Mark Gelfuso Cruise Brothers

Travel Agent Training

2012-02-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

The objective of Cruise Bums and Cruise Brothers is to teach people how to better their lives, travel the world and make extra money. Owning your own at home travel business is a great way to make money doing something you enjoy. The Cruise Brothers is an extremely large organization and I am able to communicate with over a thousand travel agents. I try to keep as up to date as possible with the agents to absorb as much as I can. This way I have been able to be a medium for other agents and offer the best training in the industry. Click Here for more information. or email me at mark@cruisebrothers.com

Are You Sitting on a Gold Mine?

2011-10-28T12:23:00.001-07:00

Frequent travelers are not the only successful home based travel agents in the travel industry. Anyone who knows how to use marketing and networking properly can become successful, make money, and even travel for free if they choose. It is amazing how many people have the vast resources that have potential groups and they can even make millions in some cases. Hidden inside different types of communities and organizations are people that can organize a group cruise. The Cruise Lines love group travel and will bend over backwards to meet the needs of your organization. They have many different ways to give the specific groups: space, time, and certain resources to meet the group/organization’s specific needs. They meet these needs as best as possible so the group/organization can accomplish whatever they desire too.

Make money on your own time, make money at home and only limited training needed to get started and we can help you the rest of the way. Being able to network and organize is the most important thing about being a home based agent or outside agent. The Cruise Brothers has been around since 1972 and has seen almost every type of group cruises imaginable. Church groups are one of the most popular types of groups. When people get together regularly for an event, conference, meeting or anything we become comfortable. When thinking about vacations most people would rather be with and/or around people who know and share the same interests as them. There are bigger groups with much more money involved that are in front of people and they just don’t know to notice. There is groups put together for doctors to take classes and keep them up to date on new advancements in the field of medicine. Another example could possibly be with executive trainings or conferences in other industries. Any type of conference, meeting, retreat, or class can be converted and done on a cruise ship. This way clients can even use the cruise education for their field of work or interest and take their families on vacation as well.

The online world is a evolving environment that can literally be used to search and find people with common interests to put on a cruise ship as a group. The potential of social media is now a gold mine for some that know how to work with it. This industry is new and still a growing trend. There are no rules in this that digital world that are set in stone. What’s the hurt in trying to find a productive way to market and network online? Anything from just a small post on Facebook about travel can remind your friends you are an agent and turn into a lead.

Mark Gelfuso

Cruise Bums

www.cruisebums.com

In partnership with

The Cruise Brothers

Cruise Line Growth

2011-10-26T09:28:00.003-07:00

Since around 1980 when my father (now owner of Cruise Brothers) took over the his fathers travel agency and went into the cruise industry which had just recently started to rapidly expand and was no longer as exclusive and expensive. in the past ten years alone even with a bad economy the number of cruisers per year has more than doubled from 7 million to almost 15 million. Even in a down economy the cruise industry is flourishing with more than 20 ships ordered and will be built by 2015. With every new ship means more cabins which increases the need for agents to fill those cabins.

I was actually having dinner with my father a few days ago and he was talking about the success he has been having and the proof the cruise lines need him and his company. He then began to talk about all the new ships that were recently ordered. Extremely excited about theses ships being built he feels that he will be needed more. Those ships he went on to say was because of the interest rates and guarantees Germany has promised for the ships to be built. The cruise lines have taken advantage of this to build and build now is the time. People need work and with Germany backing the financing to give jobs to those looking for money building ships works for both parties.

I was interviewed by the local news and was on tv that night and next morning in 2008 or 2009 when the stock market was at the bottom. Royal Caribbean's stock was below $6.00 from its peak of $60.00 which was unbelievable. If I had money I would have bought it in a second and few people I worked with actually did, a few months later it was back up to $30.00. I was interviewed because of the almost complete halt of the cruise sales. I was asked how the cruise lines were holding out and what they were doing to stay afloat with the prices being as low as $299 per person for a 7 night cruise. I answered by stating that no matter what all those ships had to move from port to port. They need to have people on board to pay for gas, taxes, and things of that nature so no matter what they need those cabins filled. On board spending is also a main source of income. Being on a ship increase chances you are going to start to drink liquor, gamble and spend money on other things. The cruise lines make money with every body on board that is how they could drop the prices so low and survive.

