Recommend a Windstar Travel Agent

[blackfoot]

I would appreciate any recommendations for a travel agent who has Windstar expertise. Thanks

[Host Kat]

Per our Guidelines:

 

There shall be no third-party recommendation of travel agencies on any forums within Cruise Critic. General discussions regarding the TYPE of AGENCY to be used to purchase a cruise will be allowed, as long as no recommendations for any source of purchase are posted.

 

Here is a previous Announcement from our Community Manager LauraS that may help explain further:

 

The third-party recommendation of travel agents and agencies is not allowed on Cruise Critic's Message Board forums.

 

Posts recommending (or warning against) travel agents, travel agencies, cruise-only agencies, travel/cruise brokers, or Personal Cruise Consultants at any cruise line, or any other source where consumer can purchase travel will be removed from the boards. This also includes any comments included in signatures requesting members to e-mail you for information about your travel agencies.

 

Additionally, posts by members requesting such information will be removed, so please don't ask .

 

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We anticipate your cooperation, and thank you for your participation.

 

Laura

 

Basically, the names, web sites, etc. of travel agents/agencies or other cruise-related sites or message boards --- even if "masked" --- are not allowed in Cruise Critic message board posts. Posts asking for the name, site or further information via e-mail, or posts offering same, will be removed as well as any replies to the deleted posts.

 

 

Happy trails to you...

 

Kat

[Host Walt]

The discussion of the nature of the agency (On-Line, "brick and mortar" or direct booking) is permitted. Just do not post any TA names or URLs.

 

IMO, a Windstar cruise is a bit too specialized to be using an on line agency because of capacity and pre- and post-cruise matters.

 

A live agent who can address questions and issues with his/her HAL rep usually works better. Further, if you're flexible, a live agent can keep an eye out for "fill-up" deals offered by WindStar at the last minute that won't be found on-line.

 

As for naming a specific travel agency, besides being prohibited by our guidelines, there are very few cases where any agency can offer a substantially different price than any other.

 

To find the right agency, refer to the Cruise Critic article: Finding a Cruise Travel Agency

[lovecruisingtoo]

IMO, a Windstar cruise is a bit too specialized to be using an on line agency because of capacity and pre- and post-cruise matters.

 

A live agent who can address questions and issues with his/her HAL rep usually works better. Further, if you're flexible, a live agent can keep an eye out for "fill-up" deals offered by WindStar at the last minute that won't be found on-line.

 

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My wife and I have used an Internet agency for the last few booking we have made. Key is that we book far ahead (to match FF tickets) and know what cruise we want. A normal agency could not do anything for us that an Internet agency could not do. Again, we know the itinerary and we know the cabins. We plan our pre and post cruise hotels by doing a lot of investigation. A normal agency could not provide us with the information that the internet does.

 

We save on the order of 10-12% by utilizing the internet agency. Helps to pay for pre or post cruise hotels. Of course Internet Agencies are not for everyone. You need to know what you want.

["Wandering Wino's&quo]

My wife and I have used an Internet agency for the last few booking we have made. Key is that we book far ahead (to match FF tickets) and know what cruise we want. A normal agency could not do anything for us that an Internet agency could not do. Again, we know the itinerary and we know the cabins. We plan our pre and post cruise hotels by doing a lot of investigation. A normal agency could not provide us with the information that the internet does.

 

We save on the order of 10-12% by utilizing the internet agency. Helps to pay for pre or post cruise hotels. Of course Internet Agencies are not for everyone. You need to know what you want.

 

 

I agree with what you have said. We also found using an Internet Agency worked very well for us on our last Windstar Cruise. We make all our own pre and post cruise hotel reservations. Since the cabins onboard are all basically the same except for the few suites it really makes it a no brainer to deside what you want in the way of accomodations. Not at all like you find on Hal or any other large ship that have many different sizes etc. to chose from. Our savings by using an online agency was significant. True most of these agencies are not handholders, but if you don't need that you certainly can save some money in most cases.