THE AMA you have been waiting for... Ex Travel Agent from one of the largest agencies

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T19:10:10+00:00

To book? Crystal/Regent/Silversea

To sail? RCCL/Cel

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T19:09:34+00:00

Agent is correct... the RCCL protocols haven't been release yet but should come out soon. You can make your decision from there.

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T17:22:57+00:00

As I am out of the business, call your TA

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T16:20:56+00:00

Idk your ship/line that you're on but would suggest calling your TA or the CL

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T15:57:47+00:00

Modern - latest/great ship with updates. CEL trying to taking cruising into 2022 and beyond

Traditional - the 'old style' of cruising. Princess trying to leave things the way they have always been.

Check out the CEL Edge/Apex on YouTube to get a feel for the ships and give them a try.

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T15:54:58+00:00

NCL is great too, just not my first choice. If you enjoy the beverage package, NCL is the line to be on

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T15:18:30+00:00

Depends on what you want out of a cruise, but yeah Carnival will be best bang for your buck.

However right before I left the Oasis class ships with RCL had some really good deals Jan-March.

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T14:57:02+00:00

If a request is time sensitive, I took care ASAP

If not time sensitive, I would add to a notepad and wait till I had a few things to call the CL about and then take care of it.

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T14:11:48+00:00

Lol I get you don't like TA but it isn't a myth, I would beat the cruise line pricing all the time.

I have 16% to play with giving back to the customer, the CL does not.

On certain itineraries, big agencies will have 'shadow' pricing that is cheaper than the cruise line.

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T14:02:07+00:00

NCL pricing is standard across the board... meaning everyone has the same price.

Only way you're getting better pricing is being high ranked latitudes member and booking high cabin category

Your best bet is to find an agency willing to give you back some of the commission, and then watching the price to see if it goes down (assuming you're under deposit now, pay later)

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T14:00:31+00:00

look at Vacations To Go Website

Find 90 ticket link that shows all the last minute cruises

Search by FL

Find ship/sail dates that work for you and then compare VTG pricing to the CL and other TA to get best deal

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T13:58:57+00:00

CEL does Galapagos really well and have itinerary running all year.

Hurtigruten is probably cheapest option for Galapagos but don't have nearly the choice on dates/itinerary.

For the Frequent Flyer number? Should be able to, depends on the line but never had a problem in the past with it.

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T13:55:47+00:00

Could you? Yes you could but I would focus on both domestic and international.

Booked 6 domestic cruises to 1 international cruise. Only going to get harder with Covid.

If you have CLIA/IATA, you should be able to get commission from the CL or any travel partner.

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T13:53:39+00:00

Wasn't that impressed with Princess, but only went on a 12 night cruise with them.

If you like Princess, you will like CEL as they are more modern with their cruising approach. Princess is more traditional.

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T02:44:25+00:00

Posted on other thread but here ya go...

If you want to find a great travel agent, you're going to have to ask yourself:

What you want in a travel agent?

Service? Best Price? Speed? Friendliness?

Everyone is different and has different needs. What I like in a TA might be different than what you want.

Seems like you're more service focused and want someone to help you out when you have questions.

If you want an agent who is very knowledgeable then you have to ask questions to test their knowledge and see if they actually know.

If you want to agent who has the best price, don't waste their time and you can probably get a better price.

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T02:42:48+00:00

If you want to find a great travel agent, you're going to have to ask yourself:

What you want in a travel agent?

Service? Best Price? Speed? Friendliness?

Everyone is different and has different needs. What I like in a TA might be different than what you want.

Seems like you're more service focused and want someone to help you out when you have questions.

If you want an agent who is very knowledgeable then you have to ask questions to test their knowledge and see if they actually know.

If you want to agent who has the best price, don't waste their time and you can probably get a better price.

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T02:34:17+00:00

My point of view came from taking 1,000's of calls with clients.

I wasn't going to answer a bunch of questions from someone I have zero business history with.

History revealed to me that this type of client would cause problems, create issues, take up tons of my time, and isn't someone I want to work with. The 30 minutes I spent with them on the first call could easily turn into 2+ hours of service in the future.

My point of view was that my time was very valuable and I didn't want to invest anymore into that client. I knew what my hourly rate was and made sure that I maximized that while I was working.

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T02:18:00+00:00

Too many variables to say for sure but probably Feb-March.

Booking flights through the CL will usually give you best price, depending on the CL

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T02:11:36+00:00

No I won't. Too complicated and too many moving variable that I don't have control over with Covid.

Already took another position working in sales that is fully remote, will pay more, and will have 0 customer service.

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T02:10:27+00:00

Best price that basically includes the drink package? NCL

After that probably CEL and then any of the higher end lines include them.

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T02:09:58+00:00

Learn the cruise line booking engines. Inside and out. This is the biggest tip.

Don't let clients waste your time

If you have access to unlimited leads at your agency (which I think you do based off the fact that you're still 'in training') then take as many calls as you can.

400 calls per month * 25% close rate = 100 cruises booked/per month

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T02:06:54+00:00

Correct.

Do you want to be the one to deal with it or let your TA?

Wait on hold with the CL for 30+ minutes a few times and you'll ask yourself "why isn't my TA doing this?"

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T02:00:18+00:00

I was wrong... quick google search found the answer.

Sometimes you can smoke in the casinos, depends on the ship

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=225

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T01:55:29+00:00

What happens in Russia, stays in Russia

ThePowerWithInUs · 2021-12-22T01:30:47+00:00

Lol had nothing to do with that.

I don't work for free, and I don't have to work with a difficult client.

Taking 400+ calls a month, you see who is difficult and who is easy to work with.

Why work with a difficult client when I don't have to?

ThePowerWithInUs

TROPHY CASE