Why use a travel agent instead of a booking engine.

 

Internet booking engines are very convenient ways to book your travel. I have used them myself to book vacations. So, if you are happy using the booking engines, and paying their service fees, by all means continue.

 

From my point of view, I would like to tell you why you should use a travel agent instead. When someone calls my agency looking for a vacation or cruise, I try to interview the client to make sure all their wants and desires are met. I can also match the vacation with their budget and timeframe available to them. Once these items are addressed, I can start planning their vacation.

 

I shop around, looking for the best possible deal I can for my clients. The lower the price, the less I make. So, why would I shop for the best price? It’s called pride, and looking out for others instead of yourself. A happy customer will tell others about your business, which increases the bottom line. And, happy customers are likely to do repeat business. As you can see, if I can get a lower price, in the end, it’s a win, win situation for all parties.

 

I call the vendor directly for price quotes. Quite often the travel supplier will offer specials that do not show up on the internet sites. Specials such as past guest promotions, senior rates and military rates are just a few examples. These specials are just that. Special for a limited time only, so will the booking engines get this rate? Probably not.

 

If you have a question about your travel, who do you call for the internet sites? Is it convenient? Do they speak English?  We answer your questions personally, and if you have a question that we cannot answer, we will get you an answer as soon as possible. 

 

Internet sites charge you to use their sites. Have you ever gone through the booking process only to get slapped with a booking fee? We never charge a booking fee for vacation packages or cruises. We provide a professional service free of charge to you.

 

If there is a last minute change in plans, how do you get notified? We usually receive a fax notification from the vendor, and immediately contact our client.

 

True Story: I had a client and his wife book a cruise that the wife and I were taking also. I received a phone call from his wife asking about dress requirements for the formal nights. This was about 3 hours before the ship set sail. I received another call from her about and hour and a half before the ship set sale, and she explained that they were just leaving. I asked, if she was referring to home? She said yes. Well they live an hour and a half from the cruise ship. I told them not to waste any time. I immediately went to the pursers’ desk to see if the ship would wait for them. They explained that the ship would not leave as long as 1 ticketed passenger was in the terminal. So I called them back and told them to drop one person off at the terminal building, while the other parks the car. As it turned out, they did make it on the ship, but they were so late that they did not have their sign and sail card. So I bought them both a couple of drinks with my card. We were watching the ship set sale, and our friend asked “Why should I use a travel agent instead of the internet sites”. I smiled and replied “ Would Expedia have checked with the purser to see if the ship would wait for you, or would they have called you with instructions about dropping one person at the terminal building, or would Expedia buy you drinks while you waited on your sign and sail card”? He said “I get the message” Thanks.

 

It all boils down to serving your customers well. When you do that, everything else takes care of itself. Customer service, knowledge, honesty, and a desire to get the best value for the customer possible is how we work. Do the internet sites to that?

 

Jim Walden

Sunshine Travel Adventures LLC

All inclusive resorts are just that…All Inclusive. You usually have a selection of restaurants where you can dine, beverages are provided, and tips are included. You usually have non-motorized water sports equipment provided, as well as beach chairs and umbrellas. 

 

My first experience with an all inclusive resort came as a result of Hurricane Wilma destroying Cancun, Mexico a few years ago. We were set to go to Cancun, and Wilma closed all resorts down less than 2 weeks before our arrival. We debated on other vacation spots and narrowed our search to a cruise, or a Caribbean Island where we could kick back and relax. The friends we were traveling with found a good price at a resort in Antigua. We though we would try a Caribbean Resort since it would be a new adventure. With little time to prepare, we were truly in for an adventure.

 

When we arrived at the Jolly Beach Resort, we were greeted with fruit punch, and a smile. We proceeded to check in, where we had to make our first major decision. Unknown to us at the time, this was an all inclusive resort. When we booked, we did not know this small detail. They offered us the opportunity to add the all inclusive plan to our room for just $800 each. They explained that the restaurants on site did not accept cash or credit card, and the only way to dine on site was to purchase the all inclusive plan. Since we had to wait for our room, as well as our friends to arrive, we told the front desk we would think about their offer.

