Travel Agency Reduced Rates Explained
Good Morning,
If you’re looking for the best deal for your next cruise, you will want to know all your options to book a cruise.
The last thing you want to do is pay more when you could have paid less for the same cruise!
You may have heard travel agents (agencies) talk about having special pricing that only they can offer, but how does that work?
Should I Book With A Travel Agent?
Ignoring the special rates that travel agents have access to, here is why you should always book with a travel agent.
First, travel agents don’t cost anything additional to book with. They work off of commission paid by the cruise line, so you don’t have to worry about paying your travel agent.
Second, agents have access to the exact same rates as found on the cruise line’s website. That means you’ll get an extra service for the same price you would have paid.
Third, a specialist will help you save so much time. They will be an additional resource that can help answer all your questions and act as a guardian angel for you.
I am a travel agent, so I am biased. But I hear so many stories of rookies making mistakes that a travel agent could have easily prepared them for.
How Do Agencies Have These “Special” Rates?
The first thought is that booking direct through a cruise line should be the cheapest option, but that isn’t the case.
Agencies that have high volumes can negotiate with the cruise lines to get better deals for their clients, such as reduced rates, onboard credit, or other onboard amenities. They will allocate cabins that their agents will be able to sell. Please note that it’s only for specific sailings and not every sailing with every cruise line.
Essentially agencies buy in bulk, but instead of raising the prices to resell, they pass along the savings to their clients. It’s a way for agencies to stay competitive.
This is what is known as a “group rate.” Group rates aren’t only a travel agent thing because cruise lines offer group rates to those with a big enough party. It’s just that agencies take it to a whole different level to get bigger and better deals with more and more people.
Do I Have To Travel With The Group?
No, just because you booked into a travel agency’s group does not mean you will be traveling with anyone in the group. You will be part of the group in name only. There is a likely chance that you will not even interact with anyone in your group.
It could be a different story if one of the amenities for the group rate is a tour group or a cocktail party for everyone in the agency’s group.
How Are Rates For Thousands Of Dollars Off?
Cruise line pricing constantly fluctuates up and down depending on supply and demand. The more popular the sailing, the more money you will pay, while the less popular the sailing, the less you will pay. Generally, as time goes on and more cabins start to sell out, the price will go up.
In most cases, the agency will allocate their group rates when the cruise line first releases its itineraries. In theory, grabbing cabins at the cheapest price they will ever be.
When cruise lines released itineraries for 2024, the state of the industry was not as popular as it is now. So prices were much lower to match the demand of 2022. Once health and safety protocols started lifting, cruises got much more popular, thus the price of cruising started raising drastically. Booking 2024 sailings with an agency group rate could be the last time we see prices this low.
Let Me Help You Book Your Next Cruise!
If you’re looking to book your next cruise vacation, I can be of help to you!
The Agency I’ve partnered with, Gold Rush Getaways partners with a consortium that gives access to even more group rates.
Sometimes I will post blogs about special deals I have, but the best way is to reach out to me.
Contact me for a quote, and I will work to find the BEST deal!
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