Travel Agent and other first-timer questions

[pugmadkate]

Hello! I am thrilled to have found this community! As a very first-time cruiser, I have so many questions!

 

1. What are the benefits of using a travel agent? I've always handled all of my own travel planning yet I see many people use travel agents for cruising.

 

2. Our very first cruise is going to be eight of us doing an Alaska cruise in summer 2018. When should I aim to make reservations?

 

3. It's looking like Princess or Celebrity would fit our budget/desires. Any ideas on how to make a final decision?

 

Thank you!

 

Kate

[First and Ten]

Hello! I am thrilled to have found this community! As a very first-time cruiser, I have so many questions!

 

1. What are the benefits of using a travel agent? I've always handled all of my own travel planning yet I see many people use travel agents for cruising.

 

2. Our very first cruise is going to be eight of us doing an Alaska cruise in summer 2018. When should I aim to make reservations?

 

3. It's looking like Princess or Celebrity would fit our budget/desires. Any ideas on how to make a final decision?

 

Thank you!

 

Kate

 

Welcome to the world of cruising Kate, I personally think its the best bang for your buck as far as vacations go....I cant answer #2 or #3 as I have never been to Alaska nor cruised on Princess or Celebrity....as far as #1, I tend to use a travel agent. on this last cruise I booked (coming up in a month) I was online looking at the same room my agent booked for me. I don't know how she did it but the price was $100 cheaper than it was online....If there are problems (not that I ever had one), I feel like I have a safety net as opposed to fighting the battle by myself....I recommend as you are chatting with an agent, go online to the cruise you are looking at and compare the price the agent gives you to the price you are getting online....good luck and enjoy!!!!

Edited April 15, 2016 by First and Ten

[Clarea]

Hello! I am thrilled to have found this community! As a very first-time cruiser, I have so many questions!

 

1. What are the benefits of using a travel agent? I've always handled all of my own travel planning yet I see many people use travel agents for cruising.

 

2. Our very first cruise is going to be eight of us doing an Alaska cruise in summer 2018. When should I aim to make reservations?

 

3. It's looking like Princess or Celebrity would fit our budget/desires. Any ideas on how to make a final decision?

 

Thank you!

 

Kate

I would make reservations as soon as possible to get the best choice of staterooms.

 

I would also spend some time on the Alaska port of call forum here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

 

You may find some info there to help make your decision with regard to cruise line.

[beachbum53]

Hello! I am thrilled to have found this community! As a very first-time cruiser, I have so many questions!

 

1. What are the benefits of using a travel agent? I've always handled all of my own travel planning yet I see many people use travel agents for cruising.

 

2. Our very first cruise is going to be eight of us doing an Alaska cruise in summer 2018. When should I aim to make reservations?

 

3. It's looking like Princess or Celebrity would fit our budget/desires. Any ideas on how to make a final decision?

 

Thank you!

 

Kate

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic, and to cruising! Warning: Cruising can be addictive! :) As a first time cruiser, you might at least go and talk to a cruise specialist in your area. The agent can answer all of your questions, and help you choose the cruise line that best fits your preferences.

[pugmadkate]

Thank you all for such quick and helpful replies.

 

I can already see how cruising can become addictive...and I've not been on a cruise ship yet! :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You will love Alaska -- so much beautiful scenery.

As there are 8 of you, book soon -- especially if you want your cabins near each other.

I would consider Princess -- Princess along with Holland America have been in the Alaskan business the longest. Both of those cruise lines have the most permits for Glacier Bay. Celebrity doesn't.

You will want to choose a ship that goes to either Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier.

JMO -- but we prefer to do Alaskan cruises from the end of June to the first part of August. Better weather and lots more sightings of wild life.

Do consider a whale watching excursion. You do not have to book it through the cruise line. There are lots of vendors in the ports that you can book through.

 

We use a TA -- like the perks we get from her. I book our own hotels and air planes.

Edited April 15, 2016 by Krazy Kruizers

[paul929207]

We cruise with Princess and they are one of the few lines that allow a TA to discount their prices. So we save about 10 to 15% of the current Princess fare when we book. Not all TAs will discount, so you may need to shop around to find a good one.

[NW SOUTHERNBELLE]

Hi Kate, you will find so much helpful information here.

 

I have never used a TA before as I have always found the Personal Cruise Consultants (through the cruise line contact info) to be extremely helpful in offering assistance with any questions or reservations we have made. They have even called or emailed us if they are price reductions. Many people do, however, love to use travel agents and seem to be very happy.

 

We usually make reservations at least 1 year in advance.

 

I would recommend Princess or Holland America from past experiences.

 

Good luck with your planning!

Edited April 15, 2016 by NW SOUTHERNBELLE

[pugmadkate]

Wow, I've already learned so much from this thread!

 

I was disappointed to read that Holland America allows smoking on room balconies. My in-laws abhor smoke, so that's a nonstarter. It's looking more and more like Princess is our line. Our dream trip to Alaska would be with National Geographic but, oh, the prices! So, we're going to go with a big ship instead and enjoy that.

 

We are absolutely going to go whale watching. We tried to go whale watching in Costa Rica but the whales were being shy that day (still a wonderful trip!) I like that Princess has the whale sighting guarantees.

