This article about cruise vacation and cruise travel
agents is appealing for those interested about this topic is written by
Mary Hanna
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If you decide to use a travel
agent to book your cruise travel, know whom you are dealing with! Some cruise
agents are very competent; others may have been selling stereos or aluminum
siding over the telephone six months ago. A cruise travel agent will be able to
give you lots of information on many different cruise lines.
For instance, Carnival is known as the fun ships, Celebrity for their excellent
cuisine. Disney, of course, is geared towards children,
Ask the cruise travel agent some pointed questions. See if they have CLIA
accreditation. CLIA stands for Cruise Lines International Association and is
the industries standard. Find out how many cruise vacations the travel agent
has been on and on which cruise lines. If the travel agent has only cruised on
one line you know that will be the cruise line that they recommend. If they
give the pros and cons of several cruise lines you know you have found a good
cruise travel agent.
Always ask if they are a preferred supplier of the cruise line they are
recommending. Many cruise travel agents who have booked numerous cabins on one
particular cruise line will get preferred status meaning they will get an
additional bonus from the cruise line for everyone they book for a cruise vacation.
Local travel agents or otherwise self-appointed cruise experts frequently read
the cruise ship line PR veneer right out of the catalog. Often this turns out
to be nothing more than selling you the standard discount for booking your
cruise vacation that is available to virtually anyone off the so-called
brochure rate.
The result is that you think you're getting a cruise ship that does not fulfill
your criteria. What you find yourself on is a garish neon nightmare of a ship
filled with people whose idea of a good time is drinking, partying, and then
waking you up at 3AM as they boisterously announce their arrival back to their
room--all right outside of your cabin.
For sure, this is the idea of a roaring good time for some--but the point is
KNOW WHAT YOU ARE REALLY BUYING! There are many significant points and nuances
that can differentiate between an OK trip, and one that falls short for the
money you spend.
Many travel or cruise agencies often offer "special discounts". This
is a common travel agency ploy to offer promotional deals that frequently focus
on a special "cruise night." You may get a mailing or perhaps there
is an ad in the local newspaper. You go in, are met and greeted, enjoy punch
and free cookies, and view a dreamy cruise video.
Keep in mind that this is intended to appeal to a strong emotional purchase
decision. Experts about the Psychology of selling relate this experience to
what any top car salesperson knows. In the dealer's showroom, if you can get
the potential customer behind the wheel to experience the "smell of the
new car" and the fantasy of pulling it into the driveway--you've likely
already made a sale!
However when you go to one of these get-togethers to preview cruise travel
often they don’t try and tailor your needs to a cruise that will fulfill those
needs. They’ll provide you with general information trying to sell as many of
the same cruise vacations as possible. You deserve to have your considerations
met.
Cruise travel agents are certainly the easiest way to go when booking a cruise
vacation, but if you do use a travel agent, have them one-on-one instead of in
a group situation. Be sure they listen to what you are saying, and if you have
any hesitancy, address it immediately. Most agents are professional enough to
take a step back and make adjustments based on what you tell them.
So take a little time and research your cruise travel agent until you find one
that you are comfortable with. When you find the right travel agent they will
steer you to the best cruise line for you and you will experience a great
cruise vacation.
Happy Cruising
Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as
long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are
unchanged.
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com.