Do you use a travel agent?

Sunbeam · January 23, 2007

I just had such a bad experience in the booking of the last 2 cruises with my travel agent, I was curious in how you usually book your cruise.

With or without air?

With a travel agent?

Or online with cruise line?

cruisetarp · January 23, 2007

First of all Sunbeam - Welcome to Cruise Crazies. I hope you will post often and enjoy your time here.

After 9/11 I had a bad experience with a TA I had used for years. I then tried a couple of on-line agencies but found by doing my research I knew more than they did. Since then I have been booking direct with the cruise lines. I like to be able to get in touch with them and not have to go thru a TA. We always sail from a port close to home so airfare is not an issue.

Gregswife · January 23, 2007

All 10 of our cruises have been booked thru Cruises Only, and we have used the same agent for the last 7. I actually talked to him about booking this one, but Maria/Teacp (you'll "meet" her soon, she was cruising last week and I don't think they are home yet) recommended her agent at Carnival. As we always sail Carnival, I decided to call her. She is just the sweetest thing and has bent over backwards getting us upgrades and discounts. From now on, I will book directly thru Carnival. We do have a TA here on the forum, and I hear he is quite wonderful...

zebra · January 23, 2007

We always book through our agent - Cruise World, she makes sure that we get the best deals and upgrades....she's a gem!!!!

No we never book air through her - we always book our air on the internet at the airlines' website.

mercedes · January 23, 2007

All of my cruises have been with Carnival and I always book directly with them including airfare.

YellowBird · January 23, 2007

I also have 3 cruises under my belt, And currently have my 4th one booked. I have always surfed the internet to find out what cruise I wanted and the date. Then call Carnival direct. It is really simple. I have never seen the need for a travel agent. I have done them without airfare, I have booked my own airfare indepently of carnival, and the current cruise I used carnival's airfare due to utilizing there free shuttle service. I could get cheaper airfare independtly, but when I factored in a days motel room and renting cars or taxes it was within a hundred dollars of carnivals price...So we splurged and are going to let someone do all the driving...

elva · January 23, 2007

my very first cruise i went thru carnival directly and was very pleased with them. they next 2 cruises were group cruises and we used 2 different travel agents one online and one not. both were also good. not sure on next cruise which route i will go as i have not decided yet what cruise line to use. i do my own airfare and always fly in the day before if i have to fly. i look online (then call the hotel itself) for a hotel that has shuttle to and from airport and port. i have only cruised out of galveston (drove there) and tampa but before we board we buy the shuttle tickets back to airport.

Peddler · January 23, 2007

I use a local TA. He has always been good and all I have to do is tell him what I want and he does the rest...Simple, neet, no hassle.

sailingrose · January 23, 2007

For me it depends on the line. On RCI and Celebrity I book myself by calling them. Princess I usually book with an agent because they can get discounts that I can't. I had a travel agent for about 6 years but ditched him when he stopped giving me good service.

Welcome aboard Sunbeam!

SMB · January 23, 2007

Welcome aboard, Sunbeam.

I tend to sign up for the last minute deals, so I use vacationstogo.com. I've never found a better deal on prices, but they do not offer bonus perks, so check around first.

SMB