I’ve created a set of questions that I always ask prospective groups and clients during my 12+ years in the hotel industry. This allows me to craft the best proposal possible to fit their needs. The same school of thought applies to travel agents. They are a great asset to have for your travel planning. You need to do a little soul searching before reaching out so they can assist you better and faster. Below is a list of the 8 things your Travel Agent needs to know to help you find the best cruise.
- Price Point. You should give your Travel Agent a price range right off the bat. This tells them which cruise lines will work best for your price point. Be prepared to also receive some offers that are above your targeted price that may have better experiences.
- What are you looking to get out of your cruise? Are you more of a foodie? Do you prefer adventurous activities? The more information you give them, the better they will be at narrowing down the best cruise lines for you since certain lines specialize in different areas.
- Do you want to be on a cruise that is family friendly? If you are looking to do a romantic getaway without the kids, there is a good chance you won’t want to be around a lot of kids. There are certain lines that cater to adults only or adults primarily. Your Travel Agent will appreciate you letting them know this so they can make your experience better.
- What itineraries are you interested in? The Caribbean is very generic in the cruise industry. For example, there are Western itineraries (Mexico, Grand Cayman etc), Eastern (St. Thomas, San Juan, St. Maarten etc) and different Southern itineraries (ABCs, Barbados, St. Kitts etc). Make sure you specify if this is important to you.
- How long do you want to be gone for? Cruises are normally broken down into 3-5 nights, 6-9 nights and 10+ nights.
- Room Types. Are you ok with a cheap interior room without windows or do you prefer to have room service breakfast on your balcony? This is very important to your travel agent. There is a chance that they might even be able to find you a great deal on a suite for around the same price as a balcony!
- When do you want to go? As a hotel person, this is my favorite question. Prices vary based on type of sailings, time of the year and more. A cruise during the second week of December is going to be significantly cheaper than Christmas week.
- List of your concerns. If you are concerned about the size of a ship or a potential health concern, mention it. There are so many ways your Travel Agent can help you. A good Travel Agent can help you with excursions, flights, pre and post hotel stays as well. You should always feel free to ask them about drink packages, onboard activities and anything pertaining to your trip.
A Travel Agent is a great ally to have on your side. They can advocate for you if you have any issues before, during or after your trip. The biggest part that I can stress is that not all Travel Agents are created equally. Ask for recommendations and look for reviews!
I hope you enjoyed this list of the 8 things your Travel Agent needs to know to help you find the best cruise!
Want to see my Q&A with my Travel Agent About Cruising? Click Here.
Don’t make these first time cruiser mistakes either!
