No busman's holiday for this travel agent

Ever wonder how travel agents keep up to date? It's not easy I can assure you. Apart from the absolute plethora of brochures that land on our doorstep, mostly unannounced, there are what in the trade is called 'product nights' or 'product launches'. I don't actually think of travel as 'product' but that is the trade jargon. This is the time of year when these launches and nights are frequent. As with all such events - and having been in other industries before travel I have experienced them elsewhere - some are actually informative, some make you feel like you are back in school, some feed you well, others offer you a nibble if you are quick! A few are really interesting and very rarely one stands out for its originality and class.
Last night it was Tauck, a company that offers tours and cruises to all corners of the world; last week it was Qantas (and a chance to check out the latest exhibition at Sydney's MCA); later on this week it will be Abercrombie and Kent, another company that offers luxury travel - there are more but I'm only thinking a week ahead at the moment.
Recently I have been thinking I would love to get away for a week or two - a busman's holiday perhaps? - but even that is too difficult - too many launches, too many brochures! All important so I know what I am talking about when you come into the agency - but I'd love a holiday!

6 things cruising passengers need to know

The Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships is The Reference for serious cruisers and every year a new edition is published - it is now in its 26th year. Cruise travel agents use it because it is an independent guide. Here is some advice from author and cruising doyen, Douglas Ward.

• Tipping twice! This happens when passengers are already charged a tip in their booking but when signing a receipt onboard they are asked for a gratuity. Ward suggests you check your bills carefully and be aware that this can happen.
• Currency conversion is another element that is hard to control. Your credit card may not be debited on the day a transaction is made but at a later date when the rate is different.
• Airport transfers in Europe are another area where people can be over-charged.
• Bottled water is frequently overpriced. This can happen anywhere of course - on some cruise ships you may even find a tip added to the cost!
• Bingo cards are hugely overpriced on some ships.
• Paying for a bridge tour - on some ships this is a high price raffle.

To get the best value out of a cruise Ward recommends cruisers book during the off-season, book an inside cabin - and sail on the older pre-1980 ships. But here we beg to differ. Yes, you will cruise cheaply if you go for the older ships but frankly we don't believe you will cruise as well. Inhabiting inside cabins on unstabilized ships in rough weather - and perhaps when you are most likely to be feeling queasy! - is no way to have a great holiday. We always suggest ocean-view or balcony cabins and sometimes we can get these for clients at very little price difference.