 

Again, thank you! Any tips or advice are much appreciated!

[OCruisers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

Having a good travel agent who gets to know you and your needs is so extremely helpful.

Princess can go to Glacier Bay while Celebrity can not. Both Princess and HAL are known for providing wonderful Alaskan cruises.

Enjoy! :)

[serene56]

I thought all cruise lines now banned smoking in cabin or balconies now

 

A good agent can get you a good cabin= Alaska a balcony will be the MUST to have. A good agent can direct you to where to stay and what to avoid.

 

away from public areas-- cabins above and below you. Close to elevators.

For me-- an aft cabin would be the answer as I will not have to worry about being on the wrong side at any given moment.

[Rebel54]

A legit travel agent can book you into existing groups that will allow you to take advantage of some of the perks that the group booking will get. My agent also always makes sure that my stateroom has some extra special goodies. Also, if you have ANY issues with anything that the agent booked for you, they are your advocate. If a business loses you as a customer, they are meh about it, if they lose the business of a travel agent, not so good because they don't want agents steering business away from them.

[Flatbush Flyer]

Hello! I am thrilled to have found this community! As a very first-time cruiser, I have so many questions!

 

 

 

1. What are the benefits of using a travel agent? I've always handled all of my own travel planning yet I see many people use travel agents for cruising.

 

 

 

2. Our very first cruise is going to be eight of us doing an Alaska cruise in summer 2018. When should I aim to make reservations?

 

 

 

3. It's looking like Princess or Celebrity would fit our budget/desires. Any ideas on how to make a final decision?

 

 

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

Kate

 

 

You may want to do multiple thread searches here on CC (in particular - how to find a really good TA).

 

IMO, an important key to TA choice is getting a top producer for the line(s) that interest you. They often get far better incentives/commissions/responsiveness and that means good things for you.

Things to consider: can they get you price adjust credits with a simple phone call - while you wait on hold- even occasionally after final payment? Is their added OBC/added values "substantial" (equal, at least, to 8-12% of commissionable charges), etc

 

As to price comparisons: DO NOT USE CABIN PRICES. Use the"net daily rate" including the cost of airfare and extras on the ship. In particular, if you're looking at HAL et al in that price range, also consider Oceania. Their Regatta does Alaska (only 670 passengers, extremely restrictive on smoking, far better food with no specialty restaurant charges, etc) and airfare or an air credit included. The right TA and itinerary will also net you significant extra perks.

Most importantly, steer clear of "personal cruise consultants" who are employed by the cruise line. As nice as they may be, they work for the cruise line - not for you. The right TA provides tangible added value.

Edited April 15, 2016 by Flatbush Flyer

[anthonyy7]

Princess does Alaska really well and def get a balcony or at least just 1 so you everyone can share during the day. Book early to get a great cabin and then watch for price drops which you can then adjust to the lower price. If you have any specific Q's regarding cabins, etc... go to the Princess forums.

[shadow8800]

I don't know how important it is to see glacier bay or hubbard glacier. But we did celebrity cruise with a balcony and Tracy Arm was a very peaceful/zen type experience, so glad we saw that!

[klfrodo]

You didn't ask, but I'll add to the information.

 

Travel Arrangements

 

Does your ship depart and return from Seattle? or Vancouver BC?

 

If you depart from Vancouver, BC, how are you getting to Vancouver?

If flying to Vancouver, you will be required to have a passport book.

 

If flying to Seattle, then taking a car, bus, or train, you will be required to have either, or, not ALL passport book, passport card, WHTI approved Enhanced Drivers License.

 

What are the differences

Passport book - Can fly internationally

Passport Card - only good for land based international border crossings and cruise ship travel. (cannot Fly international with a passport card)

Enhanced Drivers License - Few States have these. Mostly border states. (maybe Texas, not sure). Can drive across International land borders.

 

 

Side Note:

Every year during this time, the cruise ships transition and reposition to this area to prepare for the Alaska cruise season.

The various cruise lines will have an overnight cruise from Vancouver to Seattle. Cost? What, $50 per person.

Anyway, I digress.

My daughter and SIL booked this 1 night getaway. decided to take Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver. Something happened to the rail line in Vancouver.

Their train was stopped just south of the border. They sat on the train for about 3 or 4 hours. They missed the cruise.

Amtrak would not allow then to get off the train to try to make other travel arrangements. Their only option was to wait for busses to take them back to Seattle.

[ZeroSeven]

I have done both, for just my wife and I, I did all the research / legwork and made all my travel arrangements online without any hiccup

 

When we travel with other family / relatives living in different states or cities, we always use my local travel agent to book most of our travel reservations. She deals directly with the cruise company and can find non advertised discounts such as additional on board credits (OBC) for active and retired military personnel. She makes sure that our staterooms are close together. Your travel agent can arrange airport to cruise transfers and vice versa, She can compare travel insurance plans (which I strongly recommend) and can give you group discount for party of 10 or more. She can also purchase discounted airfare and take care of logistics. The beauty of it is it doesn't cost you anything because most travel agents works on percentage based commissions.

 

Like what others have said... Book early:)