Talk to a Travel Agent – Power in Communication

Video Appointment with a Travel Agent

Planning your next vacation is an exciting step.
You want to see that and that, do that and that. Your significant one dream about those and those. Great!

Here is a problem — even two issues: time and money.
Time is limited, and the budget cannot accommodate all wishes.

You have to find the balance between your expectations and your limitations.

Simply surfing the Internet does not help. – Many people tried and became more confused than before they started.

There is a solution. – Talk to a professional that you trust. Talk to the travel agent.

Not the travel agent who asks you about points A and C and how many days you wish to stay in point B.

The authentic travel agent is known as a travel advisor.
This travel agent will openly discuss your options and budget optimization.

We offer you a new way to work on your upcoming trip or cruise.
Your Zoom video appointment allows you to experience trip planning with a travel agent in real-time.

You may see behind-the-screen options to explore when a travel agent shares a screen with you.

Total Peace of Mind

In this uncertain time, flexibility is critical to have a piece of mind.

During your video conference, your travel agent will:

• Explain options that give you more flexibility. – You may cancel your travel arrangements without penalty or with a minimal loss.
• Offer you the different options for travel protection that meet your needs.

Also, here at Aurora Cruises and Travel, we work with reputable suppliers that have verified records.

"Travel is personal, not transactional. That is why you must build a relationship with your travel agent."

Nadia Jastrjembskaia, CEO, Aurora Cruises and Travel

We are Here to Help

Now is a remarkable opportunity for travelers who are vaccinated.

Media, even your friends, and family say that travel is problematic due to the pandemic.
Rental cars are not available, service even at 5-star hotels is shoddy, cruise ships do not allow exploring shore on your own. - The problem is they do not plan their trips right!

With fewer travelers in the touristy areas, travel can be spectacular now. You have to choose the right destination and knowledgeable travel agent.

Share your travel ideas with us.

The more details about your vacation you share with us, the better we can help you.
Tell us more about yourself, your travel companions, and your goals and needs for this trip.

Here, some questions we suggest discussing with your travel advisor. – It may be not n at the first video conference but later.

General questions:

1. What is the purpose of this trip or cruise vacation? What would make it most memorable?
2. Do you have an itinerary in mind? - Where do you want to go, or are you looking for ideas?
3. Who will travel with you? - If kids, what are their ages?
4. What is your biggest concern about this land trip or cruise vacation? – This is besides avoiding Covid-19?

Some questions are about getting there and around.

1. Where do you start your trip or cruise vacation?
2. How do you plan to get there?
   What is your biggest transportation concern?
3. If you want to fly: commercial or private?
4. Would you please tell us what transportation you prefer and how long a flight or drive you are comfortable with?

Some questions are about staying at the destination.

1. Do you have a type of accommodations in mind? For example, a rental family villa, historic inn, state-of-the-art resort, private yacht, small expedition ship, 4-star, 5-star hotel.
2. Is there a past hotel experience you liked the most? Do you want to have the similar one?
3. Tell us about the places you have stayed in that you liked, and what you would like now.

Tell us more about the time frame

1. What is the time frame or estimated departure date?
2. What about the estimated trip length (in nights?)

Be open to discussing budget limits:

• total trip budget (excluding airfare)
  airfare
• accommodation or cruise
  activities and entertainment.

What is your estimated total trip budget, including accommodations, dining, vehicles, unique experiences, skip-the-lines entry, private access, minimized Covid-related logistics, etc. (excluding airfare)?

Why Zoom Video Call?

Start the vacation conversation virtually.
Zoom video calls became a gold standard during the pandemic time.

The possibility of seeing each other face-to-face is not just an anonymous voice at another end of the phone.

For us, here at Aurora Cruises and Travel, every vacation we plan is personal.

We want to build relationships with you, understand your values, learn about your previous experiences, and help to establish expectations for your upcoming vacation.

We want to be able to see you and meet with you virtually.
We want to listen to your travel ideas and understand your style of vacationing.

Based on this information, we can create the proper vacation for you.
We are here to be your vacation partner and guide.

How to Set up Video Conferencing with a Travel Agent

Video conferencing is easy to set up and simple to use.
You need to pick up the date and click on the button to schedule a video appointment.

You will receive a confirmation after this.

Here, at Aurora Cruises and Travel, we offer pre-meeting planning sheets for our clients.

Filling out pre-meeting Cheat Sheets are optional, but more than 50% of clients prefer to be prepared for video conferencing with a travel agent.

We conduct meetings in the expected time frame.
We try to answer all questions our clients bring to the discussion.

You will click on the link provided at the scheduled time.

Your travel agent will listen to your ideas and share her experience in the destination or cruise ship. – You will see clearly if your travel agent is a good candidate for your trip or cruise vacation.

A Few Ideas to Make Your Video Conferencing Go Smoothly

• Make sure you are sitting somewhere that's got a strong signal.
• Click on the link at the scheduled time.
  Settle down with a cup of tea, coffee, or glass of wine!
• Have your ideas ready and start a conversation about your vacation.
• Have a budget range in mind and share it with your travel agent.
• Ask about travel protection that will cover your expenses in case of cancellation.
  
  

"Keep in mind that the pandemic has increased prices for Covid-safe hotels, vehicles, private excursions, and other Covid-optimized arrangements."

