United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Cruise travel still heavily booked by agents
Travel agents still play a role in at least 80% of cruise bookings despite Web inroads, cruise officials said this week at The Tradeshow in Orlando.
“We’re all building ships. We recognize the key to filling those ships is the agency community,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president of sales, Royal Caribbean International.
Participants at the conference agreed that buying all-inclusive cruises is still regarded as too overwhelming for the expertise of the average traveler who turns to agents for help.
Hurricanes were also a common subject of discussion at the meeting.
Some cruisers have what one agent called “hurricane hesitation.”
But others are taking advantage of the bargain prices.
“You can’t stay home for what we’re charging on a cruise anymore,” said Vicki Freed, a Carnival Cruise Lines executive.
Another area of concern was the 8 January deadline requiring passports for Americans going to the Caribbean. All adults and children will be required to have them.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision
JetBlue scraps London Gatwick flights