Using a US Agent?

We live in the UK and a UK cruise agent told us it is now illegal for a US agent to sell a cruise to non-US residents. Which would be a pity as the US agent prices are much more reasonable. Does anyone know whether this prohibition is in fact true? and what law makes it illegal? and whether therefore it is too risky as a UK resident to buy from a US agent, e.g. might we have our tickets confiscated?
Thanks for advice

It wasn't true as of last March. I'm a Canadian resident and purchased my last cruise through an agency in Florida. No problems whatsoever and I saved quite a bit on the taxes. We have two taxes that total 15%, much higher than those that apply in Florida.

It may be that a US agency cannot market in the UK. My case was a little different, as I approached the agency, not the other way around. This agent happened to be my son-in-law, but it would have been no different for anyone else. I just get preferred service. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Beth

Definitely not illegal. The cruise lines strongly discourage it, but it's still quite possible to do [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

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We are Brits living in Spain and use Gibraltar agents without any problem. If you are still trying to book through an agent outside the UK as the prices are better, try Gib., you pay in Sterling, and get great prices. email me for contact info.

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First timer !

Many thanks for the advice. We have now successfully booked through a US agent. A couple of comments:
1. Before booking we phoned Princess in the US and asked about the rules; they said as long as one of the passengers is a US citizen,regardless of country of residence, it is fine by them (and we are lucky enough to be in that situation); and
2. I cannot understand what can possibly justify the scale of the price difference, with the UK agents charging the same number of £ as the US agents want in $ [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img], i.e. at today's exchange rates getting on for twice as expensive !!

We are Australians living in Australia and are not US citizen but we have booked our cruise with a US online agency. (Simply because of the savings.)

Has anyone out there had problems regarding this non-US citizens buying from US agency?

mjk43 you rang Princess in the US and they said as long as one of the passengers is a US citizen it is fine by them.... well what happens if neither are US citizens.... Anyone know..?? Anyone been charged extra or had problems at the peir before boarding due to this..??

Not worried about it just interested in others experiences regarding this matter.

Cheers,
Kim

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