I want to be a cruise Travel Agent

[strype2]

I would love to be a cruise Travel Agent. Anyone know how to go about this?

[Nitra]

Find a host agency, there are several good one's, apply and then sign up with them. Some require you to have TA experience. That is the easiest way.

If you dont mind working for commission only.

 

The second way is to find a cruise agency that is hiring and see if you can get in on the ground floor to get experience.

[chubbycheeks]

Carnival is hiring. I'm starting next week as a Reservations Agent. I'm in Miami though. I know that Cruises Only is hiring too. The website for employment is http://www.nlg.com Not sure if any of this helps. You might have to search for agencies that are in your local area.

[newmexicoNita]

Carnival is hiring. I'm starting next week as a Reservations Agent. I'm in Miami though. I know that Cruises Only is hiring too. The website for employment is http://www.nlg.com Not sure if any of this helps. You might have to search for agencies that are in your local area.

Chubbycheeks, I don't think working for a cruise company is what the OP is looking for plus notice the location, it would be a rather long, daily commute. NMnita

[newmexicoNita]

You and many others: Let me fill you in a little: first, do you want to work out of your home or in an office, full time or part time?

 

If you want to work in an office, some are now training agents and others still require travel school or certainly classes. Every company uses a different computer system, some are easy, others very complicated and require days or weeks of special training.

 

There are several companies, like the one I work for that give you the option of working out of your home. If you are diciplined and have enough connections it is a great way to work, but you are on your own so must have people who will want to use you. These companies, if they are good and worth being involved with will require some training at their home location and you will be working for a franchise. In some cases they may pay for your training, in others you will have to do this on your own. I think those who pay for their own training are more dedicated and make better agents (just my personal opinion)

 

There are several things you need to consider: how much actual travel and cruise experience do you have? The more you have, the better agent you will make. Are you aware the salary isn't all that great; even if you work for a company that pays commission and you get a large part of it, the pay still isn't top notch. You have to be willing to work for the pure enjoyment of helping people have a positive experience. Also if you are thinking in terms of getting great travel deals, forget it. Yes, we do get cruise discounts, but they are limited and many can only be booked a few weeks or a month out so you are often better to just book your cruise using whatever promos that might be out there. In all my years of cruising I have yet to use my TA discount. I think I might next year as there is one company that does offer good TA rates and allows you to book a few months out.

 

Also, as I said earlier, if you are thinking of being a cruise specialist out of your home you will need lots of contacts. It can be a real struggle. If you decide to work for a store front company, be prepared to work weekends as this is when they use many of their part time agents.

 

I am not trying to discourage you, but would rather have you know the negatives as well as the positives. As for me, I love my job and helping people have a positive experience. Sure, from time to time I get cliants that I would like to push their heads into the mud, but mostly they are great to work with. If you have anymore questions please email me: nmnita@msn.com

 

I hope this helps you some.

 

Nita

[BobbiOh]

I'll add to what Nita said:

 

Pay for travel agents, especially leisure agents, is low. Most small companies do not offer benefits, which means that you'll either have to get health insurance elsewhere or go without.

 

Many people get into the travel industry thinking that they'll be able to travel as much as they want for free. Not the case. First, to get an agent ID card you have a minimum of a six month wait. If you're an outside agent, you'll have to prove a minimum amount of sales to qualify for the card. If you're an inside agent, you'll be subjected to normal vacation time policies. Some suppliers won't allow agent rates for outside agents. Rarely, if ever, will you get to travel for free. Reduced rates are out there, some great, some good, some awful.

 

You have to be prepared to refund commission back to suppliers. When someone cancels, if you've received commission, it goes back to suppliers. After 9/11 many travel agents went under just from the sheer weight of that loss.

 

If you're someone that can't deal with someone screaming at you, this isn't the right industry for you. There's a reason why travel agents have been on the top 10 list of occupations to commit suicide. Everything will be your fault. There are no aisle seats on the plane....your fault. Airline lost the luggage....your fault. If you can't let this roll off of your back, you'll have a very tough time in this industry.

 

Please, please, whatever you do, do not pay someone for an "instant" travel agent card. These are a scam and the suppliers know who the card mills are, and don't extend agent discounts to members of that agency.

 

Even as a cruise only agent I would recommend travel school. Travel school not only teaches things like airport codes, but will also teach you the laws involved in the industry.

