Don’t believe all that you see!!

I went into my local travel agent last week to arrange my euros for my cruise next week  and noticed the  big message in the window “Specialist Cruise Consultant in Store”.  A little intrigued I asked to see if I can speak to the specialist.  A very friendly girl came up and introduced herself.  I asked what ships she had been on, her reply “oh I have never been on a cruise, but I have been on a couple of ship visits, and I have a mini cruise booked in October”.  Ship visits are great for us as sales consultants to look at the facilities on the ship, the different types of cabins,but it really doesn’t give you a true picture of what cruising is all about, and to me doesn’t make you a cruise specialist.   For example I went to see the new Seabourn Sojourn a few years ago, as much as the ship was lovely there wasn’t the wow factor, and it wasnt until I sailed on her a few months later that I really got to know the whole Seabourn experience, and believe me it was fantastic.   Here at cruise.co.uk I am proud to say we are all cruise specialist, and have between us all sailed to most parts of the world and cruised on most ships.  With over 18 years service I have been lucky enough to have cruised many times, and next week will be taking my first family cruise on the Ventura.

We can also give you first hand experience of what to do or not to do, for example I know that it’s worth getting up early when you sail into Venice or Kotor to experience the wonderful scenery, to have a port side balcony cabin to sail into New York., of course there is too many to mention here.  I am not saying I know everything but with the experience we all have at cruise.co.uk someone will be able to give first hand advice.  I am proud to say I am a “specialist cruise consultant”.

As cruise consultants we have to keep on top of training sessions and take certain exams, I presume this particular sales consultant was up to date with these and yes she will have a certain level of knowledge but I do think it was rather a brave message.