Direct, travel agent, or online agent?

[Jessieasanders]

We are looking to book our second cruise. First cruise we booked through a cruise dealer website (not sure what else to call them ... In wasn't ncl.com, but more like an online agency that only does cruises). The agent I worked with was great, and really helped us pick a great cruise line and a great room ... But I'm not sure I got the best deal in regards to $ or perks. So before I take the plunge and book our second cruise, I would like to hear how you book your vacations and the benefits of booking in that manner.

 

Thanks!!!!

[NLH Arizona]

If I were you, I would look at the cruise on line and see the cost, perks, etc. and then call a TA and see what kind of deal they can get you, as sometimes it will be better.

 

On NCL I book direct with Casinos At Sea, because I get a great deal and on Celebrity, I go through a TA, because I get a better deal than what Celebrity offers.

[darienill]

A TA might help if you need help with the total trip, like air,hotel pre cruise etc. I've found the only difference is some extra OBC. If you're a planner you can do a lot yourself. We also are casino at sea guests which is great if you are a rated player at some casino.

[aubreyc1988]

A TA will usually be able to give you OBC in addition to whatever perks NCL/any cruiseline is offering.

 

Just remember, by booking through a TA, all your changes regarding your booking will have to go through your TA, you cannot directly call the cruiseline and have them change anything for you - so make sure you find a good TA!

 

Also, you might luck out and have a travel agent who gets you extra goodies in your hotel room, like chocolate covered strawberries or a bottle of wine!

[Sizzlechest]

The only reason to use a TA is if they get you cheaper fares and/or money back in OBC, store credit, rebates, etc. The things to watch out for with TAs is ADDITIONAL cancellation fees (which would be moot with Trip Insurance) and processing fees, which can usually be waived. A good TA is worth their weight in gold. If the entity you are dealing with isn't giving you good service, switch. I wish we could give recommendations here, because mine is stellar.

[SheehanDJ]

The only reason to use a TA is if they get you cheaper fares and/or money back in OBC, store credit, rebates, etc. The things to watch out for with TAs is ADDITIONAL cancellation fees (which would be moot with Trip Insurance) and processing fees, which can usually be waived. A good TA is worth their weight in gold. If the entity you are dealing with isn't giving you good service, switch. I wish we could give recommendations here, because mine is stellar.

 

This is the answer.

 

The only thing I would add is there is no rule that you can have only one TA. Some can get you great deals on Royal, but not so great on NCL and vise versa and any combination of any cruise line.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

We started cruising before the WWW was common for personal use, so our only choice was a brick and mortar agent or a call to the cruise line. We'd actually sit and look through the brochures to decide which cruise we wanted to take--can't imagine doing that now! After a few cruises I started booking them directly online.

 

I kept seeing posts where people were saying they had great TAs who gave them OBC and otherr perks. I wasn't able to find any that did that. After my last cruise in March, I decided to try again and found one (through recommendations from a few roll call members) that gives a decent amount of OBC, so I'm giving her a try. Two of the cruises I currently have booked are with her. On one I'm getting $300 OBC plus NCL's booking perks (UDP and wifi) and on the other I'm getting $100 OBC and UDP. This one is in a studio so lower cost means lower OBC and at least this time NCL was offering one promo to studio passengers. :D:D:D

 

So far things are going well with the TA and if that continues I'll book with her again. But, I'll do the same and do the research beforehand and just let her know what I want to book. I don't need her help picking the cruise. But, as long as she's giving me OBC and is responsive to my occasional requests, I'll continue to book with her.

[fshagan]

Cruise pricing is all over the place, like airfares (the closest thing I can think of). The price on your cruise can change from day to day, and recently some lines like NCL have been adding monthly promo changes.

 

You can pay $1,000 with 1 free promo, $1,300 with two free promos, $990 with no promos, etc. All for the same cabin.

 

I compare prices for a specific cruise, at a specific booking date. I compare my favorite on-line wholesale store TA with the cruise line's price. You have to simplify your choices or you will go crazy trying to figure out all the ins and outs of what site is offering what extra benefit. And sometimes they just lie (you can do a mock booking all the way through to see the price jump at the end on some of these sites).

 

I know if I don't book that day I have to repeat the process on both the cruise line's site and the wholesale store's site. It could change in the next hour (but typically changes monthly for promos, and at 90 days out for discounts, if any, on that cruise).

 

We don't book NCL far in advance any more, so we would likely be within the final payment window. When I book within the final payment window we don't look at prices any longer. We found a vacation we like at a price we like and it doesn't matter if someone local to the port gets it for half off two days before sailing. Having this attitude makes it less likely I'll worry that I paid too much.

[EleventyBangBang]

I booked through an online site sponsored by my credit card's rewards program. So I get 3x bonus points on my credit card, plus the site actually gave me BOTH promo deals, the current "pick one" offer (picked UBP of course, wouldn't cruise without it!) AND the previous deal (Free photos and 100$ arcade credit). And they also throw in an extra 75$ OBC just because.

 

I also like their site because when you are selecting a cabin, it actually marks available cabins on the deck plan with blinking red dots (instead of just giving you a list of cabin numbers and making you go find them yourself on the deck plan like NCL does.)

[bonvoyagie]

Like quilting cruiser we also started cruising when there were brick and mortar TAs - in fact NCL did not have PCCs or a decent web page (this was 2002) - so if you did not have a TA - they assigned you one in your area.

