We’ve put together an in-depth guide below on how to become a travel agent for this family-friendly river river cruise line. But if you’d prefer to get answers right away, just click vacationlab.io/join to chat live with our team and learn firsthand how to become a travel agent for A-ROSA Cruises, and gain access to all our other travel partners as well. Best of all, clicking the link is completely free - no dues or fees from us, ever!
Overview
A-ROSA Cruises does things a little differently when it comes to river cruises. Does it offer a luxurious experience? Sure, but we’re also talking about one of the few cruise lines out there that welcomes guests of all ages. Their river cruises often include a Kids Club, especially during school breaks, and they offer plenty of promotions where guests under 15 years old can travel for free.
That’s a big deal in an industry that mostly attracts guests aged 50 and up. Sure, most passengers traveling with A-ROSA are still in that age group, but you’ll definitely see more kids onboard compared to other river cruise lines like AmaWaterways and American Cruise Lines. That’s great news for families with children who want to explore the Seine or the Rhine, as they’ll often look to A-ROSA… and you can absolutely help them out!
A-ROSA, by the way, only sails in Europe for now. It cruises along some of the most popular rivers in the world, like the Seine, Douro and Danube. It’s also often more affordable than the competition - you can hop on a 4-day Rhine Mini Cruise for as little as 390 euros per guest. That makes it a great option for people who want to try a river cruise for the first time.
River cruises are becoming more and more popular, and you can certainly help guests plan their next trip with A-ROSA Cruises. VacationLab is here to guide you every step of the way. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about becoming an A-ROSA travel agent, from understanding the river cruise market to basic commission splits. We’ll cover:
- Benefits of Becoming an A-ROSA Cruises Travel Agent
- Skills Required to Become an A-ROSA Cruises Travel Agent
- Finding an A-ROSA Cruises Host Agency
- The Best Host Agency for A-ROSA Cruises
- Tips for Those Starting Out
- Training Courses for A-ROSA Cruises
- Getting Paid
- Free Stock Library
- A-ROSA Cruises Travel Agent FAQ
Let’s get started!
Benefits
A-ROSA is great for families
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: A-ROSA Cruises is probably the best river cruise line for families. They offer deals where kids can travel for free, along with tons of fun activities for the little ones, from culinary classes to crafting. At least one A-ROSA ship per destination will feature a Kids Club during cruises that take place over school breaks. They also offer family staterooms that are perfect for 2 to 5 guests. So if someone’s looking to shake things up and try a river cruise with the whole family, you should definitely tell them about A-ROSA Cruises.
A Great Entry point for River Cruises
A-ROSA is a great option for anyone looking to try a river cruise for the first time. They often offer very affordable itineraries starting at just 390 euros. That’s a big difference compared to some ultra-luxury river cruise lines, where a single trip can cost $2,000 or more. A-ROSA is also an excellent travel supplier for agents taking their first steps into the river cruise industry, since the brand focuses solely on European cruises, making it much easier for you to research and learn about their destinations.
River Cruises are going to be HUGE
River cruising is becoming more popular with each passing year. In fact, bookings for 2026 are already 30 to 40% higher compared to 2025. More cruise lines are entering the river cruise market, with the latest being Celebrity Cruises, which has just ordered 10 ships set to sail rivers starting in 2027, 2028, and 2029. The market is huge, and it will only get bigger in the next decade.
Skills
Communication Skills
You need great communication skills to be a successful travel agent, period. It’s important to fully understand what you’re selling and explain it in a way that’s easy for your clients to understand. That’s especially true for river cruises, which are still relatively niche, even though the market is growing fast. You’ll need to clearly explain the differences between ocean and river cruising, what’s included in the fare, what the onboard experience is like, and, in the case of A-ROSA, what activities are available for kids.
Stay Up to Date with Everything A-ROSA Cruises-Related
As a travel agent, it’s important to be well-informed about the suppliers you’re selling. You need to understand the main destinations of A-ROSA, what makes it good for families, the A-ROSA Sena cruise ship, what’s included in your fare and more.
You need to research things like:
- Prices
- What’s included in your cruise fare
- Why is A-ROSA good for families?
- Main Destinations
- Family Cabins
- Premium All-Inclusive fare vs Basic Fare
- …and more!
Finding a Host Agency
Hey, you’re already browsing one of the best host agencies around! We have a lot of information about A-ROSA Cruises on our sister website, Famvia, and plenty of travel agents across the globe that can help you with this cruise line.
VacationLab is becoming an expert when it comes to river cruising, with guides focused on AmaWaterways, A-ROSA, Viking, American Cruise Lines and several other names. 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 and good online reviews
- Offer an interview process and listen to you
- Share commissions with you fairly (typically starting at 70% for the travel agent)
- Are as fancy as A-ROSA Cruises!
Best Host Agency
VacationLab is the best host agency if you want to focus on A-ROSA, other cruise lines, theme parks, and even beach resorts. Here’s why!
- No experience as a travel agent? No problem, we’ve got your back!
- We have a fun interview process and listen to what you have to say!
- We offer SORS - our very own Travel Dashboard to help you manage bookings and travel rewards. Yes, SORS like in sorcery, it’s that good.
- We provide exclusive courses, like Mastering Travel Social Media, to support travel advisors of all backgrounds.
