How to Become a Royal Caribbean Travel Agent

We've created a detailed guide below on how to become a travel agent for the biggest cruise line in the world. But if you prefer quick answers, simply click vacationlab.io/join to chat live with our team and learn firsthand how to become a travel agent for Royal Caribbean, and gain access to all our other travel partners. Best of all, joining is completely free, no dues or fees from us, ever!

Ever thought about being a travel agent for the biggest (and often considered the best) cruise line in the world? Well, friend, you are in the right place. Royal Caribbean is huge and offers a bit of everything for guests of all tastes. Want to cruise onboard the biggest cruise ship in the world? They have that. Want to watch a three-hour play based on The Wizard of Oz while you travel around the Caribbean? They have that too - along with ice skating rinks, numerous pools, big water parks, and so much more.

You can definitely help guests plan their next trip with Royal Caribbean. In fact, Royal is an easy cruise line to recommend if someone asks you for a cruise vacation. Royal offers itineraries to fit all budgets and they have ships of all kinds. They’re like a great jack-of-all-trades. You'll need to understand things like Royal Caribbean's ships, stateroom options, pricing, drink packages, and entertainment venues… but, hey, VacationLab and Famvia are here to lend you a hand!

This guide will teach you everything you need to know about becoming a Royal Caribbean travel agent. We’ll cover:

• Benefits of Becoming a Royal Caribbean Travel Agent
• Skills Required to Become a Royal Caribbean Travel Agent
• Finding a Royal Caribbean Host Agency
• The Best Host Agency for Royal Caribbean
• Tips for Those Starting Out
• Training Courses for Royal Caribbean
• Getting Paid
• Free Stock Library
• Royal Caribbean Travel Agent FAQ

Now let’s get started!

Lots of Bookings!

Royal Caribbean is the biggest cruise line in the world, with 29 ships in its fleet and more set to launch in 2025 and beyond. It operates across the globe, with a strong presence in North America, Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, and Australia.

When people think about cruising, many think of Royal Caribbean - that’s just how big it is. And you know what that means, right? Lots of travelers turn to Royal Caribbean when planning their next trip, and that’s where you come in.

Royal Caribbean Is Always in the Spotlight

Royal Caribbean is massive… and incredibly popular. In fact, it might be more popular now than ever, thanks to the launch of ships like Icon of the Seas, the biggest cruise ship in the world.

Icon of the Seas made headlines in 2024, appearing in numerous articles and earning the title of "Best Cruise Ship in the World" from many magazines. A lot of people want to experience it, even those who have never cruised before!

The good news? Its sister ship, Star of the Seas, is set to launch in 2025, and it’s expected to be just as popular.

Connect with Travelers from All Backgrounds!

It’s hard to define a single type of guest who sails with Royal Caribbean. As a travel agent, you’ll interact with a wide range of travelers - families looking for fun on Icon of the Seas, couples in their 50s seeking a more relaxing experience on Wonder of the Seas, and many more.

You’ll meet and assist people from all over the world, each with different needs and expectations. The best part? This experience will help you sharpen your communication skills, something that will be valuable when working with other cruise lines like Carnival or Princess Cruises.

Communication Skills

Strong communication skills are essential for any travel agent, period. You need to convey information in a clear, easy-to-understand way, always be polite, and having a charismatic approach helps too.

When working with Royal Caribbean, you’ll interact with a wide variety of guests. One moment, you might be helping young adults fresh out of college looking for a ship to party on; the next, you could be assisting couples in their 40s planning a weeklong vacation with their kids and parents aboard Wonder of the Seas.

The key? Adaptability. Being able to adjust your communication style based on your audience is crucial. So, start honing those skills now!

Stay Up to Date with Everything Royal Caribbean-Related

Royal Caribbean is big, and it can be hard to keep track of everything it has to offer. No worries, no one is expecting you to know every single minor detail about all the 29 cruise ships, but you need to know the most important things. We are talking about dress code, prices, stateroom options, major entertainment venues, what is Perfect Day at CocoCay and the most important stage shows.

What makes Icon of the Seas so special? What about gratuities, Wi-Fi options and drink packages? You need to understand what you are selling, so researching Royal Caribbean is crucial. 

You need to research things like:

• The main Royal Caribbean Cruise ships
• Icon of the Seas
• The best restaurants onboard Royal Caribbean
• The Kids Club
• Dress Code
• Perfect Day at CocoCay
• The Crown & Anchor Society Loyalty Program

Hey, you’re already browsing one of the best host agencies around! Our sister website, Famvia, is packed with information about Royal Caribbean, along with insights from travel agents around the world who can help you navigate this exciting cruise line. We’ve covered everything, from Royal Caribbean’s restaurants and stateroom options to reviews of Icon of the Seas and previews of Star of the Seas.

We’d love to have you here, of course, but here are some tips for choosing a host agency. Look for host agencies that:

• Have a good track record
• Offer an interview process
• Share commissions with you fairly (typically starting at 70% for the travel agent)

VacationLab is the best host agency if you want to focus on Royal Caribbean, other cruise lines, theme parks, and even beach resorts. Here’s why!

