Travel Advisors Find Already-Complex Cruise Bookings Are Getting Even Harder
Skift Take
This might be the best time in history for travel advisors to sell cruises, but it's also the most complex. Those who take time to know the growing array of cruise choices and focus on the high end of the market are the most likely to succeed.
With passenger demand, capacity, and product diversity skyrocketing, the cruise industry holds more sales potential for travel advisors than ever before, but only for those who hone their skills and direct their energy toward the higher end of the market.
Experts say selling cruises is steadily growing more complex, requiring knowledge of the widening array of new ships and cruise lines, strong supplier relationships, and strategies for maximizing earnings in an environment where non-commissionable charges can exceed the basic cruise fare.
Bright Outlook
A record number of people are taking cruises, according to the Cruise Lines International Association’s 2019 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook, which projects that 30 million passengers will take a cruise in 2019, up from 28.2 million last year. The organization also reports that eight out of 10 of its certified travel advisors expect to see their cruise sales grow this year.
“There are more choices and opportunities for
