Cruises are undoubtedly my go-to choice for family vacations. There’s something magical about exploring new destinations by day and returning to a floating home base filled with excellent dining and entertainment options, not to mention the peaceful days spent at sea. For over 15 years, this has been a beloved tradition for my family and me.
However, the booking and planning process can be less than relaxing. Honestly, it’s a massive task, especially if you’re relatively new to cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line—it can be quite daunting.
You’d think it would be straightforward—pick a cruise, select a cabin, and you’re done, right? Not quite. There’s a lot more to consider:
- Deciding on whether to upgrade your dining experience
- Choosing which specialty restaurants to book
- Determining whether you prefer “Freestyle Dining” or set dining times
- Understanding what “Freestyle Dining” actually involves
- Planning which shore excursions to take
- Selecting the best deck for your cabin (trust me, location matters—a cabin at the front of the ship rocks more)
- Reserving times for shows in advance
- Deciphering the array of drink package options
- Considering the various internet packages
- Learning how to navigate the Norwegian Cruise Line app
- And countless other details—it truly feels like a second full-time job on top of my actual career and parenting duties.
A few years ago, I realized I needed help and was amazed to find that travel agents could be enlisted at no extra cost! (though some agents do charge fees, but mine does not).
My First Experience Using a Travel Agent for a Norwegian Cruise Line Vacation
Initially, I reached out to several agencies, but only one responded with just a basic quote and then saying “Are you ready to book?. It was underwhelming to say the least.
Recommendation from my friend.
Just when I was about to handle everything myself again, a co-worker friend insisted I try her travel agent, describing the experience as “life-changing.” (She is a bit dramatic). So, skeptical at first, I contacted the agent through their website, and the prompt and personal reply I received that evening was quite promising.
Seriously, the Best Experience Ever
I honestly wasn’t expecting much different, but I filled out the form on the website, and within minutes I got a text, from Sarah, saying she is so excited to plan my trip. I don’t know why, but it just felt so different already
She was honestly the best. She didn’t just send a generic quote right away; she hopped on a call, asked about my family, our travel preferences, and our past vacation experiences. Who was the “tough one” in the family to enjoy a vacation? (It’s my husband for sure). It felt like I was chatting with an old friend who was genuinely excited to help plan our trip.
We discussed everything—our interests, cabin preferences, and even dietary restrictions due to my nephew’s severe peanut allergy.
Ultimately, we decided to book a trip aboard the Norwegian Bliss, known for its impressive amenities but not being the newest in the fleet, offering the best value for our money.
By the way, the agency is called “Best Day Ever Vacations,” (I should probably mention that)
The Ease of Planning
You know how you book a trip, and then later realize it is a full time job planning the trip. That’s what Best Day Ever Vacations saved me from. They provided a comprehensive guide to our cruise, complete with a detailed itinerary showing sea days, ports of call, onboard dining options, and shows—everything was incredibly organized.
They kept us informed about important booking dates for dining and excursions, and offered insider tips for making the most of our stops, like the incredible experience at Harvest Caye.
Dining Tips That Made a Difference
Our agent got us the FREE at SEA promotion which saved us easily $400 and knew all the amazing restaurants onboard. They highly recommended the hibachi for our family, which was an absolute hit.
Show Booking Made Simple
With the agent’s reminders, we booked all our preferred show times in advance, avoiding the frustration of last-minute availability or poor seating options.
The Best Surprise
Best of all, after booking, I got a message from Sarah saying that Norwegian released a sale, and you can either save $600 or, if you want, enjoy a better cabin in the Haven suites for a whopping $11 more (normally thousands more) without any extra effort on my part. I immediately jumped on the suite because I knew that would wow my husband…. and he would be so excited about the amazing deal.
In Conclusion – Is It Worth Using a Travel Agent for a Norwegian Cruise Line Vacation? Absolutely.
While my initial attempts at finding a good agent at first were not so great, finding an agency like Best Day Ever made our vacation. We are actually about to plan a Disney Cruise to the Mediterranean next summer, and I can not wait!
Here is the link for Best Day Ever Vacations. I’ve recommended them to all the PTA Moms, I have honestly sent them so much business they asked me to be a travel agent, but that’s not my jam. I could not do all that planning.
In full transparency, they send me a Starbucks gift card when you book as a thank you. Hey, a girl needs her Starbies.
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