Nadia Jastrjembskaia, CEO, Aurora Cruises and Travel

 Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zoom video conferencing secure?

There is no 100% secure software in the world. Every time we login into any program, we take a risk.

Zoom video conferencing software is a standard now to conduct professional meetings.

Like all types of software, they experience some issues. All those problems are fixed promptly.

The unique code is sent to you when you sign for the meeting.

We conduct only one-to-one meetings. No one else will receive a code from joining.

Join Zoom meetings through your web browser to make our Zoom meetings more secure. "The web browser version gets security enhancements faster and "sits in a sandbox" to limit security problems," notes antivirus company Kaspersky.

First, click a link to join a meeting. Your browser will open a new tab and prompt you to use or install the Zoom desktop software.

Also, there is a link to "join from your browser." Click this link instead.

Why do you use Zoom for meeting with customers?

There are so many options for video conferencing on the market! Everyone has a favorite one.

We use Zoom because it is integrated with Calendly, scheduling software.

Using Calendly is an industry-standard in travel. It is very convenient to schedule meetings with clients.

Why do you use Zoom meetings instead of phone conference calls?

We strongly believe that travel planning is not transactional. Here, at Aurora Cruises and Travel, we offer travel consulting services based on the collaborative approach.

This means that we are deeply involved in your planning process. We don't take orders from you – we give suggestions and discuss them.

We help you to make an informed decision about your cruise or land trip.

We explain all the pluses and minuses of each travel product we recommend. Your travel agent acts as an authentic travel advisor.

To reach this level of trust, we have to know each other.

Of course, it will be ideal to meet in person. In many situations, it is not realistic.

Zoom meeting with your travel agent helps you understand the agent's level of competence and qualifications.

You can see this person in real life and can confirm or reject the idea to work with this person.

Every travel agent has excellent reviews. The main question is: can you trust this person?
Zoom video conference helps you understand if this travel agent is right for your travel project.

Can I call Aurora Cruises and Travel?

Yes, of course! After we establish the relationships, we will communicate in the different ways:

• Phone calls
• Emails
• Messengers.

You will let us know what way the best for you is to communicate with us.

Is Zoom video conferencing free?

Yes, it is free. Zoom conference itself is free for you.

Plus, we give you 20-minutes to get to know us better. –This initial conference with a travel agent is free.

How much data does zoom video calling use?

We offer 1:1 Zoom meetings with a travel agent. This means one device.
But you can invite your kids or significant ones to join the meeting.

In this situation, you expect to spend between 9 MB and 27 MB per minute. So, for 20 minutes call with a travel agent, it will be between 180 MB and 540 MB.

Can video conferencing be done on WhatsApp?

Yes, of course! Your first meeting with a travel agent will be on a regular Zoom meeting.

After this, you can pick up any channel to communicate, including WhatsApp.

What kind of equipment is needed for the video conference with a travel agent?

Here are what you need to a productive Zoom call with your travel agent:

• One of the following: laptop, cell phone, or desktop monitor.
• Built-in microphones and webcams, or USB microphones and webcams.
• Built-in speaker, or external speaker
  Internet Connection

Do I need to download Zoom to join a meeting?

To join a Zoom meeting, you do not need to install any extra software.

You can participate through a web browser.

How can I join a Zoom meeting with a travel agent via the meeting invite link?

Zoom will create a unique meeting URL ID when you sign for the video call with a travel agent.

This URL and meeting ID will be sent to you by email.

You don't need a Zoom login to join a meeting. All you need is that meeting URL. Click on the link, and you will be transferred to the Zoom meeting with your travel agent.

• Click on the meeting invite URL that your travel agent shared via email or text.
• The zoom app opens in the window.
• Approve the request for permission to use your computer's audio and camera.

Your travel agent will see that you arrived and admit you into the meeting.

If you arrive earlier than your travel agent, you may need to wait for her to come first.

Or you may be placed into a waiting room that the travel agent controls.

When does video conferencing start?

When you sign with the scheduling app, you will pick up a convenient time for you.

Click on the meeting link 5-7 minutes before start time. Prepare a cup of tea or coffee to sip before the video conference with your travel agent starts.

Your travel agent will see that you have arrived and will admit you shortly.

How can I talk to a travel agent?

Easy!

1. Pick up one of the topics above and click on it. You will be transferred to a specific page where you can schedule an appointment.
2. Pick up date and time. – You will receive the confirmation email and a link.
3. Five-seven minutes before the appointment, click on the link. – You will be transferred to a Zoom virtual meeting room. Your travel agent will admit you, and you can start a conversation.

Does it cost money to talk to a travel agent?

No! Aurora Cruises and Travel gives you are chance to talk to an expert in the field.

Your first virtual Zoom conference is free. – You will have 20 minutes to make sure that a travel agent is the right person for your cruise or land vacation.

After this, you will receive an offer for the travel agent services.

Is a travel agent cheaper than an online one?

Compare travel agent services to online booking engines is as compare apples to oranges.

They are not the same.

Making booking online, you act as your travel agent. You accept responsibilities and consequences for your cruise or trip.

Suppose you missed your connection because of insufficient time between flights or picked up the wrong stateroom on the cruise ship. – Take your responsibility seriously.

When you work with a real travel agent – there are a lot of hobbyists in the industry – you receive a wealth of information. – If you are your travel agent, you must dig for it by analyzing the information you find online.