Key Takeaways
- Becoming a Royal Caribbean travel agent is a fast and accessible way to start a travel business from home.
- As an independent agent, you can set your own schedule with no quotas or minimum requirements.
- Agents earn high commissions on cruise bookings, with income growing as you build your client base.
- You can book not only Royal Caribbean cruises but also other travel products, allowing you to expand your business over time.
- With the right support, training, and consistency, you can build a flexible, long-term travel business centered around cruises.
Becoming a Royal Caribbean travel agent is a flexible, work-from-home opportunity that allows you to earn commissions while helping clients plan cruise vacations. With strong support, training, and the freedom to grow your business your way, it’s an accessible path to building a rewarding travel career.
When it comes to traveling, cruises are a big deal. The industry generates billions of dollars in revenue every year, and more and more people are becoming interested in taking cruises.
The largest cruise operator in the United States is Royal Caribbean. So, if you’re interested in becoming a travel agent for cruise vacations, this is a great place to start. Fortunately, Boardwalk Travel allows you to become a Royal Caribbean travel agent quickly and easily. Not sure where to start? We’ll help you every step of the way.
What Will You Do As a Royal Caribbean Travel Agent With Boardwalk?
As a travel agent, your primary goal is to provide the best vacation experience for your clients. However, partnering with Boardwalk Travel is a bit different than if you worked for Royal Caribbean directly.
First, you get to pick when you work, and you get to work from the comfort of your home. Taking time off is easy, and there are no minimums or quotas to meet each month. You operate as an independent agent, giving you the flexibility and control you want.
Second, while it’s easy to book with Royal Caribbean, you can book with other cruise agencies as well as traditional hotel chains. So, if you want to branch out and offer more services, you can!
Turn your passion into
a business. your way.
- High-Paying Commissions: 70% paid directly to you.
- Outstanding Support: Call, email, or chat with our team directly.
- Amazing Benefits: Discounts on hotels, resorts, cruises, and park tickets.
- Premier Partners: Disney, Universal, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and many more.
- Incredible Community: Network with our active community of travel pros.
Boardwalk Travel Agency is one of the fastest-growing host agencies in the country.
Join our team today and begin building your travel business on your own terms.
Royal Caribbean in 2026
Royal Caribbean works hard to stay at the top of the cruising world. Here are some of the most important things to know about the world’s largest cruise line.
Fleet Size
- Royal Caribbean International operates more than 30 cruise ships in 2026.
- The fleet spans seven ship classes, from intimate Vision Class ships to the record-breaking Icon Class.
- The company continues an aggressive expansion, with additional Icon- and Oasis-class ships already on order.
Newest Ships
- Legend of the Seas (2026): The third Icon Class ship, it matches the world’s largest waterpark at sea, and also has a FlowRider® surf simulator, Splashaway Bay aquapark, rock climbing wall, mini golf, laser tag, ice skating, a carousel, 7 pools and 10 whirlpools, kids and teen programs, 17 complimentary dining options, and much more.
- Star of the Seas (2025): The second Icon Class ship with nearly 250,000 gross tons and accommodates about 7,600 guests and crew. It includes the largest waterpark at sea, 7 swimming pools, 10 whirlpools, 8 “neighborhoods”, a surf simulator, and the famed Crown’s Edge skywalk/thrill attraction.
What’s Launching in 2026
2026 is a busy year for Royal Caribbean:
- Legend of the Seas entered service in the summer
- Royal Beach Club Cozumel opens, giving guests an exclusive beach experience in Mexico.
- Major “Royal Amplified” renovations debut on Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas. These updates add new restaurants, bars, family spaces, pools, and entertainment.
