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If you decide to use a travel agent to book your cruise travel, know whom you are dealing with! Some cruise agents are very competent; others may have been selling stereos or aluminum siding over the telephone six months ago. A cruise travel agent will be able to give you lots of information on many different cruise lines.

For instance, Carnival is known as the fun ships, Celebrity for their excellent cuisine. Disney, of course, is geared towards children, Holland America is more of an older group (not dead-they just don't want to be on a party ship), Princess is family oriented. Then there is the whole roster of luxury lines, SilverSeas, Radisson, and Crystal Cruises. All of them offer there own style of cruise travel

Ask the cruise travel agent some pointed questions. See if they have CLIA accreditation. CLIA stands for Cruise Lines International Association and is the industries standard. Find out how many cruise vacations the travel agent has been on and on which cruise lines. If the travel agent has only cruised on one line you know that will be the cruise line that they recommend. If they give the pros and cons of several cruise lines you know you have found a good cruise travel agent.

Always ask if they are a preferred supplier of the cruise line they are recommending. Many cruise travel agents who have booked numerous cabins on one particular cruise line will get preferred status meaning they will get an additional bonus from the cruise line for everyone they book for a cruise vacation.

Local travel agents or otherwise self-appointed cruise experts frequently read the cruise ship line PR veneer right out of the catalog. Often this turns out to be nothing more than selling you the standard discount for booking your cruise vacation that is available to virtually anyone off the so-called brochure rate.

The result is that you think you're getting a cruise ship that does not fulfill your criteria. What you find yourself on is a garish neon nightmare of a ship filled with people whose idea of a good time is drinking, partying, and then waking you up at 3AM as they boisterously announce their arrival back to their room--all right outside of your cabin.

For sure, this is the idea of a roaring good time for some--but the point is KNOW WHAT YOU ARE REALLY BUYING! There are many significant points and nuances that can differentiate between an OK trip, and one that falls short for the money you spend.

Many travel or cruise agencies often offer "special discounts". This is a common travel agency ploy to offer promotional deals that frequently focus on a special "cruise night." You may get a mailing or perhaps there is an ad in the local newspaper. You go in, are met and greeted, enjoy punch and free cookies, and view a dreamy cruise video.

Keep in mind that this is intended to appeal to a strong emotional purchase decision. Experts about the Psychology of selling relate this experience to what any top car salesperson knows. In the dealer's showroom, if you can get the potential customer behind the wheel to experience the "smell of the new car" and the fantasy of pulling it into the driveway--you've likely already made a sale!

However when you go to one of these get-togethers to preview cruise travel often they don't try and tailor your needs to a cruise that will fulfill those needs. They'll provide you with general information trying to sell as many of the same cruise vacations as possible. You deserve to have your considerations met.

Cruise travel agents are certainly the easiest way to go when booking a cruise vacation, but if you do use a travel agent, have them one-on-one instead of in a group situation. Be sure they listen to what you are saying, and if you have any hesitancy, address it immediately. Most agents are professional enough to take a step back and make adjustments based on what you tell them.

So take a little time and research your cruise travel agent until you find one that you are comfortable with. When you find the right travel agent they will steer you to the best cruise line for you and you will experience a great cruise vacation.

Happy Cruising

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

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