How do travel agents make money on cruises?

Cruise travel agents receive the bulk of their income via commission from the cruise lines. Their service to you is usually free, though some may charge first-time clients a minimal fee.



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Cruise agents typically make 10% or more of the pre-tax price on a cruise. So if a cruise costs $5,000 before taxes, the agent will usually earn $500 on the cruise booking.

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Cruise line pays the agent a commission for handling the booking once you sail. If the cruise line has to handle the booking, they keep the commission to pay their shoreside staff. I've done both. If I am sailing on my own I prefer to just book directly through the cruiseline.

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Contrary to what you might expect, travel agents might actually be able to get you better deals than internet retailers or even the cruise lines themselves. The best travel agents have access to discounted group rates and exclusive cruise pricing that's not found anywhere else.

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Little to no cost of living On ships, you live where you work. Unlike life on land, there is no rent to be paid or monthly utility bills that need to be taken care of. All basic living expenses are covered at sea for crew members: accommodation, water, electricity, and food.

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Is the consumer obligated to pay the travel agent's commission on a canceled cruise if the cruise line doesn't? No, according to Ada Brown, president of Seaside Travel in Long Beach and head of the Southern California chapter of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).

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Getting to a Million: Top Travel Agents Share Tips for Six-Figure Sales
  1. Set goals. ...
  2. Education is key. ...
  3. Be in it to win it. ...
  4. Find a mentor. ...
  5. Choose your clients rather than vice versa. ...
  6. Mingle where the high rollers go. ...
  7. Consider working for someone else first, so you can start a business with a book of travel in hand.


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Travel agents earn commissions from travel vendors that we book for our clients. This is the entire portion of our revenue. We make a small percentage from some airlines, but most of our revenue comes from commission paid to us by tour operators, cruises and hotels.

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Tip: Unlike hotel prices, cruise fares are listed per person, not per cabin, with rates based on two people occupying a stateroom. Cruise lines offer single travelers the opportunity to book a double cabin for themselves by charging a “single supplement,” which is basically 1½ or 2 times the list price for one person.

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5 entry-level jobs on a cruise ship
  1. Cabin steward. National average salary: $34,883 per year. ...
  2. Deckhand. National average salary: $35,233 per year. ...
  3. Bartender. National average salary: $47,018 per year. ...
  4. Activity coordinator. National average salary: $47,822 per year. ...
  5. Bellperson. National average salary: $65,060 per year.


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At the top of the hierarchy are officers: managers and those responsible for navigation. In the middle are staff members, which include workers in entertainment, retail, and guest services. At the bottom are crew members, who are generally responsible for serving guests.

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Not only do you get to plan trips for others, but you'll also be able to take advantage of special discounts on many facets of travel. This is true for your clients, but also for yourself. Travel agents have access to a variety of discounted rates on both airlines and hotels, even when booking travel for themselves.

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National Geographic looks into whether or not people still use travel advisors, and the answer is a resounding yes!

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Most guests bring $50-$120 cash per day to spend during the cruise. You will have many opportunities to purchase duty free goods, take exciting shore excursions, buy local souvenirs, play your chance in the casino, or enjoy some pampering in the spa.

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Cruise lines often discount their prices a month or two before sailing to fill vacant cabins. However, it's worth noting that a last-minute cruise doesn't always offer the most savings to travelers. Those who plan far ahead may be able to save even more.

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