NKG6002 Posted April 21, 2008 #1 Share Posted April 21, 2008 There are many sites to book cruises...Travcelocity, Orbitz, "generic" etc. I hesitate booking other than thru the cruise company or local TA. How reliable are these companies to book cruises ? Thanks in advance ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllieInMD Posted April 21, 2008 #2 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Biggest thing I've noticed is a lotta the online ones have a cancellation penalty (separate from any penalty from the cruise line). I do use an online TA that a friend has used for decades - no penalties - and she gives onboard credits to loyal customers. Basically I can get same price direct from RCCL website, but she takes care of the arrangements and gave me a perk of OBC even on my first cruise because my reservation was tied in with a Diamond member - this time she'll give me something because I've booked with her again. There are many sites to book cruises...Travcelocity, Orbitz, "generic" etc. I hesitate booking other than thru the cruise company or local TA. How reliable are these companies to book cruises ? Thanks in advance ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizmo Posted April 21, 2008 #3 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I stick with cruise only web sites. I always find out up front if there is a cancellation fee and if so how much. The generic travel web sites I avoid. It depends on the cruise line you want to book if you are going to save money booking with a TA. TA's cannot discount RCI and Celebrity. Sometime there are a couple of perks thrown in but you are not going to save a lot of money. If you book Hal or Princess you can save quite a bit if you search the on line TA's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindrid Posted April 21, 2008 #4 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I always use "other" online TA's. All I do after I book is followup on the cruise line's website to make sure my booking shows up. I did use a PVP for my first cruise when I was clueless but now nothing but online TA's. I am a pretty low maintenace customer so if you need more from a travel agent than just booking, you might stay with a local TA. I think higher maintenace customers that do need the hand holding that only a PVP or local TA can provide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sundagger Posted April 21, 2008 #5 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I always use "other" online TA's. All I do after I book is followup on the cruise line's website to make sure my booking shows up. I did use a PVP for my first cruise when I was clueless but now nothing but online TA's. I am a pretty low maintenace customer so if you need more from a travel agent than just booking, you might stay with a local TA. I think higher maintenace customers that do need the hand holding that only a PVP or local TA can provide. Yeah, I'll go along with that. I've used Exped**, but usually a "no frills" agency that has the lowest prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehfl Posted April 21, 2008 #6 Share Posted April 21, 2008 The major travel sites should be fine....they basically just go directly into the cruise line's system....same way as if you booked directly online with the cruise line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofmeg Posted April 22, 2008 #7 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I stick with cruise only web sites. I always find out up front if there is a cancellation fee and if so how much. The generic travel web sites I avoid. It depends on the cruise line you want to book if you are going to save money booking with a TA. TA's cannot discount RCI and Celebrity. They can't discount RCI and Celebrity but they do things like pay your tips for you or give you a free excursion, or give you onboard credit- sometimes just one of these things-sometimes a combo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare geoherb Posted April 22, 2008 #8 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I usually check the major travel websites for cruise prices but have never booked a cruise through one. I call my travel agent and he gets me a better deal. The one time he couldn't, I ended up booking with the cruise line directly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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