What Luxury Cruise Travelers Need to Know Before Booking

I’ve never been a typical cruise traveler. My parents took me on my first cruise when I was just five years old. At that time, ships were divided by class, with first class and tourist. It is wild to think that I have lived long enough to see this come full circle with the ship-within-a-ship concept. Since then, I’ve sailed more than most people ever will. In fact, by my calculations, I’ve spent well over a year of my life at sea.

Over the decades, those experiences have taught me exactly what I want from a vacation. Along the way, I’ve flown first class around the world and stayed in some of the finest suites at sea. As a result, my expectations have naturally grown. I am extremely hard to impress!

When I spend between $1,000 or even $2,000+ per day on a cruise, I expect exceptional service. Every detail should receive careful attention. Likewise, every request deserves prompt action. Above all, I expect a vacation that feels effortless from beginning to end.

Look, I understand things happen, and rarely can everything be perfect, and I am quick to extend grace when needed. But finding true luxury service is harder than you think.

However, this article isn’t about cruise lines. Instead, it’s about the travel agents, travel advisors, and luxury travel concierges who represent them.

Over the years, I’ve worked with many travel professionals and, quite frankly, some real duds. Unfortunately, I am still struggling to find someone who truly goes above and beyond. I don’t need someone to book a cruise; I am more than capable of doing it on my own. In fact, I realize the commission is built into the cruise price, whether you pay it to an agent or book directly with the cruise line.

My point is I want an advisor who takes the time to understand my travel style, researches every option, anticipates problems, and creates an unforgettable experience. If you’re an agent who wants to charge me a fee for doing that, fine, I can live with that. But you need to be prepared to justify your costs, not just provide the basic amenities anyone can find online on their own.

Too often, travel agents treat bookings like fast-food orders. They expect clients to know exactly what they want, and after one phone call or email, they complete the reservation and move on to the next customer.

That approach works for a simple vacation, but luxury travel requires so much more.

For most of my life, I’ve planned every detail myself. Before I book, I compare itineraries, cabin sizes, amenities, cabin locations, airfare, pre-and post-hotel arrangements, shore excursions, dining reservations, airport transfers, and travel insurance. In addition, I research the smallest details to create a memorable vacation rather than an unforgettable one. I look for the extras! Is there anything extra I can purchase in advance to have in the room, or is there any gift that can be delivered during the trip to make this memorable? Perhaps it’s not a tangible item, but arranging that special sunset cruise or gondola ride is what makes you remember that moment for the rest of your life.

While I enjoy the research process, I’ve spent days, weeks, and even months tweaking the details. Eventually, however, it becomes mentally exhausting. Often, by the time the trip finally arrives, I feel like someone has let the air out of the balloon, and I find it hard to relax and let go to enjoy the moment.

Here’s my challenge!

Even after decades of traveling the world, I still haven’t found a travel advisor whose knowledge consistently surpasses my own. I don’t say that to criticize anyone. Instead, I say it because I’ve spent a lifetime sailing on dozens of ships and visiting destinations across the globe.

What I really want is a true travel partner. Someone who has true imagination and connections to make the impossible happen. Ideally, that person would bring fresh ideas, uncover opportunities I overlooked, solve problems quickly, and reward my long-term loyalty and the dollars I spend with meaningful benefits.

Let’s be honest. If I spend $30k on a single cruise, and I know the travel advisor is earning $3k to $4k in commission. In return, I expect more than a $300 onboard credit or the obligatory cheap bottle of champagne or wine in the room. For far too long, I have left too much money on the table in this regard, and that frustrates me to no end.

I would like to work with a travel advisor who can match my needs. However, I haven’t found one so far.

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