Booking

[busybear]

Book with the cruise line or a travel agent

[mom says]

Yes.

[mom says]

Seriously, though, if this is your first cruise, then a cruise specialist TA can help guide you through the myriad of things that are peculiar to cruising, as opposed  to land travel. If you already have a couple of cruises under your belt and feel confident  about selecting amongst all of your options, then booking directly with the cruise line may work for you.

[Tonopah]

We use a travel agent and it is great. They deal with the cruise line. None of that being on hold for hours, no surprises. We are savvy and could book on our own, but we just don’t want the hassle. Our TA is great.

[TheOldBear]

Note that this site is sponsored by folks who do not want other travel agents mentioned.

You may want to look at the 'deals' and 'find a cruise' links at the top of the page, and visit the first Time Cruisers Forum 

 

[ColeThornton]

1 hour ago, busybear said:

Book with the cruise line or a travel agent

 

Good advice.  🙂

[LHT28]

personal choice

[rkacruiser]

Use a travel agent.  Pricing may be better, maybe some perks will be offered because you are giving them your business, and they may even be able to have some special fares/packages that are available only for their clients.

 

If problems occur before you sail, possibly during your cruise, or afterwards, they may be able to be of more help and solve whatever issue it may be much more easily than if you tried to do it on your own.  

[Corby114]

Ask friends, relatives and co workers for travel agent recommendations. I have done forty plus cruises since I got hooked in May 1983 after my first voyage. I have used travel agents, booked directly with various cruise lines and online cruise agencies. I have also booked voyages on my own. A first timer should use a travel agency that specializes in cruises. They normally can sweeten your deal with perks and in some instances onboard credit. They normally take the hassles away if there’s a problem with your booking. After the first cruise it gets so much easier. Cruises are wonderful and are my favorite form of vacation travel.

[iancal]

We use a TA and the vast majority of our communication is by email.  She is a high producer and prefers email.  Says she can get much more done for clients like us who only email for a quote on our selected late booking cruise.  All we want is a balcony cabin and a cruise line booking number.

 

The other reason is that many of our cruises are late booking done while we are on  land trips.  All of our Med cruises and our TA have been done this way.   Booked while we were in Europe.  So email conquers any time zone issues.

[lenquixote66]

We normally use a TA but I happened to call the cruise line to ask a question and the person who answered the phone had the same last name as me.We got into a conversation and decided to book with him.It turned out to be the best booking ever.

[Nebr.cruiser]

We usually use a travel agent for better prices and some perks.  They can also go to bat for you if things go wrong.  We do occasionally book through the cruise line if prices are good.

Edited July 19, 2022 by Nebr.cruiser

[Ashland]

We have for years booked directly with our preferred cruiseline. Not interested in a 3rd party or the perks they offer...A personal choice that continues working for us.

[PurpleHays]

I do some research on my own, but use a TA. With today's hold times, she gets to be on terminal hold instead of me. Also, If I have issues while on vacation, I can email her and she can solve (or sit on hold).

[iancal]

There is no right answer.  Just do what is 'right' for you.   

 

We have absolutely no issue booking with agencies or cruise line offices in other countries if the saving is substantial.  In our experience in can be.   We often buy travel products from sites that are not in NA.  Air, cruise, hotel, AI's, tour packages. 

 

There can be a substantial difference in pricing (and T's &C's) in shopping out of county web sites or in dealing direct with out of country vendors. Including cruise lines in our experience. 

 

The only thing that matters is that you get what you want booked, when you want it booked,  at the price that you are happy with , and with the level of service that satisfies your requirements.  The rest is noise level.

Edited July 20, 2022 by iancal

[Markanddonna]

Call an agent and also call the cruise line. Compare. If you are booking more expensive cabins, then an agent is a good idea. 

[crystalspin]

I have had good (money-saving) experience with my HAL PCCs. Plural because my first one retired! So when I wanted to book with Carnival, I asked for a PVP -- she let me book a non-refundable deposit without a mention or warning! So it can matter by the cruiseline as well. READ THE FINE PRINT no matter how you book.

[Toofarfromthesea]

Kudos to everyone in this thread who just said what they do, rather than saying or implying there is only one right answer.