The thing about cheap cruises is that it's not jus the cruise line affected. The travel agencies depend on one thing and that is commission which is based on price of cruise and that is it. So let's say a small agency that only get 10% commission around the board from each vendor. When selling a cruise that is only $299 per person with only 10% commission the agency only makes only $29.99 then that is split between the agent who sold the cruise and the agency. So as anyone can see price slashing is never a good thing for the agencies or agents. The cruise lines did try with different types of contests and commission bonuses. I also would like to add that I am part of one of the largest agencies in the country and because of that we have the highest commissions with long and tight ties with vendors.

Where there is a will there is a way. Marketing efforts had to be adjusted and in tough times companies must evolve or close up shop. One thing we did was have our own major trade show which was a major gamble. Vendors from all over hungry for business set up booths which they would sell using our name. The show was a hit, I remember the news that night with a couple who knew about the show but it had snowed the second day and they didn't really plan on a vacation anyway. As they were interviewed they were asked why they had come then... Their reply was amusing, they were shoveling their driveway and looked over at a neighbors house. The care and driveway were untouched because that family was on a cruise. So seeing that the couple hoped in the car and drove to our show to book a cruise as well. Proof that travel agencies will always be needed and that cruising is a growing trend. With more ships built cheaply and cabins to fill I see the cruise lines calling on travel agencies more and more to fill theses cabins and agents getting more perks wether full time or home based.

Their are a lot of cabins to fill and the number of them continues to grow. The faster they fill the higher the price keeping close ties with agencies like the Cruise Brothers is a must.

Thanks

Mark Gelfuso

Cruise Brothers

My personal branch www.cruisebums.com

Evolution of the Travel Industry

2011-10-16T22:16:00.001-07:00

Evolution of the Travel Industry

17OCT

Everyday I talk to people looking to sell travel and find their own business without putting to much money into it. First found proper ways to teach the agents how to get going and about the industry. After a while it became the same thing everyday almost and I am someone who like different things going on. The Travel Industry is always changing so it kept me busy but I was always confronted with the same question at the end of the day. How could I improve sales and keep the cost low? Sure this is true with all industries but the Travel industry being one of the last thing people think about with a bad economy.

In the last ten years the decline of mom and pop agencies have dropped dramatically. So what about all the hotels and cruise ships still being built? The answer lies with their low commission compared to the larger agencies coupled with the costs of maintaining everything that comes with running a store front business.

So my father originally had started it in the 80s but hadn’t paid as much attention to it in the booming 90s. Simple thing really, If you travel you will talk about travel if you talk about travel you will have friends that travel. If you travel,have friends that travel and talk about traveling you probably can give more advice than you realize. So he gave his commission to people referred and find people to book with him. Over the years the program evolved and was noticed when more and more people wanted to retire and sell travel. Now we have full classes to teach travelers how to sell and market. It is a win win for everyone the commission is split there is no point setting up shop and starting at the bottom with the corporations to compete with including the vendors themselves.

I was once told the best part of a vacation isn’t the vacation. First it is the waiting, imagining, excitement, anticipation and of course bragging about leaving everyone while they go for an adventure. After its the pictures, memories and experience of that adventure to share with friends. This stayed in my mind for years I was young at the time. Years later when I got into the industry I realized this is also the perfect time to open up, slip a card and plant the seed. This is now one of my main points to new agents and travelers for leads.

The world is still changing. Social media and networking is in my opinion what should be successful combination with the home based agents. It is just the exploring and testing with the vast amounts of information online that has been some what of a challenge but will work out in the end I think.

Tipping tips in foreign countries

2011-08-31T11:53:00.000-07:00

<p><a href="http://www.mint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/110302-MINT-TIPSa.png"><img src="http://www.mint.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/110302-MINT-TIPSa.png" alt="" width="1300" height="1926" /></a></p><a href="http://www.mint.com/personal-finance/ ">Mint.com Personal Finances</a>

Mark Gelfuso return to Cruise Brothers

2011-05-07T17:19:00.000-07:00

SO I am thinking of going back to Cruise Brothers. I am glad I took the break and was able to learn so many tricks and secrets. The possibilities are endless I only need support to get me a position there to help measure my new ideas and techniques. That way I can pass them on to all the agents that love this business, make it even more fun and make more money!

Mark Gelfuso Zip Lining in Honduras

2010-12-30T15:03:00.000-08:00

Celebrity Eclipse

2010-12-28T14:10:00.000-08:00

Belize

2010-12-02T16:59:00.005-08:00

Mark Gelfuso Today in Belize it was not the best weather so I decided to just walk around the port and city but there wasn't much going on so I just headed back to the ship. Tomorrow it will be Cozumel I am definitely going snorkeling I just am not sure where yet I hear there is a real lot to chose from. Hopefully the weather is better!