 

The wife and I walked around for a while off site and checked the price at local restaurants as we strolled. Restaurants outside the resort were few and far between, and the prices were fairly expensive. I do remember that a hamburger was $10. We also priced beer and wine at a local grocery store, and as can be expected in the Caribbean, it cost about twice what you would pay in the states. After great debate, we decided it would be best to get the All Inclusive plan, so we paid the fee and hit the bar.

 

When our friends arrived, we greeted them and explained their dining options. They too paid for the all inclusive plan. After gaining access to our room and settling in, we decided to relax around the pool and have our favorite beverage. I thought I would get an ice cold Miller Light and enjoy the sun and cool fresh water. I approached the bar and ordered a Miller Light. The bar tender said that only local beer was available at the resort. Since my thirst had not been quenched, I decided on the local beer, which took some time to acquire a taste for. But you do acquire a taste in short order. Their mixed drink selection was also limited to house liquors.

 

It was getting late and we decided to get ready for dinner. We went into this Italian Restaurant, where we were greeted with less than enthusiastic employees. As it turned out, this restaurant has a dress code, and guests are required to wear long pants. Guess who did not bring long pants? None of us. The restaurant was nearly empty, but they would not make an exception to their rule. The wife shared her thoughts with the employees about how much we had paid for the meal plan there and we wanted to eat Italian that night, and she expected them to make it happen. After careful consideration, it was mutually agreed that the restaurant would prepare our meals to go, and we could dine in our suite. They sat us in a dark corner while we waited for our meal, but did allow us to have a beer while waiting. After what seemed like an eternity of sitting in the dark like a young child being punished by his parents, they finally brought our meals, and offered to help carry them to the room for us. We accepted their offer, and had a very good meal after all. We later discovered that in Antigua, dinner is a more formal meal throughout the island, and appropriate dress is expected.

 

The next day, we thought we would enjoy the beautiful beach at the resort. Beach chairs fill up early, and we had to hunt for vacant chairs, and move them to a central location where we could all enjoy the beach together. Billy and I decided to try one of the non motorized water bikes, which is included in the price. The bike was easy to check out, and the worker there told us we had one hour to ride. We launched the bike, and after 5 minutes of peddling, we had enough. I consider myself to be in better than average shape, but this bike was a killer. I have ridden water bikes before, but non were this difficult to pedal. I even asked Billy if he was doing any of the work. He said he was, but I think he was freeloading.  I don’t know if its lack of maintenance or my old legs, but after a short ride, we returned with about 50 minutes to spare.

 

As the lunch time approached, we ate at the cabana bar where they served burgers and sandwiches. The meals were cooked fresh, and were very good. Topped off with my new favorite Caribbean beer and I was set until dinner.

 

The Jolly Beach Resort has a beautiful setting for weddings, and we were able to watch a ceremony as we lounged around the pool. They have a permanent structure built just for weddings, and it overlooks the Caribbean Sea. This is another possibility for anyone considering tying the knot on a Caribbean Island.

 

The next day, we decided to take an island tour with a local cabby. I forget his name, but he had a great since of humor, and we joked and kidded him for most of the trip. During our tour, I noticed a 747 Jetliner landing on this tiny island. It’s amazing how such a large aircraft can land on such a tiny island, but they can accommodate the larger plans. The tour lasted a few hours, and was well worth the time and money.

 

The rest of our week vacation was spent lounging around the pool or beach. This was nice and relaxing, but I could feel boredom setting in after 3 or 4 days.

 

All in all, this was a nice resort. They were accommodating to our needs, service was good, and everything was included, even the tips. If I had it to do again, it would have taken more time to investigate the island before I arrived, and taken some long pants with button up shirt with me. Other than that, we had a good time and enjoyed the experience of our first all inclusive.