7 minute read
Cruising Is Booming – Here’s Why You Should Get Onboard
If you’re thinking about becoming a cruise ship travel agent, you’ve chosen the right time. The global cruise industry is expected to welcome over 37.7 million passengers in 2025, up from 34.6 million in 2024. And that number’s only rising. Cruising is no longer just for retirees; families, solo travellers, and younger vacationers are all embracing life at sea. 36% of cruise passengers are now under the age of 40.
With demand growing, cruise travel agents are more essential than ever. Customers want advice from people who know their stuff, someone who can explain the difference between cabin classes, recommend the best itineraries, and find the right ship for their holiday style. Traveltek can help cruise agents to provide this service to their customers.
What Does a Cruise Ship Travel Agent Actually Do?
Cruise agents are specialists in everything related to cruise travel. They help customers plan and book their voyages, offering guidance on destinations, cruise lines, cabin types, onboard packages, and shore excursions. Unlike a general travel agent, a cruise specialist often has to dig deeper into the specifics, think ship features, dining options, deck plans, and loyalty programmes.
You’ll also handle admin, payments, and post-booking support. For some agents, that means working from home as a sole trader; for others, it’s within a larger agency or travel business. The flexibility is part of the appeal, but so is the opportunity to focus on a niche travel area with loyal repeat customers.
6 Steps to Becoming a Cruise Ship Travel Agent
Step 1: Learn the Cruise Industry Inside and Out
Start by building your knowledge of the cruise market. Get to know the major cruise lines, understand how itineraries work, and keep track of industry trends. Sustainability is playing a huge role in how cruises are evolving, as we’ve explored in our blog on cruise sustainability, many cruise companies are making changes to lower their environmental impact, which is something travellers now consider when booking.
Staying up to date is key. Subscribe to cruise industry newsletters, follow cruise blogs (like this one), and read reports from organisations like CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association). You’ll find useful insights on booking patterns, demographics, and what passengers are really looking for.
Step 2: Get Certified as a Cruise Agent
While you don’t need a formal licence to sell cruises, certifications add credibility and open doors to better commissions and exclusive offers. A great place to start is with CLIA’s Cruise Counsellor Certification, which is globally recognised and provides training in cruise-specific sales and marketing.
Some cruise lines offer their own training programmes, which are often free and help you get familiar with their ships and services. These can lead to perks like discounted or free cruises, known as fam (familiarisation) trips, where you get to experience the product firsthand.
Step 3: Decide How You Want to Work
Cruise agents can work in various ways depending on their goals, experience, and setup. Some choose to operate independently from home, which offers low overheads and a flexible lifestyle. Others join existing travel agencies or work under host agencies that provide support, commission splits, and access to suppliers.
If you’re planning to start your own travel agency, you’ll need reliable tech tools behind you. That’s where TravelTek comes in. Our Cruise Website Builder helps you create a stunning, professional website with integrated cruise content, search, and booking functionality. Our iSell platform offers a powerful front-end system for selling cruises and other travel products in one place.
Step 4: Use Tools That Set You Apart
Technology can make or break your success as a cruise agent. From managing quotes and bookings to handling payments and customer records, having the right software means you can work smarter, not harder.
With TravelTek, you can build a fully functional cruise agency setup from the ground up. Our iSell booking platform streamlines the sales process, while IBOS takes care of your back office with tools for admin, finance, and reporting. If you want to connect suppliers and content, our Travel APIs make that simple too.
Want to go even further? Our RPA (Robotic Process Automation) tools can automate time-consuming tasks, freeing you up to focus on your customers.
Step 5: Build Strong Cruise Line Relationships
Successful cruise agents aren’t just good at booking, they’re good at networking. Getting to know cruise line reps, attending trade shows, and joining industry events can help you gain insider knowledge and better deals for your clients.
It also helps to join a travel consortium or cruise-focused network where you can access group rates, marketing materials, and peer support. And don’t forget to take advantage of fam trips, these are often free cruises provided by suppliers to help agents understand the product better and sell more confidently.
Step 6: Market Yourself Like a Pro
Whether you are brand new or have years of travel experience, you’ll need to stand out in a busy market. That starts with smart, engaging marketing. Share useful content on social media, publish SEO-friendly blogs (like our post on how to track cruise prices), and position yourself as a cruise expert in your niche, whether that’s luxury cruises, solo travel, or family-friendly trips.
If you’re using a TravelTek website, you’ll already have the tools you need to showcase deals, create landing pages, and offer a smooth customer journey. Want some inspiration? Check out our latest blog articles and TekTalk podcast to stay connected to the wider travel tech world.
What Skills Do Cruise Agents Need?
To succeed in this space, it helps to be a good communicator with a strong attention to detail. You’ll need to manage multiple bookings, respond to customer queries, and keep up with offers and changes from cruise lines. A good cruise agent is both a planner and a people person.
You should also feel comfortable using booking platforms and digital tools. The travel industry is fast-paced and tech-driven, so being confident with systems like iSell and IBOS will give you a major advantage.
How TravelTek Supports Your Cruise Agent Journey
At TravelTek, we work with travel businesses of all sizes to help them grow. Our cruise tools are designed specifically to meet the needs of cruise specialists, combining sleek front-end websites with powerful back-end systems. Whether you’re a home-based agent or building a multi-branch agency, we’ll support you with the tools to succeed.
Not sure where to begin? Our Why Choose Us page will walk you through what makes TravelTek a trusted partner in cruise travel tech. Or you can get in touch with our team for a personalised consultation.
Ready to Set Sail?
Becoming a cruise ship travel agent is an exciting way to build a flexible, rewarding career in travel. With the right training, tools, and tech, like those offered by TravelTek, you can create unforgettable cruise experiences for your clients while growing a business you love.
When you’re ready to start, take a look at our Cruise Website Builder or contact us to explore how we can support your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licence to sell cruises?
No, you don’t need a licence in the UK, but many cruise lines and agencies require or prefer certified training.
Can I become a cruise travel agent from home?
Yes, many agents work remotely and run their businesses online with flexible hours and minimal setup costs.
How much can I earn?
Commissions vary, as you grow your customer base and supplier relationships, earnings can increase significantly.