- Our commission split starts at 70% and can go all the way up to 80%.
- We have hundreds of guides and reviews on our sister site, Famvia, covering major cruise lines, theme parks, and beach resorts. This includes A-ROSA Cruises as well!
- When it comes to river cruising, we know our stuff. You’ll find in-depth content on A-ROSA, Viking, American Cruise Lines, AmaWaterways, and even the upcoming Celebrity Cruises river line.
- Got questions? We’re always here to listen, chat, and give you a hand whenever you need it.
Tips for those starting out
Become an A-ROSA Cruises expert
Rule number one when you're a travel agent: you need to master what you're trying to sell. After all, if someone comes to you asking about A-ROSA Cruises or river cruising in general, you need to answer their questions like you own the topic. You should know the basics, like the average price of a cruise, what’s included in the fare, why is it a good choice for families with children, the Premium All-Inclusive fare and more.
VacationLab's sister site, Famvia, offers free guides covering everything about A-ROSA, including pricing, stateroom options, dining, and destinations. Check it out, learn all about A-ROSA, and grow your knowledge with the online training courses!
Here is what we have:
- Planning a Cruise on A-ROSA Cruises
- A-ROSA Cruises Room & Dining Options
- A-ROSA Cruises Ships & Destinations
There’s a lot of information there, so use this guide to familiarize yourself with A-ROSA Cruises before trying the official A-ROSA training course.
Prepare for your Interview
When applying to a host agency, it’s important to research both the agency itself and the travel supplier. In this case, you should look into A-ROSA before your interview so you at least know the basics. Why is A-ROSA a better option for families with children compared to a cruise line like AmaWaterways? What’s the overall vibe onboard? Do they have specialty restaurants? What are some of their most modern ships? Spoiler: A-ROSA Sena is a great pick, since it features even more family-friendly amenities and includes a specialty restaurant.
Stay calm, ask thoughtful questions to show your interest and knowledge, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming an expert at selling A-ROSA.
Getting Paid
Commission Payout
Commissions are typically paid 30 days after your client’s final payment.
A-ROSA 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).
A-ROSA Cruises typically pays a base 15% commission on the cruise fare. Be sure to keep an eye on your status in the Travel Agent Portal for updates, special promotions, or commission incentives.
Let’s run a simulation using a 7-night Rhine cruise onboard A-ROSA Sena for two guests.
- Total cruise fare: €2,000
- Less NCFs (non-commissionable fees): -€300
- Commission (15%): 15% of €1,700 = €255
- Your share at 70% split with VacationLab: €178
That’s pretty good, especially considering you can book dozens (or hundreds) of cruises like this one and really build a steady client base!
A-ROSA Cruises Travel Agent Salary
Your salary will depend on several factors, including the number of bookings you make, the size of your client base, and the cost of each trip. On average, we expect the annual earnings for an A-ROSA Cruises travel agent to range from $40,000 to $70,000.
Training
A-ROSA Cruises Training Course
A‑ROSA offers a dedicated travel‑agent portal called the A‑ROSA Extranet, where you can register your agency or yourself as a travel agent. There, you’ll find the training modules you need to study and become an A‑ROSA Cruises expert. The Extranet also gives you access to booking tools, marketing materials, personalized support, and more.
A-ROSA Cruises Travel Agent Perks
Complete the training modules and you’ll unlock some awesome perks as an A‑ROSA Travel Agent. You’ll get access to agent‑only deals and rates, special “Kids Sail Free” promotions, and loyalty bonuses once you start booking trips, like higher commission splits and extra rewards.
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.
Free Stock Library
VacationLab gives you access to thousands of images and videos from major cruise lines to theme parks and beach 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.
A-ROSA Cruises Travel Agent FAQ
How do I become an A-ROSA Cruises travel agent?
It's easy! Start by joining VacationLab, completing the training courses over at A-ROSA Extranet, and you’ll be ready to book amazing vacations!
Is A-ROSA Cruises good for travel agents?
Yes! River cruises are getting bigger and bigger, and that alone is already great news. When you work with A-ROSA Cruises, you also get access to special promotions and agent-only rates, which definitely help you (and your guests) save money.
Can I sell other cruise lines even if I’m an A-ROSA Cruises travel agent?
Yes! A-ROSA is great and offers you some pretty good commissions, but you can also work with other travel suppliers like Explora Journeys, Disney and Sandals Resorts.
How much commission do A-ROSA travel agents get?
Travel agents working with A-ROSA Cruises typically start by earning 10-15% commission.
How much do A-ROSA Cruises travel agents make per year?
It’s difficult to determine an exact salary, as many factors come into play. However, A-ROSA Cruises travel agents typically earn between $40,000 to $70,000 per year.
What is the best part about being an A-ROSA Cruises travel agent?
River cruising is taking off, and it’s only going to get bigger in the coming years. A-ROSA is a staple in the industry and one of the few river cruise lines that offer a Kids Club, family cabins, and special deals for families traveling with children. They focus on a very specific demographic, and there’s definitely a client base out there waiting for you.
What is the worst part about being an A-ROSA Cruises travel agent?
A-ROSA isn’t as premium as Viking Cruises or AmaWaterways, which means the commission you earn per booking is generally lower. A-ROSA also only sails in Europe for now, which can make it a bit harder for North American travel agents to reach new clients.
