Expert: Curtis Thorsen - 1/23/2009

Question
Hello-

I'm not sure if you can help or not but me and my husband are trying to plan our first cruise this year. We've been researching online and find that most recommend using a local travel agent.

My question is how do I find a good travel agent? We've talked to 3 people who were very unhelpful, not asking pertinent questions..they kind of sound uninterested or rush us through without asking what we want or offering suggestions.

Many sites we've visited state that a travel agent should be a must for first time cruisers.

How do we find someone local who is loyal, honest, cares about our wants and needs and will go above and beyond to help make our first cruise memorable and unpainful?

Thanks!

Answer
Well I am happy to assist you on this simply because I am a travel professional and have been for 15 + years !

Looking for the purrfect TA can be a tad difficult at times and if being a first time cruiser, you can stay local, but that is not always the only option you have. I have many out of state clients who were once first timers like you and they got my name from friends or family members and we held their hands so to speak thru the whole process. I am by no means soliciting for your business, but offer that suggestion as well.

What you need to be looking for in a TA are many topics. Be certain they are a member of CLIA, ASTA or various cruise consortiums.... make certain they are licensed and bonded as well. Now if you have located that Agency that has those qualifications... time to find the TA that is looking out for your best interest and is qualifying you for the cruiseline, ship and itinerary that meet your needs. They should ask you questions of your likes, dislikes, food style you are seeking, type of ship you are looking for regarding the elegance such as Holland America or Celebrity or just the high energy of say Carnival or Royal Caribbean or Princess.....But if you are looking for HIGH END cruising, then they should know this and steer you towards say Cunard, Seabourne or perhaps Crystal cruiselines.

OK... now you have found that """magical""" Travel Agency that has the qualifications... you have met with a TA that seems to be very knowledgeable fo the cruise industry, ports of call and can offer suggestions to cruiselines/ships and itineraries that fit your needs. You need to find out what policies this agency has regarding cancellation fees, name change fees, deposit requirements (matching what the cruiseline requires and NO MORE !), do they charge a fee for their services ? Will they honor lower pricing up to and after the time of final payment if a lower fare becomes available by the cruiseline (this is happening quite a bit more and more now due to the economy) ?

Some TA's will offer perks for you to book with them i.e. shipboard credit, pre paid gratuities, trip insurance paid for (be leary of this one as the policiy is usually useless if need to file a claim !), and some will lower the rates below the cruiseline price (when allowed to depending on the cruisline you select to sail on).

Not all TA's will offer the service that others will and many are just order takers with little to no cruise experience at all... this is why you should qualify the agency before even taking the time to talk with them regarding your cruise plans.

So many people look at only the LOWEST FARES as their final decision maker and this is the biggest mistake I believe can be made.....Find the TA that is looking out for your best interest... make sure they can be reached via phone or email and that their return response time is no more than 1 day at most (unles they are out of town and even then should have someone to assist you while they are away).

Follow these simple guidelines and make certain you are happy with whoever you choose before handing over that c.card information for deposit ! Which brings another point to ask... Make certain that you pay with c.card only for your protection and make certain the TA calls your c.card # in direct to the cruiseline for payment and does not apply your payment to their office and then pay the cruisline thru their company.... many agencies have gotten in a financial bind "floating" clients money like this and some of which have recently closed while holding clients money and their clients are left with not only no cruise, but their money stolen ! Your c.card statement should show the charge has been made to whatever your cruiseline of choice was selected and NEVER THE TRAVEL AGENCY !

Hope I have been of some help to you and wish you the best of luck in your cruise planning adventures.... it's half the fun !

Regards.....

Curtis Thorsen
President
Cruise Resort & World Travel
912.654.1072 (office)
912.654.2072 (fax)
fun2cruiz@aol.com  (email)