Travel Agent for First Timer Cruisers

[Mare10]

I'm hoping for some advice. I've been researching our first cruise for a few weeks and have gained so much information on this site. Sometimes overwhelming but I've narrowed down my search!

 

We're planning a cruise to Alaska in summer of 2011. I think we've narrowed it down to the Golden Princess for an inland passage cruise.

 

I did talk with a AAA travel agent. Wondering if I should check with other agents. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

By the way, since it's our 1st cruise we feel a bit more comfortable with a local agent rather than booking online ourselves.

 

Thanks!

 

Marilyn :)

[paul929207]

Princess allows travel agents to discount prices. I would check a number of online TA's to see where you can get the best price.

[firefly333]

OP do be carefull mentioning you talked to a specific TA on here, as its against the rules. Since this is the newbie section, they will probably let it go here.

 

I prefer booking direct in most cases. Depends on the cruiseline. We had a group cruise with Princess and the TA charged extra to handle the booking.

 

My #1 rule is if the TA does not discount and does not give perks, book direct. Most TAs are not open as many hours as the cruiseline will be. What happens if you see a price drop on Sunday and your TA is closed or not working .. how do they handle it? Many TAs now even charge a fee on top of the booking charges, if they have to do a price drop for you.

[Essiesmom]

I would go to the yellow pages and check out travel agencies in your area. If you find one that specializes in cruises, that is really good. I have used AAA before, but followed my TA when she left there and have been really happy with the new agency. Although others swear by them, I am not comfortable booking with an online travel agency. If I was to book a first cruise and could not find a local agency, I would book directly with the cruise line.

On the Princess website, along the menu bar at the top is How To Book. If you click on this, one of the choices is Travel Agent Locater. That will show you agencies in your area. EM

[Mare10]

Thanks for the advice. Fire, I didn't realize it was against the rules to mention a certain TA. Whoops.... newbie is clueless. Guess I should read the rules now!

 

Did you mean that I should book through the cruise lines directly or an internet agent?

 

I'll check out the Princess web site too. We have to wait another couple weeks before we can book so I'm still researching.

 

Marilyn

[lady_cruiser]

Mare10 you are right in using a travel agent for your first cruise. We used one for our first 3 cruises and I am glad we did. But now I feel comfortable booking our own cruises. I have more control over it because if I have a question I can talk directly with the cruise line and not have to depend on an agent. Especially if I have a question over the weekend when most brick and mortar travel agencies are closed.

 

I agree with Essismom. Try and find a travel agency in your area where you can talk face to face. Just look for their cruise certifications after their names to make sure the person you are dealing is reputable.

[wherenext]

Being a travel agent I highly recommend that you find someone that you feel comfortable in talking to. There is so much involved, inside secrets and things you just don't know to ask because you are so new. Certifications are great and I hold many however personal experience also will really help....I know TA that hold certificates yet they have never been on a cruise ship or it has been many years. Cruise lines vary as well as ports of call so you need to be asked the right questions and get you to describe what you are looking for so that you get the right recommendation. There is a big difference in price and quality, not saying that the cruise you selected isn't the perfect cruise for you as I believe there is no set answer that meets everyones needs. A cruise is what you make of it and how prepared you are before you go. You have come to a great spot to gather information as this is where I started years ago when I booked my first cruise. I must admit until you experience it for yourself the first time you really don't know what questions to ask or where to look for the information however this site does totally prepare you in what to look for, excursion help, daily activities on board, restaurants on board, what to pack and even some of the secrets that aren't shared by many TA or the cruise lines to save you money and make your trip more enjoyable. Have a wonderful time and be prepared to get hooked as I did many years ago and now I say if the ship is floating I want to be on it and don't care where it is going just want to enjoy the wonderful experience and the people I meet onboard and the friendships I have made over the years. I encourage all first timers to bring their best friends along with them it just increases the friendship and the experience and my clients have all thanked me for that suggestion.

[Host Walt]

I'm hoping for some advice. I've been researching our first cruise for a few weeks and have gained so much information on this site. Sometimes overwhelming but I've narrowed down my search!

 

We're planning a cruise to Alaska in summer of 2011. I think we've narrowed it down to the Golden Princess for an inland passage cruise.

