In recent years, a small but growing number of travel agents decided to hone in on the river cruise segment and make it their unique specialty.
Understandably, it took some time. River cruising isn't exactly a vacation that travelers take more than once every two or three years, let alone once a year, so for some it might seem like a daunting business to commit to.
But precisely because there still aren't that many specialists, and because the segment continues to grow, attract media attention and gain interest, there seems to be plenty of room for more agents to help travelers (especially those who have never been on a river cruise) pick and book the right river cruise experience for them.
I know this because I continue to get a fair amount of inquiries from random travelers hoping that I might be able to help them decide which river cruise itinerary or line to choose. They're coming to me, but they should be going to you, the next river cruise aficionado.
In the past, there were four or five major river cruise lines all offering product that was, at times, difficult to distinguish. Now there are easily upwards of 12-15 lines, and the product has become (thankfully) quite unique from one line to the next.
There are different river cruises for different clients. There are uber-luxe offerings, and much more budget-friendly sailings. There are family-friendly cruises with more kid-friendly and active options, as well as active cruises for the young at heart who want stay fit on the road. Millennials are in the mix now, too. There are companies that cater more to the U.S. market and those that have a more international customer base. And it seems the trend is continuing in the direction of ever more differentiation, which only makes a specialist's role all the more useful.
And there are other benefits to specializing, too. River cruises tend to lean heavily on travel agent sales, and with a very inclusive product with a higher price tag because of all the inclusions, commissions can be quite rewarding.
All told, it's great to see some agents owning this niche, but it feels like more of them could probably be doing so.