My Life as a Part‑Time Cruise Agent (Another Way I Save on Cruises)
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If you’ve been around here for a minute, you know I’m a points‑and‑perks girl who loves planning travel… but you may not know that I’m also a part‑time cruise agent.
Yep — part‑time.
Not full‑time. Not “I book 40 cruises a week.” Not “I’m trying to build an agency empire.”
Just part‑time, in a way that fits my life, my blog, and the way I genuinely love helping people travel smarter.
And because I get asked this a lot — here’s the real story of how I got into it, what I actually do, and why I still use a full‑time agent for certain cruises.
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How I Became a Part‑Time Cruise Agent
I didn’t set out to become a travel agent. I fell into it the same way a lot of travel‑obsessed people do:
I love cruising
I love helping people find the right cabin
I love sharing what I’ve learned the hard way
I love when someone avoids a noisy deck because of something I told them
Eventually, it just made sense because I genuinely love learning everything. I get hyper‑focused on things (hence… this entire blog), and once I started digging into cruise lines, cabins, casino offers, and ship layouts, I wanted to understand it all. Becoming a part‑time agent gave me a structured way to learn even more — without the pressure of running a full agency.
But here’s the key: I never want this to be my full‑time job.
I run No Point Left Behind. I create content. I test perks. I travel. I write guides. I help people learn points and miles.
That’s where my energy goes.
So being a part‑time cruise agent lets me help when it makes sense — without taking on the workload of someone who does this 40+ hours a week.
Another Tool in My Travel‑Hacking Toolkit
This isn’t a side hustle for me — it’s just another tool in my travel‑hacking toolkit.
I work with a company that has no overhead, and we split commission 50/50, which means I’m not out here trying to build an agency or take on clients. I’m already booking cruises — especially casino offers — so becoming a part‑time agent simply lets me:
save a little more on the cruises I’m taking anyway
get insider training and ship knowledge
understand promotions and price drops better
make this blog a better, more accurate resource for you
It’s honestly the perfect setup: I get the insider access without the pressure of running a full‑time agency.
And because I’m not trying to “sell” anything, I can share what I learn openly — the good, the bad, and the “don’t book that cabin unless you like hearing chairs scrape at 6 AM.”
What I Actually Do as a Part‑Time Agent
I only book for myself and occasionally my family — that’s it. I’m not running an agency or taking clients. This setup gives me access to insider tools and training that make me a smarter traveler. It’s another way to learn, save, and share better information here on the blog.
Why I Still Use a Full‑Time Agent for My Own Cruises
This surprises people, but it shouldn’t.
Even though I’m a part‑time agent, I still use Mary Kennedy for some of my own cruise bookings — especially when:
I need a very specific cabin
I want a quiet location
I’m booking something complicated
I don’t want to spend hours on the phone
I’m deep in content creation and don’t have the bandwidth
Mary does this full‑time. She knows the ships inside and out. She catches things I might miss simply because she’s in the booking systems every single day.
And honestly? It’s nice to have someone I trust watching my back.
I also regularly travel with my agent, so if she’s going on the same sailing, I let her handle the booking. It’s one less thing for me to do, and honestly, I love supporting friends who are great at what they do. She knows the ships inside and out, and it feels good to keep that partnership going.
Why This Setup Works for Me
Being a part‑time agent gives me:
insider knowledge
access to training
a deeper understanding of cruise lines
the ability to help my readers in a more hands‑on way
Using a full‑time agent gives me:
peace of mind
time back
someone who can monitor price drops
someone who can snag cabins the second they open
It’s the best of both worlds.
Should You Use a Travel Agent?
If you’re booking a simple cruise and love DIY planning, you might not need one.
But if you want:
a quiet cabin
a specific location
help choosing the right ship
someone to watch for price drops
support when things go sideways
…a good agent can make your life easier.
And if you’re a points‑and‑perks traveler like me, you already know: Work smarter, not harder.
Looking for a Cruise Agent?
My Facebook group is full of incredible travel agents who generously share their expertise with all of us. If you’re looking for someone to help with your next cruise — or just want to ask questions and learn from the pros — come join the conversation.
It’s one of the friendliest corners of the internet, and you’ll find plenty of insight from agents who truly know their stuff.
👉 Join the group: Travel Hacking Moms Group on Facebook
Want a Personal Recommendation?
There are some truly fantastic agents in my Facebook group — and I don’t just mean “they say they’re great.” I follow them. I see their real journeys. I watch them help people every single day. I see the cabins they book, the problems they solve, the wins they celebrate, and the way they show up for travelers.
So if you ever want a recommendation, feel free to reach out. Or even better — join the group and learn from them yourself.
You’ll quickly see who knows the ships inside and out, who specializes in casino offers, who’s amazing with Alaska or Europe, and who’s just genuinely kind and helpful. It’s one of the reasons I love that community so much.
A Quick Note on Respecting Travel Agents’ Time
One thing I always want to be clear about: Please don’t pick an agent’s brain for hours and then book on your own.
Travel agents only get paid if you book through them. Their commission is already built into the cruise price — whether you use them or not — so when someone uses their expertise but books elsewhere, the agent earns nothing for their time.
In my Facebook group, we have so many incredible agents who generously share their knowledge with all of us. They answer questions, give advice, and help people avoid mistakes — and they do it because they genuinely love travel.
So if you’re asking questions, getting guidance, or leaning on an agent’s expertise… let them handle the booking if the price is the same. It’s the respectful, ethical thing to do — and it keeps the community strong.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Julie — the creator behind No Point Left Behind. I’m a points‑and‑perks‑obsessed traveler, part‑time cruise agent, and full‑time believer that travel should be fun, affordable, and stress‑free. I help everyday travelers learn how to use points, perks, and smart strategies to see more of the world without overspending.
Come hang out with me on Facebook, join my Travel Hacking Moms Group, or follow along for more Lazy Girl travel tips.
