Cheaper to book direct with cruise line or a "discount cruise" website?

[Volunteer12]

Newbie here.  Have one quote from Crystal agent.   Can I get a cheaper quote from a discount site?  If so, what are traps to watch for?

For a first-timer, what do you recommend?  (Am doing my homework on CuiseCritic, but don't want to screw up!)  Appreciate advice.

[crystalspin]

45 minutes ago, Volunteer12 said:

Newbie here.  Have one quote from Crystal agent.   Can I get a cheaper quote from a discount site?  If so, what are traps to watch for?

For a first-timer, what do you recommend?  (Am doing my homework on CuiseCritic, but don't want to screw up!)  Appreciate advice.

Welcome to Cruise Critic! Your cruiseline board is here:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/2618-crystal/

 

I can't speak to Crystal, but I have never made a cruise decision based solely on price. I *like* that my Holland America Personal Cruise Consultant works for HAL. She finds me the best arrangement without trying to skim $$$ off the top. She doesn't alter my reservation without permission (this just happened to someone on my Roll Call! with a franchise-model large travel agency). I can sleep at night.

 

Ask your question on the Crystal board and see what your fellow passengers think.

[CDNPolar]

Discount sites whether for hotel, air, or cruises are not necessarily the lowest price, and if they are that good of a deal, what are you losing to get that price.

 

A lot of these discount sites - in my opinion - lure you in through marketing speak that you are going to save all these $$$'s.

 

In my opinion, look at the following and price after looking at all options:

 

* If you are booking on the cruise web site, what cabin are you getting for what price?

* Now go to the discount site and see what the same cabin costs?  You may not be able to access the same cabin or you may only be able to book a guaranteed cabin without knowing what the cabin is until you board.

* Are there inclusions on the cruise web site that are not on the discount site?  OBC? Beverage package included?  Excursions included?  Port fees included?

 

I have never booked a cruise through a "discount site" but I can tell you from experience that although there are many discount airfare sites out there, there are also airlines that advertise and guarantee that the lowest fare available at any given time is through their website direct and not through the discount site.  

 

Decide on your budget first.  What is the total budget you want to spend on the cruise including the airfare, drinks, excursions, etc.  Find a cruise that tickles your fancy and is in your budget and then book it.  I personally would always deal directly with the cruise line because if you have to cancel, change or anything else, you are dealing directly with the cruise line and not a third party.

 

But in the end, to each his/her/their own.

[sanger727]

I frequently book cruises with discount websites. I have had good and bad experiences. the main downside is that until you get in touch with a TA you like to work with, you are randomly assigned one of their agents. They could be good or bad. The positive is they typically have a main number you call and if you have an urgent issue, any TA can deal with it if your TA is unavailable. Also, read the fine print, some of these agencies do charge booking fees and/or cancellation fees.

 

I will continue to use discount sites if I get a good price, but if the price is close to the cruise line's price then I just book direct.

[MCC retired]

The answer is yes. Compare your ship and sailing date on line to see for yourself.

 

[leaveitallbehind]

With most cruise lines (all mass market ones) the base fare structure from the cruise lines is the same as that provided to any travel agent - on line, "discount", brick and mortar, big box, etc.  The TA's can often offer somewhat lower pricing based on group, or large block, rooms held by them and sold individually which results in a lower fare structure and often some degree of on board credit or other perk.  In this manner they can offer base fares that are lower than that offered directly by the cruise lines.  You just have to ask to see a final invoice total from them prior to booking to assure the actual fare.

 

As @sanger727 indicates, check the fine print closely for fees charged separately and in addition to those charged by the cruise line by any TA for canceling, modifying, or changing a booking made through them, and IMO avoid them.

 

75% of all cruises booked are done so through TA's and there are good reasons to book through them. I would just suggest doing so through a live person and not solely on line. And as a new cruiser you may want to talk with one so as to best understand the different cruise line experiences and how they fit with your preferences.  But you can always book directly if desired - your choice.  I would agree with comparing as @MCC retired suggests to see what fare differences may exist.

Edited January 24 by leaveitallbehind

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, leaveitallbehind said:

With most cruise lines (all mass market ones) the base fare structure from the cruise lines is the same as that provided to any travel agent - on line, "discount", brick and mortar, big box, etc.  The TA's can often offer somewhat lower pricing based on group, or large block, rooms held by them and sold individually which results in a lower fare structure and often some degree of on board credit or other perk.  In this manner they can offer base fares that are lower than that offered directly by the cruise lines.  You just have to ask to see a final invoice total from them prior to booking to assure the actual fare.

 

As @sanger727 indicates, check the fine print closely for fees charged separately and in addition to those charged by the cruise line by any TA for canceling, modifying, or changing a booking made through them, and IMO avoid them.

 

75% of all cruises booked are done so through TA's and there are good reasons to book through them. I would just suggest doing so through a live person and not solely on line. And as a new cruiser you may want to talk with one so as to best understand the different cruise line experiences and how they fit with your preferences.  But you can always book directly if desired - your choice.  I would agree with comparing as @MCC retired suggests to see what fare differences may exist.

Adding to that, there are some times when a TA can discount a cruise, but not post the discounted price due to restrictions by the cruise line. As an example, we once found on our TA's website 3 cruises to Alaska that met our desired time frame and ports. When I called him, the one with the highest price on the website ended up being the one with the lowest price.

