Published January 21, 2026
Updated January 29, 2026
Original post by Terry Ward/ Published in Cruise Critic on January 21, 2026 – 8 min read
With cruise vacation options as wide as the seven seas, booking the perfect itinerary for you and your loved ones can feel overwhelming. That’s where cruise travel agents step in.
Cruise travel agents are well-versed in everything “cruise,” including new cruise ships, which cruise lines sail where, the best lines for shore excursions your crew will love, the ideal cabin to match your needs and budget — and much more.
But that’s when knowing the best travel agent for cruises can really save you some time and effort – and oftentimes, no small sum of money, too. They’ll not only help you navigate these tricky questions and concerns, but they’ll hopefully also provide you with some reassurance and peace-of-mind before embarkation day (and even when you’re on board).
Here’s our list of the 15 best US-based cruise travel agents for making your dream trip a reality.
1. Expedia Cruises
A full-service travel agency franchise that’s been booking cruises since 1987, with all the experience that many decades bring with them. Expedia Cruises has over 260 retail travel agency locations and more than 7,000 vacation consultants in North America.
They’re all backed by the big name brand and the vast supplier relationships and booking technology that goes along with it. Expedia Cruises’ product line covers it all, from mass cruises in the Caribbean targeting families and river cruises in Europe to Alaska adventures, adults-only cruises and expedition cruises in the polar regions.
Book: By phone, in person at an Expedia Cruises franchise location, or on their website
Expect: Streamlined booking process, competitive prices and ease of bundling your cruise with land bookings that include rental cars, flights and hotels.
2. Abercrombie & Kent
Abercrombie & Kent was founded in 1962 by Geoffrey Kent, who dreamed of being able to offer the most inspirational experiences in the world and his dream is still going strong today. The company is one of the best travel agents for cruises because it creates unique tailor-made holidays and boasts more than 25 years of expedition cruising experience, with voyages led by the company’s award-winning expedition team.
A&K’s all-inclusive luxury river and expedition cruises travel to such desirable destinations as the Greek Isles, Baltic Sea, Japan, Indonesia and Galapagos – and that’s just a sampling.
Book: By phone
Expect: A selection of unique itineraries on exclusively chartered sailings led by award-winning expedition teams, and excursions led by A&K’s own local guides.
3. CruisesOnly
CruisesOnly has been in business for more than 40 years and claims to have the largest online selection of cruise vacation deals from the big name players in the industry, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises. The travel experts working for the company have an average of five or more years and experience to pull from when it comes to determining the right ship and itinerary for your party.
Book: By phone
Expect: You’ll earn rewards on every booking you make with CruisesOnly that you can turn into cash back for a future booking or use as a redemption for onboard spending.
4. Luxury Cruise Connections
A member of the Virtuoso Travel Agency network, Luxury Cruise Connections has been designing bucket list cruise trips for clients since 2010 and is a go-to in the luxury cruise segment. The company works with local tour operators and the most upscale ships in locations all over the world for a seamless experience through your journey, whether to the Bahamas, Greece, Sri Lanka or beyond.
Book: By phone or at the Miami office.
Expect: The VIP treatment throughout, which might include exclusive last-minute deals and upgrades when available as well as access to unpublished promotions.
5. Vacations To Go
The Texas-based agency that calls itself a “clearinghouse for deeply discounted vacations” delivers when it comes to helping clients find affordable cruises that best match their cruising dreams. Vacations To Go claims to be the largest cruise-selling company in the world and offers a “best price and service guarantee” that will match any lower price you find on a cruise before it’s been booked. If you’re looking for lots of options everywhere, this is the place.
Book: By phone or in office in Houston, Texas
Expect: Bargain basement prices on the big cruise lines to mainstream destinations as well as great deals across the board.
6. Cruise Planners
A member of Cruise Line International Association and the American Society of Travel Agents, Cruise Planners is a Florida-based cruise travel agent specialized in booking not only cruises but custom vacation packages, land tours and more. The company excels at group travel and destination weddings and is a go-to for clubs and associations booking large groups. Cruise Planners is equally adept at individual cruise bookings, too.
Book: By phone or in person in Coral Springs, Florida.
Expect: Personalized service every step of the way and tailored itineraries from cruise experts who have been there and done that.
