Booking directly with cruiseline

[Maverick61]

Either method will work. I book with the method that saves me the most money or gets me the most extra perks. 99% of the time that has been using an online travel agent

 

No need to talk to anyone there either. You can book at many major online TAs 100% online as easily as you can at NCL directly with no other human interaction if that is your preference

[April42749]

I call and book with the person who answers the phone at NCL.

 

The last rep I used told me that I couldn't use my Future Cruise Certificate because it was only good for balconies. Ugh....and that's why I question just about everyone's knowledge.

 

I figure if the NCL reps don't know about their product, what would a travel agent know?

 

When I "need to know" I come here....probably much better info than any travel agent could give.

 

(Full disclosure....I book inexpensive cabins and then work up. Probably not too much commission for the agent so I doubt they'd spend time solving a problem, if one came up.)

[Linda the Book Lover]

Book whichever way makes it easier for you. Sometimes we take many paths before we find the right one for us personally. We booked with a TA that we loved she left her company and we got someone less knowledgeable and I did not book with her. Tried NCL and had a great one, who of course was promoted...sign:( Then a so-so one who left perhaps I hounded him too much about price drops and I now see the cabin I wanted is open. We left when the next replacement TA thought they should call once a week even when I said, no thank you, I will call you. Returned to the "military company" from eons ago and after a wonderful person had a "let me just say anything person" (he left after a very short time) to my TA that walks on water. One just does not know.

[garycarla]

We do most things on our own. The Round The World trip below was done on our own. No TA would want to touch it - LOL!

[joteacher]

We are thinking of booking a cruise for February. Has anyone booked directly with the cruiseline? We have never done that veiled, but with tomorrow bring Christmas, and the cruise coming up quickly,we would like to get it done as soon as possible.

Pros and cons?

Thank you.

 

I've done both and am happy to say that I have found THE BEST PCC at NCL. I always use him. I check the online prices, pick the cabin I want, then call him and tell him I want the best price. He always matches what I've found elsewhere and often does even better! I can call him anytime (he even gave me his cell number), and if there's a price drop he makes the adjustment. If you want his name and number, let me know...you'll love him!

~Joanne

[pr0pel]

I used a NCL PCC on my first cruise ever and that was it. I didn't know any better... what you see on the website is what you pay. Since then, I always use a TA and if I don't get at least 8-10% of the fare back in perks, I call the next TA. There's absolutely no reason for me to use NCL directly. I do my own research and pick the rooms I want. It's an easy process for the TA to book my cruise because they do no work and get some $ out of it.. win win for both of us.

[marktwothousand]

I was a big proponent of booking directly thru NCL, but I ended up finding the same price at a travel agent based at a major retailer. So on top of NCL’s price They gave me:

$25 casino credit

Free ship to shore calls - unlimited

100 minutes internet

Wine and strawberries

10 free photos on board

$95 cash card to spend at the store (gas, food, whatever... money I would have spent anyway)

2% cash rebate on the total cost of the cruise

2% cash rebate on my credit card

 

So all in all I got about $200 in net costs back in my pocket on a $1700 fare.

[Oldgoat61]

We use both when booking a cruise. I find what cruise I want with the cabin I want, then contact my TA by email, and find out what perks I can get (usually OBC). Without question I will get a good chunk of OBC. Then I contact NCL, set the reservation, with whatever perks are available. I then transfer my reservation (perks go with it) to my TA.

If I have any questions/concerns/want to make a change, my TA is there to help either by email, or phone.

If you decide to use a TA, find out how long they have been one.........more yrs, better results. :D

[craigers]

We use both when booking a cruise. I find what cruise I want with the cabin I want, then contact my TA by email, and find out what perks I can get (usually OBC). Without question I will get a good chunk of OBC. Then I contact NCL, set the reservation, with whatever perks are available. I then transfer my reservation (perks go with it) to my TA.

If I have any questions/concerns/want to make a change, my TA is there to help either by email, or phone.

If you decide to use a TA, find out how long they have been one.........more yrs, better results. :D

Why book with NCL in the first place?You get all their perks anyway.

[newmexicoNita]

We are thinking of booking a cruise for February. Has anyone booked directly with the cruiseline? We have never done that veiled, but with tomorrow bring Christmas, and the cruise coming up quickly,we would like to get it done as soon as possible.

Pros and cons?

Thank you.

this like so many other things is a matter of opinion. At this late date I think you will do just fine booking via the cruise line. The advantage of dealing with a good and I add good, TA is perks for one thing and if problems do arrise an agent is better able to handle them. Some people say they prefer be in control of their own cruise plans. That certainly is a legit reason for doing your cruise through he cruise line, but I can assure you, most of the stories I have heard about people having problems or not understanding something have come from those who booked directly.

 

Our next cruise, coming up in May we booked via our agent. Between doing the booking within 30 days of our last cruise and perks that were being offered, plus the perk her company were offering I can't begin to list everything we are getting. On top of that the TA always sends us a gift of appreciation and we can call her with any question or concern, even things like arranging the best transportation from the airport or hotel to the cruise port. She always gets the answers for us.

