If you’re considering a Viking River Cruise, you may be wondering whether there is an advantage to booking directly with Viking or working with an experienced travel advisor. While either approach can result in the same wonderful Viking journey, working with a knowledgeable advisor can provide an additional layer of guidance, service and advocacy before, during and after your trip.
At Brandt Travel, we have extensive experience helping travelers plan Viking River Cruises throughout Europe and beyond. Our advisors help clients evaluate itineraries, understand stateroom options, navigate available promotions and make informed decisions based on how they actually want to travel.
What Does a Viking Travel Advisor Actually Do?
An experienced Viking travel advisor does much more than simply make a reservation. A knowledgeable advisor can help you compare itineraries, understand stateroom categories, evaluate sailing dates and available promotions, and coordinate important details such as flights, pre- and post-cruise stays, travel insurance and transfers.
At Brandt Travel, we also remain a point of contact after the reservation is made. If questions or unexpected issues arise, our clients have an experienced travel professional who understands their trip and can help advocate on their behalf.
Is It More Expensive to Book Viking Through a Travel Advisor?
At Brandt Travel, working with a travel advisor does not mean paying a higher cruise fare simply because an advisor is involved. The cruise fare and available promotions are determined by Viking, while an experienced travel agency may also have access to additional amenities or agency-specific opportunities on qualifying sailings.
Brandt Travel regularly reviews available Viking promotions and eligible agency amenities to help clients understand the overall value of their booking. Because offers and eligibility can vary by itinerary, sailing date and promotion, we recommend comparing the complete vacation package rather than focusing only on the advertised cruise fare. Brandt Travel also has a variety of itineraries for all available years of travel that offer tremendous savings vs. that of Viking Cruises.
What Are the Benefits of Booking Viking Through Brandt Travel?
Travelers choose Brandt Travel for more than simply placing a reservation. Our goal is to help clients make confident decisions before they book and provide attentive support throughout the travel experience.
Viking Cruise Expertise
Our advisors have extensive experience with Viking and can help explain itineraries, ships, stateroom categories and the many decisions that come with planning a river cruise
Personalized Itinerary and Stateroom Guidance
The best itinerary or stateroom isn’t necessarily the same for every traveler. We help clients consider their interests, travel style, mobility, budget and preferences when evaluating their options.
Promotions and Available Amenities
Brandt Travel helps clients understand current Viking offers and any additional amenities that may be available through our agency on qualifying bookings.
A Travel Advocate When You Need One
Travel doesn’t always go exactly as planned. When questions, changes or unexpected situations arise, our clients have a travel advisor who knows their reservation and can help navigate the situation.
One Point of Contact
Instead of starting over each time you have a question, you have a Brandt Travel advisor who understands your trip and can assist with the details surrounding your vacation.
Can Brandt Travel Offer Viking Benefits You Don’t Get Booking Direct?
On qualifying Viking reservations, Brandt Travel may be able to provide additional agency amenities or exclusive opportunities beyond the offers available directly from Viking. These benefits vary by sailing, itinerary, stateroom category and promotion, so they are not available on every reservation.
Our advisors review both Viking’s current promotions and any Brandt Travel opportunities that may apply to your sailing. This allows us to help you evaluate the overall value of your vacation before you make your final decision.
Is Brandt Travel an Authorized Viking Travel Agency?
Brandt Travel has extensive experience planning Viking River and Ocean cruises and works directly with Viking on behalf of our clients. Our advisors regularly assist travelers with Viking itineraries, stateroom selections, promotions, extensions, air arrangements and other aspects of their Viking vacations.
This experience gives our team an in-depth understanding of the Viking travel experience while still allowing us to provide independent guidance based on each client’s individual needs.
Who Should Consider Using a Travel Advisor for a Viking River Cruise?
Working with an experienced travel advisor can be particularly valuable for first-time river cruisers, travelers comparing several Viking itineraries, guests planning pre- or post-cruise stays, groups traveling together, and anyone who prefers having a knowledgeable person available to help with questions before and after booking.
Even experienced Viking travelers may appreciate having an advisor review new itineraries, current promotions and available options while maintaining a single point of contact for their vacation.
How Do You Choose the Right Viking River Cruise?
The right Viking River Cruise depends on much more than the destination. Consider the time of year, length of the itinerary, ports visited, amount of scenic cruising, included excursions, opportunities for independent exploration and any pre- or post-cruise destinations you would like to add.
For example, travelers interested in castles and dramatic scenery may prioritize a Rhine itinerary, while travelers interested in the historic cities and cultural variety of Central Europe may prefer the Danube. An experienced advisor can help compare these differences based on what matters most to you.
Talk With a Brandt Travel Viking Cruise Advisor
f you’re considering a Viking River Cruise and aren’t sure which itinerary, sailing date or stateroom is right for you, the advisors at Brandt Travel can help. We’ll discuss how you like to travel, compare your options and help you understand the available Viking promotions and any qualifying Brandt Travel amenities.
Contact Brandt Travel to begin planning your Viking River Cruise.
Kendall Meade, Owner of Brandt Travel, has been helping travelers plan memorable vacations since 2014 and has owned Brandt Travel since 2019. Under Kendall’s leadership, Brandt Travel has earned Viking Platinum Circle status for multiple years, reflecting the agency’s extensive experience with Viking River and Ocean cruises. Kendall and the Brandt Travel team help clients evaluate itineraries, staterooms, promotions and the many details involved in planning a successful cruise vacation.
Brandt Travel serves travelers nationwide with personalized vacation planning and attentive support before, during and after travel.