Should i use a Travel agent or the Cruise line?

What do you people use? Average price for 2 seniors for Cruise and Air fare?

Totally up to you. Some people book direct, some use a travel agent. We've used a travel agent for years, and while she does give us some perks, the main reason we continue to use her is the excellent service she gives.

Hi there,

There is absolutely no way to give a ballpark figure for cruise and air fare, given the lengthy number of variables - cruise line, itinerary, dates, cabin selection, air fare, hotels, etc. What is reasonable for us might be exorbitant for you, right?

We use a travel agent (land based, not online). We research the cruise we want and then have her book it. She got us out of a real jam last year - glad we had her.

Also, just a note that we are not able to discuss or name specific travel agents/agencies here on these boards. :)

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Travel agent gave us a price of $546.00 for a 7 day cruise plus airfare.I thought that was too much.

What do you people use? Average price for 2 seniors for Cruise and Air fare?

Senior moment? You've provided zero details! As for benefits of a good cruise specialist TA, search this forum and you'll find plenty of reasons why it's the right way to go.

You may have missed that you posted this identical thread a few weeks back; maybe you just lost track of it, so here it is:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2344927

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Without airfares, taxes and port fees, under $100 per day for an inside cabin is considered a good deal. It is even better if perks are offered and included.

This is the bench mark I used to determine if a deal is good, better and best......

No preference booking with TA or Cruise Line.......

Born-To-Cruise

Past Cruises: 12-RCI, 3-Carnival and 1-Celebrity

(funds permitting, always looking forward to great cruises)

deleted. double post.

What do you people use? Average price for 2 seniors for Cruise and Air fare?

Average price sort of depends upon what class of ship you are going on, the cabin you select and also and perhaps most important, where and when you are going.

Basically, your question is unanswerable and anyone who has or will give you information is giving you a totally worthless answer.

As to whether you should use a TA, it depends upon how much hand holding you need.

DON

We always use a travel agent for several reasons:

A TA can offer you some additional amenities beyond what the cruise line can offer.

A TA can be your advocate should something go wrong with the cruise.

And a good TA can cut through red tape and make certain things happen.

Keith

We have been fortunate to have a TA whom we have used for over 25 years. Love the extra perks. Also we can go and see her any time or talk to her on the phone any time.

I book all our own flights and hotels.

I use a TA - but my TA is also my childhood best friend so I may be slightly biased :P She's wonderful though and the extra perks are definitely worth it. Also it's good to have her to answer questions or liaise with the cruise line on my behalf if it's needed as she would have more pull with them than me!

do TA charge a fee.

do TA charge a fee.

If they do charge a fee for anything (including cancellations) find another TA.

OP - I don't know what cruise line you are considering but Princess allows travel agents to discount cruises. They are not allowed to advertise the discounted price; you have to call for particulars. Our TA routinely gets us 10% (and sometimes higher) discounts on the Princess on-line price.