Top Royal Caribbean Destinations
Royal Caribbean’s most popular itineraries in 2026 include:
Caribbean (their largest market)
- Perfect Day at CocoCay (private island)
- Eastern Caribbean
- Western Caribbean
- Southern Caribbean
Alaska
- Glacier viewing
- Juneau
- Skagway
- Sitka
Mediterranean
- Greece
- Italy
- Spain
- France
Northern Europe
- Norwegian fjords
- Iceland
- British Isles
Short Getaways
- 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises
- Perfect Day at CocoCay remains the headline destination
Other Things to Know
- Royal Caribbean visits 300+ destinations worldwide
- Perfect Day at CocoCay remains one of the highest-rated private cruise destinations in the industry
- The company is investing heavily in exclusive beach experiences, including Royal Beach Club Paradise Island (Bahamas) and Royal Beach Club Cozumel
- New Icon Class ships emphasize the idea of being a “destination in themselves,” with enough attractions that many guests say they never experience everything in a single sailing
Awards and Recognition
- Voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 23 years running by Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Awards
- Earned “Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean”, also for 23 years running by Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Awards
- Perfect Day at CocoCay has been named “Best Private Island” for 6 years running by Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Awards
Top Benefits of Becoming a Royal Caribbean Travel Agent Through Boardwalk
We’ve already discussed some of the perks of working as an independent agent through Boardwalk Travel. However, in addition to the flexibility of your workload, there are some other tangible benefits, such as:
- Use Perks for Yourself – If you’re ever interested in taking a cruise (and you should be), you can use perks and vouchers for yourself when you go. In fact, it’s better for you to take these cruises so you can speak from experience when upselling different packages. The more cruises you go on, the better prepared you are to answer questions and provide valuable insight.
- Earn More Commissions – Boardwalk Travel doesn’t take a massive chunk out of your earnings. You make 70 percent of all sales, so you can earn quite a big paycheck, even if you don’t work full-time.
- Extra Support – Booking a cruise package is often a pretty straightforward process, but you may run into snags every so often. When that happens, you can get support from experienced travel agents. Whether it’s finding the best deal for your clients or trying to make a specific itinerary item work, you’ll get all the tools and support necessary to thrive.
What Boardwalk Agents Say
As you’re choosing a host agency, be sure to read over some real experiences and results from real Boardwalk Travel Agency travel agents:
“Boardwalk is just fantastic. Support is great, commissions are paid out quickly and the access to all industry partners allows me to provide so many options to my clients! I have never regretted my decision to get into the industry under the Boardwalk Travel Agency banner!”
– Stephanie B.
“AMAZING! I’m early on in my journey and couldn’t be more thrilled about my experience with Boardwalk. They have given me all the info I need to be successful. Their customer support is top-notch. The other agents are very helpful as well when any questions arise! A+++.”
– Christopher M.
“Boardwalk Travel has been such a great opportunity for me to learn how to be a travel advisor. Any time I need help they are quick to respond. Their social media group is beyond helpful and has a great sense of community!”
– Jamie M.
Read more reviews from Boardwalk agents on Host Agency Reviews →
Day-to-Day Life of a Royal Caribbean Travel Agent
When you join Boardwalk Travel and start booking trips for yourself and others, what exactly will you be doing every day? Here’s a quick breakdown:
Find Available Units
As with a hotel, a cruise ship only has so many guest rooms. Also, like a hotel, these rooms are separated by different classes, depending on your client’s budget. If your client wants a large room with plenty of space, they can pay extra for a suite. However, if they’re on a tighter budget, they can make do with a standard cabin.
As an agent, it’s your job to find out what’s available. That said, this process is a bit different from booking a hotel because most guests won’t know which type of ship they want to be on. Instead, they’re focused more on dates and destinations. So, you may have to find rooms on multiple vessels so you can give your clients options.
Secure Destinations
Some cruises only stay on the water for a few days (or a week) and then return to port. However, most cruise lines will go to a specific destination and then return to their original port. Your clients will likely have a destination in mind (i.e., Jamaica), so you must figure out which ship is going there during their preferred travel period.
Also, you need to figure out how long they want to stay at the destination location. Some cruise packages include multi-night stays, while others only include day trips to a specific locale. In some cases, you may have to create a unique itinerary based on your client’s needs. For example, they may want to spend two weeks in Jamaica, so you have to book two cruise packages—one each to get to and from the island.
In this instance, you would also have to secure lodging on the island for the duration of their stay. You may be able to work with the cruise line and their preferred hotels, or you can come up with a package by yourself.