• A Fun & Simple Interview Process – Getting started with us is easy and, above all, fun!
• Exclusive Travel Dashboard – Our custom-built system helps you manage bookings and travel rewards effortlessly.
• Specialized Training – Access exclusive courses like Mastering Travel Social Media to grow your skills, no matter your background.
• Competitive Commission – Enjoy a starting commission split of 70%.
• Expert Resources – Our sister site, Famvia, features hundreds of guides and reviews on top cruise lines, theme parks, and beach resorts, including in-depth Royal Caribbean guides covering dining, staterooms, itineraries, activities, and more.
• Ongoing Support – We’re always here to listen, chat, and help whenever you need it!

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Become a Royal Caribbean Expert

The first step to becoming an excellent Royal Caribbean travel agent is to study the cruise line you’re focusing on. Remember, you’ll be helping clients who may have little to no experience with Royal Caribbean, and they’ll likely have lots of questions. You should be familiar with key details like average cruise costs, dining and stateroom options, main destinations, and more.

Don’t worry if you're just starting out with Royal Caribbean. We all begin somewhere, and that’s exactly why we’re here to support you!

VacationLab's sister site, Famvia, offers free, easy-to-understand guides on Royal Caribbean. These resources break down everything in a fun, engaging way. You can learn a lot there, with guides and articles covering:

• Planning a Cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
• Room Options Onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
• Dining Options Onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
• Activities Onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
• Itineraries and Destinations for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
• Icon of the Seas Review
• Perfect Day at CocoCay Review

There’s a lot of information there, with dozens of pages talking about Royal Caribbean!

Prepare for your Interview

To prepare for your interview with your host agency, it’s important to research both the agency and Royal Caribbean. You’ll want to demonstrate that you have a solid understanding of the cruise line, and that you’re eager to learn more as you go. 

Take time to study the main Royal Caribbean ships, destinations, entertainment options, and their private island at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Show genuine interest during the interview by asking questions, staying calm, and showing your enthusiasm. With that approach, you'll be ready to book Royal Caribbean vacations in no time!

Commission Payout

For Royal Caribbean, commission payments are made after the final payment and before clients travel.

Royal Caribbean Travel Agent Rates

While specific commission percentages are protected by NDA (“Non Disclosure Agreement”) between all travel partners/travel suppliers and the host agency, you can assume that commission percentages range from 10% up to 20% (depending on the type of booking).

Before calculating commissions, you need to understand NCFs - portions of the cruise fare that don't earn commission. These include port charges and taxes, government fees, fuel supercharges and certain promotional items.

Now let’s take as an example a standard 7-Night Royal Caribbean cruise to calculate your commission.

• Total cruise fare: $3,000
• NCFs: -$600
• Commissionable portion: $2,400
• Base commission (16%): $384
• Your share at 80% split: $307

Now, let’s calculate the cost for a family of four (2 adults, 2 children) traveling on Icon of the Seas in a balcony stateroom for a 7-night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise.

• Total cruise fare: $9,537
• NCFs: -$900
• Commissionable portion: $8,637
• Base commission (16%): $1,381
• Your share at 80% split: $1,104

What’s even better is that for every $100,000 in cruise bookings, expect $8,000+ in net commissions with VacationLab's competitive splits.

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Royal Caribbean Travel Agent Salary

It’s difficult to pinpoint how much a travel agent makes, and even harder when discussing Royal Caribbean, as it is a popular cruise line with a massive number of bookings each year. According to the website Salary.com, the average salary of a Royal Caribbean travel agent is $65,724 in 2025, with annual salaries ranging from $57,054 to $73,844.

Royal Caribbean Training Course

Great news, Royal Caribbean has a dedicated website that provides everything you need to know about becoming a Royal Caribbean travel agent! As they mention, the process is pretty straightforward. Here’s how you can get started:

• Log in to CruisingPower.com
• Select Training & Benefits
• Choose Training & Certification
• Click on Royal Caribbean Int’l

Royal Caribbean University

Once you're logged in, you'll find Royal Caribbean University, which is the travel agent training program. There, you can access valuable information about Royal Caribbean, complete courses, and earn certificates that will enhance your career. Plus, you’ll have the chance to earn exciting rewards, such as CLIA credits, social media banners, downloadable accolades, onboard credit, complimentary VOOM, and participate in monthly giveaways.

Completing the core curriculum courses earns advisors a “Bachelor of Adventure” certificate, while completing both the core and advanced curriculum earns advisors a “Master of Adventure” certificate and unlocks new rewards for travel agents.

CLIA Training

You might also want to look into CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) and complete specific courses there. CLIA certification brings numerous benefits, as you can see here.

VacationLab gives you access to thousands of images and videos from major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line, theme parks like Disney World and Universal, and beach resorts like… Beaches Resorts. By joining us, you'll also gain access to our exclusive database, making it easy to showcase images and videos to your clients based on what they’re looking for.

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