Whether you book ocean cruises or river cruises, or even expedition cruises, you’re aware that a lot more goes into the reservation than the sailing itself. There are excursions to think about, travel insurance policies to choose from and cabin and dining assignments to confirm. In addition to all these components, it can be beneficial to offer your clients pre- and post-cruise options.
Become a Pro With These Cruise Line Advisor Specialist Programs
“Adding time on either end of a cruise is one of the smartest ways to get the most out of a vacation,” said Jacki Marks, global head of trade brands at ALG Vacations. “Arriving early helps avoid stress around potential travel delays, and extending afterward allows for a deeper, more relaxed exploration of the destination. While cruises offer a taste of multiple ports, spending dedicated time in a port city gives travelers a chance to really connect with the culture, food and local experiences.”
Earn Commission on Cruise Features
Once you know which sailing your client is taking, you can check out the ‘points of interest’ filter on VAX VacationAccess, which aids in finding accommodations, excursions and tickets for amusement parks or museums near various cruise ports. “ALG Vacations offers pre- and post-cruise options in more than 100 ports of call around the globe,” Marks said. “From North America and Europe to Asia, Oceania, the Middle East and beyond, advisors can easily build custom itineraries around some of the most in-demand cruise hubs in the world.”
Having your clients covered with a mini vacation before and/or after their sailing provides so many added benefits to their trip, and another plus is that you’ll earn even more commission.
“Pre- and post-cruise stays don’t just enhance the traveler’s experience — they create more earning potential for travel advisors,” Marks said. “With ALG Vacations, advisors can earn commission on hotel accommodations, transfers and excursions. And thanks to our ‘Set Your Own Commission’ tool, they can even earn on published air. It’s a win-win: clients get a more seamless, immersive vacation, and advisors boost their bottom line.”
In addition to bringing in more commission, advisors can use these bookings to make progress on goals they’ve set with ALG Vacations. This could include earning WAVES points or working towards a tier of Elite status.
What About Travel Insurance?
ALG Vacations offers Travel Protection Plus for reservations booked through the brand. This insurance option covers elements such as hotels, transfers and excursions that are booked before and after the sailing but not the cruise portion itself.
“Features like our Lowest Price Guarantee and up to $1,000 per person in Missed Connection coverage provide peace of mind in case of price cuts, unexpected delays or disruptions,” said Marks. “While the cruise itself must be insured separately, Travel Protection Plus adds critical protection for the rest of the journey.”
Learn More About Pre- and Post-Cruise Packages
If advisors are wondering where to learn more about this feature, the first step is to become ALGVPro certified. In addition to the certification, ALG Vacations offers webinars that dive deeper into this topic, as well as specific destinations and selling strategies. Advisors can also contact their BDM for support or visit alg.www.vaxvacationaccess.com/prepostcruise.
“We also know that confidence comes with the right tools, which is why we’ve developed new marketing assets within ALGV360° to help advisors sell pre- and post-cruise vacations with ease — including ready-to-use flyers, videos and social media content,” Marks said. “Whether you're new to cruise extensions or looking to grow that part of your business, these tools are designed to make selling simple and successful.”
To learn more about individual cruise lines, visit the Cruise Showcases page on VAX VacationAccess.
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