Types of cruise travel agents / advisors

[ted burke]

First timer.  No experience with land or cruise travel agents.  

 

I believe there are conventional cruise travel agents (large and small companies) and also "preferred agents" who represent a select number of cruise lines.  Are there other types?  We have heard there are experienced people who "make up a group" looking generally for the same general destination and experience.  Finds a ship and books the group.  Sometimes they join in.  The group members seem very pleased with the unique experience and enjoyed quite a savings.  

 

What is that type of service called?  How to find them?  Can anyone comment on the the advisability of this approach? 

 

Are there other type agents?

 

FYI:  Interested in likely eastern Med, week long, moderate budget (not low cost nor high luxury) and prefer a smaller ship (700-1300) if possible.  .

 

Many thanks to all

[CDNPolar]

Not that you have, but just a note, we cannot name Travel Agents on this site.

 

You will find that many of the large cruise lines (mentioned in the CC article below) actually point to TA's or how to find one on their websites.

 

As I said, we don't look for that kind of group booking because we sail mainly the premium to luxury lines and there are not many if any discounts to be had.  We use TA's for the OBC and rebates.

 

Here is a great article.

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/finding-a-cruise-travel-agent

 

 

[Host Kat]

On 1/16/2024 at 7:58 PM, ted burke said:

First timer.  No experience with land or cruise travel agents.  

 

I believe there are conventional cruise travel agents (large and small companies) and also "preferred agents" who represent a select number of cruise lines.  Are there other types?  We have heard there are experienced people who "make up a group" looking generally for the same general destination and experience.  Finds a ship and books the group.  Sometimes they join in.  The group members seem very pleased with the unique experience and enjoyed quite a savings.  

 

What is that type of service called?  How to find them?  Can anyone comment on the the advisability of this approach? 

 

Are there other type agents?

 

FYI:  Interested in likely eastern Med, week long, moderate budget (not low cost nor high luxury) and prefer a smaller ship (700-1300) if possible.  .

 

Many thanks to all

 

@ted burke

 

Any good travel agent or agency specializing in cruises can form group cruises or may already have some on their books. They will be happy to book "outsiders" into a group. I have been an "outsider" in a group before.

 

Or you can do it yourself! Perhaps the following oldie but goody (written October 10, 2019 but updated January 4, 2024) Cruise Critic article will have helpful information: How to Plan a Group Cruise

 

I suggest you use the Follow feature on any new threads you start or any other threads such as this one where you are interested in the new replies. That way you will not have to go looking to see if there are new posts because they will come looking for you as notifications. If you need information on how to do it, please click here: How to: Follow Topics & Forums (Subscribed Threads/Forums Info)

 

Hope this will be helpful! 

 

Happy sails,

 

Host Kat