I am the owner of a full service travel agency. Along with my wife, we specialize in several areas of the travel industry – cruises, land and all-inclusive vacations, but can do simple tasks such as research and book flights, hotels and car rentals. The Internet is a good place to do research for your next vacation on your own, but why waste time and money? Using a travel agent is your best option. Here are some myths and facts revealed.
Myth #1. All Travel Agents Are Alike
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Fact: All Travel Agents are not alike! Some Travel Agents specialize in Airline tickets. Some specialize in European Vacations. Some specialize in booking hotel vacations at domestic locations. Some Travel Agents specialize in Cruise Vacations. For example, if you contact a Travel Agent that is not experienced booking cruises, all kinds of mistakes can happen!
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Myth #2. I can book directly with the cruise line
Fact: Here is what Anne Campbell (Recognized Cruise Expert) Says: There is a growing trend for cruisers to book their trip through a cruise company's own web site or toll-free phone number. Any experienced cruiser will tell you that planning a seagoing vacation is far different from booking a simple hotel room or an airline seat. If you've cruised more than once, you know that the person most critical to making sure you have a problem-free vacation is your travel agent. They won’t cost you anything for cruise planning – they make their income on a commission paid by the cruise line for your booking. So, why are so many cruise lines aggressively pursuing vacationers to book directly? And should you? In this time of overcapacity, cruise lines are battling for every nickel they can get, including bypassing agents to save on the commission. But you don't benefit by booking directly with the cruise line; generally, your fare will be the same as if you used an agent, or often even higher. More important, a top-flight agent will track the ever-fluctuating cruise prices for you, and if they go down, should be able get you a better deal. If you book direct, it's your job to monitor the seesaw swings in cruise prices.
Myth #3. I can get a better price by booking on-line.
Fact: Cruise Planners has access to the very same pricing that the highly advertised travel sites and that company that really specializes in roadside assistance does. In many cases, better rates! Don't be fooled. Many travel web sites quote rates that do not include all of the taxes and fees. Most hide "additional" taxes and other mysterious service charges in the fine print. Wait till something goes wrong, or you need to make a correction! If you can get a "real person" at the famous name on-line agency, they will charge you a service charge for any changes you make.
Myth #4. I can save money by skipping the Travel Agent
Fact: There is no charge for the services of your Travel Agent. The Cruise Line pays us our commission on the "back-end" after your cruise. We do all the work for you, at no charge to you. So, not only do you not save any money by skipping the Travel Agent, you end up doing more work yourself for nothing!
Myth #5. I saw an ad that says they can save me 50% on a cruise!
Fact: They are pulling your leg. What they do is compare today’s rate to the "brochure rate", and then tell you how much they are saving you. Big Deal! They are trying to impress you until they say… “By the way, the price went up” or “that rate is no longer available”. If today’s rate is 1/2 of the brochure rate, then anybody can book you at that rate. No one pays the brochure rate!
Questions?
Brian P. Carew is a professional travel advisor with Infinity Cruise Planners, a Cruise Planners – American Express Travel Company. We are a full service travel agency. For more information, please go to www.infinitycruiseplanners.com or call 727-517-2751. He can also be reached at bcarew@cruiseplanners.com
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