Internet Cruise Agencies: How To Know They Are The Real Deal

All to often people question whether or not an internet travel agency is "real". Almost always the answer is "yes"! I don't know why but, some people have a very hard time believing that an internet based travel agency is legitimate so I am going to attempt to clear up the mysteries of how it all works. Most internet travel agencies are REAL travel agents who are working out of their homes. These travel agents work with a Host Company. The host company carries all the business licenses and registrations which cover all agents. The agents are usually referred to as independent contractors and, the agent usually uses a different company name than the host company to identify their bookings within the host company.

So, now that you know a little bit about how it works for the agent, here is how to tell if the company is legitimate:

1) It might seem oblivious but, ask the travel agent if they are working with a host agency. If the answer is yes, then you need to ask the travel agent for their Registered Seller of Travel numbers, less than a handful of states require these, however, they are an important part of establishing the legitimacy of a travel agency. Most internet agencies will have at least one of these numbers and will look something like this: CST # 1234567-89

2) You also want to verify the host company information, so, you can ask the agent for their CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) number. Some agents may not give this out, and, that's ok, you can STILL check by visiting: http://www.cruising.org and plugging in the zip code for the host agency (this will be found in the lower right hand corner in the blue box). If the agent refuses to provide either the zip code or the actual CLIA number, then you might have a problem and, you may want to seek out another travel agency. Why? Simply put CLIA is one of the regulating boards that oversees the travel industry, specifically dedicated to cruising. There are other governing agencies such as IATA, however, if you are booking a cruise, it is the CLIA information you want to verify.

3) Once you verify the host company, you can rest assured you are dealing with a legitimate travel agency. CLIA has very high standards and they just don't let anyone off the street register as a cruise agency. Now is the time to ask your internet agent if they charge any fees. If they do, then you'll want to get that information in writing and, expect to see charges listed on your credit card statement from the host agency. Some legitimate charges an agent can make are: shipping and handling fees, late booking fees, arranging air transportation or hotels, group fees, name change fees, and cancellation fees. If your agent does not charge for these services, and a good agent won't charge you for these services, then the only charges you should see on your credit card statement should be DIRECTLY FROM THE CRUISE LINE. PERIOD. If your agent tells you that they do not charge fees and then all of a sudden you see fees from the agency and, you have it in writing that no service fees are charged, cancel your booking immediately and change travel agents. You'll save yourself a huge headache later on!

By doing these few simple steps you can be guaranteed that you are dealing with a registered, real life travel agency. While I do understand the hesitation of booking with an unknown person or agency, you as the consumer must also realize that it takes time and effort on the agent's part to give out this information and put to the consumer's mind at ease. If you continue to have doubts, do both yourself and internet agent a favor, go to another agency, maybe one in your hometown. Chances are you won't get the lower prices that the internet agency can offer because the traditional travel agency has lots of overhead including: rent, electric, renter's insurance, city or town business fees, and the list goes on and on. And, if you think the "big" nationwide agencies are going to offer better prices and service, think again, very often they have the most complaints and more than likely you won't get the service you expect once they've made the sale. Large travel agencies are only concerned with the bottom line: sales and revenue. Once they have you booked, they aren't going to worry about you, they are going to worry about their next sale. It's a sad statement for a service industry but it's true. This is one case where bigger isn't necessarily better.

Holding a degree in Marketing and a Certificate in Travel and Meeting Planning, Tina Rinaldi has been a professional travel agent since the early 1990s. After years of answering the same questions for clients, she noticed that none of the brochures and none of the guide books available answered the questions clients most commonly asked and, thus, the concept of the "What The Brochures Don't Tell You" book series was developed. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tina_Rinaldi