Image courtesy of Virgin Voyages
Cruises are having a moment. From intimate river cruises to well-established cruise lines (such as Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages), there's a cruise vacation for every travel style. But booking a cruise vacation can be tricky. Compared to a resort or hotel booking, there are more moving parts and logistics, which is why you should enlist the help of a cruise travel agent.
“Booking a cruise with a travel advisor can turn a good trip into an exceptional one,” Fora X Advisor Amy Lagrow Rogers said. “We not only help clients uncover the best deals but also simplify the overwhelming process of choosing the right cruise line, ship and itinerary from the thousands of options available.”
Read on for an in-depth breakdown of how a cruise travel agent (a.k.a. Fora Advisor) can level-up your voyage.
A cruise specialist helps determine the best cruise line for you
Image courtesy of Fora Advisor Kelsey Parry
There are numerous cruise lines to choose from, each with their own style and amenities. Perhaps you're looking for a family cruise in the Caribbean, or maybe you'd prefer a more intimate and upscale Viking river cruise along a European river. A cruise travel agent can help you determine which cruise line is best for you. To start brainstorming, take our cruise personality quiz.
A cruise travel agent helps you choose the perfect itinerary
Just as there are numerous cruise lines to choose from, there are also numerous itineraries to consider. Royal Caribbean alone offers hundreds of different itineraries, many of which include varying combinations of the same sets of destinations in the Caribbean, East Asia, etc. For instance, an itinerary might take you to Cozumel, Belize City, Roatán and then Costa Maya, Mexico — or may only explore one or two islands of the Bahamas. Some itineraries are as short as three days, while others last months.
Sorting through all the options can be overwhelming — especially when you’re comparing similar itineraries from different brands. You also have to consider an itinerary’s departure point. If you live on the US East Coast, for example, itineraries that depart out of West Coast ports may require an extra day of travel. A cruise travel agent can help you sort through all these options to land on an itinerary that best suits your travel preferences and budget.
Cruise travel agents navigate pricing for you
Pricing for cruises can be difficult to navigate. Most cruises advertise as all-inclusive, but what’s included often varies between cruise lines. On a Virgin Voyages adult-only cruise ship, for instance, all meals, non-alcoholic drinks, gratuities, entertainment, Wi-Fi and even group workouts are included in the upfront lump sum. (Learn more about why we’re obsessed with Virgin Voyages.) Princess Cruises, in contrast, offers distinct packages, each of which includes different amenities. Higher-tiered packages unlock extras like fitness classes, unlimited juice bar access and “premium” dining options. A cruise travel agent can help you decide which package offers the best price for your preferences.
Cruise specialists help you choose the best ship and cabin
Image courtesy of Celebrity Cruises
Your choice of cruise ship can have as much of an impact on your vacation experience as your chosen destination(s). Most popular cruise lines have dozens of ships in their fleets, with a surprising amount of variety among shipboard amenities. In some cases, certain ships are optimized for family vacations, while others are better suited for adults.
Then there are cabins to think about, too. Although one can typically view the cruise ship’s layout beforehand, it’s difficult to know which accommodation category to choose — and not all cabins are created equally. Some cruise lines use technical language to describe their cabin layouts, leaving room for misjudgment, and accidentally choosing the wrong type can hamper your cruising experience. Your cruise travel agent can sift through the options, make inquiries with the cruise line and ensure that you get both the shipboard amenities and personal accommodations you want.
“If you’re thinking about booking a cruise, working with a Fora travel advisor is the way to go,” Fora X Advisor Elena Ollick said. “We can make sure you avoid an unpleasant experience by recommending the best location for your stateroom — you don’t want to sleep to the pounding sound of feet dancing above your head. Plus, we handle all the details, so you can focus on getting excited for your trip. All you do is pack your bags and we take care of the rest!”
Cruise travel agents help you make the most of shore excursions
One of the best parts of the cruising experience is seeing different locations around the world. Shore excursions matter, and a cruise specialist will help you make the most of these (often brief) land-based adventures. First-time travelers, and even returning cruisers, may struggle with ports of call, where passengers disembark before exploring a certain location. It can be nerve-wracking to budget enough time to enjoy a shore excursion and return to the ship before it sails to the next port (cruise ships do not wait for late passengers). Having someone walk you through the process makes all the difference.
Cruise travel agents take the stress out of travel planning
An advisor helps eliminate much (if not all) of the stress that can accompany cruise travel planning, especially with so many variables to account for. (Many cruise ships even require guests to choose specific dining times.) And while some cruises don’t offer traditional perks and upgrades that many of Fora’s preferred partners do, having a direct line of contact with the cruise ship will inevitably enhance your cruising experience. Since you won’t be considered a number amid the masses, you will more likely be treated as a VIP. Plus, cruise travel agents receive access to exclusive deals before anyone else, and can pass them along to their clients.
“From securing the ideal cabin location to ensuring all important deadlines are met, we guide you every step of the way,” Fora X Advisor Amy Lagrow Rogers said. “If challenges arise, we're here to advocate on your behalf, making your experience as stress-free as possible. With firsthand knowledge of destinations, ports and onboard experiences, we offer insights you won’t find online.”
Cruise travel agents can enhance your welcome aboard
Image courtesy of Virgin Voyages
Some cruise lines do in fact offer complimentary perks to travelers who book their voyage with a travel agent. For example, in 2024, Royal Caribbean guests who booked certain cabin types with a Fora Advisor were offered complimentary specialty dining for two. Meanwhile, passengers aboard Virgin Voyages who booked their cruise with a Fora Advisor received $100 shipboard credit per cabin.
“Booking a cruise with a travel advisor is a smart move,” Fora X Advisor Melissa Elliott said. “We can offer many perks you won’t get when booking on your own — things like shipboard credit, upgrades, priority boarding, complimentary specialty dining, spa treatments and so much more. This, paired with the knowledge and expertise we offer, can be a game-changer for cruisers.”
What to look for in a cruise travel agent
Selecting a cruise travel agent isn’t as tedious as planning and booking your cruise by yourself. You’ll of course want to choose someone with the right training and credentials. But perhaps just as importantly, you’ll want to work with someone who matches your vibe. Fora Advisors come from all walks of life, meaning there’s an advisor for all types of clients (i.e., you). Any Fora Advisor can book cruises for you, but there are many who specialize in this type of travel and have completed the additional training to match. All Fora Advisors also have access to Fora’s preferred partnerships with various major (and smaller) cruise lines. This allows them to extend special offers not typically available elsewhere and, at times, unlock complimentary perks. Connect with a Fora Advisor to start planning your cruise with expert help today.
More travel inspiration
Check out articles on popular cruise destinations for a land-based alternative: