Celebrity Cruises was Jason Poole’s favorite cruise line long before he got into the travel planning business. Jason has specialized in cruise planning since 2015 and is now a Cruise Planners franchise owner based in Nashville. In fact, he’s embarked on dozens of Celebrity Cruises around the world! There are myriad reasons the cruise companies and cruisegoers value planners like Jason. He gave us insider tips about planning the perfect cruise using all the available resources. (Some may surprise you!)
Three valuable perks of Cruise Planners.
First, Jason is in the knowledge business. “We have profound expertise in the brand, the ships, and the destinations,” Jason says. Secondly, your advisor is your advocate. “If something happens before or after the trip, I will handle it for you. If there’s a death in the family, a glitch in the system, or you’re not jiving with your tour guide on land, I’m on the phone handling those things for you.”
Perks are a planner’s third asset. Advisors like Jason get exclusive pricing, additional amenities, and free upgrade options. They also have advanced knowledge of upcoming promotions, so they will hold your reservation and book it at the perfect time for the best price.
What sets Celebrity Cruises apart in the cruise world?
Jason can speak to this as both a planner and a cruise lover himself. From the consumer side, there really is something different about Celebrity Cruises. Jason brings up their latest marketing slogan, Nothing comes close. “That really is the case,” Jason says. “I struggle to describe what makes Celebrity different. It’s fun without being cheesy. It’s nice without being stuffy. Kids can come, but it’s not overrun with kids. There are older people, of course, but it’s not a cruise full of the elderly.”
“From a professional aspect, I have never worked with a brand so dedicated to supporting travel advisors like me,” Jason says. “They give us tools, resources, and pricing. We chat with sales leadership multiple times a year, and they’re always texting us to check in.” Celebrity has a direct sales channel — anyone can go to the website and book a cruise — but they always recommend using a travel advisor. Jason is a member of Celebrity’s “Iconic Club,” comprised of their top advisors.
Celebrity Cruises is making waves in luxury travel.
Reviews, polls, and surveys consistently spotlight Celebrity Cruises as standing out among its peers. It recently became the first cruise line to receive Four-Star and Recommended Ratings by Forbes Travel Guide. Jason gets feedback on and experiences first-hand the magic of Celebrity’s food scene, amenities, and entertainment.
Le Voyage is a unique multi-course culinary experience curated by renowned Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud. “It’s the best meal I’ve ever had — land or sea,” Jason says fervently. Celebrity Cruise’s sweet suite program, called The Retreat, is a personalized, luxurious way to cruise. Any suite booked has a dedicated butler who can get your clothes pressed, bring fresh fruit or espresso each morning, and help with reservations. There’s also an elegant Retreat-dedicated restaurant called Luminae.
“But what’s great about Celebrity Cruises,” Jason adds, “is that, unlike other cruise lines where you feel like you have to stay in that bubble to get the best service and food, on Celebrity, you can absolutely leave The Retreat, and it’s still fantastic. The Retreat is only a small portion of the ship.”
Common cruise planning myths — DEBUNKED!
- MYTH: Using a travel adviser costs me money. “We are free!” Jason says. “When you buy any type of vacation or all-inclusive resort, a commission is built into the price. So, if you don’t have an advisor, you are paying for the service and not getting it. I always tell people, ‘You’re already paying for it, so you should get a professional.'”
- MYTH: I have to book the cruise myself to control the booking. “You don’t actually ‘control’ your reservation even if you book it,” Jason says. Only the cruise line or a travel advisor can see the system’s backend. So, instead of long hold times and automated responses, just email your advisor; they can handle any changes swiftly and accurately.
- MYTH: I can book a cruise a few weeks or months out. Jason says, “Inventory is selling out, especially Alaska. These last-minute sailings just aren’t happening unless it’s a short Caribbean cruise out of Florida.” Ninety percent of the time, the earlier you book, the more you’ll save. When you book early, you lock in that rate, and before the final payment, your advisor can help you reprice it if you see a lower price.
- MYTH: I won’t spend much time in the cabin, so just book a small one. “First-timers often don’t appreciate how small some of the cabins are if you’re trying to cram four people in a room,” Jason says. “Trust your travel advisor. We can often get two rooms for less than one with our exclusive rates.” You’re on vacation! If you love your accommodations, you might be more inclined to spend more time relaxing there.
Insider tips for when you’re actually ON the cruise.
- Don’t miss the shows. “They are fantastic across Celebrity ships,” Jason says. “They’re not cheesy.”
- Ask your planner what to do at the ports. Your advisor knows more than just the on-ship inside scoop. They can suggest which excursions are worth booking, and Jason adds, “We also use certain third-party vendors if you want a smaller tour for just your crew.”
- Don’t overplan. You’re on vacation! “When I was younger, I was the spreadsheet guy planning every second. I felt like I was at work!” Jason says. “If you want to ditch the fancy dinner reservation for the buffet (which is really great on Celebrity), then do it!”
- Get the app. Your cruise line’s app is vitally important. You can do everything on there, from checking-in to booking dinner reservations to planning excursions.
Celebrity cruises the globe.
Another marker that sets Celebrity Cruises apart is its globe-spanning list of destinations. Very few cruise lines sail to the Galapagos Islands, but Jason went on a Celebrity Flora, a 100-passenger mega-yacht outfitted exclusively for the islands’ waterways and terrain. “It was extraordinary,” Jason says.
“I always tell my clients to experience something new,” Jason says. From Japan, China, and Southeast Asia to Chile and Argentina to Australia and New Zealand, Celebrity Cruises go everywhere. And Jason’s ready to help you plan your next trip … wherever it may be.
To learn more, visit jasonpooletravel.com. You can also contact him at (615) 497-9036 or jason.poole@cruiseplanners.
This article is sponsored by Celebrity Cruises.
