It's not too late to start booking your future cruises through a travel agent.
Royal Caribbean recently announced its top-performing tour operators of the year. The list includes both newcomers and repeat winners from previous years who have demonstrated dedication, passion, and the ability to book a Royal Caribbean vacation.
- Chairman's Award for Overall Achievement: Travel Leaders Network
- President's Award for Overall Achievement: World Travel Holdings
- National Account Partner of the Year: Travel Planners International
- Southeast Partner of the Year: Travelmation
- Northeast Partner of the Year: Cruise Brothers
- Central Partner of the Year: Magic Vacation Planner
- Western Partner of the Year: MEI-Travel
- Canadian Partner of the Year: The Travel Agent Next Door
- Franchise Partner of the Year: Cruise Planner
- Corporate Incentive Partner of the Year: 3D Cruise Partner
- Founding Partner of the Year: Entertainment Cruise Productions
- Caribbean Partner of the Year: Travel Planner/Expedia Cruceros
- Automation Partner of the Year: Travel Planners International
“This is a very exciting time for the entire cruise industry – both cruise lines and their travel partners. The sky is the limit at Royal Caribbean, and the strong performance we have seen is thanks to our invaluable travel experts and their incredible knowledge in providing our guests with the right vacation experience,” said Vicki Freed, Executive Vice President. She is President of Sales, Trade Support and Services at Royal Caribbean International.
“We are very proud to honor the professionals who continue to partner with us and continue to drive our business success. We're looking forward to a new leap forward as we begin 2024 with the exciting launches of Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas in July 2024, followed by the launch of our next Icon class ship, Star of the Seas, in 2025. The entire travel industry. “Thank you for your support and congratulations to the winners.”
If you don't use a travel agent, here are six reasons you should consider switching when booking your next cruise vacation.
read more: 10 secrets Royal Caribbean travel agents want to know
Travel agents have a deep understanding of the cruise industry.
A travel agent can help you understand all the nuances of a cruise as opposed to a traditional vacation. If you're on the fence about whether to book a suite, you may need expert advice on what benefits you can get. This is especially true if you are traveling on a ship in Royal Suite class, as some suites have perks that others do not. .
Perhaps you can't decide between two itineraries and would like some insight into what the port has to offer. For example, a one-way cruise in Alaska is different from a round-trip cruise in Seattle.
Your travel agent can also advise you on room selection. If you don't know much about the ship, you may accidentally book a room in an undesirable location, such as near a nightclub or in an area with a bad view.
Essentially, your agent will help guide you through every decision you need to make.
It will save you time
Planning a cruise can be time-consuming, so most of the work should be left to your travel agent! Instead of wasting time pricing out different itineraries and rooms, you can request quotes for all the options you're considering.
Once you've made your reservation, we'll check to see if the rate has been reduced before final payment, so you don't have to. If we notice a price drop, we will contact the cruise company to arrange for a lower rate.
Additionally, if you don't know how you want to spend your day at the beach, a good agent will be able to give you some ideas based on your personal preferences. If you have several highlights you don't want to miss, it may be helpful to organize a private tour for you and your traveling party, as cruise line shore excursions can be quite limited.
Travel agencies have better rates available
When I booked my first cruise through a travel agent, I was truly amazed at how much money I saved. When I booked a cruise onboard the Freedom of the Seas, my agent had group rates available. This means we were able to secure a balcony cabin for the same price as the interior!
Additionally, when I was considering a trip on the new Celebrity Ascent cruise in July 2024, Celebrity's website was advertising a Prime Edge Infinite Veranda cabin with drinks and Wi-Fi for $6,490.18. My travel agency booked the same stateroom category and perks for $5,440.32.
They may not always be able to offer amazing discounts, but they will usually offer some onboard credit as an incentive for booking.
It will give you peace of mind in case of an emergency.
Although not very common, cruise lines sometimes change sailings. For example, you may need Royal Caribbean to change your ship for dry dock maintenance. After boarding the vessel, the captain may determine that it is unsafe to dock at a particular port of call due to weather.
Unfortunately, in these cases, the travel agent has an advantage because they act as your advocate and liaison. This means you don't have to worry about communicating with the cruise line. Before any changes are made, they will ask you how you would like to proceed and then work with the cruise line to honor the wishes you have specified.
If you book a flight through an agent, the agent may be able to help you rebook if your original flight is delayed or cancelled.
read more: Costly Cruise Mistakes Beginners Make When Planning Their First Cruise
A travel agent can help you book a unique cabin or take you on a special voyage.
When bookings for Icon of the Seas opened, the first cruise sold out within 24 hours. People who worked with travel agencies didn't have to worry about logging on and securing reservations themselves. This is because the second itinerary has been released by the travel agency.
Additionally, cruise lines will often notify their travel partners in advance if you plan to book during a discount period, so their agent can advise you on the best time to book.
read more: Start planning your Royal Caribbean cruise here
They will work with you to create a payment plan
One of the best aspects of a cruise is that unless you book a cruise at the last minute, you have time to finish your vacation. You do not pay the full amount up front.
After depositing the deposit, the remaining amount must be paid by the specified date. It's unlikely you'll forget the dates, but booking through a travel agent can help you plan and pay.
We also provide other friendly reminders, such as helping you remember when check-in begins. If you would like a faster arrival time, it is important to make your selection as soon as possible.
read more: Change final payment for long-term cruise