Want to earn a $70,000 commission check this year? Sell your client on a charter for his wife’s milestone birthday, suggests a cruise line exec. Cruise industry leaders share 10 success tips to help travel sellers make more money on cruise sales in 2013.

If the cruise industry doesn’t have a banner year in 2013, it may have only itself to blame. Deep discounting poses a bigger risk than either the economy or global unrest, some suggest. Still, most indicators are positive. Here’s a look at the opportunities and challenges, through the eyes of cruise line and cruise agency execs.

With clients increasingly bombarded by suppliers’ messages, the need for agents to market and communicate effectively, and continuously, will be paramount in 2013, say agency group leaders. Here’s a roundup of 12 tips for travel seller success from top agency group execs.

While the economy could pose a challenge in 2013, pent-up consumer demand for travel is expected to give agents ample opportunity to boost the bottom line. Executives from leading travel agency groups share their insights on the key challenges and opportunities facing agents in 2013.

United Airline’s network outage on Tuesday resulted in hundreds of delayed flights and other problems. Travel agents were able to provide support for stranded clients. The outage turned out to be a computer glitch and not related to the SHARES passenger services system which had caused problems in the past.

Cruise lines made Caribbean itinerary changes and Florida agents were mindful of evacuation preparation in the advent of Tropical Storm Isaac. So far there are few worries for clients cruising out of Florida. Agents shared tips on how to advise clients about cruising during hurricane season.