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What's Your Opinion? Shore Excursion Commissions

Oct 29, 2008
By: Travel Agent Central Contributor
TravelAgentCentral
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Should cruise lines pay commission on shore excursions? Please vote in our online poll to the right and we’ll deliver the results to you in a timely fashion.

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Comments 1-10 of 16

Jim (DECEMBER 05, 2008)

I own and operate an airtour and coach tour business, here in Ketchikan. I believe that there is a tremendous amount of available business that many travel agencies are not aware of and that is, Alaska Shore Excursions with Independent Tour operators like us. Tour companies pay anywhere from 10-20% to agencies that book excursions with them. Most of the Alaska Tour Companies, that I know, are reputable and are owner operated and they can provide your clients great independent excursions and in most cases , save your client money!
Holly Andreasen (OCTOBER 31, 2008)

When cruiselines don't pay us it takes us out of the loop and the customer can become unsure of what to do. The Cruiseline will sell more excursions if we are helping that along-Recommending- Having no incentive to do this, we look elsewhere for excursions that do offer us a piece of the pie.
Kevin Bloom (OCTOBER 31, 2008)

Cruise lines should definitely pay commission on all side products related to the cruise booking if we do their work for them. Otherwise, we'll continue to recommond to our clients to book products through other companies, which 99% of the time will save them money for shore excursions, as well as pre & post hotel packages. The cruise lines have become far too greedy in today's market, and our clients have noticed.
Jess Kalinowsky (OCTOBER 30, 2008)

Of course they should pay agents commission for the shore excursions! The fact they do not is the reason I get almost all of my clients to buy the shore excursions from me in advance! It is an easy sale when you tell the clients about the hoards of people and limited availability the cruise lines offers.
Karen Bray, MCC (OCTOBER 30, 2008)

This industry never ceases to amaze me. Of course we should be paid for our work. Asking us to do their work and giving us a pat on the head just doesn't cut the mustard. How about being paid for doing boarding passes and printing their air stuff, and endless explaining why they don't have bag tags,etc, too? I wish I could entice my clients to go the all-inclusive route, but they don't like the hot weather. I still don't understand the reasoning behind the NCF's. The cruise lines are killing the goose for sure.
Susan Zamuto (OCTOBER 30, 2008)

Yes, it would be very nice if cruise lines paid coimmission on shore excursions. I often try to book excursions from outside companies. Even a package like the ones offered by Oceeania would be nice.
Aurora (OCTOBER 30, 2008)

Yes, they should pay us for pre-booking shore excursions. We know the product, make recommendations, and close the sale. Unless they pay commission I will continue to book with outside shore excursion companies, or I will book directly with the suppliers I know and trust in my region.
Terri Luscher (OCTOBER 30, 2008)

Of course they should. Travel agents provide a one-stop shopping experience. If you have to refer clients to book their own shore excursions, this may result in future lost bookings.
coolcapy (OCTOBER 29, 2008)

If you sell something, you should earn something for selling it.

I put together my own shore ex. for my groups or I like to use an outside company.

MSC pays 10% on Shore Ex. and can only be booked pre cruise through the the travel agent.
taffy (OCTOBER 29, 2008)

Yes we should. I book and sell most of the shore excursions for my clients. I also suggest spa treatments.

Comments 1-10 of 16

Commission on Shore Excursions

Should cruise lines pay commission on shore excursions?

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