 

I did talk with a AAA travel agent. Wondering if I should check with other agents. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

By the way, since it's our 1st cruise we feel a bit more comfortable with a local agent rather than booking online ourselves.

 

Thanks!

 

Marilyn :)

 

 

Marilyn,

 

Give this Cruise Critic content a try. It should be helpful:

 

Finding a Cruise Travel Agent

Consider joining the 75 percent of cruisers who book through a travel agent for expert advice and personal service.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

For other useful info, give this a try as well:

 

First Time Cruiser Resources

[Mare10]

Thanks to "Wherenext" for the suggestions. I really appreciate it!

 

Also to Host Walt.... when I saw a message from the host I was afraid I was going to be scolded for mentioning a certain TA. lol. I guess you realize it was a "newbie" error!

 

I'll check out the places on the site to gather more information. I'm glad I started fairly early. Hopefully if we book within the next month we'll be fine.

 

Marilyn :)

[Torgo]

Thanks to "Wherenext" for the suggestions. I really appreciate it!

 

Also to Host Walt.... when I saw a message from the host I was afraid I was going to be scolded for mentioning a certain TA. lol. I guess you realize it was a "newbie" error!

 

I'll check out the places on the site to gather more information. I'm glad I started fairly early. Hopefully if we book within the next month we'll be fine.

 

Marilyn :)

 

As a travel agent, obviously I'm going to recommend that you use a travel agent to book! :D In seriousness, especially for a first-time cruiser, I feel that the services a GOOD travel agent provides are absolutely invaluable, and most won't charge you a fee to do that.

 

You're not wrong to take the price you were given and shop it. It's true that travel agents generally get the best rates available, but that's not true in every single case.

 

The best advice I could give would be to find an agent you feel comfortable working with and let them work for you. And don't be hesitant to ask them any questions you may have, no matter how silly they may seem.

 

Good luck!

[goatgoat]

Talk to more than one TA in your area who specializes in cruises. Select the one that give you more than you can learn on this web site! Ask them what perks they have available. Onboard credits, prepaid gratuities, free spa treatments, free specialty restaurants or free travel insurance are great. Coupon books and cabin upgrades are of only limited value.

 

We used a cruise specialist the first couple of times we cruised and found it hugely helpful. Now we feel comfortable grabbing an online special when we see one.

 

Good luck!

[KarenandBruceG]

For a first time cruiser I would also recommend a travel agent who holds certifications. There is a level of comfort I felt when I sat down across the table and spoke face-to-face with another human being as opposed to point-and-click on a computer. Watching the travel agent at work can also let you gauge how committed they are to making sure you have the best cruising experience! Also, you won't have to click through endless options on a website and possibly miss something important (like a discount)!

 

Wishing you calm seas and smooth sailing!

 

:)

[Loralye]

I agree with booking through cruise line direct. I have always booked with one of those "online TAs" and this next trip booked with my automobile association. I called to get the difference in a price drop ($700). That went ok. Then a few days later Princess had another price drop - that one did not go ok with my automobile association. They were not showing the price drop (???). I cancelled my booking and rebooked with princess saving another $1000 (4 people). That's a total of $1700 - I will always book direct from now on. I check the cruise price everyday & if the price goes down I want it. Hope that helps.

[Mare10]

That does help! I'm about ready to book. A friend at work who is a very experienced cruiser is going to help with some online quotes. I'll tell her what you said about booking with the cruise line itself and see what she thinks.

 

We want to be able to save $$$ for the excursions! Finally know our dates (mid June) so we'll hopefully book within the week.

 

Thanks for the input!

 

Marilyn

[Cruisin' Chick]

As someone who is NOT a travel agent or even related to one, I strongly feel you should use a brick and mortar one for your first cruise or two -- go with one who is a cruise specialist. Even if you find cheaper rates online (and remember there may be fees, taxes, etc. not mentioned on the online quote and you won't see until you are given the final total), a cruise specialist will be there to answer your questions or help with any problems that may arise before the cruise. And hopefully will be honest with you while you narrow down what ship, cruiseline, and itinerary you are selecting. An online agency won't do that for you.

 

Once you get knowledgeable about the world of cruising, you may decide you can navigate booking online, may decide to book through the cruiseline (we just did our latest cruise that way, but then it's my 10th and we knew exactly what we wanted), or may just stick with your original TA as many people do.