Help Is on the Way

Overwhelmed by the options? Here’s how an Ensemble travel advisor can curate a cruise that’s right for you

BY MICHELE SPONAGLE

You can have it all aboard a cruise ship: access to remote destinations, unlimited adventures on both land and sea, your pick of world-class restaurants. All this choice can be a blessing—and a curse. There are more than 50 cruise lines and 270 ships worldwide, and a travel advisor can help you find the one that’s meant for you, so all you need to do is plan what to pack.

SAVE TIME AND REDUCE STRESS

You can spend hours searching for itineraries, flights, travel insurance and hotels for stays before or after the cruise. An advisor will do all of that for you. They also take on all the extra research that goes into trip planning on your behalf, from sussing out baggage allowances to determining what documents and insurance you may need. They can also share detailed information about ships, the destinations they visit and what kind of cruise experience you can expect. Then, they’ll make all the arrangements pre- and post-cruise to ensure you have a smooth, stress-free holiday.

GET ACCESS TO AN EXCLUSIVE NETWORK

Thanks to on-location partners and firsthand travel experience, advisors have close ties to a world of destinations and can open the door to exclusive opportunities you wouldn’t necessarily find on your own. They know how to find the best pricing available through their network of suppliers and can provide first access to sales and special promotional offers, including cabin or flight upgrades, shipboard credits and early booking discounts, which may not be readily available to the public.

ENJOY PERSONALIZED, ATTENTIVE SERVICE

Building a relationship and asking the right questions is key to helping guide travelers to the experience best-suited to them. Advisors take the time to get to know you so they can customize your trip. They also share tips from their own experiences (like suggesting you arrive at the embarkation point of your cruise a day early, for peace of mind) or their favorite hidden gems. Based on feedback received from past clients, they have the inside track on what passengers liked and disliked about their trips and will use that info to help guide your trip planning.

STAY ON BUDGET

Navigating all the different package and price options available can feel overwhelming but from choosing your cabin and drinks package to booking your shore excursions, advisors will find the best fit for your budget. They’ll also suggest ways to stretch your travel dollars, such as traveling during less expensive, off-peak seasons and taking advantage of group discounts for friends and family members vacationing with you.

TRUST A PRO

Travel advisors are industry experts who come equipped with a combination of formal education, such as courses through accredited colleges, and first-hand knowledge of destinations and the travel industry as a whole. An advisor is there to support you throughout your trip and can step in to solve problems if there are any hiccups along the way (like if you lose your passport, for instance). Planning your cruise with an advisor helps guarantee that every journey is as seamless as possible, from the moment you leave home to the time you return.