Ok, I am working on the “perfect cruise” for a couple celebrating their 40 wedding anniversary. Upon first conversation with the client she was kind enough to ask if I charged for my services (a service fee). I stupidly said “oh, probably not, it seems simple enough”. Well, I have been searching for 3 days for this “perfect cruise” and it still does NOT meet all she asked for. It may not exist. The perimeters seemed simple – 7 day Mediterranean cruise to include Barcelona, and the Greek Islands. Istanbul would be good, too. She wants a couple of sea days – don’t want a port stop everyday, “young ” and fun activities onboard the ship (beyond lectures, the library, gym, spa, and cooking classes). She doesn’t a mega ship, midship verandah (balcony) under $3000 per person and good service. Simple!
Turns out to be a needle in a haystack. What I found was NOT even on the agents access website. I have had to call cruiselines for itineraries AND to query their onboard activities. So, now I am ready to charge a service fee. I have not done that before but I think it’s coming for 2018. This is how come I mostly do group travel. It’s a lot of work for a lot of people but I can get paid for all the “extra” work that nice to do for someone – beyond just booking the cruise online. I am a one person business. There is NOT enough commission (roughly 10%-15% of the cruise fare ONLY – not taxes, fese, gratuities nor insurance) to sustain a business doing individual travel.
There is a lot to do to coordinate airfare, pre or post cruise hotel stays, ground transfers, and the cruise itself. Many people are not aware that the basic rule of real estate – location, location, location- holds true for a cruise,too. Cheap fares will get you a cabin you will not like (on the bottom floor next to machine rooms, engine rooms and maintenance room) or in the front of the ship or rear of the ship where you are likely to feel the rocking of the ship more than anywhere else. Or how about right under the night clubs and/or lido deck. NOISY! You don’t know what you don’t know and you may pay for it.
I have emailed my client my results, so far. Unfortunately, Barcelona is not on the menu – Venice, instead. Forget Istanbul – not happening. I did meet all the other desires (at least the ones I know about). I like what I came up with and I added airfare and a 3 day post cruise hotel stay at a great price. Remember, I only get commission on the cruise fare ONLY. Could spend more time and do it another way to get a commission for the extras but, really $30 and 3 more days is just not worth it.
I hope she likes it. Wish me luck.
MarshAgogo – out
