Even though she was established in her legal career, Melissa Cohn, the deputy county attorney for Nassau in Long Island, N.Y., embraced the chance to affiliate with Cruises Inc. in 2013. A new administration had just come to Nassau County, and Cohn decided to try something different after eight years.

How it All Began

Cohn had always loved not just traveling, which included numerous cruises with her husband Brian, but also helping family and friends do the same. Cohn looked into Cruises Inc.

“Something just clicked,” she recalled. “I felt very supported immediately, like it was a family atmosphere.”

She started as a professional travel advisor early in 2014, working from home (as she still does now that she has a young son, Asher). She first handled trips for family and friends, but when she got involved with Facebook groups in her town and those nearby, Melissa Cohn Cruises Inc. took off.

Agent of the Year

Cohn soon became a top producer for Cruises Inc. and was named its Agent of the Year for 2018.

A key to continued success is generating repeat business. Cohn has an in-house loyalty program as well as promotions to “book onboard” or “book when you get back.” And it’s important to follow up with clients after trips to see where they want to go next. “Returning customers are always full of ideas,” she noted.

Cohn’s business is currently half land and half cruise. She designs custom programs to Europe, resort vacations in the Caribbean and Mexico, honeymoons and anniversaries and “travel for no reason at all.” If clients want to go somewhere she hasn’t been, she will rely on word of mouth to decide if a property or destination is appropriate.

A Personal Touch

Even with a business as large as hers, Cohn noted that she does not have additional staff. “People like the fact that they only deal with me,” she said. She also credits Brian, a CPA, and Cruises Inc. for offering extensive back-office support.

Cohn maintains her position as an attorney in the New York and New Jersey bars. She found her legal background useful in travel, especially with contracts. “If I don’t like it, I will take a clause out,” she said. “People feel comfortable with me because of my legal background.”

She aims to maintain personal relationships with clients and regularly donates gift certificates to local charities.

“Being an agent is a great job. You’re part therapist, part planner,” she said. “You do have to have a lot of patience because clients change their minds.” Nevertheless, she concluded, “You get to make people happy for a living. I feel so lucky to be able to do this.”