Condé Nast Traveler: Cruise Etiquette: How and Why to Book with a Cruise Specialist

Unlike many other travel industry segments, cruises are still largely booked by travel specialists—a significant percentage of whom specialize in cruising. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) estimates that over two thirds of cruise passengers have booked their voyages through a travel agent.

Planning a vacation at sea can be complex, and cruise specialists—like those on our Top Travel Specialists list—help cut through the marketing hype and get right to the cruise line that best suits you. Here are some benefits for booking with a cruise specialist, and some pointers from several of our Top Travel Specialists on getting the best value and experience.

How is works

Cruise specialists are bidirectional relationship experts—they’re familiar with both the cruise lines they sell and the clients to whom they’re selling. A travel advisor's primary responsibility is to their clients, meaning they’re better positioned to offer unbiased advice.

For travelers who are new to cruising, agents are especially helpful in matching you with a cruise line and ship that best fits your personality. With dozens of options ranging from entertainment-focused mega ships to intimate river cruises, specialists can provide valuable advice drawn on years of experience working with a variety of cruise lines. They’ll know exactly how to snag a good dining table, arrange VIP shore excursions, or help you select the best cruise insurance plan.

“Once clients realize they cannot ‘VIP themselves’—that’s only something a trusted travel advisor can do for them—they recognize the value of booking with an agent," says Frosch travel advisor Christina Turrini.

At this point, you're probably wondering how much this insider knowledge will cost you. While some advisors may charge a small fee, most cruise specialists receive the bulk of their pay from commissions paid by the cruise industry—meaning there’s typically no difference in fare for passengers who book with a specialist versus booking directly with the line.

Some specialists also have access to tracking programs that alert them to discounts they can then pass on to clients, according to Turrini, which can help passengers save on the cruise fare or add value in the form of upgrades and onboard credits.

What exactly can a cruise specialist assist with?

Cruise specialists are on hand to answer questions about shore excursions, spa and dining reservations, or other services passengers can book online prior to their cruise. Have questions about drink packages or WiFi? Specialists are there to help. If a flight gets delayed or canceled, specialists can also liaise with the cruise line and work to rebook you if there's a risk of missing your sailing.

Many cruise lines give incentives to top specialists like onboard dining or drink packages, onboard credits, or stateroom upgrades for their clients. The cherry on top? Cruise specialists will often send a nice welcome amenity—chocolates, snacks, or other gifts, to kick off their clients’ vacation on a pleasant note.

Some specialists, like Tom Baker of Cruise Center, have an encyclopedic knowledge of cruise cabins—he’ll tell clients exactly how “obstructed” that obstructed view is in their stateroom, or which ships have recently undergone refurbishments.

Top specialists will also follow up post-trip—even if the client isn’t booking another cruise right away. Baker explains this is a good way to gather intel, adding that specialists can help resolve post-travel loose ends like delayed luggage, cruise line complaints, and overall feedback. Specialists also appreciate the latest scoop to help keep their other clients up-to-date. As Mary Jean Tully of Tully Luxury Travel notes, “a restaurant might be good, but if they get a new chef that changes the game."

At the end of the day, Tully says, a trusted travel agent ultimately makes for the best cruise experience. “Why wouldn’t you want someone to be an advocate for you? It just makes sense.”