The Flagg Agency

“So, just what does an at-home cruise sales agent do all week?” It is a question I am always asked. While it is hard to describe on the spot, I thought I would pick a week from my calendar, add some notes and explanations and demonstrate a week in the life of Chuck Flagg. This reflects the week of March 23-29, 2009.  Most all of my activities outside of my home are completed between 7:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.when my daughter is in school. My travel booking and follow up is handled in the afternoons and early evenings and in the empty spaces.

Cruise vacations are designed for relaxation – but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. Part of the ease of a cruise vacation is having a variety of entertainment available to you right on the ship. In fact, cruise ships are overflowing with entertainment opportunities from early morning until late into the night.

Daytime entertainment can include deck games, informative lectures by guest experts, cooking demonstrations, bingo and bridge tournaments, water volleyball games, live music by the pool and much more. Of course, the best entertainment could be stretching out in a deck chair with a book from the ship’s library or chatting with fellow passengers.

Typical Activities and Things to Do

Onboard the ship you will have a broad range of activities and amenities. Depending on the ship, you can: Take in guest lecturers or enrichment classes. Enjoy time with your significant other while the young ones play in the supervised kid’s area, and the older children can congregate in the ships teen center for some fun all their own. Then there’s the dining venues, swimming pools, movie theaters, ice skating rinks, and health and spa facilities, that will delight any age group.

Ok, so you now have the cruise on deposit. What sort of things should you be doing as you are counting down towards embarkation day (the day you leave). Here are some tips until your final payment is due:

6 months – 3 months

• Shop for required wardrobe. Is your trip high adventure, cold climate, formal cruising, casual Caribbean, etc.?
• Check electric currency.
• Check monetary currency.
• Check U.S. Customs allowance.
• Book your flights. Start early to get the best possible rates.

You’ve made your decision to take a cruise. Now, what’s next?

After You Have Made Your Decision

• Reserve your stateroom with your cruise line. Apply special discounts, i.e., past passenger, resident, senior, military, etc.
• Make your initial deposit.
• Purchase travel insurance, are you medically stable to travel? Don’t forget about the pre-existing coverage deadline.
• File for visas, if necessary. Check if there are any entry or exit fees collected by the countries you are going to visit.
• Advise dining preferences.
• Advise past passenger numbers (air, cruise, hotel).
• Start reading about your destination.