Travel Agents Selling Cruises

Travel Agents Selling Cruises

Last week we listed the Cruise Passenger Bill of Rights that all the cruise lines subscribe to, so that prompted the thought that some folks might not know about the role of a travel agent as it relates to selling the cruise product.

The cruise lines still rely on the professional and experienced travel agent to promote and sell their product, and in doing so, they pay a commission to the agent for their service to the line. We sell approximately 80+% of the passengers on their ships. Commission amounts have been a bone of contention for years, but the professional agent still does their best to service our mutual clients.

You might not know it, but cruising continues to be one of the safest and most regulated travel experiences available.  Each and every crewmember is required to receive training in emergency procedures, safety, security and first aid, and to participate in an abandon ship drill and fire drill once every month.

The average cruise ship typically has five firefighting teams whose main members have advanced shipboard firefighting training, 4,000 smoke detectors, 5000 fire extinguishers, 16 miles of sprinkler piping, 5,000 sprinkler heads, and six miles of fire hose.  Sprinklers and smoke detectors, as required by international regulation, are located throughout the ship.

The Cruise Lines International Association reports that from 2005 through 2010, there were 16 marine casualty-related deaths out of nearly 100 million passengers carried worldwide.

Whether traveling domestically or internationally, our number one priority is always our clients’ safety and well-being.  Our cruise partners feel the same way.  Our business is founded on repeat customers, therefore we want to be sure everything goes off without a hitch.  As travel professionals we take care to thoroughly counsel and advise our clients on what they can expect so that our clients are confident in the vacation choices they are making.

The CLIA has some real good advice for both novice and experienced cruisers relating to their safety on board the ship.  When you find your stateroom, make sure you know where your life vests are stored.  After checking the layout of the ship, locate where your assigned “muster station” is and how to get there from your stateroom.  Take part in the mandatory “muster drill”.  Be aware of your surroundings and don’t leave your common sense at home.

This is how we sell cruises, one of the most enjoyable vacations your and your family will ever take.  Let us help you manufacture this dream vacation by calling us at The Travel Factory, 698-1421 or 800-760-4040.