 

I've been in the corporate travel inustry for 16 years, at some points managing accounts that generated $50million in airfare alone. There have definitely been some interesting times in those 16 years, and after all this time I still enjoy it.

 

Good luck,

 

Bobbi

[Nitra]

I agree with what they are saying. I didnt want to be the first to say anything that sounded negative.

 

I started out in Leisure travel 13 yrs ago, saw the change of times coming about 8 yrs ago and flipped to corporate travel. Then a few months ago, I said I am done with booking travel, I now am a corporate meeting planner. I still book the occasional cruise for friends but am even starting to steer them to another friend I have that just got into the business.

 

Along come all the internet companies, cuts in commissions, cuts in what agents can do and cant do, cuts in the benefits we had, people starting knowing too much and not really caring if they had that personal touch, they just want cheap! They want the St Regis for Motel 6 pricing and get mad at you when you tell them it aint happening.

 

Oh and let it rain while someone is on a cruise or vacation... oh boy, did you know that TA's control the weather? Did you know it is your fault that the flight they want is sold out? Did you know it is your fault that everything was not perfect? It is all in your control. I have been told this enough times I have to wonder if I am more powerful than even I know!

 

The pay is not great, the stress is very high. Your clients expect you to always be available, no matter what time of the day or night some whim might come to them that prompts a call. Oh and just try to go on vacation or a cruise yourself! If you are not in an office with a good backup in place, your clients are not going to be happy and even then sometimes they still dont like it. Just happen to be booked on the same cruise with someone you booked.. you are now expected to be their personal cruise director the whole week. They really dont care you are on vacation, you made a commission off them so you should be working for them, even when on the ship.

 

I know there are some good clients out there but the above is more common than most realize. Just read the forums and all the complaints people have, look at the questions asked, not that there is anything wrong with them, but now imagine your day filled with emails and calls of the same things over and over and over and over and over... sure it is part of the job and we do it with a smile, then go home and get rip roaring drunk!

 

I too dont want to discourage anyone from going into this field. I just want to make sure eyes are open wide!

 

I work as a support desk for my friend starting out and help him learn all I can. I work as a backup for him when he goes on vacation, so his clients get serviced by someone he knows will take care of them and protect him too. I am very customer service oriented, probably why my stress levels get so high. I really do want to please everyone and do all I can to make sure they have a great trip, but in the end all of us get tired, we get stressed, and we either get bitter or move on to something else. I moved before I reached burnout. As soon as I start seeing the signs, the moment the calls annoyed me more than they should have, the moment I did not find the work fun anymore, I moved on to another area.

[Aquahound]

Very very true. It's much harder than it sounds. If it was easy, we would all be doing it.

My mother is a travel agent who specializes in cruises. She got into it by working for the owner. The owner decided to get out and sold the license to her for $1.00.

Now she works out of home. She already had all the references and contacts. And, her insurance is about $3,000/yr. If not for the very lucky string of events, she never would have made it.

I, too, hate to be discouraging. I thought about it myself once as a side job. No way!

[newmexicoNita]

Very very true. It's much harder than it sounds. If it was easy, we would all be doing it.

My mother is a travel agent who specializes in cruises. She got into it by working for the owner. The owner decided to get out and sold the license to her for $1.00.

Now she works out of home. She already had all the references and contacts. And, her insurance is about $3,000/yr. If not for the very lucky string of events, she never would have made it.

I, too, hate to be discouraging. I thought about it myself once as a side job. No way!

I totally forgot about things like insurance, some companies pick up the entire cost, others pass it on to the agents, depending on the situation. I pay about $150 a year is all, but boy does that and franchise fees (no I am not an owner, but do have to pay part of the cost, actually it isn't really the franchise fee, but amounts to the same) that big Jan check will turn out to be nothing. Also, I forgot about the commssion refund; this just happened recently. in fact it was my own daughter; the cruise price dropped $900, some cruise lines pay commssions as soon as final payment is made; cruise line paid, my wonderful manager (and he really is a dream) paid me and then I had to refund almost $90.00. Hit hard on my check last month. Yes, there are those cliants that can't be satisfied; One last year, I normally don't try to influentce what cruise line or vacation cliants choose, but in this case I knew it wasnt' going to be a good fit: she insisted, had a horrible time and hasn't spoken to me since. I have heard it was my fault.