Edited December 26, 2017 by newmexicoNita

[GlamorousGirl]

I prefer to be my own "travel agent." Nobody knows or understands my travel needs better than I do. If I end up having a question, I go to the local AAA office and ask them, without giving them control over any of my trips. It is efficient to deal directly with the cruise line, and I never have to worry about getting a response from them that "you have to go through your travel agent first." Travel agents can be unreliable - but I know I can rely on myself! It is incredibly easy to book a cruise online, as well as your excursions, dinner reservations, and anything else you'd want to book ahead. The few things you can't the travel agent couldn't either because of company policy or ship policy. And when I have a cruise that is comped and the travel agent is listed as the land-based casino, I use the phone number on the voucher to initially book the cruise and then do everything else online myself without ever contacting them again. Am I missing out on small perks? Possibly, but that is a small price to pay for the piece of mind that a travel agent will never leave me hanging and my cruise will go smoothly since I can contact the cruise line directly with no middleman if there are any issues.

[ray98]

I use a few of the larger travel agents. Why? Free $$$. I usually save around 7 - 8% on the cruise after its all over.

[BostonGal35]

we have used the same PCC at NCL and have booked direct for every single one of our sails. we see no need to use a travel agent for simple things like cruises, airline tix, etc.

[smplybcause]

I've done both and am happy to say that I have found THE BEST PCC at NCL. I always use him. I check the online prices, pick the cabin I want, then call him and tell him I want the best price. He always matches what I've found elsewhere and often does even better! I can call him anytime (he even gave me his cell number), and if there's a price drop he makes the adjustment. If you want his name and number, let me know...you'll love him!

~Joanne

That's nice. I got assigned one when I was looking to book my last NCL cruise and he wouldn't match any of the other travel agencies/websites I was looking at. But would endlessly call me even though I said if you can't at least match it I'm not booking with you. Kept saying how his personal touch was worth the difference, but it wasn't my first cruise and after booking with a TA I never talked to them again so his personal touch wasn't worth the extra money.

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[Cruisercl]

I have used online TAs, a PCC and booked on my own directly with a cruise line online. I have to say each one has it benefits but also their drawbacks.

I have used a TA with an office but they could/would not match other offers. Their 'personal attention' was the reason for their difference which I don't really buy especially now that I am a more experienced traveler.

 

With an online TA, I have had $50-$100 cancellation/change fees; not a good thing at all IMHO, yet with a TA you do get OBC etc. in addition to what the cruise line is offering. It is a crap shoot if I book and something comes up.

 

I have spoken to 1 PCC and it was a terrible experience; all kinds of misinformation. I never tried again. Why would I?

 

Booking on my own works best for me when things are pretty straight forward.

I do my research first though and compare.

 

Safe sailing!!!

[travellgirl]

We booked our cruise yesterday.

We had a wonderful travel agent for years who became a friend . She was a franchise owner for a large company. She was always available and would give us perks.

Unfortunately, she passed away very recently and we were leery about using someone else. We did get in touch with a friend of hers, owning the same franchise. We used with her and are now booked on the February 2 cruise on the Breakaway. First time on NCL and looking forward to it.

Thank you for all the comments and suggestions.

[newmexicoNita]

We booked our cruise yesterday.

We had a wonderful travel agent for years who became a friend . She was a franchise owner for a large company. She was always available and would give us perks.

Unfortunately, she passed away very recently and we were leery about using someone else. We did get in touch with a friend of hers, owning the same franchise. We used with her and are now booked on the February 2 cruise on the Breakaway. First time on NCL and looking forward to it.

Thank you for all the comments and suggestions.

I think you made a very good choice. Let's hope you enjoy your first NCL cruise and glad you found an agent you are comfortable with. It sounds like a franchise similar to the one our agent owns. She too give perks and will do anything she can to make a cruise a success.

[newmexicoNita]

Why on Earth would you even need a travel agent to go on a cruise? I always book through the cruise lines. Used a travel agent once and it's a waste of time and just unnecessary to have someone else involved with your cruise plans or to have to rely on. To me, they don't do anything you can't do yourself. Sure, once in a while you might get perk or a little OBC or something but isn't worth even getting someone else involved with my trip. If you are incapable of planning your own cruise, then fine. Booking online with the lines takes minutes. Who in the heck wants to drive to a travel agent and sit there and do what you can do yourself on your couch.

to each his own, but as has been said, if nothing else, when something does go wrong it is nice to have a backup and someone who understands. I am sure those who were involved in the hurricane changes and problems this past fall were very happy to have agents working to find alternatives. Yes, there are those, like you, who enjoy dong it their way. That is fine, but to make a statement "why would anyone need a TA is like saying who needs a real estate agent? Let me also add just one mroe thing: most agents do a good part of their work on the phone or on line. They are available to meet with clients but most do not work for large store front companies anymore.