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THE RIGHT TRAVEL AGENT
CAN MAKE A CRUISE A DREAM VACATION

By Bill Panoff

Personal consultants are an important part of life today. From designers to fitness trainers to financial planners, consumers' cadre of coaches can be impressive.

So with vacations being a priority in our lives - events that we save and plan for with great anticipation - shouldn't the right travel planner be part of the "consultant" mix?

This is especially true with cruise vacations. From premium to luxury, family friendly weekend jaunts to extended adventure travel, each cruise line or itinerary is unique from the next. They're as unique as the passengers who vacation on them. So it's important to find the right travel agent to steer your cruise selection along the right course.

Not every travel agent is well versed in the cruise industry. Like many other industries, agents have become specialists. And today, it's more important than ever to work with a consultant who knows the industry. With a dozen new ships slated to enter service or undergo significant renovations in the next several years, the selection of itineraries and ship-board attractions will grow dramatically - and dramatically more confusing.

Do you like five-star vacations? Will young children be coming along? Do you want the biggest ship afloat, or would you prefer an intimate voyage to a remote destination with several hundred fellow passengers? Your travel agent must know these characteristics - and know to ask.

Every year, thousands of travel agents are introduced to the latest cruise ships and most popular destinations. They experience each facet of the cruise operation, from the meals and shipboard activities, to shore excursions and the way the line handles passenger flow. These familiarization or "fam" trips are an important ingredient to the agent's ability to effectively sell the right cruise to the right customer.

It's also important for the customer to know the agent. The best way to start is to ask any friends who have cruised in the past. Who did they consult with? Would they recommend that agent?

Then, visit your prospective travel agent's office. Scan the waiting area and their desk for popular cruise and travel magazines, like Porthole Magazine, http://www.porthole.com ,  or other industry journals. Ask if your travel agency is affiliated with the Cruise Lines International Association, an industry trade group.

In fact, CLIA, as it is known, has an Accredited and Master Cruise Counselors program which has graduated more than 20,000 agents. The certifications recognize the agents' participation in extensive classroom and video training, ship and port inspections, and plenty of personal cruise experience.

Regardless of whom you choose to be your travel consultant, they should know your needs and preferences. They should be able to answer your questions and match your preferences with the right ship.

While a cruise is competitively priced to compete with - and often is less expensive than - traditional land-based vacations, it's still an important expenditure that should be well planned before booking. The right travel planner can help weigh such decisions.

You wouldn't decorate your home or invest your money or take on an exercise routine without input from a professional consultant. Think of your cruise vacation the same way. With the right advice and planning, your getaway can be a memorable experience. And your travel agent will become your scout on the high seas, trained to spot the ideal cruise voyage designed just for you.

Bill Panoff is a former cruise director and the publisher of Porthole magazine.  You can visit the Web site at http://www.porthole.com.   He welcomes comments or questions on cruising.  You can write him at bpanoff@ppigroup.com

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