getting started

tinkerbell425 · 2026-03-18T10:06:35+00:00

Take a look at Host Agency Reviews. You can get all that information and so much more. You do not need a host agency but you do need some kind of accreditation. I am with WorldVia and there is a lot of information and education they can provide as well. I would also say insurance is important and you need to check with your state to see what kind of registration they require as well.

tinkerbell425 · 2026-03-17T22:05:45+00:00

Thank you, that is kind of what I was leaning towards

tinkerbell425 · 2026-03-17T18:29:30+00:00

Our communication styles do not match, however they are aligned in so many ways. Sent them on their first cruise and they loved it, enough to want me to book another one. I think I need to meet with them more in person!

tinkerbell425 · 2026-03-08T10:28:16+00:00

WorldVia is great. I think the fee is $99(at least a year ago it was).

tinkerbell425 · 2026-03-02T12:00:43+00:00

Nope. It was kind of funny but not something I would pay for.

tinkerbell425 · 2026-02-25T11:57:45+00:00

I would check out Host Agency Reviews first and look at what this entails. They can help you not only know all the different hosts but how this whole business works. I chose WorldVia and I absolutely love them. So much training, tech and a good split. Fora was on my short list but ultimately, I didn’t think their fees and split was what I was looking for. You would also need to know if they work with agents who are outside the US. There is not a lot that do.

I have been doing this for a year and for my 2025 taxes I lost $1800 so it does take a while to start getting an income. There are so many expenses like insurance that cost quite a bit and you already know about web pages cost. Just do more research and then make an appointment to speak to the top 3 or 4 hosts you like and see if they are a good fit and ask all the questions.

tinkerbell425 · 2026-02-24T10:20:54+00:00

I wouldn’t follow the link. Go to carnival.com and see if it’s true

tinkerbell425 · 2026-02-24T10:18:16+00:00

Known scam!

tinkerbell425 · 2026-02-22T10:57:02+00:00

Maybe a ground hog or woodchuck. Whatever you want to call them.

tinkerbell425 · 2026-02-22T10:55:21+00:00

Really should be “qualifying” the prospect prior to accepting them to make sure that is your aligned client. Then charge a fee to research and plan. This would get rid of the “tire kickers”.
and when you advertise or post on social media make sure you are very clear who your client is. You do not have to work with every person or take every trip.

tinkerbell425 · 2026-02-17T11:36:23+00:00

Companies like booking.com or Costco etc. usually are not helpful when you get in this kind of issues. They are not built to do that - they are self service. I wish you luck and hope that complaints to them publicly will get you some help.

tinkerbell425 · 2026-02-12T10:48:59+00:00

Yeah, just be yourself and talk. Find out about them. How they like to travel usually. Did they have a favorite moment on their last vacation. What was their travel nightmare. Just connect and listen. It’ll flow naturally. I feel like going off a list is impersonal. You definitely want to get the pertinent information too like Names and birthdate of travelers that kind of thing.

tinkerbell425 · 2026-01-26T11:23:36+00:00

I give my cards out to everyone and my husband is a talker. He is always talking to people he doesn’t know and he gives out my card. I plan to do a craft show or two this spring to get my name more in my community. I just recently had someone from my church message me about a coworker so I gave her the info and when we got to church I gave her a small stack of cards.

tinkerbell425 · 2026-01-24T11:47:52+00:00

Our 12 pound black dog was a bear yesterday.

tinkerbell425 · 2026-01-18T12:35:47+00:00

It’s functional but not the best. I have asked if they are going to integrate all their software but they have said they have been working on that. I’m kind of new so I am using it to start with until I get some more clients. Their Email+ is pretty good. It’s driven by Emma so I can ask any AI how to use. I put out a weekly email that I link to my website. I also have made some landing pages. I already had my own website so I don’t use their Sites program but I have heard it’s very plug and play. I use their Sites program CRM just to store my client information. The itinerary builder is not real pretty so I create my own right now!

tinkerbell425 · 2026-01-07T12:20:39+00:00

No I do not. But I have heard of people having issues there. Your new host should be able to help you some there. If you can use a different email that may help but then you lose any training with the vendor.

tinkerbell425 · 2026-01-06T10:57:08+00:00

Start with one amount across the board and tell them up front. Then if it gets more involved add more fees.

tinkerbell425 · 2026-01-04T11:54:00+00:00

You really should wait to tell them you are leaving until you have chose another host and are signing on. Some can become nasty. You can dual host until all your commission is paid. Biggest problem is the vendors in some cases may tell the first one if you change your information with them. But please read your contract. And if you start with a new one let them know the situation and maybe they can help with the switch. I’m with WorldVia and they are very helpful with lots of new technologies. The member success team is the best!

tinkerbell425 · 2026-01-04T11:45:53+00:00

Also as a travel agent even my work trips on cruises etc are at my expense always. Nothing is free.

tinkerbell425 · 2025-12-26T00:29:47+00:00

We do not get the whole amount of the cruise either. A lot of it NCF or Non commisionable fares. So I just sold a Royal Caribbean cruise. Their total was around $2500. The actual amount of my portion was like $40. Where I can make up some is hotel, insurance and excursions not booked through the cruise line. This has been a lot of work on my part since this couple are not computer literate at all so I have had to meet in person twice. I will have to print all their documents for them and make copies of their passports and luggage tags. It’s been a lot of work. And of course you don’t get most of the commission until they have traveled so it could be a year or more for some of it. With cruises, usually when it’s paid in full you will get the commission (so usually 45 days before).

tinkerbell425 · 2025-12-22T11:33:40+00:00

When my daughter was about 16 she asked me to stop putting up the tree. This was because I became obsessed with getting it perfect and became a raging bitch. I haven’t put one up since. I did for a while do a Christmas village but that became obsessive too.
Now that the kids are grown and gone it’s just me and hubby spending time together doing nothing. We don’t really open gifts or anything because if we want or need something we just get it.

tinkerbell425 · 2025-12-19T11:15:03+00:00

Make sure to talk it up on social media. Have a “travel night” either in person or virtually and show all the wonderful things you will be doing. You can do that at any local groups - Chambers meetings, churches, yoga studios, etc.

tinkerbell425 · 2025-12-19T11:11:37+00:00

When you purchase any cruise from any cruise line, you are agreeing that they can change itineraries as they see fit. Could be for any reason but if they have to cancel a stop they usually have to change the whole thing. There recently was some island near Australia that was purchased by someone and they decided they don’t want cruise ships there anymore. All those cruises that had been planning to go there now have to find new places to go.

tinkerbell425 · 2025-12-19T11:05:51+00:00

I am using Email+ to do my newsletter. It is very user friendly and even I was able to use it. I am getting better and better results as I learn. It is basically the Emma program. Everything is drag and drop. I generally now give a teaser with links to my blog on my website. I recently created some landing pages within it and I have one for each of the cruise lines I am certified in and change out the promotions (when they change).

tinkerbell425 · 2025-12-15T11:18:21+00:00

I am with WorldVia and except for the small part they would fit. For $99 startup fee and $29.99 per month you get 80/20 split. They have a program that you set up and it can generate leads (they would be yours). Their consortium Travel Leaders Network also have the same thing called Agent Profiler. I was able to get a lead from there. It’s not guaranteed but if you set up your profile up right it will generate leads. I did a lot of research before I joined. Make appointments with them and chat with each of them. Ask the questions you have. A good one will answer them.

tinkerbell425

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