Cunard Direct or High Street TA

[mikey1]

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to booking a Getaway Fare with Cunard direct, as opposed to booking with a high street travel agent?

 

I was wondering which had the greater chance of an upgrade, and if we were to have any issues, which we would be more responsive?

The cruise is only a 4 nighter and the prices are identical.

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited November 6, 2013 by mikey1

[capnpugwash]

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to booking a Getaway Fare with Cunard direct, as opposed to booking with a high street travel agent?

 

I was wondering which had the greater chance of an upgrade, and if we were to have any issues, which we would be more responsive?

The cruise is only a 4 nighter and the prices are identical.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Some swear by booking directly with Cunard, others wouldn't dream of not using a travel agent. There is no right or wrong answer, it is merely whatever you/they have experienced in the past. Regarding upgrades, the decision is in the hands of the upgrade fairy but normally the less you've cruised with Cunard the better the chance of getting one.

[mikey1]

Thanks for that.

This will be our first cruise. Just a sampler really, but hopefully the first of many.

[fantasy51]

I always book with Cunard direct because it takes less time! In the days when I used to book through the High Street chain, they took ages to book me, and to find out details. My patience is not my strong point. When I book over the internet, it's done and dusted. I can also spend time looking at all sorts of possibilities. When dealing with others, they don't seem to see the effects of changing one small thing; they don't like 'what if's.

 

I did approach one travel concierge company last year and they told me that Cunard pays them so little, that I would have to pay the company £50 to book with them; they advised me to do it direct with Cunard.

[Pennbank]

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to booking a Getaway Fare with Cunard direct, as opposed to booking with a high street travel agent?

 

I was wondering which had the greater chance of an upgrade, and if we were to have any issues, which we would be more responsive?

The cruise is only a 4 nighter and the prices are identical.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Occasionally I will use an on line travel agent which has a name of that of a dome shape structure made of Ice and snow.

They some times have special offers which Cunard do not offer. Also useful if booking other lines/Holidays. You get to know the travel rep.

Other times I will just use Cunard Direct.

 

Worth noting that some Travel agents do not charge the Credit Card surcharge. The agents presently get 5% I believe with Cunard

Edited November 6, 2013 by Pennbank

[Cruise Liner Fan]

Though I live in the USA, Last August 16th when I booked my October 2013 QM2 New England/Canada cruise I booked thru a local travel agency and by doing that I saved $550 versus booking on-line. So for now on all my Cunard bookings will be thru that same local travel agency. Regards,Jerry

[mikey1]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

If the prices remain identical, I think we will book direct.

[Dancer Bob]

My travel agent is a member of a consortum and often has access to group space with other consortium members. Also, as a single, the super-special ads often turn out to be not special at all. I've never been quoted a price higher than booking direct.

I have shopped around looking at other agents and can only say, find one who knows the product.

[david,Mississauga]

My decision to use a travel agent has nothing to do with the possibility of saving a a few $ or £. In 40 years of international travel I have had only two travel agents, both specialists in ocean travel. I can't imagine going overseas without having a reliable person to count on for assistance if a problem should arise - in addition to having a good insurance policy, of course.

 

My current TA is well-connected with Cunard (and other lines) and without his help I doubt we would have gotten on board the penultimate eastbound crossing of the QE2 in 2008. When I attempted to book, the ship was sold out with a long waiting list. My agent said we should not despair. He phoned someone he knew at Cunard and 15 minutes later we had a guarantee for a Caronia Restaurant stateroom.

[Summergee]

Our first cruise was booked through a local TA but they went bust about 5 months before we were due to leave. We were told about this by Cunard and they took on the booking. They were so helpful that we have booked directly with Cunard since.

[ToadOfToadHall]

We've been 4 times with Cunard, 3 of those 4 we booked directly and each time we've been upgraded. The one time we used a TA we did not get upgraded. However, on that one occasion the price was way cheaper that Cunard's direct price.

 

But it looks to me that in the last couple of years there's no difference in price in booking with a TA or directly. Indeed, the TA we used the one time to book with no longer deals with Cunard, which makes me think that maybe they have decided it's not longer worth their while.

[bunkrest]

I must admit I was surprised,after getting endless emails from every cruise booking agent going telling me this and that, half price for this that and the other...the end of the day the prices have turned out to be identical...In fact I told one TA what exactly is the incentive for booking with you when the quote is the same as Cunards web price....needless to say they we're stuck for words..:confused:

[Ray66]

If you shop around on the internet there is one who undercuts Cunard (and it's not the one mentioned above).