Roatan

2010-12-02T16:59:00.003-08:00

A long day of zip lining in Roatan and the beach. I wish I could post some of the pictures it will take to long :(. Tomorrow I am going to Belize but the people I am with don't want to do the Cave Tubing. What should I do????

Explorer of the Seas

2010-11-21T16:09:00.000-08:00

I can't wait to go on the Voyager of the Seas next week. This is going to be my 3rd cruise of that ship class. Last June I was on the Explorer of the Seas and I had a blast. The 9 night out of New Jersey was so convenient. I was lucky enough to spend 2 days in Bermuda which I am so glad I did. It gave me enough time to see the island and try different options without to much pressure or feeling rushed. My girlfriend at the time was with me we ended up meeting other couples our age right away. I was a little unsure about the 2 days it would take to reach the Bahamas but it ended up in our favor. We had time to really get to know and friend people on the ship. So when we ended up in Nassau we all went to Atlantis together 5 couples total. We got the full passes and walked through the aquarium then head out to the water slides. Somehow we ended up on the beach and rented jet skis right off the beach for $100 dollars each which was great. So we had an hour I was with my girlfriend on the back and we were just flying around having a good time until we ran out of gas in the middle of the ocean. It took what seemed like forever but finally a boat came by and picked us up. The people on the beach acted like it wasn't a big deal and said I could take it for longer but by then I didn't even want it anymore. Next stop was Coco Cay Royal Caribbean's private island. The have built it up pretty nice and the snorkeling was great I got to ee beautiful fish. There was also a BBQ on the beach and a underwater plane wreck which I didn't have a chance to see. So thats about it the ship is amazing the ice rink and shows on ice are probably my favorite part I go to every one.

Hello Everyone

2010-11-20T14:07:00.000-08:00

I have been at this for months trying to find the best ways to get out to all our agents and I am starting to get the grip! Anyone needing help booking any cruise, travel or vacations please give me a call 800 827 7779 ext 4555 or email mark@cruisebrothers.com or even try my new mark@cruisebums.com address

Carnival Cruise Chef Table Review from Friends!

2010-11-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

Hi Mark, I told you that while we were on the legend we tried the chefs table the menu attached, does not begin to describe the experience. There were a total of 15 people that participated in a cheerful interchange with the head chef. We started in the martini bar at 7 pm where we were met by the head Metre’d and then followed her to the galley where we were introduced to the Chef and toasted the gathering with Korbel champagne., He explained that in his meals he makes sure to interlace ingredients and color theme thought the dinner. This was at dinner time so the galley was busy with waiters picking up meals he gave us a brief explanation of the layout of the galley so that everyone moves expediently from one station to the other. While there we were offered three bites of specialty appetizers that were fabulous. Afterwards we were taken to the Medusas Lair the disco where a table was set up on the dance floor for our private meal. Pinot Grigio was served first and constantly as the chef described each course. Anyone familiar with Novel cuisine would recognize the style but for those that don’t, each plate was a masterpiece of color and texture. When the filet was served we switched to a Shiraz all the way though desert. All in all it was a 2 and half hour of delicious learning, laughter and spirited conversation. As the cruise passed we ran into many of the attendees and all of them confirmed that they went to the steak house the same as us. More stories to follow, but when I came across the menu which was rolled and an anisette flower holder. We certainly enjoyed it and for $75.00 per person it was a bargain in comparison to land based specialty meals. Carnival has picked winner. If there was one thing I would have liked is the room be a little cooler, it seemed like the whole ship was warmer than other carnival ships.

Thanks,

We deliver and you deserve the 'Suave' treatment! See you on the oceans of the world!

Rico de la Llama ACC

Senior Cruise Agent

Dream Makers Cruises & Travel Inc.

An affiliate of The Cruise Brothers

www.cruiserico.com

rico@cruiserico.com

800-622-0187

770-427-4395

Fax 770-726-9318

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/rico.delallama

Cruise Brothers Customer Service

800-827-7779

Cruise Brothers

2010-10-25T06:28:00.000-07:00

The Cruise Brothers is now trying different types of social networking. This is a great way for use to get out in the community and help spread the word about the biggest secret in cruising! We now offer many ways to get the everyday traveler transformed into a travel agent. Thousands have found how easy it is to start your own travel agency from home. With the Cruise Brothers experience of almost 40 years in the industry and one of the largest family owned companies in the country it has never been easier!

http://www.cruisingfree.com

Mark Gelfuso

http://www.facebook.com/gelfuso1