Yesterday, one of our new cruise associates asked, “Which month should I tell my client that is best for cruising Alaska ?”.
My initial response back was, “It depends”.
Like many cruisers, this is seemingly the most “unpopular” response to a question that they were hoping would have a black and white answer. We all want definite answers to questions, right ?
When I first got into the cruise business, I’ll never forget the first time an Alaska inquiry came in. I called Princess Cruises to get pricing. I asked the sales rep, “How much are your cruises to Alaska ?”.
Seriously, this agent, on the phone, almost flipped out ! Please know, I soon learned, this was the most “unpopular” question an agent ever wants to hear, coming out of the mouth of a caller !
Why ? Like I tell future cruisers calling to buy a cruise. It’s like a car. If you call the car dealership and say, “How much are your cars ?”, the car dealer has no idea where to begin to give you an answer without knowing anything about you, what you want, or even your likes, or what I call, your rules !
A few times, over the last 21 years, I’ve had callers, who apparently believed, the best way to choose the right agent, was whether they could guess at which cruise was best for them. No questions asked. (Please know, I immediately get these type callers off the phone; this is not a game; this is YOUR vacation ! If you want an agent to take you seriously, then you most certainly want to let the agent know your personal investment in your inquiry !)
Sure, agents could pick for you. However, like the Princess agent who practically laughed in my face, wouldn’t you rather answer a few questions and have better chance of the “right cruise” for you ?
You ask, what are rules ? Good question. These are situations that you will and will not accept. You say, “Well, I know nothing about Alaska, so how do I know how to answer that ?” Sounds like this question, is as difficult for you to answer right off the bat, as my response to, Which month to choose to cruise to Alaska !
Back to, best time to choose to cruise to Alaska. Your rules are the way you answer such questions like, will you choose based on …
* Price (actually, know the max you plan to spend)
* Best chance for warmer weather
* Salmon running
* Best chance for seeing wildlife
* Best shopping deals
* Peak time when others are cruising Alaska
* When kids are out of school/job shut down
* Mid-ship cabin/will only take a balcony
* Will crab eating be in season
* Want more snow
Ask yourself, and especially the person going with you, such questions, prior to making that call to an agent or even looking on line. Your need for an agent, is for giving you needed advice, and then later, support you, all the way till you return home; seriously, not for spending your time, dragging your own rules out of you - that's old school, before the World web !
And please know, these questions are only for helping you choose the month. You still need to know answers to other questions, like, what type of accommodations will you want ? Which cruise line ?
Truly, I would 100% love to say, no matter what you choose, you’ll love everything about Alaska. Though in general this is true, why not appease to some of your own personal rules to help YOU make this experience, your best cruise or vacation ever !
You may need these:
http://www.deckplansandmore.com/
http://www.cruiseline4me.com/
PS. FYI, 2013 Alaska season is upon us !
If you plan to travel …
* Only in specific months
* Want mid-ship cabins
* Need cabins which will service more than two people
* Will only settle for a balcony
* Want specific cruise line
* Specific Alaska destinations
Then you have a lot of rules ! The more rules you have, the sooner you need to confirm your plans. Don’t wait till the first of the year or later. Die hard avid planners book early; leaving you with the “left over” space/opportunities !
PSS. By the way, in case you didn't know, Alaska season is May to September.
Which month will you ultimately be visiting Alaska in 2013 ?
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