As a travel agent, some of the searches that I see online are:
- Should You Book Your Next Cruise Trip With A Travel Agent?
- Are Travel Agents Worth It?
- Can A Travel Agent Get You A Better Deal This Time?
- Which Travel Agents Are The Best?
- Are There Still Travel Agents?
All these are great questions and they let me know that the idea of using a travel agent or a travel agency is still a mystery to so many people.
Before I started my career as a travel agent, I asked myself these same questions. "Who still needs a travel agent?" Yet the current model of travel has changed so much because of the internet.
Now that I work as a travel agent I realize just how important travel agents are. Out of courtesy to my cherished returning clients, and to anybody else who would want to try booking with a travel agent someday, I will answer these amazing questions.
Question 1. Should You Book Your Next Cruise Trip With A Travel Agent?
Answer: Yes you should, and am not saying this just because we are a travel agency. There are so many advantages to booking with a travel agent that far outweigh the disadvantages, for example:
- It works very well with group bookings. It is great not only for solo travelers, friends, and families but also, specifically for groups because planning a group vacation can be very strenuous. There are also additional perks that come with group travel that you do not want to miss out on.
- It can make your vacation more interesting. Planning a vacation should be fun, it should not feel like a job. A good travel agent helps to ease the stress of booking a vacation alone. The way you start off your vacation is very important, right from the planning stage, to the very end, it is a best-suggested practice to have someone by your side from the start to the end of your trip.
- You get your money's worth. You get additional onboard credit, discounts, and checkbacks in addition to the perks and promotions the cruise line is already offering.
- Travel agents have a network or a community of other travel agents. We share experiences, learn from each other, get moral support, and ask questions if there is a need, so most travel agents are not even going at it alone. If travel agents are not doing it all by themselves then why should you?
- By utilizing the services of a travel agent, you are creating employment. It is very good for the travel industry. You are paying someone to do the job and therefore helping someone stay employed, in short, you are not giving all your money to the cruise line because the travel agent cost is already included in the cost of the trip whether you book with a travel agent or not.
- You get personalized service because you are not dealing with a call center. One person has your file and you can call them or e-mail them whenever, tell them your personal preference and challenges, tell them a deal you saw somewhere, add ideas to your travel itinerary, and all.
- You get accurate information and the most up-to-date accurate pricing and information, not just from any internet site.
- This is my best one, you get options because you get the chance to compare different prices and itineraries from different vendors, all in one place, your travel agent can help you select the best itinerary, compare pricing from different vendors, payment plan options, and different travel insurance options.
- You get advice that is based on a lot of experience from booking different clients, working with different vendors, and personal travel experiences.
- Your travel agent cares about you because they got to find out more about you from the few conversations you had when booking your trip and would love to help in case of anything.
- You have somebody to help you handle emergencies instead of going at it alone.
- You get a free packing list. Most travel agents send you a free packing list so that you do not leave out anything.
Question 2. Are Travel Agents Worth It?
Answer: Yes they are worth it. Travel agents do all the planning, answer all your questions, add additional perks, and tell you what you need to know to make your next vacation as smooth as possible, It's like concierge service, where you have someone cater to your needs and walk you through the process until you get to your vacation.
Question 3. Can A Travel Agent Get You A Better Deal This Time?
Answer: Yes, a travel agent can get you a better deal, because they have access to all the rate codes, group bookings, offers, and promotions not only from the cruise/resort or tour vendors but also from the host travel agencies that they are affiliated with plus other travel partners.
Maybe not always, I have seen internet pricing on some cruise rates but still, it is a good idea to inquire with a travel agent before you proceed to book your cruise alone.
Question 4. Which Travel Agents Are The Best?
Answer: Most travel agents are trained to match you with the best and least expensive offer out there. A good travel agent not only offers you great pricing but also carefully listens to your needs and guides you accordingly. Most travel agents will give you their direct line so that you have access to them until after your vacation.
A good travel agent is also well-connected and can help direct you to another travel agent who specializes in the type of travel you are interested in, they also have an emergency contact number if they are not available to assist you, and they respond promptly to your concerns.
Question 5. Are There Still Travel Agents?
Answer: Yes there are still travel agents out there. We can help you secure your next booking at no extra cost to you, and give personalized quotes.
Conclusion.
Travel agents spend a lot of time and money perfecting their craft and that is why they are a great asset and resource. The decision to use a travel agent is solely up to you, however, if you value your time, dislike multi-tasking and you want a great deal or need a great vacation then a travel agent might be a great idea.