Have you been researching a sailing and wondering where to begin the cruise booking process? A travel agent may be an excellent place to start.

You can go online or call the cruise line and speak to a representative, but a travel agent may be the best stepping-off point.

I have been using my travel agent for the better part of the past decade. It has given me peace of mind regarding significant parts of my cruise booking, like when the final payment is due, ensuring I submit the proper documentation for onboard credit, and monitoring price drops.

Here are the pros of using a travel agent.

Using a travel agent can save you time and effort when planning. They have the knowledge and experience to create a personalized trip that fits your needs, from finding the cheapest flights to booking hotel rooms with flexibility in mind.

Some travel agents also have access to exclusive deals on cabins, making them an excellent resource for budget-conscious travelers looking to get the most out of their money.

1. Knowledge and Experience

A few benefits of using a travel agent are access to insider knowledge about the travel industry, expertise in planning complex itineraries, the latest trends, and recommendations for some off-the-beaten-path experiences. The latter, however, will vary by the agent and how well-traveled they are.

Additionally, they can make recommendations based on their experiences and feedback from clients who have traveled to similar destinations.

2. Time Savings

Reduced time spent researching and comparing options is one of the biggest time-saving benefits of using a travel agent. Instead of spending hours scouring the internet for the cheapest flights or hotel rooms, a travel agent can quickly provide you with multiple options, types of travel that fit your budget, and itineraries.

Additionally, they can handle all booking details on your behalf, saving you even more time.

Most importantly, if you need flexibility in your itinerary or encounter unexpected changes during your trip, a travel agent can assist with itinerary adjustments or refunds.

3. Cost Savings

Access to exclusive deals, discounts, and promotions unavailable online can be a major cost-saving benefit of using a travel agent. These agents often have access to special rates on flights, hotels, and cruises that are not publicly advertised.

Travel agents also offer flexibility regarding itinerary planning, which can help you find the cheapest options for flights or hotel rooms based on demand.

With their accreditations, expertise, and connections within the industry, a travel agent may even be able to secure last-minute deals or package offers even in the middle of the night that fit your budget.

Working with a travel agent can save significant costs while ensuring an enjoyable and stress-free vacation experience. I can’t begin to tell you the thousands of dollars I’ve saved through the years using my travel agent.

Also, for cheaper flights, my travel agent has used flight consolidators for international air and or cruise line-priced airfare to knock money off the total vacation price. Using a flight consolidator, my travel agent once saved me $1500 in airfare to Barcelona.

4. Personalized Service

Recommendations based on personal preferences, interests, or passions are some of the biggest perks of using a travel agent. That is something you won’t get booking through a website.

Travel agents who offer personalized service take the time to get to know the number of clients and craft itineraries that cater to their needs.

One-on-one communication throughout the trip planning process helps make sure everything runs smoothly from start to finish. With a travel agent, you’ll have access to someone who understands your needs and can help answer any questions.

Customizable packages also bring flexibility into play, so adjustments can be made where necessary without breaking budget constraints.

My travel agent knows I’m a light sleeper, so when booking, she looks for rooms not near nightclubs, above or below galley areas, or directly under open decks where the crew could be cleaning and moving chairs in the middle of the night.

5. Assistance with Emergencies

A reliable on-call support team can make all the difference in unexpected travel emergencies. Using a travel agent gives you access to expert advice and quick assistance in rebooking flights or accommodations due to cancellations or delays.

This saves you time and helps ensure you don’t make costly mistakes when rearranging your itinerary.

If flexibility is key when traveling, working with a travel agent can be especially beneficial as they can help navigate changes in demand and fluctuating prices for flights and hotel rooms.

Some additional benefits include:

One time I had to get off the ship early and fly home from Nassau because of a family situation. My travel agent walked me through every step along the way. I had to surrender my passport to the front desk until I signed off the ship and then paid the debark tax to get off in Nassau, which was around $27.

6. Someone to Advocate for You

There have been countless times where I’ve tried to submit paperwork to the cruise line and it didn’t go through, or a dining slot wasn’t available.

