Just curious to know

[Sea and Me]

how many of you use a travel agent?? Do you book on your own when you find a good deal?? We have been using the same travel agent for a while (large agency) and wonder if it would be wise to try to do it on our own. What are your thoughts?? Any help is appreciated:)

[chrysalis]

what do you mean by "on your own"?.....you mean booking directly with Princess?

[Donna - dsw]

I always surf the net and then email 3 or 4 T/A's I have used in the past. Go with best deal - I already know enough about cruising to know what I want - I want the best price!

[paul929207]

I check the online TA's. Then call my local TA. She always matches the best price I have found. She usually gets a better category for the type cabin I have selected (outside, balcony, etc.)

 

Paul

[CL-JW]

We have always used a TA (as opposed to booking direct with the cruise line). We have not tried an "on-line" TA agency.

[custompcsys]

I use 1 TA exclusively that specializes in just cruises. After shopping quite a bit on my own, comparing, etc, she has never failed to come in with the best price, and her service is excellent. She also always has some little perk to thow in as well, like an OBC or an upgrade. She also knows that I know about cruising, so dealing with her is a smooth experience all the way around.

 

So, when I want to go, I just pick up the phone, call her, and she takes care of the rest. :D

[dot73]

For the cruise, I first check the price directly with the cruise line. I then call three travel agents for quotes. The last three cruises I have booked with one TA because she always gave me the best price. I feel more confident dealing with a TA as the agency is insured and there is an actual person (and 24-hour emergency number) I can speak to if something goes wrong. I book my own airline tickets directly with the airlines on the internet and look for seat sales. This way I am sure to get the most direct flights and control the times I leave. On my last cruise, on a flight from LAX to Tahiti, I saved $300 by booking directly with the airline rather than buying from Princess. It definitely pays to shop around if you are on a budget.

[GloriaF]

For our first cruise, I booked directly with Princess through an email advertisement. Now I shop around with online TAs and go with the best price. Most of our cruises have been booked with one specific agent, but I have used other agencies. I was concerned at first about using an unknown agent, but things have always worked out fine. Since we've learned a little about cruising and know what we want, the best price is the deciding factor for us.

[nschurr]

I have used internet TAs before, but recently I have found them to be unresponsive. So, this time I went with a TA that I could actually have a conversation with. Price was similar as the big internet TAs.

[Steven_&_Daniel]

We have used an online agency for 2 of our 3 cruises. Only one minor problem with one agent which was quickly fixed by another agent. Never had a problem contacting via e-mail, online chat, or toll-free. Our current cruise had a drop in price of $250 per person between booking and final payment which we received.

[Julia’s Journey’s]

We have used a TA, booked with on-line TA and also booked direct.

Always book our own air and pre and post hotel stays:D :D