Travel agent or not for cruises?

[Scuba]

I normally plan our own travel unless I'm going to a remote/unusual destination where an agent's expertise would help me make decisions about the trip. I've heard different things re cruises - some say agents can get you a better deal or extra perks, while others say you're better off booking online without assistance. Your thoughts on this?

[Meadbh]

Here's a personal story. I worked with a travel agent who has a lot of cruise experience to find a specific cruise without a single supplement. When a friend decided to accompany me, she was able to get the same deal for my friend.

On the cruise we met a lady who had booked her cruise through Vacations To Go, the discount cruise site. For the same package, she had paid almost double what we had paid.

So, a sample of one, but in my case, using a travel agent did pay off!

[Travelfreek]

We planned a cruise to Alaska recently (should be on it now but cancelled due to 2 of cruise buddies losing their battle to cancer). I learned in the process of planning that the price was same whether we used travel agent or Costco or Princess directly but Costco offered more on board credits - like $250 worth. I told travel agent I was going to bail on them once I learned about Costco's offer. He then said he could match Costco's offer. So we stuck with agency until we had to cancel due to friend's sickness. Next time, I'll just go straight through Costco Travel. Princess Cruises were very helpful when I would call and ask questions also. I was disappointed in agent for not offering deal before I mentioned Costco so..next time, it's Costco Travel first!

[Cobra9777]

We've only been on two cruises, so not a ton of experience. In both cases, I contacted a travel agent, Vacations To Go, and the cruise line directly. The basic price was the same at all 3. But there were variations in the onboard cash and freebies like internet and drink packages. I figured out which combo package was best for us and the cruise line was happy to match the deal. But you do have to ask.

[Starsky]

Never pay retail for a cruise, there are far too many discounts out there. You can DIY online, or you can look for agencies that specialize in cruising, not just general travel agencies. These agents love to cruise and will know about how to get the best deals. They often will have first-hand experience going to your destination and are very aware of all the shipboard credits, free tipping, booking discounts, and other add-ons that the cruise lines will offer to win your business.

Travel agencies, particularly those who specialize in cruise travel, will sometimes negotiate special deals with cruise lines for particular sailings or will book their own blocks of cabins and resell them at discounted rates. They can be very good sources of deals, and they will often specialize in particular lines or itineraries. It can be worth calling around to see what deals these agents have. They are often highly knowledgable about the ships, the accommodations, the food and the onboard amenities - cruise lines provide lots of familiarization opportunities to the industry. Their commissions are paid by the cruise lines, not by you so it's a win-win.

[Meadbh]

^^^^ This.

I think it's important to choose a travel agency that specializes in cruising.

[Souschef]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh ^^^^ This. I think it's important to choose a travel agency that specializes in cruising.

+1
I have been on over 40 cruises, and always use a Travel Agent. Also, if there is a problem, they have more leverage to fix it.
We always get on board credits from our travel Agent.

[Bestwifeever]

We had a B&M cruise specialist travel agent for a holiday cruise that was cancelled because the brand new ship was not delivered in time--we were supposed to be its fourth cruise. We knew about it from the news before the agent did. I kept contacting the TA about the cancellation possibility as the first three were cancelled, and she insisted ours would be okay--just useless. We had to use or lose the airline tickets for five people even though the cruise itself was refunded and were scrambling on our own to find an alternative a week before the flights. The cruiseline itself was much more helpful.

[jimnjana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starsky Never pay retail for a cruise...

. Not true. There are times you pay retail, for example, a one time cruise. We are cruising in 2018 on the new RCL "largest" ship on its first trans Atlantic we booked it along with our travel agent friends. Also, you pay when you have a specific timeframe and itinerary. Otherwise your comments are spot on. I love travel
Agents, (DW is one) we have the best time traveling with them.

[Sunset]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bestwifeever We had a B&M cruise specialist travel agent for a holiday cruise that was cancelled because the brand new ship was not delivered in time--we were supposed to be its fourth cruise. We knew about it from the news before the agent did. I kept contacting the TA about the cancellation possibility as the first three were cancelled, and she insisted ours would be okay--just useless. We had to use or lose the airline tickets for five people even though the cruise itself was refunded and were scrambling on our own to find an alternative a week before the flights. The cruiseline itself was much more helpful.

Wonderful, since we are going on a new ship next year (about the 4th cruise for it). This will be something to watch out for, or we will be stuck in Spain...

[Bestwifeever]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimnjana . Not true. There are times you pay retail, for example, a one time cruise. We are cruising in 2018 on the new RCL "largest" ship on its first trans Atlantic we booked it along with our travel agent friends. Also, you pay when you have a specific timeframe and itinerary. Otherwise your comments are spot on. I love travel Agents, (DW is one) we have the best time traveling with them.

Are you and the travel agents paying retail? I would guess not.

[jimnjana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bestwifeever Are you and the travel agents paying retail? I would guess not.

Yes. We did on the only Trans Atlantic for Harmony of the Seas as well. The retail price will not go on sale on these one time cruises as the date approaches. Harmony was sold out. These class ships will be staying in the US not going back to Europe so basically it is a one time crossing. There is no way I'd cruise the Caribbean on one of these ships (too many kids and young people).

[Bestwifeever]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimnjana Yes. We did on the only Trans Atlantic for Harmony of the Seas as well. The retail price will not go on sale on these one time cruises as the date approaches. Harmony was sold out. These class ships will be staying in the US not going back to Europe so basically it is a one time crossing. There is no way I'd cruise the Caribbean on one of these ships (too many kids and young people).

I looked up the Symphony's transatlantic voyage on the RCL website--what a beautiful ship. Your voyage seems very reasonable even without any discount. The 30 percent off price shown for its other voyages are more per night.

[mystang52]

I used a brick-and-mortar cruise travel agent several times, and always got at least a little extra in terms of on board credits. But one year he got me something like $500 when he caught wind of a steep discount the cruise line was offering, and it was still before the 90 day window.
We now use Vacations to Go, and similarly always get 50 to $100 extra in on board credits, and sometimes a few extra bucks off of the cruise cost itself. And a few times we needed some additional assistance and they were great.

[jimnjana]

We don't normally pay retail. But sometimes that is what you must do to get what you want. For us, we enjoyed the mega ship experience for the trans Atlantic, we know we would not enjoy it for a Caribbean cruise. I'm amazed at the premium the large new ships command. Repostioning cruises are priced cheaper to begin with so perhaps we really are not paying full retail price.

[Bamaman]

We shop on Vacations to Go's website because they have virtually every cruise in the world listed.

But my wife has been dealing with Ann Kent @ Avoya Travel--the other big cruise specialists.

We've found Ann Kent's service level to be incredible, and she's found every discount and incentive program available. If we'd gotten any more freebies on our last year's cruise to the Greek Isles', they'd been paying us to go.

Google her, and you too will be very pleased with her servcies.