Become a Home Based Travel Agent

Cruisewhiz Craig or Confessions of a Cruiseship Junkie
By Craig Satterfield

Thanks for stopping by for the first installment of Cruisewhiz Craig’s column. I started using that name years ago when I was trying to come up with a clever customized car license plate and it just stuck.  I hope you enjoy it and find it entertaining, informative and inspiring.

It all started back in 1975 when I sailed for the first time on board Pacific Far East Line’s SS Monterey for 4 wonderful nights from Honolulu to San Francisco, followed by a 10 night Mexican Riviera cruise about 9 months later on the Pacific Princess. This cruise was a true “Love Boat” sailing as they were filming the second season of the classic TV series on board.  I was hooked.

Basically working as a cruise-only agent from then on, I was always criticized that I had no credibility because I didn’t sell air tickets. I didn’t care. I didn’t want anything to get in the way of my love of the ships and sharing the cruise experience with clients and friends. Boy have things changed. Initially, there were very few travel agents that specialized in cruises.  Now after over 30 years in our business, seeing ships and cruise lines come and go, I still love what I do and am happy to share my experiences both good and bad with you.

I am still in the trenches, working as a full time cruise agent for www.surecruise.com and just like you, I deal with individuals, groups and incentives.  At the same time, I also am  trying to keep track of our quickly changing industry.  I just became an ECC (Elite Cruise Councilor) with CLIA and am finishing up the rest of the training for my ECCS degree.

I just had the rare opportunity to visit and dine aboard Oceania Cruise’s brand new MARINA when she was in Los Angeles recently. The MARINA is a bit larger and accommodates a few more guests than the earlier ships in their fleet, and along with the utter luxury of the facilities, food and service, she possesses the ultimate luxury…space.

What came to mind is what our cruise passengers miss when they think bigger is better.  Who is bigger and better for, and is it in the best interest of the guests?  More cruise guests will have to vie for that deck chair in the perfect location or that line at the breakfast buffet. The end result?  Nowhere to sit and enjoy that cold coffee and hot orange juice.

Cruise lines that operate these big mamas can be very convincing that their big new ship has everything you want, and nothing you don’t.  Since arithmetic is not an opinion, the more the merrier for the profit margin of these lines.  One ship, three times the people can make stockholders jump for joy.

Don’t get me wrong, I think that there is a place for the MV Behemoth as families flock to the rock climbing, water slides and wrestling mats.  But what about the rest of us? Us baby-boomers, who have the largest amount of inherited money in history, have worked hard and want just a relaxing place to put our feet up.  We want just to watch the ocean pass while we finally start as well as finish that John Grisham book.

Let’s get back to the remarkable Marina. After checking out the beautiful pool deck, the lush suites and balcony cabins as well as a culinary demonstration kitchen, I left the ship with renewed energy and enthusiasm. I now suggest this ship as well as all of the deluxe cruise lines offering what cruising is truly about.  Luxury cruising is on the rise as seen by Oceania’s newest vessel, to be followed by her twin sister still under construction.

I just recently read an article announcing that consumer interest in using an experienced travel agent is growing with the reason being that it is a time saving strategy!

Apparently future travelers scouring the net for that great deal does not give bragging satisfaction the way it used to.  It possibly it never did.  Serve yourself and save never did work for travel anyway.  Time starved travelers are looking for ways to get what they want and are willing to pay for an experienced expert!

So how do you cash in on this revelation? How about a new promise to yourself to subscribe to the idea of self-promotion.  You CLIA ACC, MCC and ECC agents are perfectly situated to crown yourself as experts.  If Michael Jackson could crown himself the “King of Pop” there should be nothing stopping you.  Remember; know what you are talking about, as there never have been more savvy customers as there are today.  They might research on the net, but they need you to sift out the facts from the fiction.

Just inform everyone that they are following the trend by using you as their travel professional. Remember to bring something special to your client’s attention that they might not have thought of themselves or found on their own. Like the fact that they will need a visa if on a cruise and want to tour in St. Petersburg, Russia on their own.

Our industry just keeps growing and growing. When the last batch of ships came into service this past year and the beginning of this year, I thought that there might be a lull. These new ships were either being built or in the planning stages during the big downfall of 2009.  Could there be any new tonnage in the future?  You bet there is!  Somebody asked Micky Arison once if Carnival could ever build too many ships.  His answer was “no matter how many we build, we will fill them.”   So make room for some new names that will be sliding into the water from the dry docks this year and next.

Disney is going heavy with the 4,000 guest DISNEY FANTASY which will offer 7 nighters from Port Canaveral and you know Disney will surprise us with new technology unlike any other cruise line.  Sister to the CARNIVAL MAGIC, which is about to be launched, comes the CARNIVAL BREEZE that will blow into service in 2012.  This will make a total of 24 ships in the Fun Ship fleet. Guess Micky is right! 

Cruising Italian Style must be popular as Costa’s 16^th ship; the COSTA FASCINOSA will make her debut in the spring of 2012. Is Costa naming their ships Italian versions of Carnival? Also next year greets Oceania’s sister to the Marina, the OCEANIA RIVIERA, which sounds like more of a good thing.

With all of these new ships, as well as the ones we are already selling, it is almost a full time job in itself to keep track of these new builds and the unique features they offer. How can we expect to keep updated on these new ships and itineraries?  The same way you get to Carnegie Hall, practice, practice, practice!

I love technology and use it almost exclusively to work out quotes.  I hear that many of you still call the cruise line and thumb thru brochures.  I promise you it is time to retrain yourself to be a tech wizard with one of the free computer programs designed for cruise sales. I am not a big fan of having to jump from one cruise line booking engine to another but sometimes there is no other choice.   I have been using Amadeus Cruise for many years (http://www.amadeus.com/us/x53595.html ) or check out Sabre Cruises  (https://cruises.sabre.com/home.html). I find it a quick and easy way to pin down dates, ships and rates. You can even see your group inventory there on some of the lines like Princess. Be familiar with all of them in case you need them. There are other programs out there and none of them are perfect. That doesn’t replace your expert knowledge of the lines, ships and cruising style that you work with all the time.  Do your homework and it will pay off.  After all it is better to keep your phone available for that new client’s call.

I have just re-established my blog at http://cruisewhizcraig.blogspot.com/ and would be happy to receive your emails at Cruisewhizcraig@verizon.net

Bon voyage for now!