Is it better to book a cruise directly through the cruise line (Carnival, etc) or through a travel agent?
I know exactly what cruise trip I want to book. It is through Carnival, and their website is very detailed on the cruise, excursions, and price details. I was wondering what are the benifits of booking through a travel agent vs. direct sale from the cruise line?
The price will be the same, either way. Most Rez Center people are order takers, who won’t necessarily advise you of specials, or better deals, etc and once they are done with the sale, you are pretty much on your own.
A good Travel Agent can tell you about options with other lines, do all the follow up, be there if something goes wrong, give you information about the ports, etc. They will also keep track of your upcoming cruise, and if the price drops, get you the better deal if possible – the cruise line’s don’t ever do that.
Obviously, as a Travel Agency Owner, I have a vested interest in this, and to tell you the truth, before I got in the business, I often dealt direct with the lines. If you are comfortable that you have all the information you need, and don’t need any advice or hand-holding – go that route. If, on the other hand, you feel like having an experienced professional walk you thru the process and be there if something goes wrong – work with a Travel Agent. Again – it won’t cost you anything.
And, one more time, despite what some people will say here – IT WON’T COST YOU ANYTHING, AND MAY WELL SAVE YOU SOME MONEY. Our commissions are paid by the Cruise Line, and they don’t give you that money if you book direct – that is how they fund their call centers.
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