 

Again, I don't want anyone out there who wants to become an agent to forget it, but dont think it is a glamorous job and be prepared for 1-not much money coming in at first: if you do work for a store front company with a salary it won't be much more than min wage to start. Maybe they will offer a bonus plan, but it take a little while to build up a customer base so you meet bonus.

 

Bobbi suggested travel school, I did go that route, but many don't. If you have enough experience and can learn the computer system easily with the right training you may be able to escape without it, but you will still be learning on the job for a long time. And yes, please do not fall for any sceme that asssures you a travel card, a quick training program or anything like that by mail or over the net. You will live to regret it.

 

As all of us have said, we love our jobs, it is usually a very happy job, but it isn't what many think it is and the pay isn't all that great. NMnita

[GottaLuvCruising]

Working as a travel agent can certainly be challenging - weird, and sometimes long hours, meager earnings, often doing a lot of work but not getting the booking (and therefore no pay). The worst part is the people who think they can do 20 minutes of research on the internet and know everything they need make their own travel arrangements; but they then consult with a travel agent ONLY to put their hands in the travel agent's pocket (looking for rebated commission).

 

But despite those frustrations, I love what I do and feel so blessed that I can work in this industry. I have had wonderful experiences with my clients and have learned so much in these three years. I can't imagine ever going back to a job that is only a job...this is my passion.

 

Like you, I wanted to work in the travel industry, specifically cruising. My husband of 33 years didn't think my taking a job on an NCL ship (American flagged) was such a hot idea, so I applied with Disney Cruise Line. I am a degreed accountant and had a wonderful position with a large resort. But it was a job; my heart was in cruising and I really wanted to work in the industry. DCL provided excellent training, I learned a lot and met some wonderful people. But life in a cubicle, tethered to a phone (I had to tell the phone if I needed to use the bathroom...yikes!) was not for me. So I took my experience, knowledge and passion and became an independent agent for a home-based company. I had a wonderful two years with them, working my way up in sales and building my client base. But when they changed call routing systems this year, I stopped getting leads. Everyone complained, but they did nothing to fix it (until after I left). So I changed to a different home-based host agency and couldn't be happier.

 

If you want to do it, you can. You must KNOW the products! Then you pick a good host agency (check carefully). Have realistic expectations and (to borrow a familiar phrase) GET OUT THERE! Join the chamber and other opportunities for exposure, make sure everyone knows that you love AND SELL cruises. Good luck to you!

[newmexicoNita]

Working as a travel agent can certainly be challenging - weird, and sometimes long hours, meager earnings, often doing a lot of work but not getting the booking (and therefore no pay). The worst part is the people who think they can do 20 minutes of research on the internet and know everything they need make their own travel arrangements; but they then consult with a travel agent ONLY to put their hands in the travel agent's pocket (looking for rebated commission).

 

But despite those frustrations, I love what I do and feel so blessed that I can work in this industry. I have had wonderful experiences with my clients and have learned so much in these three years. I can't imagine ever going back to a job that is only a job...this is my passion.

 

Like you, I wanted to work in the travel industry, specifically cruising. My husband of 33 years didn't think my taking a job on an NCL ship (American flagged) was such a hot idea, so I applied with Disney Cruise Line. I am a degreed accountant and had a wonderful position with a large resort. But it was a job; my heart was in cruising and I really wanted to work in the industry. DCL provided excellent training, I learned a lot and met some wonderful people. But life in a cubicle, tethered to a phone (I had to tell the phone if I needed to use the bathroom...yikes!) was not for me. So I took my experience, knowledge and passion and became an independent agent for a home-based company. I had a wonderful two years with them, working my way up in sales and building my client base. But when they changed call routing systems this year, I stopped getting leads. Everyone complained, but they did nothing to fix it (until after I left). So I changed to a different home-based host agency and couldn't be happier.

 

If you want to do it, you can. You must KNOW the products! Then you pick a good host agency (check carefully). Have realistic expectations and (to borrow a familiar phrase) GET OUT THERE! Join the chamber and other opportunities for exposure, make sure everyone knows that you love AND SELL cruises. Good luck to you!

you are so right; getting involved, Chamber, church, Moose or some such group, PTA if the kids are still around, whatever, but that is the secret and let everyone know what you do. I don't know what company you work for, I love the one I am involved with as well. The amazing thing, with the net: the company is in Florida but the franchise is in San Francisco and look where I am. Yes, it is a wonderful job, but we will never get rich. NMnita

[jimandsteph1070]

I Would Also Love To Do A Homebased Agency. Maybe In Time I Will Be Able Too. I Have Already Done The Travel School Though It Was Ten Years Ago. I Had A Blast And I Am Still Looking At All The Places I Want To Go Since I Have Finshed School ... I Have My Note Book From There And I Check Off As Soon As I Come Home... Good Luck To You .