 

Larger TAs (brick and mortar or online) often book blocks of rooms from the cruise line - they get discounted rates on them - and get 6 mos. to sell them. Many of them offer these rooms at just above their cost and less than the cruise line - or they use the difference to buy OBC for their guests - using their TA discount :D. Smaller TAs simply don't have the extra capital floating around to buy these large blocks of cabins - or to take the hit when they don't sell all of them and have to turn them back in.

 

My TA will make any reservations I want him to - from just the cruise to air travel and hotels. He has been a great problem solver when we needed to get my MIL from the airport to the ship in Seattle.

 

As the internet has grown I have found myself using it more for research and travel booking. So yes, now I could book through NCL on line or use a PCC - but as long as my friend is in the travel business, I will use and support him.

[df5250]

I used to book directly with the cruise lines for many of my early cruises. I didn't see any difference in cruise fare between the online TA's and the cruise line, but then I heard or read about OBC. Now I only book through an online TA that I found on the Cruise Critic site.

This TA gives additional perks of OBC or payment of gratuities and even has discounted the cruise fare when OBC wasn't needed. The TA does have cancellation fees, but are great to work with to update the booking if the cruise line perks or fare changes before final payment. I have only used them to book NCL cruises so far, so I cannot speak to whether or not they have good deals for other cruise lines. I only wish I could say the name because I highly recommend the agency and my TA.

Also want to note that even though I book through a TA, I have never had any issue in contacting NCL directly to order a bar set-up, purchasing additional OBC or excursions.

[OCruisers]

We always use our long time travel agent.

It's not really a money issue as much as the service provided by a good travel agent.

On an upcoming cruise ours was able to get us a cabin that was shown as being sold. Things like that. :)

[don't-use-real-name]

Consider too - Airline or affinity TAs that give airline miles or points on a

credit card as well as previous posters have noted OBC and trinket stuff

a bottle of wine/champagne chocolate strawberries.

 

Working with a specific TA may be helpful in getting that dream cabin for

your cruise and if not available at the time of booking keep looking or

suggesting alternatives port side instead of starboard aft or forward.

Remember when working with a TA once booked you have to continue to

work thru that agent and there maybe agency fees also booking thru a TA

may reduce the requirement of a down payment on that booked cruise.

TAs may have a longer HOLD time on bookings instead of the booking you

make yourself for 24 hours.

 

TAs from time to time have FAM (Familiarization) trips to see the pros-cons

of new vessels and offer insight to the various cruise deals.

 

Other volume internet sources may have tons of cabins on fire sale or

promotional last minute deals but all these sources still have to deal with

NCL the same way you would if doing it yourself by website or by phone*

*but they may have a private line to expedite the booking and FAQ.

 

Lots of things to consider when shopping for a cruise:

 

First and foremost - BUDGET

Budget for Cabin IC OV BAL Suite

Planning on BIG LONG cruise or more than one for the year

Destination

Length of Cruise

Closed Loop or Open Jaw

(CL travel round trip from same port)

(OJ travel from one port end at another i.e Alaska start Vancouver BC end Seward AK)

Travel to get to Port - Drive - Airline

Sea days or Port calls (shore excursions)

Package deals - Pre or Post cruise

Peak and Off Peak times - Alaska summer only

Weather considerations for some destinations - hurricanes etc.

Cruise Line Promos

Affinity programs - repeat customer bonuses

Casinos - Entertainment (shows) water slides kids stuff party stuff

 

And the whole kit and caboodle - darn decisions decisions decisions.

 

I strongly support using a travel agent who is available to handle and

go to bat for me when I have questions about deals and promos.

[Heather1972]

We are looking to book our second cruise. First cruise we booked through a cruise dealer website (not sure what else to call them ... In wasn't ncl.com, but more like an online agency that only does cruises). The agent I worked with was great, and really helped us pick a great cruise line and a great room ... But I'm not sure I got the best deal in regards to $ or perks. So before I take the plunge and book our second cruise, I would like to hear how you book your vacations and the benefits of booking in that manner.

 

Thanks!!!!

 

I have learned that I can typically get a NCL cruise cheaper by booking with an online TA (they do cruises only ;) ). Well, I have to call directly to get the listed deals. Depending on the cruise, it can be hundreds of dollars cheaper and typically with some OBC or rebate.

[lenquixote66]

I never book with the cruise line with a TA but not always the same one.I go on recommendation from friends.

[Offthebeatentrack]

Personally I like the piece of mind of booking with a TA. Talking to her in person and sharing the planning process is part of the fun of designing a vacation. :D

 

There are logistical reasons as well. If something goes wrong, I need an insurance claim or I want to learn more about specific ships or sailings, I like having a real person to talk to. Plus they know me and my family and can give personalized advice. Each person is different so I'd do whatever works for you!

[English101]

If a TA isnt offering you anything over what the cruiseline is, go with the cruiseline. To be honest, if you use a TA, in my opinion, they need to offer you at least a 50.00 on board credit as a booking bonus.

 

And I just wouldn't count on a TA watching price drops for you. I love my TA, but every single price drop i've ever gotten is because I've logged into the cruiseline website and saw it and alerted her.

 

I've never used ebates so can't comment on that

 

thanks