Cruise purchasing tips: travel agent vs. direct cruise line

[Rafaella]

Here is the question I was recently "thinking" about...

I have always done my cruise purchase from the agent online. Travelocity, Orbitz, others. One of my co-workers told me he is getting his cruises directly from the cruise-line's website, such as Royal Caribbean.

I am not very familiar with the "direct" purchase" from the cruise lines.

Can anyone confirm that info? - If yes, are you getting your cruise at better price? :confused:

[Cruisin'Kim]

To be honest, I have never compared the pricing Travelocity vs. the Cruise Line directly, but you could always compare apples to apples by going through the motions to reserve the same cruise through both sites and see how the pricing compares. Our first cruise, we went through a TA in my neighbourhood, and we have booked directly through the cruiseline for the following 2 cruises. Much less expensive for us through the cruise line. Have never had any problems with RCL directly, whenever there is a price drop, I simply call them up and they credit my reservation.

 

Kim.

[Sunrunner3]

On my upcoming cruise I decided to shop around abit....called RCCL, looked at a few online places and my TA who I've been dealing with for a few years now. I got the better price from my local TA, her price was better than the cruiseline!

[SingBill]

You can book directly with RCL through their website or over the phone. Cruiselines don't allow discounting anymore so if you get a better prices it's because they have group space or the TA is offering some special.

 

Please note that because cruiselines don't discount perks, if any, are based on your particular sailing and cabin category.

[Rafaella]

The reason I asked this quiestion was because HAL, for example, does not sale directly from their cruise line.

RCL does, as well as other cruise lines.

I guess, one has to find out by visiting their websites.

[lougee1043]

The reason I asked this quiestion was because HAL, for example, does not sale directly from their cruise line.quote]

 

that is not true =---- you can call hal directly or you can book a cruise on their web site

[Rafaella]

The reason I asked this quiestion was because HAL, for example, does not sale directly from their cruise line.quote]

 

that is not true =---- you can call hal directly or you can book a cruise on their web site

Waw, when I spoke to their rep. a few years ago, I was told " you cannot purchase cruise directly from HAL - need to get up with your travel agent." So, I stoped "checking " out this possibility at all.

Did you ever purchase the cruise directly from HAL?

That is very interesting info. If yes, do you find it cheaper than using a travel agent?Raffy.

[ssantow]

If your only concern is price, then by all means book with an online superstore.

 

Remember this: "Bad things happen to good people" When something goes wrong, a detail is missed, or a mistake is made, that online superstore will not care. Basically you are on your own.

 

I have been cruising for over twenty years. I've been on most cruise lines, and at one time or another I have booked direct with the cruise line, used a online superstore, and other online "low price" outfits, and several local TA's. I have had my share of things going wrong, and ocassionally I can fix them myself. Since I started using a reputable TA I have had but one problem and that was fixed in less than an hour by my TA. To me it is worth the extra pennies for the peace of mind.

 

IMHO do your gambling in the ships casino, not when you buy a cruise.

 

 

[mafig]

You can book directly with RCL through their website or over the phone. Cruiselines don't allow discounting anymore so if you get a better prices it's because they have group space or the TA is offering some special.

 

Please note that because cruiselines don't discount perks, if any, are based on your particular sailing and cabin category.

 

RCL and Celebrity do not allow discounting, that's true.

 

But it is not true of some of the other lines.

 

HAL and Princess allow discounting. As does Costa and Norwegian. Not sure about Carnival.......