How to Transfer a Cruise Booking to a Travel Agent
Booked your cruise direct before you knew about agent commission? It may not be too late. Many lines let a direct booking move to a travel agency, as long as you do it in time.
The short answer
Many cruise lines allow a direct booking to be transferred to a travel agency, usually before final payment. Once it moves, the agency is on the booking, and as a DIY Travel Agent member the commission on eligible bookings comes back to you. Your cabin and fare stay the same.
Check your timing first
The key date is your final payment date. Most transfer policies close at or before it, and some lines also limit transfers within a set period after the booking was made.
Find these on your confirmation: booking number, deposit date, final payment date, and the fare type you booked. Have them in front of you when you call.
Step by step
- Look up the cruise line in the member portal and call its travel agent line.
- Ask for the transfer-of-booking policy and whether your booking qualifies.
- Give the agency's booking credentials and say you're a sub-agent requesting the transfer.
- Sign the line's transfer authorization, if it requires one. The guest on the booking usually signs.
- Confirm the transfer went through and that the fare, cabin and any perks are unchanged.
- Log it in your booking log with status Pending.
What stays the same
- Your cabin, sailing and fare
- Deposits already paid
- Your loyalty status with the line
What can block a transfer
- Final payment has already been made
- The fare type or promotion doesn't allow agency transfers
- The booking was made through a third party that holds it, such as a credit card travel portal
Hotels and tours
Hotel stays and tours vary more. Some suppliers will add an agency to an existing reservation; others require you to rebook. Ask the supplier's agent line before you cancel anything, and never cancel a booking that has a penalty.
Book it as the agent
81 suppliers with agent phone numbers, booking credentials and a booking log. You keep 80% of the commission. One payment, for life.
The agent booking cheat sheet
One page: what to say on the agent line, what's commissionable, and the checklist for moving a booking you already made. Free, by email.