Reservations through an agency or direct?

[seattle sojourner]

First time cruiser/poster. I've found a cruise I want to take, Royal Caribbean in January out of Galveston. There are lots of places to make reservations: agencies, online, direct with the shipline. Is any one a better choice than the other? Customer Service? Safety of information? Better prices?

[sjcruiser]

Either would work, as long as it's a reputable agency. I usually book directly with the cruiseline, but this time around I used on of the online auction/travel websites. They offered more amenities/bonuses for booking that would be used in conjuction/during my cruise, saving me money upfront, which I'll use on my cruise. I always buy each piece of my travel from a separate vendor or company. This is also the first time I purcashed cruise/travel insurance, which is well worth the peace of mind knowing if anything comes up, I'm covered.

[cb at sea]

We always book with the cruiseline, because we like having control of our reservation. However, some TAs will give you "perks", like an onboard credit, or a meal in a specialty restaurant, for booking thru them....call a couple and ask what they offer! The only downside to a TA is you cannont call RCI and ask questions, make changes, etc...once you've booked thru a Ta....you will have to go thru that 3rd party.

[seattle sojourner]

Thank you both!

[celticlady]

First time cruiser/poster. I've found a cruise I want to take, Royal Caribbean in January out of Galveston. There are lots of places to make reservations: agencies, online, direct with the shipline. Is any one a better choice than the other? Customer Service? Safety of information? Better prices?

 

I had booked orginially through the cruiseline. Then I found a local agent who could give me a better price. Then I went online to a website where agents compete and you receive quotes from them. I am about to switch because one of them can save me $200 and give me $75 obc. If your interested search for websites that compare cruises and you will see this website. Good luck ;)

[cruiselover57]

First time cruiser/poster. I've found a cruise I want to take, Royal Caribbean in January out of Galveston. There are lots of places to make reservations: agencies, online, direct with the shipline. Is any one a better choice than the other? Customer Service? Safety of information? Better prices?

 

Lately, I've been using a TA as well for the same reasons others have mentioned - I seem to get better pricing and an OBC. While others have mentioned you can't call the cruise line to ask questions about your reservation - I don't agree - it really depends what you're asking. I've done that several times with some basic questions when I couldn't get a hold of my TA and depending on who answers the phone, I've always gotten my question answered - when it comes to changes, yes, the TA has to do those for you.