Looking for tips from those whose cruise frequently-is it cheaper to book online or through a travel agent?

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Crabby

It is cheaper to book directly from the cruise line that you plan to sail with and generally the price drops as the availability of staterooms drops. In other words, fewer choices available, better prices.
A deposit is taken when you book, and final payment is due about three weeks prior to departure. If you change your mind about the chosen trip, you can usually switch your down payment money to a different itinerary with the same cruise line.

Mary L

I always have my travel agent handle all the bookings for me, and she does an excellent job! In addition to the cruises themselves, she arranges air transportation, any hotels before and after the cruises, and the all-important travel insurance. There are several kinds of travel insurance available, and when we had to cancel a cruise last fall due to unexpected surgery, she helped us with the claim forms and with contacts with the insurer. She is a treasure!

wellmaintained

if you want a good website to get lots of information, try www.vacationstogo.com and it has a phone number to call for a personal touch. they have best prices and the cheapest last minute cruises ive seen. i use it frequently

luludoodie

Vacationstogo.com are usually the cheapest.

We've recently come back from a 9 day cruise booked just 3 weeks before departure. 72% discount! We got a junior suite and balcony for $800 each.

Peak booking times (school holidays) are more dicey to leave until the last minute, but out of peak you can still get cabins of all grades.

Don't economise by going inside with no window!

1Cheapcruise

1 Unless you are booking on a cruise lines web site you are using a travel agent. Orbitz et al are travel agents.

#2 - You will ALWAYS save money buy purchasing a cruise via a travel agent. We add in extra value to win over your cruise vacation business.

hotttravel

You should get the same price no matter where you book it. You use a travel agent for customer service and help with suggestions. If they have cruised before then they would be able to help you a lot.
The cruse lines stopped all of the rebating a few years ago when you would get different prices depending on who you called. The only way you will get a different price with a travel agent is if they have group space that they have held and then that will be different than regular prices.
The other comment was not right as for payments. When you book depending on the length of your cruise depends on the deposit. ex 5 day cruise is $200 pp depoist, 7 day cruise is $250 pp deposit etc. Some of the cruise lines do have reduced deposits right now. The final payment for cruises that are less than 6 days are due 60 days prior to the cruise. Any cruise that is 6 days or more are due 75 days prior to sailing.
I am a travel agent and I always watch the prices. If I have a client that has booked and the price goes down I change their reservations. I had a lot more here. If you still need help you can email me. I guess this will not allow me to give a long answer.

Time travler

You get pretty close to the same price booking on line as you would with a live travel agent and that includes vacations to go. I have done all three kinds and just recently booked a family cruise with a regular travel agent. There price was exactly the same as vacations to go price. Then I got $20 more off for each of us because we have cruised with Princess before. Vacations to go did not do this. Also, with a live travel agent, you often get something extra like a bottle of wine or flowers in your cabin. With vacations to go, all we got were some coupons for the stores on the ship if you spent like $500 or more so those were useless. If you book directly with the cruise company, you often get cruise credits for your loyalty hoping you will come back to them.

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