Viking direct vs travel agent

[planterx2]

We have been on several Viking river cruises which were all booked directly through Viking. We are now getting ready to book our first Viking ocean cruise. Can anyone explain the positives and negatives of booking directly through Viking vs booking through a travel agent?

[mhb1757]

I booked our first Viking River Cruise thru Viking direct, remainder have been through a TA. Main advantage to the TA is the 15% or so they save me vs Viking direct!! And on a 15 day ocean cruise that is quite a bit of change.

We have always had excellent service from the TA and Viking direct so no big difference there. I can just find other ways to use the $2K+ the TA saved us over the Viking direct cost on the upcoming ocean cruise. :):):)

[stretchcruz]

We also use a TA and got at least 15% off. Service is great.

[Rickey 88]

One of the best reasons to use a Travel Agent, "Saving Money and Getting Assurance".

 

A really good TA will have a good relationship with most Cruise lines and will be able to offer you some sort of price reduction. This is something most will simply be unable to do on their own!

 

Secondly, and even more important, is that in the event of some sort of foul-up - they will have good contacts in cutting through red tape and finding a solution.....

 

Find a TA and have a safe trip......:)

[espresso68]

we used a ta but only got an 8%.what ta did you use to get 15%.

[Carol From California]

we used a ta but only got an 8%.what ta did you use to get 15%.

 

Not permitted to list names of TA's on this site, but my TA gives 15% off Viking as well.

[roothy123]

Agree - use a TA! Ours just gave us 17.5% on our cruise and airfare. Every little bit helps!

[larry1365]

In my experience, one can always get some sort of discount or OBC by going thru a travel agent rather than booking directly with the cruise line.