Book Direct or through Travel Agent?

[Cruisers47]

Hi

 

interesting discussion!

 

Since Covid I have booked direct with RCL as now we are Diamond the freebies are worth it.

 

on the cruise with RCL we are doing next month the price has been reduced a few times and I phoned and they reduced our cost as long as we had not paid the final payment.   Very happy.

 

I have booked a Christmas  Cruise with celebrity for 2023 with a online TA for $25 deposits.   It was cheaper than booking direct!   If I change my mind I have only lost $50.   But they have now had a special on this cruise $1500 cheaper so I cancelled my previous booking..lost $50..and rebooked the lower priced one.   No issues,   Happy cruiser.

[MMDown Under]

41 minutes ago, Cruisers47 said:

Hi

 

interesting discussion!

 

Since Covid I have booked direct with RCL as now we are Diamond the freebies are worth it.

 

on the cruise with RCL we are doing next month the price has been reduced a few times and I phoned and they reduced our cost as long as we had not paid the final payment.   Very happy.

 

I have booked a Christmas  Cruise with celebrity for 2023 with a online TA for $25 deposits.   It was cheaper than booking direct!   If I change my mind I have only lost $50.   But they have now had a special on this cruise $1500 cheaper so I cancelled my previous booking..lost $50..and rebooked the lower priced one.   No issues,   Happy cruiser.

Well done!  That is interesting that the price for Christmas 2023 cruise with Celebrity has dropped $1500 already. How does it compare with Christmas 2022 cruises costwise? 

[Cruisers47]

8 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

Well done!  That is interesting that the price for Christmas 2023 cruise with Celebrity has dropped $1500 already. How does it compare with Christmas 2022 cruises costwise? 

Hi

 

just had a look at 2022 Christmas cruise and it is a fair bit cheaper with the same TA.   I should have added that the cheaper cruise I have booked for 2023 does not have a $25 deposit but I feel pretty certain that we will do it.

 

we are booked on a different cruise this Christmas with Azamara.

 

eileen

[Hammer61]

Had mixed experience with Travel Agents, if booking a package then happily use them but as said by others the specialist variety that offer the all inclusive deal, fights, cruise, hotel transfers etc, but if just booking a cruise I go direct to the cruise company these days, you may pay a little more (initially) but if prices drop it’s a quick call and they match the new deal, if using a TA then cancellation fees and re booking maybe required or admin fees to get it changed with all the hassle of calling, chasing up etc.

 

To be honest in the current climate, fares are changing quite regularly, nearly booked a Princess cruise for October 2023, the price just this month has fallen about $400 each for a balcony, will leave that one for now though, already have 3 cruises in the pipeline, but if or when I book will go direct, did have a cruise booked from Hong Kong on a $50 deposit, when it cancelled the TA said they normally charge a lot more to cancel as if they were doing me a favour by keeping my $50 deposit rather than charging more!!!! I pointed out it was Princess who cancelled not me, they then said I can use the deposit on another cruise booked with them but unless its last minute, fat chance!!! For reasons stated above.