Book Secondary Travel Accommodations
If your clients live in a cruise port city (like Miami or West Palm Beach), they can simply drive to the port and board the boat. However, many of your clients will likely live elsewhere, meaning you must help them reach the ship before they can take their cruise.
Secondary travel arrangements could involve rides to and from the airport, overnight lodging, and plane tickets to their preferred destination. You may also have to secure rides or car rentals to the port city, as well as at their final cruise destination. Overall, your job is to make their vacation as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
Provide Vital Information
If your clients are traveling outside the United States, they’ll need a passport. Also, many ports charge port fees per passenger, which are unavoidable. Sometimes, the destination may have unique rules or cultural differences. For example, they drive on the left side of the road in the Bahamas. So, if your clients want to drive during their stay, they must adapt accordingly.
When creating your client’s itinerary, you must include any vital information like this. Also, consider their timeline before their vacation. For example, it could take up to 90 days for an individual to receive a passport. So, if their vacation is less than 90 days away and they don’t have a passport, they could miss out entirely.
Offer Perks and Incentives
One of the best ways to improve yourself as a travel agent is to build relationships with different companies and vendors. Typically, cruise lines like to throw in perks and incentives to get more people on the ship, particularly during slower seasons. As a travel agent, you get to extend these offers to your clients, making their vacations extra special. Some examples of perks can include:
- Free Play at the Casino
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Free Cruise Wi-Fi
- Specialty Dining Included
- Bar Tab Bonuses
- Onboard Spending Credit (for shopping or dining)
Overall, the more satisfied you can make your clients, the more successful you’ll be as a travel agent. Since you’re working independently, you want to build referrals and word-of-mouth advertising. This means you can book more clients and earn more money!
Why Choose Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Royal Caribbean is one of the oldest cruise lines, having been founded in 1969. Over the years, the company has defined what it means to take a cruise, and today, it boasts a massive fleet of more than 25 ships.
Part of what makes Royal Caribbean such a dominant brand in the industry is that it has some of the best ships in the world. Over the years, newer models have changed what it means to be on a cruise. In the old days, ships had little to offer in the way of dining and entertainment. Today, guests can sometimes have more fun on the boat than at their destination.
In fact, Royal Caribbean has six of the largest cruise ships in the world. Seeing these engineering marvels up close is enough to make your head spin. Swimming pools, water slides, restaurants, casinos, clubs, and more are all par for the course with a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation.
Better yet, the company sails to more than 270 ports in over 60 countries worldwide. So, when guests want to explore the globe and have fun on the way, Royal Caribbean is one of their best options.
Why Are Cruises So Popular for Travelers?
If you’ve never been on a cruise before, the experience can be life-changing. There are many perks to traveling this way, including:
- All-Inclusive Dining – When you’re on the ship, you can eat wherever and whenever you want. While fine dining options (and alcohol) cost extra, almost all the food is included in the cruise price. Plus, meals are served at all hours, so you can feast whenever you feel like it without spending a dime.
- Multiple Entertainment Options – As we mentioned, swimming pools, clubs, arcades, and casinos are all part of the cruise experience. In addition, guests can watch live shows, go shopping, play mini golf, and engage in many other fun activities. Most cruises also have scheduled family activities, so there’s always something to do.
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere – Cruises are popular for couples and families for a good reason. Many activities are designed for kids, but there are plenty of options for adults as well. Compared to traditional hotels or resorts, a cruise vacation offers much more fun and engagement.
- Tropical Destinations – There’s a reason why the company is called Royal Caribbean. Cruise ships go all over the place, including tropical paradises like the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Belize, and many more.
Booking Cruise Packages vs. Traditional Accommodations
Unless you’re highly experienced with cruise packages and vacations, there are a few things to understand before getting started. The more you know about the ins and outs of this world, the easier it will be to book for your clients. In many cases, you’ll be booking for people who have never taken a cruise before, so it’s up to you to be their first point of contact.
Here are some unique elements of cruise travel to pay attention to as an agent:
Room Types
Typically, a hotel room is relatively spacious, with two beds, a bathroom, a refrigerator, and maybe a desk. Cruise rooms, however, are much smaller and more cramped. While your clients can pay to upgrade to a larger space, most people opt for the cheaper, smaller cabins.
