Travel agent: online or "real live" person?

[wheredowegonext]

We recently returned from our first cruise (NCL) and are eager to go again. I booked our last-minute trip thru an online TA service. Do you experienced cruisers use a real live TA, do you use an Internet TA service, or go thru the cruise line? I normally plan all our air & land-based trips myself using the Internet and by calling hotels/inns directly, but I get the impression it's different for cruising. Any tips or hints will be greatly appreciated!:)

[paul929207]

I find the best price I can at the online TA's. Then I call my local TA and she has always matched it. Often with a better cabin.

[cb at sea]

I usually book directly thru the cruiseline, but on the occassions where I do use a Ta, it's one in my town...brick and mortar, where I go and sit right in front of them....no "online" TA's for me!

[Travelcat2]

First and foremost -- do not book directly with the cruiseline. If there is a problem, they will not go to bat for you!

 

Second, any TA that specializes in cruises is a good place to start. It can be online -- or not. If your TA does not specialize in cruises, they will not be able to answer your questions (such as: what happens if I book and the prices go down. . . . . if I have to cancel, what happens?). You may want to Google "cruise specialists". Then, look for (or ask for) recommendations.

[kitty9]

If you can find a local TA that belongs to one of the large travel consortiums, like Ensemble or Virtuoso, they will pay your gratuities, include a shore excursion, have an on board party with free booze and maybe other perks. You don't get that booking online or directly through the cruise line.

[jenneymac]

Normally I book via real guy not online but i have also use online TA for couple of time. Both things works good for me.

[uppitycats]

When I don't book my own vacations, I use a real-live TA. I don't spend that kind of money with an on-line faceless "person".

[blindrid]

I shop everything pretty hard and book online TA.