Travel Agent or Direct?

Apologies if this has been asked before but I did a quick search which produced nothing. Which is the better option - book with an agent or direct with Cunard?

Bear in mind I'm in the UK so things are different.

Where I live there is a dearth of high street cruise agencies, the first one has only just opened at the end of last year and the rest are just useless unless it is a land based holiday (have commented on this before so won't rehash). This means that most of our cruises have been booked with an on-line agency and as we choose the one with the best deal we have not built up any rapport with an agent.

I'm now looking towards 2020 (!) Alaska cruises and providing I can convince DH that he wants to do this ;p am I better with booking direct with Cunard or should I 'shop around' on-line? Prices didn't differ greatly either way. Does the length of the cruise make any difference?

Thanks in advance for any advice you care to give.

I book with an on-line cruise agent, she works under the umbrella of a large company. They don’t offer any further discounts, but the personal service she has provided is exceptional, and she has managed to arrange things for us, that Cunard say are impossible.

The other night, she was responding to enquiries, sending me emails and finally booking at 10pm, several hours after her office (at home) is supposed to close. And she continues to work even when on holiday herself.

I wouldn’t book with ANYONE else EVER.

We find that booking with the specialist cruise agents are the cheapest option, we usually get about a 5% discount and they will usually beat any other quotes you get. They sometimes give you free extras like parking or internet.

We dont stick to any one in particular but shop around, they all seem to give a similar service. We have 3 cruises booked all with different travel agents.

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We generally use on online agency that gives a little bit better price than Cunard but manages to get us the cabin we want when the cruise company say they are not available. We can also get very good cruise and stay holidays through them which we enjoy. Last December we did Barbados and Silver Wind, this year we are doing a couple of days in Rome followed by a week ON QV in queens grill. These were both at very affordable prices so it is worth giving them a go I think.

Peter and Jenny

I always book through a travel agent. There is nothing to loose and if you do it right, you might get a discount or some other kind of benefit.

I always book with a travel agent. I understand that the pricing models are different, but in the US, there is no discount or offer available from a phone agent at Cunard that my TA can't get.

Most importantly, Using an agent gives me an ally should there be some dispute with the line. Not that I'd expect a problem of course, but for a sizeable purchase it's always prudent to not be alone fighting large, international companies. (Not that it's been an issue in 32 cruises, but you never know...). And, no phone agent (who may not have ever been aboard a Cunard ship) can offer the service my agent provides.

For decades, I've booked airfare and hotels online with confidence. But as the exception that proves the rule, I always use a travel agent for cruises.

Travel Agent. I have done it both ways on Cunard. Using a TA is by far the best strategy. The price may or may not be less, but the TA can make sure I get exactly what I want and will coordinate all of the details.

I still make my own air arrangements and she coordinates transfers, hotels, etc...

Thanks for the input. I now have until October (?) to persuade DH that he really really wants to do an Alaskan cruise :D

Advice on what subtle hints I can use would be appreciated :D:D

To those of you that book with TA... do you still get the free drinks, gratuities and hefty OBC that you do when booked Direct?

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Absolutely! In fact, my TA usually finds more benefits than I knew about.

I am in the US and use a T/A that used to work for Cunard, and has good contacts with them still. She is excellent. I booked with Cunard directly before I went to her and my experience was excellent to poor. So T/A only today.

Always travel agent. Mine gets the same amenities that are available directly through Cunard. Some agents add more amenities. My agent monitors Cunard (as well as other lines) for price drops after our initial booking and takes advantage of them. We've saved some significant money as a result.