Travel agents report brisk cruise sales and strong pricing, despite a feared post-Concordia downturn. Another positive indicator: Wave Season promotions are far less aggressive than during the recession. However both Carnival and RCCL noted double-digit drops in bookings.

In the wake of the Concordia tragedy, some media outlets are shining an unfavorable light on cruising in general. Cruise bookings are holding up, agents say, but non-cruisers and even novice frontline agents may be affected. Here’s agent advice on what to say to counter the fears.

With its value-laden pricing and innovative product, the cruise industry offers travel agents plentiful opportunities for growth. How to reap the benefit? Engage with clients throughout the entire planning process, embrace today’s tech tools and seek out new customers continually.

The 2012 outlook for cruise is not all rosy. Uncertainty – economic and political – clouds the future, especially in this election year and especially given Europe’s unresolved debt crisis. Are consumers prepared to spend in times like these? These are among the worries of cruise executives.

The cruise industry has plenty working in its favor in 2012. Not least are the hard-to-beat value that cruise delivers, together with an expanding market of first-time cruisers and retiring boomers. That’s good news for travel sellers too, cruise line execs told Travel Market Report.