Why you should work with a travel advisor for your next cruise vacation

Planning a cruise should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Yet with dozens of cruise lines, hundreds of ships and constantly changing itineraries and promotions, booking on your own can be downright confusing.

That’s where a travel advisor comes in. When you work with an advisor, you gain expert guidance, insider knowledge and personalized recommendations tailored to how you actually travel. They can help you compare options, secure added perks and avoid common mistakes—all before you ever step foot onboard—so you can relax and simply enjoy the journey with total confidence.

“Instead of reading countless reviews and hoping they are accurate, clients have someone guiding them who understands the nuances and, ideally, has firsthand experience onboard,” he adds.

Here’s why you should work with a travel advisor when booking your next cruise.

They have access to the best pricing and exclusive amenities.

Travel advisors can help you get the best bang for your buck, because they typically have access to the best pricing.

“A great travel advisor has access to preferred rates and promotions and more importantly, knows how to interpret them and when to book,” says Alder.

Along those same lines, they can typically get you exclusive amenities that are only available through travel advisors.

They have in-depth knowledge.

Travel advisors know all the ins and outs of the various cruise lines, their ships, their itineraries and the destinations they visit—it’s literally their job. As a result, they can help you quickly and seamlessly navigate this complex world.

“They know the intricacies of the individual ships, promotions, shore excursions and more,” says Karryn Christopher, president of Signature Travel Network.

Looking for a family-friendly cruise line with cabins that can accommodate four people? Or an adults-only vessel with suites that have direct access to the spa? Like a supercomputer, your travel advisor can easily sift through their mental rolodex and spit out a few recommendations, saving you precious time and energy.

Cruise lines often run big sales—such as Black Friday or wave season promotions. But how do you know you’re actually getting a good deal? Travel advisors spend all day, every day, immersed in the world of cruise pricing, so they can help you cut through the noise and book with confidence.

Similarly, travel advisors can help you figure out whether an add-on is worth it for your specific situation—such as a beverage plan or an internet package. They can also advise what to purchase before you set sail, versus what to wait and book during the cruise for the best price, says Christopher.

They can save you lots of time.

You’re a busy person with work, school, family commitments and social obligations. Why waste what precious little free time you do have researching your next vacation when you can have someone else do it for you, usually at no cost to you?

“Planning a trip can be time-consuming,” says Pricilla Reyes, head of sales for North America for Costa Cruises. “A travel consultant handles research, comparisons, bookings and logistics, saving customers hours of work and decision fatigue… Knowing that a professional is managing the trip gives travelers confidence and reassurance before and during their journey.”

Because of their strong relationships with cruise lines and their first-hand knowledge, travel advisors are often the first to hear about—and make sense of—the news. They stay on top of things—like new itineraries, new ships, events, themed sailings and special promotions—so you don’t have to.

“It’s their role to monitor these updates so guests don’t have to check constantly—and they can take advantage of opportunities as soon as they come up,” says Rob Coleman, senior vice president of sales for North America and Australia for Holland America Line.

They have insider info.

Travel advisors are fully immersed in the world of cruising, so they often have knowledge and intel that you might not. For example, Holland America Line offers “Collectors’ Voyages,” which combine non-repeating, back-to-back cruises into one itinerary—and are sold at a better value. The cruise line’s onboard staffers often hear from guests who wished they would have known about staying on for the next cruise—something they likely would’ve known had they worked with a travel advisor, says Coleman.

They are expert problem-solvers.

Travel advisors have seen or experienced just about every possible issue that can arise during a trip—from flight delays to unexpected illnesses and everything in between.

“Travel advisors are experts who can anticipate potential issues and step in when needed,” says Coleman. “While no one expects problems, they can arise, and having an advisor means you’re not handling them alone… Your travel advisor can intervene on your behalf—saving you the time of calling a reservations or help line.”

They are logistics superstars.

Booking a cruise is one thing. But actually taking a cruise is so much more. Think about it: Your vacation starts the moment you leave home and ends when you get back. In between, there’s a whole lot to consider, from car services and luggage handling to private airport pick-ups and hotel recommendations for pre- and post-cruise stays. Travel advisors not only think of all these logistics, but they can help you tackle them with ease.

“For example, an advisor is going to recommend that if you need to fly to reach your embarkation port that you fly at least a day early,” says Christopher. “You can’t control the airlines, and an advisor does not want to chance their client missing the ship due to a delayed or canceled flight.”

Coleman echoes that sentiment, adding that a travel advisor’s expertise ensures “smoother connections and peace of mind before and after the cruise.”

They know the destinations inside and out.

Have you ever looked at the list of shore excursions available on a seven-night cruise? The number and diversity of options is enough to make anyone’s head spin. Aside from deciding which one to book, how do you know whether you should take a shore excursion at all? Maybe you want to take a leisurely, unstructured stroll or private tour instead.

Travel advisors have first-hand experience and connections, meaning they can help you figure out how you should spend your time and make arrangements accordingly.

“Often, the advisor has been to the destinations or [they] know local experts who can provide recommendations for best restaurants, limited- or private-access events, not-to-be-missed shops for the best that local artisans have to offer and even the opportunity to support the local community as part of their visit,” says Christopher.

Source: Travel Pulse