of factors such as personality.
So, how do you find and select that ideal travel agent?
Start with friends and family members. Speak with people you respect and are experienced cruisers and find out if they recommend their agent and ask them why.
Treat the selection of a travel agent as though you are interviewing someone for a job and there are different methods to do this. For example, prepare a series of questions that you can ask each perspective agent and then schedule telephone interviews with each agent to discuss them. Also consider asking for some information in writing because this will give you a feel for their timeliness and thoroughness. Similar to a homework assignment, if the information is not sent to you in time, does not adequately address your questions and is incomplete that will give you a feel as to what to expect from the agent. On the other hand, if this information is complete, thoroughly answers your questions, provides you with even more information than you asked and is timely that tells you a lot about the agent as well.
Be sure to ask about the agent's experience, find out what cruise lines they have personally sailed, and ask about amenities they can offer. Ask them what they consider their strong points and how they differentiate themselves and from others in their field. Be sure to ask them about their support team. Specifically; who takes care of the work when they are on vacation or out of pocket traveling on business, and are they reachable over the weekend or during after hours, and are there others who provide support in other areas beyond the actual booking of the cruise such as the list of items we have already discussed including pre and post cruise hotels, airline reservations, private tours and other areas that will enhance your overall cruising experience.
Select someone with the long-term in mind because hopefully you will be cruising for a long time.
Next we will discuss, booking the cruise.
One of your most important decisions before booking a cruise is selecting a travel agent who specializes in cruises.
We often say that a strong travel agent is worth their weight in gold. A well-versed travel agent can provide you with first hand knowledge about the cruise line(s), ship(s), and even itinerary that you are considering based on their own experiences. By getting to know you and what you desire they can offer you some recommendations that would be a good fit for you. They can also take care of a variety of items for you from the actual booking to transfers, private excursions, pre-cruise and post cruise hotels, airlines reservations and can run down other questions for you.
Just as importantly they can be your advocate should something go wrong with the cruise line, they can save you money, and they can help you to prevent mistakes.
Just like other professionals, such as physicians, lawyers, real estate agents, travel agents capabilities/competencies are not all the same so the key is to find a highly capable and competent agent and someone who is a good match for you in terms of factors such as personality.
So, how do you find and select that ideal travel agent?
Start with friends and family members. Speak with people you respect and are experienced cruisers and find out if they recommend their agent and ask them why.
Treat the selection of a travel agent as though you are interviewing someone for a job and there are different methods to do this. For example, prepare a series of questions that you can ask each perspective agent and then schedule telephone interviews with each agent to discuss them. Also consider asking for some information in writing because this will give you a feel for their timeliness and thoroughness. Similar to a homework assignment, if the information is not sent to you in time, does not adequately address your questions and is incomplete that will give you a feel as to what to expect from the agent. On the other hand, if this information is complete, thoroughly answers your questions, provides you with even more information than you asked and is timely that tells you a lot about the agent as well.
Be sure to ask about the agent's experience, find out what cruise lines they have personally sailed, and ask about amenities they can offer. Ask them what they consider their strong points and how they differentiate themselves and from others in their field. Be sure to ask them about their support team. Specifically; who takes care of the work when they are on vacation or out of pocket traveling on business, and are they reachable over the weekend or during after hours, and are there others who provide support in other areas beyond the actual booking of the cruise such as the list of items we have already discussed including pre and post cruise hotels, airline reservations, private tours and other areas that will enhance your overall cruising experience.
Select someone with the long-term in mind because hopefully you will be cruising for a long time.
Next we will discuss, booking the cruise.
