RECENT QUESTIONS:

Why do you, as a host, send client documents to us instead of our clients direct?

ANSWER:
1. Professional independent consultants  always asked us to forward the documents to them because they want to have control of their clients. They also want their clients to know the service is coming from them directly.

2. These consultants want to check the documents for accuracy and make sure that what they bought for their clients is what is being delivered. They believe it is their fiduciary duty to inspect those documents and it is a part of a responsible service provided to them. . Some who do not inspect have had clients rejected from boarding because documents were misprinted or the documents sent by the supplier were for the wrong party.

3. These consultants  also put their own logo or name on every document so the client sees their name prominently displayed, not ours or the cruise/tour operator. Getting their image and their name is important to them for relationship and image building. No document should ever go out to the client without imprinting a logo/name or including something from the consultant.

4. As for us, it is much quicker to send to an Independent Consultant who is already in the mailing program than it is to search for the client. It adds an additional step and with hundreds of documents daily the additional labor would require higher fees. Those who provide such service charge higher fees and we would be happy to do same. However we do feel it is the responsibility of the consultant to inspect the documents and put their image on each piece. Some independents include their own luggage tags, some even include their own document holders which stay around for a long time reminding the client who sold them the package.

5. Furthermore, we do not want to receive calls from consultant's clients who will get the documents from us and then call us with questions.  It is the responsibility of the independent consultant to handle client questions. We will only get involved in case of a  problem where the consultant needs help or is out of the country and the client needs to be taken care of.

6. We do have a program where independent consultants who are unable to handle the client volume delegate to us the handling of the client calls, bookings, documents etc. But that requires a different contract and a different commission split.