This is my second host agency relationship. Over the years, I've talked with just about all of them at conferences. I love the way I'm treated by Cruises Inc. WE have the ability to chat with other agents and they all seem happy to help with my questions. Our websites give us the ability to have our clients research and book online if they want to. I'm notified right away if someone books one of my sites and can contact my clients to give them that TLC they want. I am not charged extra for my websites, for support or for my E&O insurance. The suppliers are eager to take care of me and my clients - I think that's because of the Cruises Inc name. Some suppliers, like RCCL and NCL even have special desks to take care of Cruises Inc agents. Boy, does that cut down on the waiting time. Best of all, not once in the five years I've been with them has my commission been late! Not once.
The people are great and helpful, and there is real potential for them to be the perfect host agency, but things are lacking. My biggest issues with them are the current business model (there are 2, some agents are still on the Classic model which was a WHOLE lot better), the lead program and the lack of nationwide advertising. With the current model, no matter how much training I do with the cruise lines, I will never be able to receive leads via the cruise line's "Find an Agent" database because no one will be able to find me. The lack of nationwide advertising (it's limited to southern Florida and has just been scalled back even more) produces very little calls or web leads. And now the lead programs have been resticted to invited agents only. I'm finding it hard to succeed as it is, now I feel like my host agency is against me. I want to love them and I'm so hoping things change for the better really soon, but for now I'm searching for a new host.
Cruises Inc. has been absolutely incredible in their support of me in growing my business. The support i receive is the best, it helps me grow my business and my clients. Being a part of Cruises inc feels like being a part of a family.
Cruises Inc. continues to offer innovative marketing opportunities to help me grow my business. Weekly team meetings and training along with the regional and national conventions provide invaluable education.