Being a travel agent has been one of my favorite things I’ve ever done in my life. You know how cruises are so much fun, when you become a travel planner you get to share those amazing experiences with so many people? And the best part, it’s not as hard to get into as you might think, plus it makes for an awesome work-from-home gig!
How to become a Royal Caribbean or any type of travel agent
I wanted to major in Royal Caribbean Cruises, but you can major in anything. The key is that you have to love the product. You don’t need to be a walking encyclopedia of every cruise or destination, but have a solid understanding of the fun surrounding sailing on a Royal Caribbean ship (if that was your focus) and whether you’re just one who travels a bunch or maybe just you’ve scoured the internet and can’t wait to continue, must you be genuinely excited about Royal Caribbean’s offerings? This is the secret sauce that will make your customers want to set sail and book with you.
Are you booking Royal Caribbean?
No, I book all kinds of vacations, I just started with an emphasis on Royal Caribbean. You can book every major cruise line, hotels, Disney and more. It depends on the company you work with, but the world is your oyster (didn’t I ever like that expression???)
Technology
Next, let’s talk about technology. If you can book your own vacation online without breaking a sweat, you’re already halfway there. Royal Caribbean’s booking systems are quite user-friendly, and if you can manage your own itinerary and chat with customers via email or text, you’ll be golden. Although I do like to jump on a call.
Sales experience
Last but certainly not least, you don’t have to be smooth-talking, the most important part is being able to listen to your customers’ needs, be ready to plan their dream vacation and be there when they need you; Yes, these are the characteristics that will set you apart as a top travel agent.
How did I get started?
Step 1: Find the right agency – Now, this is where the “fun” begins (honestly, it wasn’t that much fun, but I’ll try to save you the headache).
Look for an agency that is officially recognized by Royal Caribbean as a travel seller.
Here’s how the agency hunt went down:
- I applied to a bunch of agencies, like 34 of them!
- But you know what? Most of them didn’t even bother to answer. (Rude, right?)
- Some asked about my experience or if I already had a huge client base.
- Others wanted me to prove I could book a ton of vacations before they even considered me.
- And then there were a few who politely said they weren’t hiring. At least they had the decency to reply I guess?
In the end, I ended up with an agency that my friend recommended to me (I should have asked her earlier) Better Days Vacation. Their purpose is to welcome newcomers to the travel industry and the program is designed for beginners only.
Registration process
Participation Better Days Vacation it was a breeze. No previous experience required and everything was done online. They have two membership options:
- Classic Travel Agent Registration: Perfect for those looking to start small cruises, booking cruises for friends and family while making extra cash.
- Fast Track subscription: If you’re like me and want to dive right in, this program connects you with leads from people who are ready to plan their Royal Caribbean vacation. It’s like hitting the fast forward button to build your clientele.
By the way, you can book other types of destinations like Disney, Carnival, Norwegian, All Inclusives, etc… I just like to focus on Royal Caribbean.
Once you’re in, they’ll give you all the training you need to start booking Royal Caribbean vacations like a pro. And hey, as long as you have that passion for creating unforgettable cruise experiences for families, you’re good to go.
Education:
When I joined The best day I was given access to Royal Caribbeans, Royal Caribbean University. It’s a great program that talks so much about Royal Caribbean, you’ll really know so much after taking the course.
In addition, my agency has weekly Webinars from representatives of different suppliers from Royal Caribbean, Disney, Celebrity, Sandals, Carnival and more. These are extremely useful.
Let’s talk about perks:
- As a Royal Caribbean Travel Agent, not only can you create dream vacations for your clients, but you can also score some sweet discounts on Royal Caribbean cruises.
- I’m talking significant reductions in cruise fares, special rates for pre- and post-cruise hotel stays, and exclusive access to onboard goodies and experiences.
And here’s the cherry on top: Familiarization trips or family trips are like the icing on the cake. Royal Caribbean pitches these trips to travel agencies based on how well they do. You can check out the ships, dive into exciting experiences and relax in luxury hotels. Cruise Experts Travel scores a bunch of these family trips and I’m already counting down the days until my first one next year!
How much can you do?
But, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty: How much can you really earn as a Royal Caribbean Travel Agent?
So, here’s the scoop:
- Typically, agencies take about a 10% commission on pre-tax package vacations. With Royal Caribbean, it’s pretty much the same deal except……. and here’s another thing i like about this agency, they get 14% for booking so many caribbean vacations. This commission is then split with the agent
- Here’s what I REALLY like The best day: New agents get started with a whopping 70% commission rate on any booking you bring to the company! This means if you earn a $500 commission, you earn $350.
- Let’s crunch some numbers: Let’s say you book an average Royal Caribbean cruise for a family of four, costing about $6,320. With that 14% commission and a 70% cut, you’re looking at a sweet $619.36 in your pocket for just one booking.
- My best booking was a group of 8 cabins (not even on a fancy ship) and my commission was just over $3,800.00
- Payments are usually made via PayPal or direct deposit. Even if you only book one vacation package a month, you’re looking at $200 to $500. But if you book a Royal Caribbean suite, you could easily earn $700-$1,000, especially since these suites can cost a pretty penny.
So get ready to embark on an exciting journey as a Royal Caribbean Travel Agent and help families create memories that will last a lifetime!
How to get customers!
But wait, how do you actually wrap these customers around?
- Start by spreading the word to your friends and family. They will be your first customers, without a doubt.
- Get involved in local groups such as church gatherings or school events. Word of mouth is a powerful thing!
- Social media is your best friend. Share travel tips, highlight killer deals and showcase some success stories from your customers.
- Oh, and don’t forget to register your business with Google My Business. That way, when people in your area search for Royal Caribbean Travel Agents, you’ll be right there at the top.
- Feeling a little overwhelmed? Best Day Ever’s Fast Track program connects you with potential clients, making filling your client roster a breeze. Trust me, it’s a game changer!
Requirements
- Well, it depends on the agency. Some have quotas you have to hit, while others don’t really care as long as you import some business.
- The best day it has no quota. Whether you book short or long, you are still considered a member of the group and have access to obtaining a CLIA card
How to choose the perfect agency for you?
Sure, I love the agency I’m at, but that doesn’t mean it might be right for you. I ACCEPT NOT do any special bonus or perk (zero, zip, zilch) if you sign up Better Days Vacation if you sign up i just want to share my experience.
So how do you choose the perfect agency?
- Look for one that gives you killer training
- Something that doesn’t rip you off with crazy fees
- This allows you to book a wide variety of trips with different suppliers and allows you to book any type of cruise.
And there you have it! Becoming a Royal Caribbean Travel Agent is all about loving cruises, chatting with people and planning vacations, and of course, making some waves!
Emily is our editor and content manager. Every day, you can find her cruising the streets in various strollers, bending over in new car seats, and figuring out how the newest baby carrier works. All because she’s passionate about sharing the latest and greatest in baby gear and providing honest reviews so you can spend your hard earned money on products that are truly worth it!
