Hi Laura, I aways check the sales on line, then bring it to my TA. If he can match it or do better great, if not then I book wth the company on line, BUT!!!! make sure its a reputable company, one that iyou check out first by asking questions from people right here who have used them. there is a large company that was bought out by someone and they just closed down, sio be very careful, in todays world!
I usually book directly with the lines. You can then turn them over to your TA & they will get you any good deal they can. Some times our AAA will have a group pkg. put together & we'll get it even cheaper.
If you are real new to cruising, I wouldn't suggest booking on line. I would go to my local well known TA. You can go to the different sites & check out pricing, but for the most part prices are pretty similar. Some will offer an OBC which will make it a little better deal.
Just do your homework & work with someone reputable.
Happy Cruising !!!
We've talked about this at length in other posts and obviously I'm prejudice on the matter, but you should always book with an agent. Their services are free to you and their assistance can be worth their weight in gold, especially for those new to cruising.
Yes, occasionally some agency or online site will be offering a special because they have a group going, so it's tough for an agent to beat that special. But in the absence of group pricing, the cruise lines require everyone to advertise the same cruise for the same price.
Sometimes you'll see these discount websites offering special discounts - be VERY careful with these companies. Their profit margin is so low that they normally will not offer you the best service.
And why is service so important?
A good agent will monitor your rates and if any specials are offered, they will get the reduction for you. These online discount sites won't do that, so often what seemed like a good rate will cost you more in the end than if you had booked it through a reputable agent.
And NEVER book directly with the cruise lines. They will not monitor your rates either. Plus, they only represent themself, so you have to call each cruise line if your looking to compare prices. Whereas an agent will be able to help you compare prices, amenities, itineraries, etc. for each of the cruise lines.
I once had a family who booked 4 cabins with me, while one of the uncles found a deal with an online site that saved him $50, so he booked with them. He was not aware they also charged a non-refundable booking fee of $24.95 until he got the bill. A couple months later, I got my clients a special that saved them $100. He tried to get the same special with his company and after waiting on the phone for 45 minutes, he was told they did not change prices once booked. In the long run, he paid $75 more than my clients did simply because he booked with a discount online site that had the lowest prices.
Having been involved with travel for more than 25 years and having my own company for almost 8 years, I can honestly tell you that knowing what I know now, I would never book a vacation directly - I would always use an agent. They can be an invaluable source of information and tremendous amount of help should you have any problems. They will look after you because they want to establish a good working relationship so you'll use their services again, whereas if you book with a discount online site or the cruise line, they have their own best interest in mind.
It's like other things in your life; if you're a professional mechanic, you can work on your own car. If you're an accountant, you can do your own taxes. If you're a lawyer, you can take care of all your legal problems yourself. And so on. But if you're not an expert at dealing with any of these things, it's always best to seek the advice of a professional. But it always amazes me that people won't go to three auto mechanics to get bids on fixing their car that's going to cost them alot of money because they usually have a mechanic they trust and will just let him/her take care of it. Yet these same people willl spend hours and hours on the computer trying to save $25 on a cruise.
CVC (Cruise Value Center), an online discount site, just went out of business on Monday. As I mentioned earlier, because they discount and their profit margin is so narrow, they have a very difficult time providing good service because they are so busy trying to sell their products. As your mother told you, "If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is." Often, there is more to the story and what looks good on the surface, can end up costing you much more when all is said and done. "You don't get something for nothing," as the saying goes.
And one last thing, NEVER deal with an agency who says they will charge your credit card, demand cash, or require a check for payment. An agent is simply a broker for the cruise line and the cruise line should be charging your credit card - anything else, find another agent.
Bottom line, occasionally you can find a slightly better deal, but often it costs you more in the long run either in dollars or hassle. So find a reputable agent you feel comfortable with and create a working relationship built on trust and respect, just like any other professional business.
Another thing to consider is that often the amount listed on some online sites are just the basic fare. But there are port fees, government taxes, etc. So if you book with a person at a travel agency, you should be able to get the total amount up front. Be sure to ask about any other fees, including the cancellation policies, so you don't get any surprises like the man Pete referred to.
Make sure the TA has experience booking cruises. Ask a prospective agent about what cruises they have been on themselves. If they're unfamiliar with the ships and cruiselines, they could have trouble matching you up to your dream cruise.
Only once have I booked direct with the cruiseline, and that was transferred to my agent as soon as possible
There was a deal to be had on the weekend with the cabin location we preferred, so I booked it myself. My agent then gave us a $200 shipboard credit when it was transferred to her.
Good agents are a cruisers best friend! When you find a good one stick with them!
We have a TA that we have used for over 23 years. We prefer to use a TA that we can talk to on the phone -- go see in person -- contact quickly if a problem comes up.
After reading about an on-line agency that just closed this week, I would be very leery about booking with any on-line agency.
Well, I don't think B&M TAs are immune to the economic conditions, either, but from that standpoint, at least it SEEMS more comforting to be dealing with a 'real' person rather than some 'virtual' entity who could literally disappear overnight.
Travel agent for sure. An online agency is a booking agent, then you can become just a # to them. A real TA works for you, not the cruiseline and also wants your return business so will do everything possible, within reason, to keep you happy
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