 

If you are going to book with a TA, so it over the phone, not online. That also allows you to ask whatever questions you want to ask.

[leaveitallbehind]

13 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Adding to that, there are some times when a TA can discount a cruise, but not post the discounted price due to restrictions by the cruise line. As an example, we once found on our TA's website 3 cruises to Alaska that met our desired time frame and ports. When I called him, the one with the highest price on the website ended up being the one with the lowest price.

Occasionally there are cruise line sponsored (group) rates issued on certain itineraries to which only the TA's have access, or occasionally fares are offered by the cruise line to TA's as "family and friends" promotions. Typically this would have been what your TA was referring to.  It is not the TA that is discounting the fare, but the result of this discounted fare offered by the cruise line itself on certain sailings directly - and only - to the TA's.

Edited January 24 by leaveitallbehind

[ontheweb]

1 minute ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Occasionally there are cruise line sponsored (group) rates issued on certain itineraries to which only the TA's have access, or occasionally fares are offered by the cruise line to TA's as "family and friends" promotions. Typically this would have been what your TA was referring to.  It is not the TA that is discounting the fare, but the result of this discounted fare offered by the cruise line itself on certain sailings directly to the TA's.

I believe it was a cruise line that allowed TAs to discount, but not publish the rate. Also, he may have reserved cabins.

[leaveitallbehind]

8 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

I believe it was a cruise line that allowed TAs to discount, but not publish the rate. Also, he may have reserved cabins.

It is not the TA discounting the rate - it is a corporate sponsored rate that is issued on select itineraries to the TA.  The rates are also only published internally to the TA's, so in that respect it would not be published to the general public.  And any TA can see these select rates when they are offered.  He may have implied that he was able to get a special discount on the rate, but it is not he who is discounting it. (Good marketing technique).  Not with the fares to which I am referring. And these fares, when offered, are always lower than the published or direct fare.

 

 

Edited January 24 by leaveitallbehind

[ontheweb]

11 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

It is not the TA discounting the rate - it is a corporate sponsored rate that is issued on select itineraries to the TA.  The rates are also only published internally to the TA's, so in that respect it would not be published to the general public.  And any TA can see these select rates when they are offered.  He may have implied that he was able to get a special discount on the rate, but it is not he who is discounting it. (Good marketing technique).  Not with the fares to which I am referring. And these fares, when offered, are always lower than the published or direct fare.

 

 

I don't know or really care how my TA got his rate. All I know and was trying to point out was that the rate posted online may not always be the lowest rate that a TA can offer.

[leaveitallbehind]

33 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

I don't know or really care how my TA got his rate. All I know and was trying to point out was that the rate posted online may not always be the lowest rate that a TA can offer.

Agree completely and I am not trying to contradict you - just clarifying how the fare is obtained.  And you are completely correct, which highlights the value of TA's, which is why 75% of all cruises are booked through one.

 

All good information!

[AKJonesy]

I'm a 4 star Mariner which means I have many cruise days under my belt.  I booked directly through the cruise line twice because the cruise line actually and surprisingly had a better fare.  On the main cruise line I travel, they offer for two different prices, to pick your own room or they pick your room.  I would never allow the cruise line to pick my room.  Too often these category "guarantees" are in lousy areas where there is noise.  An example would be under the dining area or under the pool where you will hear the chairs being dragged and carts rolled around at night.  I ALWAYS pick my own room because I did the guarantee once and was put right next to the main stage and it was noisy.  The online company that I use shows the available rooms and then I can look at the staterooms for that ship and look to see where the rooms are relative to where the noise is.  It's always best to book a room where there are staterooms above, below and side.  Also, be wary of those blank places because that is where the workers are.  The blank places could mean a dining room, a storage room (linens, etc), and ice machine room, etc).  If/when you book through a discount agency, make sure to tell them to UNCHECK the "guarantee" which means to make sure that you want to KEEP the room you booked.  The reason for the guarantee can be upgrading you to a higher level room for same price.  This can be a bait and switch.  Just because you can be upgraded to a different category doesn't mean its a better stateroom.  It can be a stateroom above a casino, or music venue.  Once you get to the point of booking a stateroom, get the stateroom layout for your ship and ask other cruisers.  There are people here that will give you their opinions on that stateroom.  The staterooms can generally be held for a brief period.  

[capriccio]

My TA works for a large on-line agency.  I price my cruises on the cruise lines websites and then ask what she can do for me giving her the cabin number(s) I want.  We have always (over 25 ocean and river cruises) received at least a 7% discount and as high as 12% compared to the cruise line's fare.  Sometimes she offers an even less expensive cabin in the same category if her agency has group bookings and frequently we receive small additional perks (OBC).  On one line she couldn't discount the fare but gave us a cash rebate that we received within a week of the end of the cruise.

[clo]

On 1/23/2024 at 7:11 PM, crystalspin said:

I have never made a cruise decision based solely on price.

I don't do on that practically anything.

 

Re OPs question, I've been getting emails from a discount agency. (I get WAY too much crap like that and keep forgetting to unsubscribe.) With this one I googled the company name and added "reviews." Dreadful reviews.