A standard cabin typically has one bed, a small bathroom, and a few extra amenities. Refrigerators are usually nonexistent, and windows may also be a luxury item. When booking for your clients, you can choose between inside and oceanview rooms. The latter option has a porthole for viewing the outside, but inside cabins have no windows at all.
Another point to consider is where on the ship your clients will be. Cabins are often color-coded, and their exact position on the boat can vary. Your clients may prefer a cabin near the top deck or something close to the stairwell or elevator. So, it’s good to familiarize yourself with cruise ship layouts so you can book accordingly.
Finally, if there is a problem with the cabin, it’s much harder to switch rooms on a cruise ship. While it’s not impossible, the process takes longer, and there’s no guarantee of switching. So, it’s imperative that you run through the details with your clients so they know what to expect and there are no surprises when they get on board.
Multi-Port Itineraries
Cruises that last for a week or longer typically hit multiple ports during their journey. So, you need to ensure that your clients want to stop at each port and have enough time to do their preferred activities.
Unlike a hotel, a cruise ship has to disembark at a specific time. If your clients miss the boat, they’ll have to wait for the next one, which could create logistical headaches.
So, when planning destination activities (i.e., snorkeling, jet-skiing, and more), you need to give your clients plenty of time to get back to the board when necessary. Even if they’re staying overnight at their destination, they have to plan around the ship’s disembarkation time.
Another point to consider is if your clients want to spend a longer time at a specific destination. As we mentioned earlier, you may have to book multiple cruise packages to accommodate their wishes.
Changes and Cancellations
Storms and inclement weather usually don’t affect booking accommodations with a hotel or resort, but it could impact a cruise ship. For example, if a hurricane is set to strike, a cruise line won’t want to have boats on the water.
As a rule, hurricane season for the Caribbean runs from June to November, although it can vary slightly from year to year. Also, even if a hurricane isn’t predicted during the trip, one could still derail your client’s plans. For example, hurricane damage could prevent them from visiting a specific island or port. So, they’ll have to settle for an alternative destination or cancel and rebook their trip for a later date.
We also mentioned that making adjustments to cabins is much more complicated once they’re on board. So, make sure to handle any changes or adjustments before the ship leaves the port, not after.
FAQs
Do I need experience to become a Royal Caribbean travel agent?
No. Most Boardwalk agents start with zero industry experience. You’ll get a 1-on-1 onboarding session to help you get started, plus step-by-step training you can work through at your own pace. Most new agents are ready to make their first booking within days.
What does it cost to get started?
Many agencies charge large annual or even monthly fees, but Boardwalk does not believe in that. We charge an inexpensive initial fee to join (just $99), which gets you an onboarding packet and access to our website so you can book your onboarding call and start learning right away. That’s it – no ongoing monthly fees, no upcharges, no hidden gotchas.
How much commission do I earn?
Boardwalk pays agents 70% of all commission received — above the industry standard — with direct deposit within a few days of the supplier paying. You’ll see exactly what you earn on every booking in your agent dashboard.
What if I get stuck on a booking?
You’re never on your own. Boardwalk agents get direct access to our support team plus a highly active private Facebook community where experienced agents and staff answer questions fast — usually within minutes.
Can I only book Royal Caribbean?
No! As a Boardwalk agent you can book all major cruise lines, plus Disney, Universal, resorts, hotels, tours, and much more. Royal Caribbean can be your specialty without limiting your business.
How long does it take to get set up?
You’ll be set up your first day. You’ll receive your onboarding booklet, which shows you how to get access to the website. You can also join the private Facebook group right away. From there, it’s completely up to you — you can be booking within your first few days if you want.
Become a Royal Caribbean Travel Agent Today
Does becoming a cruise travel agent sound exciting? It should! If you’re ready to discover the joy of helping others realize their vacation dreams, now is the perfect time to become an independent Royal Caribbean travel agent. We’ll help you through each step, and you’ll be ready to book clients sooner than you may realize. Get started with our program today!