Should you use a travel agent to book acruise?

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tech_fanatic

Yes, definitely. I cruise all the time and have used a travel agent for every single booking. Several reasons why. The main reason is that she is able to tell me everything I need to know. She keeps me up to date on what I will need to board, passports, etc. She knows all the secrets and tips. She has lots of good ideas, etc. Some people say you can find this information by looking online, but I disagree. She knows a lot more than any source I have found online. Cruising can be really picky and if you don't have the right stuff, you can't get on the cruise and you have to go home. She makes sure I get the nicest ships, helps me pick rooms, get insurance, and tell me all the information I need to know about everything that is dealing with the cruise.

Second, you can go with an online discounter to maybe get a lower rate. But you really need to know a lot about cruising to make sure that you know what you are doing is correct and that you have all the right documents, etc. Plus, I have heard of many people, not just one or two, that have had problems with the booking. Some found out just before they were supposed to leave that they didn't have a booking, others had problems that weren't able to be corrected because they booked with the online discounter, etc. It can be a real headache and sometimes the cruise lines have difficulty working with your reservation if you book with the discounter.

Finally, my agent almost always gets me a much lower rate than I can get either thru the line or with a discounter. She is able to offer a group rate because her agency buys a group of rooms when the rates come out. So they are able to offer the lowest rates until their rooms sell out.

Plus, my agent doesn't charge anything for what she does. If they don't have a group rate, the price is exactly the same as going directly thru the airline. But sometimes Orbitz and stuff will add on a fee.

Finally it is the service that you get. If you get a good agent that specializes in cruises, it will be great. They can take care of everything for you and you don't have to worry about it. You still get to have fun by planning the vacation, but you don't have to have all the worry that is invovled.

Hope this helps

Luke

sometimes - sometimes not. Shop around

augustgrl80

i would get price quotes from the travel agents and then shop around on the internet first before deciding on going through them, some travel agents dont include airfare with the cruises, good luck finding a great price on a cruise!!!!

Mrsjvb

While many cruise lines no longer allowe TA or online brokers to sell cabins at a rate below what the cruise line itself will sell them at, a Travel Agent can still get you great deals on upgrades, on board credits and other little perks. They also have access to information that the rest of the public does not, like how a particular ship is doing food wise, service wise and mechanically. They know which cruislines cater to which demographic, they know which cabins have the best layouts and when Hurricane season is in the Carribbean.

vc.

My friend uses a travel agent for all her needs. she says she gets cheaper deals that way

TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

If you have never done a cruise before use a travel agent. The agent can help you select the cruise that is right for you and whomever is going with you. The agent can advise you on the cruise lines and prices and tell you who is running specials.

But, you should also go to the cruise line web sites and look for yourself before you book. Or, ask the agent for brochures to take with you and look at; the agents have them and they are free.

If you have been on a cruise before, you can book everything you need online without an agent. Its very simple, from picking a date, a ship, an itinerary and a cabin, all of the prices are online. All of the deck plans that show where cabins are located and their sq feet are online. All of the tours and their discriptions are online. All of these generally have photographs and some have virtual tours so you get a 360 view.

The prices online are the same prices the agent will give you. If the cruise line is offering a discount for a particular cruise, its also available online. However, must must book early, like 6 months or more ahead of the cruise to get the best deal; except some lines run last minute specials to fill unsold cabins. This means they offer a special for like 3 or 4 weeks before the cruise.

I have used agents, but my last 2 cruises I booked everything online and made the payments online.

jen

Yes. The less in advance you make the res the cheaper. If you want friend to go with you it is cheaper for the 3rd and 4th person. Look on the inter net or your phone book for agents. You will have a blast!!!

earnaud2

no they charge alot of commission lets say for example its $1000.00 they will charge you $1500.00 and tell you its port fees and taxes try to find your own on line.

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