[GottaLuvCruising]

The amazing thing, with the net: the company is in Florida but the franchise is in San Francisco and look where I am. Yes, it is a wonderful job, but we will never get rich. NMnita

 

Isn't it funny? My agency is in California, but I'm in Florida. I never had a goal of getting rich...and I'm OK with that. But I sure wanted to be happy and I'm totally there.

[pba20493]

I keep seeing, pay is low, no bennie's, lots of stress. Could you tell me please where that differs from any other job in this country?

 

The days of good pay and health insurance, stock, retirement are gone bye the wayside. But if you know of such a job, please contact me as I am sick of the business im in.

 

Thanks

 

Tim

[GottaLuvCruising]

I keep seeing, pay is low, no bennie's, lots of stress. Could you tell me please where that differs from any other job in this country?

 

 

I learn something new every day and I spend my work time helping others find the right vacation for their family, interests & budget. I get great pleasure and satisfaction in doing this job well, taking great care of my clients and learning more every day about an industry I love.

 

One important compenent to my job satisfaction is the flexibility because I am homebased and can work (via cell phone and laptop) just about any where.

[jcanino]

I keep seeing, pay is low, no bennie's, lots of stress. Could you tell me please where that differs from any other job in this country?

 

The days of good pay and health insurance, stock, retirement are gone bye the wayside. But if you know of such a job, please contact me as I am sick of the business im in.

 

Well Tim, people have this notion that travel agents make good money, get free trips all the time and do nothing but find out where someone wants to go and make a phone call. Can a travel agent make a lot of money? Yes they can. Income surveys show that an agent with 10 plus years of experience that has worked to earn their CTC designation and is employed in a major city can make six figures in commission. Granted, those cases are few and far between.

 

Although I make very little, received only two free trips in 12 years (2 nights each to see cruise ships and a resort) and get no real discounts that I bother using, get stressed out by some clients, I am lucky enough to be married to a great woman who makes an excellent salary, has paid health insurance, gets stock options and has an employer matched 401K. Without that, I couldn't afford to do the job that I do for the pay that I receive.

[newmexicoNita]

I keep seeing, pay is low, no bennie's, lots of stress. Could you tell me please where that differs from any other job in this country?

 

The days of good pay and health insurance, stock, retirement are gone bye the wayside. But if you know of such a job, please contact me as I am sick of the business im in.

 

Thanks

 

Tim

Tim, there is a big difference: I went from working in the hotel business and retiring to the travel industry. There isn't lots of stress by the way unless you work in a very busy office, that is one thing there is not. Unhappy travelers, unreasonable ones, sure, but as I said unless it is a very busy office it is quite the opposite, I think that is why we do like our jobs. As I have often said, it is a happy job. You are making people happy.

 

But as for the salaries and benies; you may be fed up with corporate life, many are, you may think, hey, there has to be something better out there, but most major companies still offer medical insurance even if the price has sky rocketed; you have 401ks even if you do not have a real company retirement plan, etc. The travel business offers very little if any of that, special insurances we pay yearly to protect ourselves against law suits, either almost min wage or strickly commission and if you think the commissions are travel are large, think again. If you work strictly on commission you have to search everywhere you can think of for cliants. they don't just show up at your front door. There are slow times of the year (starting about now as a matter of fact) where you make almost nothing. I could go on and on; yes, corporate may not be fun each day and our jobs are, but when it comes to making ends meet, you have it much better. NMnita

[GottaLuvCruising]

I am lucky enough to be married to a great woman who makes an excellent salary, has paid health insurance, gets stock options and has an employer matched 401K. Without that, I couldn't afford to do the job that I do for the pay that I receive.

 

I likewise rely on my husband. Without his support I could NEVER afford to do this job. But he knows how much I love it and recognizes that this is the right choice for me.

