How do you book your cruise?

[jndsilver31]

DW and I book online. We like full control of our vacations.

 

When I go online I have a list of 10 cabin locations that we would like. I go through the cabin selection till I get one of the 10. Believe or not, We have always gotten our 1st choice.

 

Also have seen a price drop on 2 our cruises, called RCI and gotten the new price.

 

So easy, at least for us. no complaints at all about booking online. Again I would rather have control of my vacation money then getting any perks. Remember any perks you get from a TA comes out of their pocket. Also the prices are the same. if you get a different price from a TA it is because they have block of rooms reserved.

[Husney]

We used a travel agent for the first time in years this year; I would rather have booked with the cruise line as every time I want to do something to the reservation I have to go through them. I also don't find my AAA TA particularly attentive, she is not good at returning calls or emails in a timely fashion.

[Cinders411]

I have never used a TA. I have always booked direct on the RC & Carnival websites.

[vacationers]

I have never booked with a TA, I book directly with RCCL If prices drop they take care of it and anything I need or questions I have I do not have to wait for the TA's response.

 

They are very helpful at RCCL

[LuCruise]

Did research online and I put a cabin on hold. Then the next day (but before the 24 hour mark), I called RCL directly and booked it. I didn't want to go through a third party and RCL was very helpful, patient and friendly. They also helped get past cruises linked to crown and anchor, including one I took back in 1997.

[fenton04]

We used a travel agent for the first time in years this year; I would rather have booked with the cruise line as every time I want to do something to the reservation I have to go through them. I also don't find my AAA TA particularly attentive, she is not good at returning calls or emails in a timely fashion.

 

 

Kind of why I finally fired my TA! Now I book online with royal Caribbean and never had a problem.

[dacsmom]

So, if I book directly with RCI are you saying that if the price drops, then they will honor the better price?

 

Most of the time, but not always. Some will be for new bookings only.

[LilBlackDress]

First decide cruise and date we want. Then I go to a web site that let's different agency's compete for your booking. Usually get about 7-10 quotes. Then I call the agency that has best price and

perks. Always get excellent OBC and good pricing. Our upcoming cruise we saved $1000 ( the agency had a group booking rate ) and got $500 OBC. Our traveling booked with their trusted agency, paid &1000 more and only got $300 OBC. To answer another question I go online and book excursions, specialty restaurants, and anything else I need. Have been doing this for years. The Cruise companys just can't match this.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

I typically use the same website. They also compete for your land/air travels as well. I have only had 1 issue and it was cleared up within 2 hours.

 

We tried to book with 'Next Cruises' on our last cruise and they were unable to help us. It was a huge mess and after all the grief we went through, well over 2 hours of time over 2 days, we still do not know how booking with them would benefit us (or not)

 

Happy St Patricks Day