Let me help you... it is worth more than commission to me (Reason #2)

It is worth more than commission to me (Reason #2)

Have I said that I love to help people yet?

I have read a lot of sad stories about using a cruise line employee over a travel agent. Let me assure you of one thing, I am not in this for the money.  Sure, it is nice to make a little commission to help fund my cruising addiction, but I got into this because I felt the need.

When you call a cruise call center or representative they have a job.  It is a job with goals, schedules and commission bonuses.  The more they book, the more they make. It is job with sales meetings, emails and high pressure pushes to book certain sailings. There are memos and scripts to follow.

When you call a good travel agent there is a different commitment, a different "calling" and different pressures to get it right.  A TA wants to get it right because the last thing they want is for you to return and complain.  We will still be here at the other end of the phone, in our office or home and we want you to book again with us.  We do not have the opportunity to hide from you and we don't have a high turnover of employees we can blame things on.

I recently read a story about selecting a cabin thru a VP vs. a TA.  Let me promise you, I  have time to bring up some particular issues based on YOU.  When you call me I am going to ask questions like:

• What do you like in a cabin, where you like to be on the ship and what needs do you have in selecting a cabin?
• What are your sleeping habits?
• What are you dining preferences and what do you like to be closest too?

All this information will assist me in directing you to the best available cabin for YOU. Everyone is different.  I don't like being next to cabins with 4 people in them.  I am out late so some noises don't bother me. I will be so exhausted at 1:30am it won't matter.  But I am not you, so after a bit of chit chat I can usually:

• Give you some ideas of a good berth for you but not force you or try to change your mind.  I will not mislead you.
• I will let you know what I know....like if there looks like the stewards cabin is near a particular cabin, or the laundry or the pool pump, etc.
• I will share possible problems with the cabins next to you, the ones across the hall and even the deck above you.

I have not been on every ship but I can share what I know.  There are always things to consider and I have the time to listen to you.  Your experience may vary from trip to trip depending on cruise length, number of ports, who you are traveling with or without!  I have cruised with "the girls", large groups, small groups, my family and alone with my husband.  I have been in inside cabins, outside cabins, balconies, wrap arounds and suites.  There is a difference but sometimes the difference doesn't matter much.  Sometimes you just want to see the sunset from your balcony and nothing else matters.....

There are a lot of TA's out there like me...find one...find me !