Ken Chow Cruises Inc.

Keep on cruising. I have one on May 31 on the Oasis of the Seas leaving from Bayonne, NJ

Good Morning! I know everyone is concerned about the SARS 2, it is important to have a sidekick at your side for any updates and issues that may affect your vacation.

Welcome back! This is our fifth part on why use a travel pro to book your memorable cruise: When you call the cruise line directly....... (Credits to Richard Turen at cruisetruth.com) Built into the Cost of doing business is the commission paid to the travel adviser who brought the line the business. It appears in the expense side of the ledger. Those commissions average between 10% of the total cost of your cruise, or tour, or hotel etc. But suppose you don’t book through a travel consultant suppose you see the ads and go right to the cruise line’s web site or call the 800 Number. You are now just where these corporations want you working with their call center staff. They may be in Mumbai or Miami but the chances are that you will never know. The call center employee are order takers, similar to McDonald’s when you order your fries and burgers. You are not using a travel consultant, you are using an employee of the line who works on commission. You are, clearly, entitled to a refund of the travel agency commission included in your pricing (It always is without exception)

Welcome Back! Our 4th part on why use a travel pro: Pricing and amenity advantages. When you book direct you receive none of the major consortium benefits. Direct bookings never result in the best price if they did, no professional consultant would ever represent the product. It is a level playing field but some agencies receive valuable amenities for their clients based on huge volume. Ask us why Cruises Inc. has the buying power with all the awards and accolades we got.

Hello Everyone! This post is the third reason why use a travel pro to take care your vacation needs. Suppose something goes wrong? Suppose someone gets sick, and you need help getting home in a hurry? Suppose your vacation experience was unsatisfactory? Who is your advocate if you are dealing directly with the company operating the program? You have none. Remember, you are on your own dealing with the travel suppliers. ... Stay tuned for part 4 on why use a travel pro.

Hello Everyone! This is second part why use a cruise professional? Question: ... How do hotels, airlines, cruise lines, safari operators, escorted tour companies and river cruise lines earn substantial profits? By failing to reveal one simple accounting fact: YOU ARE ALWAYS CHARGED FOR A TRAVEL CONSULTANT’S SERVICES EVEN WHEN YOU DO NOT ONE! Why? I let you know in the next post... to be continued

Hello Everyone! This will be first post on why use a cruise professional to take care your cruise vacation? 1) Value... My VIP had already picked out a specific cabin number and promotion package. But I pointed out to my VIP that for only a few dollars more, my VIP qualified for a much better cabin with added amenities. The cruise lines will try to push certain inventory with their promotions and that’s what my VIP had seen. Since I can see all the promotions at one time, I was able to point my VIP in a better direction. My VIP ended up booking a nicer cabin an got an additional beverage package. I was also able to direct my VIP to the adjoining cabins so my VIP could be close to their friends.

Mistake on selecting a cruise vacation on price alone: Take a step back and think before you put a deposit or whole payment: Which one preference is the most important to you: price of the cruise, or level of service and knowledge of the travel agent?... My VIPs will check off the level of service and my knowledge. However, they get both. The next post I will put what happens if you book on price alone?

The time is to call before it is too late.

The best time to book a cruise is now to secure the cabin you want, the dates and departure port.

https://www.tampabay.com//six-new-cruise-ships-will-begin/

2 ways to cruise the Panama Canal: 1) One way from L.A. to Fort Lauderdale/Miami or vice versa (Full Transit); 2) Roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale/Miami to the Caribbean side of the Canal (Partial Transit).

Cruises are always mostly inclusive because spas and duty free shopping are always additional charges from luxury to contemporary lines.