[pba20493]

Not sure you guys got what i ment. I know TA's dont make good money, heck neither do I. I work at a hotel ( night auditor ). I was trying to place a bit of humor here, I guess I failed, oh well. I forgot how serious people are on here. Seems all that happens is you get flamed for saying something. I was just tryin to be funny. I'll keep my regular job and leave the jokes to the pros.

 

 

 

Tim

[newmexicoNita]

Not sure you guys got what i ment. I know TA's dont make good money, heck neither do I. I work at a hotel ( night auditor ). I was trying to place a bit of humor here, I guess I failed, oh well. I forgot how serious people are on here. Seems all that happens is you get flamed for saying something. I was just tryin to be funny. I'll keep my regular job and leave the jokes to the pros.

 

 

 

Tim

Tim, in no way did your remarks sound like a joke to any of us and no one flamed you: we simply pointed out being a travel agent isn't all it may seem to the outside. As for being a night auditor, I don't know what company you work for, but I do know most of the major ones offer good benefits. Next time we may think you are joking if you, at least use the letters: lOL. Most of us have very good senses of humor. NMnita

[BobbiOh]

Not sure you guys got what i ment. I know TA's dont make good money, heck neither do I. I work at a hotel ( night auditor ). I was trying to place a bit of humor here, I guess I failed, oh well. I forgot how serious people are on here. Seems all that happens is you get flamed for saying something. I was just tryin to be funny. I'll keep my regular job and leave the jokes to the pros.

 

 

 

Tim

 

Considering the things that have taken place in the travel industry over the couple of decades it's difficult to have a sense of humor about that.

 

In the 90's, on Travel Agent Appreciation Day, Delta announced that they were cutting agency commissions. Woohoo! Eventually over the course of several years, they cut commissions out completely. We now sell airline tickets without compensation from the airline.

 

And by the way, to make up for the added phone calls to the airline caused by the sudden lack of travel agencies.....they closed reservation centers, putting people out of work and sent the reservation centers to India and the Philippines.

 

After 9/11 everyone in my company opted to take a 10% pay cut so that no one would be laid off.

 

The pay for TA's is exceptionally low. Lower than other similarly skilled positions. Corporate travel tends to have higher salaries than leisure, but it's still below other occupations. So, the bottom line is that is has to be something you enjoy or it will eat you alive

[AmyinGA]

I became a TA last year since I was booking weekly travel for my then-boss. I figured someone was making money off his travel every week and it should be me. I ended up leaving that job in January and have really enjoyed being a TA since then.

 

I looked at host agencies and checked into some local agencies that were hiring. I decided to go with one on the MLM based agencies. I know that some of you are rolling your eyes. I did extensive research on three different companies and I am thrilled with the company that I selected. I've got my own site for online bookings and I do bookings myself. I have specialized in the honeymoon market and corporate travel. My home office set up works well for me and with a laptop and cell phone I enjoy my portable business. I get a lot of support from my "parent company" and I have trainings every week and am getting good commissions for the work that I do. I go out and meet people that can refer me business every week. I am getting referrals from my existing clients and my business is building steadily. My checks are getting bigger--and I am getting faster at getting bookings.

 

Yes there are stressful times, but the fun and happy times outweigh the bad stuff by far.

[pba20493]

Dear god, i never said it was an easy job, i know it isnt. As for the 9/11 reasons, GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its been 5 years. I had very very close friends die in that attack and I would never use that as an excuse! SO STOP DOING IT!

 

I think you people need to get a life if someone tryng to lighten things up offends you.

 

damn, you guys need to have relations with your DH,DW or SO

 

TIM

[BobbiOh]

Dear god, i never said it was an easy job, i know it isnt. As for the 9/11 reasons, GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its been 5 years. I had very very close friends die in that attack and I would never use that as an excuse! SO STOP DOING IT!

 

I think you people need to get a life if someone tryng to lighten things up offends you.

 

damn, you guys need to have relations with your DH,DW or SO

 

TIM

 

The only one who is angry here is you.

 

I too lost friends in that attack. You don't have the market cornered in that respect. As far as getting over 9/11.....that's crass.

 

You weren't being flamed, we were merely explaining why what you said wasn't funny. And you're assuming we were offended. We weren't. We're merely educating you. So that means, you're the person blowing this out of perspective. Just accept the fact that you didn't come off the way you intended and move on.

 

 

Bobbi

[pba20493]

Keep your eduction for your kids.