text: Right Travel Agent Ensures Smooth Sailing - tribunedigital-orlandosentinel
  Right Travel Agent Ensures Smooth Sailing
  June 5, 1994|By Judy Hevrdejs, Chicago Tribune
  You've done your homework. You know what type of cruise you want and what ports you would like to see. Now all you need to do is to book your trip.
  Any travel agent can book a cruise, but experts in the industry say it's best to track down an agent who specializes in cruises and can find a cruise line and ship to meet those needs.
  ''Go to a cruise-only agency or go to your travel agency and ask for their cruise expert,'' says Royal Caribbean's Rich Steck.
  A good travel agent will make an effort to find out what kind of person you are. Steck says that some of the questions you should expect to be asked before booking a cruise include: ''What do you like to do? Are you sophisticated, or do you want a party? Do you want budget? Are you interested in beaches, island hopping or nature?''
  When the agent is done asking questions, it's your turn.
  ''If they start floundering around and start giving you the same answers for all the cruise lines, you may need to look elsewhere (for an agent),'' says Steck.
  Cruise book author Douglas Ward suggests looking for an agency affiliated with the Cruise Lines International Association. The New York organization, founded in 1975, represents 32 cruise lines.
  There are 22,000 agencies throughout North America that are affiliated with the association and entitled to display the group's blue, white and gold decal.
  In addition, the association began a cruise counselor certification program last year which certifies travel agents as accredited cruise counselors and master cruise counselors, following their participation in compulsory training and related exams. According to a spokesman, some 2,000 agents have completed the program.
  Phil Beach, editor of the Shipboard Cruiser Newsletter, suggests travelers ''ask for references when your are preparing to book travel. Ask the travel agent to give you an executive-level reference at the cruise line you intend to use to see how the agency handles its business with that cruise line.
  And read through those travel documents in the cruise packet. That way there will be fewer surprises during the trip.
  ''In a cruise packet, you'll find your stateroom number, your dining time (early or late or wait-listed), also baggage tags,'' says Nancy Kelly, of Kelly Cruises Inc., Oak Brook, Ill.
  ''You've got forms to complete for immigration, you've got a booklet on shore excursions, vouchers for pre- or post-(cruise) hotels, your transfer coupons from the airport to embarkation. And some (cruise lines) have a booklet that basically answers questions.''
  If those documents don't answer your questions - for example, you want to know if they stock a decent California merlot at an equally decent price or if there are baby-sitting services available - make a list of your questions. Pose them to your travel agent. If the agent can't give you specific answers, get the phone number of the cruise line and call it.
  The National Association of Cruise Only Agencies, founded in 1985, is a Miami organization that represents 700 travel agents. Those members also must be members of the international association and bonded or insured, and must participate in educational programs.
  For a list of national-association members (you may request members in up to three states), send a self-addressed, business-size envelope with 29 cents postage to: NACOA, 3191 Coral Way, Suite 630, Miami 33145.
  For a free copy of ''Cruising . . . Answers to Your Questions,'' a booklet published by the international association, send a self-addressed, business-size envelope with 52 cents postage to CLIA, 500 Fifth Ave., Suite 1407, New York, N.Y. 10110.