7. CruiseDirect
With no booking fees and a best price guarantee to boot, CruiseDirect is a Morristown, New Jersey based company that uses an online cruise reservations system to help travelers plan their cruises. The booking system is designed to be fast and easy to use but a support team is always just a phone call away, too, when you really want a human on the line to talk you through the process.
Book: By phone
Expect: Options galore from all the world’s major cruise players and an easy to navigate booking system that helps you zone in on last-minute deals and specialty cruises, too.
8. American Discount Cruises & Travel
This family-owned, New Jersey-based cruise travel agency employing a fleet of customer service members and professional travel advisors has been in business since 2002 and has been named Partner of the Year with both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. In addition to a great selection of global cruises, the agency also books hotel and land tour packages that include safaris, escorted city tours and more.
Book: By phone or in person at the Manalapan, New Jersey office.
Expect: Great customer service from advisors who strive to form long term relationships with their clients.
9. Dream Vacations
This Florida-based cruise travel agent catering to a large Spanish-speaking clientele in addition to English rewards loyal customers with a free cruise perk for every cruise or vacation booked through them. That might translate to an exciting shore excursion add-on, onboard credit or the chance to unwind at a resort for the day while you’re in port. Dream Vacations also offers a price guarantee on cruises–if you find a lower price within 24 hours of your cruise vacation being booked by the company, they’ll match it.
Book: By phone or in person in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Expect: Special offers and discounts not available when booking directly with the cruise line and personalized customer service every step of the way.
10. The Cruise Web
A go-to cruise travel agency operating from Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC metropolitan area, The Cruise Web offers personal consultations (on the phone and in person) for travelers looking to snag the best cruise vacation for their party. The company has been in business since 1994, focuses on cruises only and never charges any booking fees.
Book: By phone or in person in Tysons Corner, Virginia
Expect: A seamless, five-star service. Custom trips and free personalized consultations to help you discover the very best adventure for you.
11. AAA Vacations
You don’t need to be an American Automobile Association member to make use of AAA’s travel and cruise booking service. The company is teamed up with top cruise lines in the industry and AAA Vacations offers best price guarantees as well as 24/7 service for members. Among AAA’s preferred cruise line suppliers are Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Holland America Line, Carnival, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises and many more.
Book: By phone or in office
Expect: Easy booking services by phone or in the office of your local AAA club and wide access to discounts and savings, whether you’re a AAA member or not.
12. Avoya Travel
Family-owned and operated Avoya Travel has been in the vacation-making business for some 60 years and is one of the largest sellers of cruise and resort vacations in North America.
Cruise deals in constant rotation and listed on the website include larger ships run by lines like Holland America Line, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean as well as luxury cruise lines, like Windstar and Silversea, along with river cruise companies, too. The company encourages clients to begin browsing options online and then call them to be connected to an independent vacation planner who can help with all the extras.
Book: By phone
Expect: Member-only discounts, deals and prices and a dizzying array of options when it comes to where to cruise next and the best ship to bring you there.
13. Costco Travel
The famous wholesaler of groceries and home goods is also a go-to for members in search of deals on cruise vacations with popular lines that include Disney Cruise Line, Azamara, Carnival, Uniworld, Norwegian Cruise Lines and many others.
Book: By phone
Expect: A huge range of options for sailings to destinations in the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.
14. Cruise Specialists
In business for more than 30 years, Cruise Specialists is known for its expertise in the luxury cruise segment and is a big seller of cruises with lines like Crystal, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn. Part of the Internova Travel Group, this Seattle-based cruise travel agency has been at it since 1987 and focuses on expert advice and delivering curated custom itineraries.
Book: By phone.
Expect: A personalized approach and access to exclusive rates and amenities that are available only through them.
15. Cruise Brothers
Family-owned and booking cruise vacations since way back in 1972, Cruise Brothers is a go-to for travelers looking for personalized service when it comes to luxury and family cruises, in particular. The company has experts on the ground in Rhode Island and Florida and works with travelers from around the world to plan Alaska, Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe, Central American, Southeast Asia and Australia and New Zealand tours.
Book: By phone or in person in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Expect: Detailed specials on the website, where you can also browse the “Brothers’ Picks” for itinerary options all over the world when the choices seem too overwhelming.
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