Let A Travel Agent Wrestle Your Travel Problems.

Why use a travel agent?  They can wrestle any difficult situation!  And there are so many. Do they always win, maybe not always but your chances of rectifying a problem with travel would be much greater than relying upon an impersonal online agency.   As travel agents, we have had to completely change an itinerary of a land cruise to accommodate a client whose Doctor would not allow her to use their bus transfers after a knee operation,  assist a honeymoon couple whose honeymoon flight to Barcelona was stalled due to a storm at DFW and missed their cruise to make things worse refused to buy travel insurance, and help a client get a cruise credit who had fallen on an unmarked, mopped floor and broken her leg during a cruise.  In all of these situations the clients found themselves in helpless situations and we were able to help.  In nearly all cases a travel agent can help you when your worst travel nightmare shows up.  Why? We cultivate friendships with the Business Devlopment Managers for cruise lines and travel vendors.  We lean heavily on their expertise within their own cruise line or travel company.  They wear the "Superman Outfit" for travel situations gone awry.  99% of the time a well planned trip goes smoothly for the client but that 10% can quickly turn a dream vacation into the worst nightmare. Any time flying is added to vacation planning  the chance of a problem cropping up increases tenfold.   A travel agent can tell a stranded tourist who to talk to and how to talk to them.  Leave the histronics at home is our advice.  Yes, you may have gotten stung really bad but do you want your problem solved or do you want to vent?  That is the choice.
 Another reason to use a travel agent is to help you pare down your choices.  Recently, a client asked for help with planning her Alaskan cruise.  She confided to me that "I am completely overwhelmed by choices and I need help."  After finding out her parameters we were able to pare down her choices to three cruises giving her the best discount and the best itinerary for her money.  In the process of planning a trip with a client, they usually become a friend and after traveling with a particular agent over the years a real trust develops.  When you are looking for a travel agent it is imperative to find an agent that has an  outstanding reputation.  You can look on Chamber of Commerce listings or ask a friend who travels.  If they refer you to a big online agency ask yourself if you will ever hear from them again.  A couple of years ago an older cruise ship (that I will not name) had a boiler blow up while in dock.  Those passengers who booked on line showed up for a non existant cruise.  Those passengers who had a travel agent had been previously notifed and were at home.
   After 10 years in the business we have found our best relationships have led to referrals.  We are now servicing 2nd generation clients and friends of clients.  Service is the number one aim of a good travel agent.  We can't solve every travel problem but wouldn't you rather have an advocate who is ready to help you in a bad situation or would you rather mess with it your self during your vacation?  Choose a travel agent and leave the wrestling to us.