When booking trips online is a bad idea

[TWELVEOHONE]

Article in Philadelphia Imquirer

The whole article can be found at

 

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/trave..._bad_idea.html

 

TRAVEL

 

When booking trips online is a bad idea

By Christopher Elliott

TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

.

So when should you not book on the Internet? Here are seven kinds of trips.

 

1. Cruising

Travel agents remain your best bet for a floating vacation. Why? Two main reasons: First, cruise lines give travel agencies access to special deals that you probably won't find anywhere else. And second, because a cruise can get complicated. There are airline tickets that have to be bought, hotel rooms to be booked, shore excursions, and lots of options on the ship. "Often, cruise agents will book group space on popular sailings, which often entitle them to offer their clients bonus items - onboard money to spend, champagne toasts, discounted deposits and more," says cruise expert Carmen S. "Plus, because they've booked space on the best cruises, other sites may tell you that there's no availability, when a cruise agent can get you onboard, no problem."

[firefly333]

I love reading his columns every sunday, but in this case, it doesnt apply much to carnival per se? Because TAs dont have deals (other than if they have a group going the date you want), other than what Carnival can give you ... though they can shave their commission.

 

On higher end cruiselines, Id say this advice might be more apt.

 

If you have a TA book your airfare, they mark it up because they get no commission, etc.

[awhcruiser]

Are you posting this on every cruise line thread? I saw it on Princess also

 

Article in Philadelphia Imquirer

The whole article can be found at

 

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/trave..._bad_idea.html

 

TRAVEL

 

When booking trips online is a bad idea

By Christopher Elliott

TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

.

So when should you not book on the Internet? Here are seven kinds of trips.

 

1. Cruising

Travel agents remain your best bet for a floating vacation. Why? Two main reasons: First, cruise lines give travel agencies access to special deals that you probably won't find anywhere else. And second, because a cruise can get complicated. There are airline tickets that have to be bought, hotel rooms to be booked, shore excursions, and lots of options on the ship. "Often, cruise agents will book group space on popular sailings, which often entitle them to offer their clients bonus items - onboard money to spend, champagne toasts, discounted deposits and more," says cruise expert Carmen S. "Plus, because they've booked space on the best cruises, other sites may tell you that there's no availability, when a cruise agent can get you onboard, no problem."

[Maya57]

I love reading his columns every sunday, but in this case, it doesnt apply much to carnival per se? Because TAs dont have deals (other than if they have a group going the date you want), other than what Carnival can give you ... though they can shave their commission. On higher end cruiselines, Id say this advice might be more apt. If you have a TA book your airfare, they mark it up because they get no commission, etc.

 

My TA only adds a service fee for air when booking air only no cruise or other package.

 

BTW all cruise lines including Carnival are faxing and e-mailing specials to TA's 2 or 3 times a week.