Who We Are
First Bell Holiday is an independent travel agency headquartered in Union, New Jersey, specializing in cruise vacation planning. We are not a cruise line — we are a CLIA-accredited (CLIA #14017953) third-party booking partner that works alongside more than ten cruise lines to help travelers select the right ship, itinerary, and cabin for their goals.
Our team was founded by veteran travel planners who grew tired of watching travelers wade through endless cruise websites, confusing cabin diagrams, and shifting prices. We built First Bell Holiday to be the calm, expert voice in the planning process — one that understands sailing seasons, cabin categories, dining differences, and how the small details on a ship translate into a great vacation on the water.
Our Mission
To make cruise vacation planning simple, transparent, and rewarding for every traveler. We invest the time to understand your travel style — first-time cruiser, family-of-six adventurer, anniversary couple, or seasoned voyager — and recommend sailings that genuinely fit.
Our Vision
To be the most trusted independent cruise booking agency in the United States by pairing expert human guidance with honest, fee-transparent service. We believe great voyages begin long before embarkation — they begin with a confident decision at home.
What Makes Us Different
Unlike automated booking engines, every quote at First Bell Holiday is reviewed by a real cruise specialist before it reaches you. We compare itineraries across multiple cruise lines side-by-side — not just by price, but by the variables that quietly shape a cruise experience: ship age and size, age of the passenger mix, dining flexibility, embarkation port logistics, shore excursion strength, and onboard atmosphere.
Because we are an independent agency rather than a cruise-owned channel, we are free to recommend whichever sailing genuinely serves your trip best. We are paid a commission by our partner cruise lines on confirmed bookings, plus a modest service fee where applicable — and we believe in stating that openly.
Our Core Values
Honest Counsel
No upselling, no scripted pitches. Just guidance that fits your goals.
Worldwide Reach
From the Caribbean to the fjords of Norway — we plan it all.
Traveler Protection
We help review trip protection options and travel insurance considerations.
Time Back
We do the comparison work so your evenings stay yours.
Our Cruise Specialists
Our cruise advisors collectively bring more than four decades of travel-industry experience. Every team member is trained to read deck plans, compare cabin categories across brands, evaluate port logistics, and explain pricing components — base fare, taxes, port fees, gratuities, optional packages, and any agency service fee — so you understand the full picture before you confirm.
We're a small but focused team because that's how we keep service personal. When you call (866) 886-3901, you'll reach a real advisor — not an offshore call center.
How We Work
1. Listen first.
Every consultation begins with a short discovery conversation. We want to know who's sailing, the celebration behind the trip (if any), preferred regions, and any non-negotiables.
2. Compare across cruise lines.
Rather than steering you to one brand, we surface relevant sailings across our partner cruise lines and explain trade-offs in plain English.
3. Build the booking.
Once you choose a sailing, we secure the cabin, request applicable promotions, and walk you through deposits, payment schedules, and what to expect at embarkation.
4. Support through sail.
We remain your point of contact from booking through return — including pre-cruise document review, dining and excursion reservations, and post-cruise feedback.