What is a "cruise consultant"?

[sherin65]

What is a cruise consultant and how do they differ from a travel agent? Also, how would I become one if I like the sound of what they do?

 

 

I love to do travel research of all kinds, especially cruises. I'm always the one planning trips for family and friends or giving them information they'll find useful. I would like to channel my interests into something that produces extra income and can supplement the costs of college while I'm in school

 

 

Sher

[agabbymama]

As far as I know, cruise consultant is just a "NOW" word for a travel agent. Usually by the cruise lines themselves. If you call HAL or Princess or Celebrity, the folks you talk to on the phone are "Cruise Consultants". If you go to a brick and mortar, they are still called Travel Agents.

[cb at sea]

Or, they're called "personal vacation planners" or cruise reps.....whatever. They are operators who will take your reservation.

A travel agent doesn't work for any one company. A TA works for YOU! The consultant works for the cruiseline!

[relaxandenjoy]

A Travel Agent that works for an agency specializing in cruises can also be called a "Cruise Consultant." We book our cruises with an agency that has the word Cruise in the title. Therefore, our agent is a "Cruise Consultant."

[ATL2LAS]

When I was a travel agent, I specialized in cruises. My major focus was group and family cruising. I took classes provided by the cruiselines and CLIA and attained their "specialist" designation. I did not work for any one cruiseline and thats what my clients loved. I could compare and contrast each line and offer my clientele the best experience. It wasn't about the money, it was about the repeat business and giving my clients not only the best value (which doesn't always mean the cheapest), but the vacation of their dream. I was in a brick and mortar agency owned by a large department store chain.