Questions on booking a cruise

[dblwall]

Wife and I plan on booking a cruise next year for our 40th anniversary, it will be only the 2nd time we have cruised. Do most people still use a travel agent? I know Costco offers a service, as well as AAA. Is there much of a difference in pricing between everybody. Thanks for any help and suggestions.

[GUT2407]

Wife and I plan on booking a cruise next year for our 40th anniversary, it will be only the 2nd time we have cruised. Do most people still use a travel agent? I know Costco offers a service, as well as AAA. Is there much of a difference in pricing between everybody. Thanks for any help and suggestions.

We can’t discuss, or name travel agents here.

[getting older slowly]

To use a TA or not only you can decide, we always use a TA, but our friends always book direct to cruise line.

 

My thoughts are if you are unsure a TA maybe able to steer you in the right direction.

 

Cheers Don

[jtdlmc]

I never use a TA but did when booking our Princess cruise because the TA was able to give us some good perks. Email/call both of those you mentioned for quotes. I checked both of them in Canada before booking and one had better perks than the other.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[paradiselivin1]

Wife and I plan on booking a cruise next year for our 40th anniversary, it will be only the 2nd time we have cruised. Do most people still use a travel agent? I know Costco offers a service, as well as AAA. Is there much of a difference in pricing between everybody. Thanks for any help and suggestions.

 

We use a T/A who always gives us a much better price. Call around of search the internet for online companies and do your homework. It pays to do so.

[LeeW]

A TA that is a cruise specialist can also advise you which cruise line fits you best.

 

For some cruise lines the TAs are not allowed to advertise a lower price than the cruise line does (but can still give back some of their commission to you). On other lines they can. If they have booked a block of rooms for a group they can add you to the group. This can also result in discounts or other benefits. In return for this you can't change the cruise details or dining without going through the TA. You can still book excursions or onboard purchases directly. Our TA has gotten us onto fully booked cruises in the past.

 

There are some TAs that charge cancellation fees. Stay clear of those.

[paul929207]

We use a TA since she gives us a nice discount for booking with her.

[miss prairie girl]

Congratulations on your upcoming 40th wedding anniversary and your decision to celebrate with a cruise.

 

How you book a cruise depends on your comfort level and convenience. You mention using a travel agent, a big box store, and a travel association.

 

First, think of some possible destinations you want to go to, what your embarkation port would be, and realistically, how many days you would be able to take.

 

Do some research.....write everything down you find out. What can a travel agent offer you, what can the big box store offer you, and what can the travel association offer you.

 

You can also ask your friends and acquaintances at work and in your social circles for recommendations. Sometimes, pleased customers are the best indicators.

 

Every method of booking a cruise has its pluses and minuses. The good thing is you have a bit of time to do your research and then start making some decisions.

 

Best to you in your upcoming planning and, ultimately, cruise!

[geoherb]

I've booked our cruises through all of the above means. The big box store gave us an on-board credit on a cruise that was already a great price (casino rate). Our local travel agent (at an agency that specialized in cruises) was great to work with back in the 1990s. She retired and the agency went out of business. I guess most people don't need a local TA anymore.

 

Lately I've booked most of our cruises with agencies I've found on the internet--after I've already decided on a cruise. I once booked directly with the cruise line when I saw a great deal. I found out it was too late (after the final payment date) to move my booking to a TA. Now when I see a great rate that may be gone, I'll place a hold on the cruise line's website but then book it through a TA.

[NoWhiners]

Wife and I plan on booking a cruise next year for our 40th anniversary, it will be only the 2nd time we have cruised. Do most people still use a travel agent? I know Costco offers a service, as well as AAA. Is there much of a difference in pricing between everybody. Thanks for any help and suggestions.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic. My guess is this thread will disappear because you used specifc TA names.

 

But, if you see this (and I doubt it), we used the big box store you mentioned all the time, they have great deals. The other one (with all the letters), we used once but won't ever use again, they aren't as good as others.

 

Good luck whatever happens!

ML

[styme123]

Welcome to Cruise Critic. My guess is this thread will disappear because you used specifc TA names.

 

But, if you see this (and I doubt it), we used the big box store you mentioned all the time, they have great deals. The other one (with all the letters), we used once but won't ever use again, they aren't as good as others.

 

Good luck whatever happens!

ML

I used the one with all the letters for my first and only cruise so far and it was a waste. I didn't save any money. They got me no deals and I felt like I knew more about the cruise and destination that the agent did. That's not a good sign.:o

[caribill]

If you book with a TA and later there are some problems with the cruise line, the TA can be your advocate to get the problems resolved.

 

If you book directly with the cruise line and there are problems, it may be hard to find someone at the cruise line to help with problems with the cruise line.

 

Besides what others have said about choosing a TA:

o Do not use any TA that wants to charge you more than the direct cruise line price

o Do not use a TA that has a charge if you need to cancel the booking (there might still be a cancellation charge from the cruise line)

o Do not use a TA that has a charge when you want to made changes to the booking, for example switch to a different cabin or book an airport transfer.

o Do use a TA that has someone who you can work with if the person you work with is not in the office.

 

If you know what cruise you want, you can book it with the cruise line and then check TAs to see which one might give you the best pricing. Then you can transfer the booking to the TA you select as long as it is before final payment time, at least that is what Princess allows. Other cruise lines may have a limit on when you can switch the booking to a TA, for example within 60 days after making the booking.

[Lucky TGO]

I also use a TA. It’s always best to check around to see who giving the best perks & prices.

Tony

[dblwall]

Thanks for all the replies