The Flagg Agency

The other day I admitted to you that I am not the cheapest travel agent you can find. Today I wanted to ask what does service after the sale mean to you? I am sharing a bit of a personal story with today’s post.

Recently, I received a referral that turned into a cruise booking almost instantly. The couple is older than I yet truly young at heart. All of the transaction was conducted with the gentleman of the house yesterday. We found a solution that met all of his desires, and he gave me a a credit card number. The cruise line charged the amount due and the insurance company charged for the travel insurance.

Have you seen this commercial from H&R Block? Maybe it is because I have a seven year old daughter, but doesn’t the sight of a huge pink wreck bunny put a smile on your face? It makes me ask the question are you using the right tool to book your cruise?

You have a lot of tools available to research and find information about cruises. There are cruise reviews, reports on ships, and feedback on ports. When it comes to you and your family’s valuable vacation time, are these the right tools for you? Ask yourself if those reviewers you are reading are willing to stake their professional reputation on their opinion. Will they be available in the middle of the night if something goes wrong? Also, please remember that information does not equal knowledge.

With apologies to Clement Moore:

‘Twas a few days before Christmas
And all through the ship
Passengers were dreaming
Of their long awaited trip

Their plans had been made
with great thought and care
By using a cruise consultant
Extraordinaire!

When planning a cruise
or maybe a Caribbean all-inclusive
T’is follow to plan
With websites elusive

For a small cost to you
When sailing the seas
Use an agent you know
Who has great expertise!

Be snug and secure
When counting the days
That you’re in the care
Of Cruise Holidays!

Passport Stamps and Visas

One of the most frequent questions we get is “Do I need a passport to cruise?” The questions usually come from someone considering cruises to the Caribbean from a US port. Most people know you need a passport when you leave the United States. You certainly need one to fly from Europe and other continents across the globe. Did you also know you need a passport to fly to and from the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada? There is a provision in the law that permits you to leave and return to the United States with your original birth certificate and photo identification (if you are over 16) on a cruise to the Caribbean, Mexico or Canada that leaves from and returns to the same US port. This is called a closed loop cruise.