Do You Always Use the Same Booking Co?

sjay80 · July 10, 2004

I am looking for advice from those of you who have cruised multiple times....

1. Do you shop around or stick with a booking company you like?

2. Who are your favorite companies?

3. Do you book by phone or online or both?

4. How far in advance do you generally book?

TIF

~Sandy

Lisa63 · July 10, 2004

Hi Sandy!

I am one of those who prefers to use a travel agent. And when I find a good one, I stick with her/him.

We had a wonderful TA who retired a few years ago, and the following year we booked through a large conglomerate. What a nightmare! Our airline tickets were issued from the wrong city, the final payment we had authorized well prior to the due date was not applied by the deadline -- the list goes on. This agency did nothing to help with these situations. I was on the phone constantly with the cruise line trying to get them to talk to me. Fortunately, in the end it worked out, but it was quite stressful at the time.

We are once again using a TA for our cruises -- found a new one, who is spectacular. Although we are experienced cruisers (whatever that may mean), it's nice to know that there is a dedicated person on your side should things go amiss.

As far as how long in advance to book -- it depends on the time of year you're going and the popularity of the ship. As I have a school-age child, we cruise during school vacations only, which is a popular time to go. So, we usually book about 8 to 10 months in advance.

Shari2 · July 10, 2004

I guess we have been lucky. We have used agents, and booked online, and never had a problem. We booked one cruise within 10 days, and everything went well with that one, but we did have an agent who was close by then, so we could go and pick up our documents. The last cruise, and our next one coming up have been booked on the internet. Everything was well taken care of, so we went with this company and person again. Everything is handled by e-mail here.

We usually go with whoever gives us the best price, or if we find someone we like like last trip, we tell them the price we have heard and see if they will match it. We usually book within two or three months, but this last cruise we got a great price for a balcony, so we booked over a year ahead.

FrankiRN · July 10, 2004

We almost always book our cruise while onboard a cruise for the extra on board credits. We then switch the booking to our TA, whom we are very attached too. Haven't had too many glitches that she couldn't take care of.

sailingrose · July 10, 2004

I used to jump around from agent to agent but I've used the same one many times now and I'm happy with the service. He really has little to do for us as we are well schooled in the art of cruising. LOL!

We usually book our trips while on board also and the cruise line turns them over to our agent immediately. He's on-line but also has and 800 number and always returns our calls.

DaCruzNut · July 10, 2004

I have been through a number of travel agencies, and have been staisfied with ost, although hot 100%. that is, until a couple of years ago, when I stumbled upon the TA I use now. Lori is fantastic! She really works hard to earn her commission...

alt text

She always gets me the best prise, and, then, follows-up with the cruise line to make sure a better deal isn't being offered somewhwere down the road. if she finds a better price, you get a refund, or shipboard credit, for the difference. in addition, I have received upgrades for about 1/2 the cruises I booked with her.

The only exception is if I book a Carnival cruise. I made a "friend," at carnival, nd get the best deals by booking directly with the cruise line, through him.

chillhouse · July 11, 2004

We used a large local travel agency for the first cruise we took about 6 years ago and what a nightmare! alt text We have always gone with about 10-20 other family members and I usually do all the planning. That agency screwed up so many things, and every time we'd call, there was another agent assigned to us. So, starting with the next cruise, I used an online agency who has been wonderful. They don't provide the "perks" that the land based agency did - minor, in my opinion (fruit baskets in the stateroom, arranging the shore excursions through the ship) but the online agency's prices are so much lower and they will automatically give you credit if the price goes down. I also have a school age teen and have to travel during the vacations too, so that only happened once in the past 5 years. We do our own airfare, coming in the day before, and also book alot of our excursions online also.

EJM · July 12, 2004

We also had the same nightmare with a local travel agency who must have picked out a cabin by throwing a dart at the deck plans. Since then we go with an online agency who has been very good to us. We strayed one time to another online and that was OK but, not great. The one we stick with can be reached 24/7 by phone and responds instantly.

rogue · July 13, 2004

We always use the same TA for all of our cruises so far. We trust that she'll do the best for us. She knows exactly what we want and like. We just call her on the phone , and she'll usually get back to us that evening, or the next day at the latest.

As far as how far in advance we book our cruises, we have done it as long as 18 months ahead, and as short as 6 months. We have never tried a last minute cruise, but that may be coming in our future some day. :wink:

Howard

JohnG · July 14, 2004

We have used a travel agent every time but once. I usually shop prices on the internet and then email a TA to match or beat the price. They generally do. The TA I have used most is in NY and I have never met her face to face, just on the phone. She is good with details but not agressive in following price cuts. It was she who introduced us to guarantees. Lori, whom Jeff mentioned, has not done much for us and I have used her as a TA twice. We used a big online agency once when they had the only cabins left, and service was fine.

But things are changing. My job was eliminated in June and I have decided to make our vacations into a vocation, and I will be attending cruise TA training school in FLL at the end of July and will begin working from home as a cruise TA in August. Spending my time getting computer systems, and home office in place. Needless to say, I'll be booking my own cruises. And taking more, as I have to check out itineraries I haven't traveled. :smiley: As if I needed a reason to cruise. I'll work when I want and vacation when I want!