Often my agent has been able to pick up the phone and get everything sorted out, usually within a couple of hours. Having the option to let someone else handle an issue who knows the right department to call outweighs waiting for days to ensure your onboard credit request went through.

Now let’s look at the cons of being a travel agent because it is fair to look at both sides.

7. Some Charge a Fee, but Most Don’t

Some travel agents may charge additional fees, which can increase the overall cost of your trip. However, these agencies are normally part of a boutique travel agency that curates experiences and spends hours upon hours on one reservation.

Additionally, travel agents may not always offer the best deals online, so it’s important to research before booking through an agent.

If you booked online or through the cruise line, you are still on the hook for additional fees, changes, or cancellations made through a travel agent.

8. Lack of Control

Travel agents can provide many benefits, but one major downside is the lack of control that comes with it.

When booking through an agent, you may experience less flexibility in itinerary planning and difficulty making last-minute changes. This could also result in possible communication issues with the agent if they are unavailable when needed.

While some travelers prefer to have everything planned out ahead of time, others enjoy the freedom to make adjustments as they go. If you value having complete control over your travel plans, using a travel agent may not be the best option.

However, working with an agent could still be worth considering if you’re willing to sacrifice some control for convenience and potential cost savings.

When I started using my travel agent, I learned I had to go through my agent to handle my reservation. I still had access to the online cruise manager, but speaking with a customer service representative was difficult.

When you book with a travel agent and then want to call the cruise line to discuss your reservation, the lines are limited regarding what they can tell or do for you.

9. Limited Options

Travel is not a one size fits all package. One cruise may not fit individual preferences and needs: One of the downsides of using a travel agent is that they often offer pre-packaged tours or deals.

While these can be convenient for some, they may not consider your personal preferences and interests.

For instance, if you’re an adventure seeker who loves to hike off-the-beaten-path trails, you might miss out on unique experiences by booking a generic tour package.

If you want to experience the true essence of a place — its culture, food, and people — it’s worth doing your research rather than relying solely on what the agent has to offer.

10. You Have to Actually to Find an Agent

The cruise line will not suggest a travel agent to you because it cuts out on their bottom line. They pay travel agents a commission for selling their products. If they can sell a seven-night cruise for $999 per person directly, it’s more beneficial for them.

For a cruise travel agent, any Facebook group will suggest dozens, if not 100s of them. But be careful. If you post on social media looking for one, you may have a handful of them sliding in your DMs to make the sale.

11. Risk of Scams

Traveling can be exciting, but it also comes with scamming risks. One risk is the possibility of being scammed by fraudulent or online travel agencies. It’s important to speak with your agent and not do anything without talking to someone on the phone first.

Do your research and verify the credibility or statistics of any agency before handing over money or personal information. You can start by checking their agency’s listening on the BBB (Better Business Bureau).

Another risk is misleading information provided by dishonest travel agents. They may promise certain accommodations or services that are unavailable, leaving you disappointed and out of pocket.

Lastly, there is limited recourse for resolving disputes when dealing with scams from a travel agent. This can lead to frustration and added expenses in rectifying the situation. It’s essential always to take steps to protect yourself against such risks when booking travel.

Final Wrap Up

The above thoughts have been my experience using a travel agent and some things I’ve noticed over the years.

Another thing I learned is that if you book your next cruise onboard through a promotion, you can transfer that booking to your travel agent, so they will get credit for helping you.

I will say one thing, the importance of using an agent in this day supersedes any other time in history. From personal experience, during the cruise industry shutdown, my agent kept all my bookings, eight of them to be exact, under control and let me know how much onboard and future cruise credit was being compensated or refunded.

I had a much easier time ensuring everything was handled, and the rebookings and/or credits were in my file.

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The post 11 Pros and Cons of Using a Travel Agent appeared first on Cruise Radio - Daily Updates On The Cruise Industry.

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By: Doug Parker
Title: 11 Pros and Cons of Using a Travel Agent
Sourced From: cruiseradio.net/11-pros-and-cons-of-using-a-travel-agent/
Published Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 16:40:55 +0000

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