Booking with Someone Other than the Cruiseline

[mlsully]

So I have some names of websites to book my cruise with. I've checked about six of them - all offer the same price but one offers a ship credit so I may lean towards using that one. My question is, once I book with that online site, then do I get information from the actual cruise line? Can I call the cruise line to get questions answered? In other words, will the cruise line provide customer support regardless of where I booked the cruise?

[cruiseco]

Can I call the cruise line to get questions answered? In other words, will the cruise line provide customer support regardless of where I booked the cruise?

 

Normally no, at least not questions pertaining to your specific booking. You can always call/email them with general questions if you kind of pretend you're just someone thinking about booking. The cruise line is paying the agency a commission to answer your questions so they would rather not have to hire more staff to perform the functions they're already paying someone else to do.

[cruzeluver]

Cruiseco summed it up pretty well. They will answer generic questions for you, but any changes, cancellations or additions to your booking would have to go through the company you booked with.

[mlsully]

So with all the recent talk about the hurricane right now and RCL helping those get to ship, etc. if you don't book with them, they won't offer any help correct? We plan on getting passports and travel insurance. I am assuming the sites referred to by cruise critic folks are okay to use....

[paul929207]

The agent you book thru is being paid by the cruise line to handle your booking. All changes, questions, etc would go thru the agent.

[cruiseco]

So with all the recent talk about the hurricane right now and RCL helping those get to ship, etc. if you don't book with them, they won't offer any help correct? We plan on getting passports and travel insurance. I am assuming the sites referred to by cruise critic folks are okay to use....

 

No, in these types of situations the cruise lines have a dedicated help line specifically for passengers having their trip plans disrupted regardless of how they booked. That's totally separate from their normal customer service staff.

 

But if you did not book your air through the cruise line they will be able to give you some advice as to what changes to kame but they probably won't be able to make any changes for you as they would if you were using the cruise line's air. You'll have to deal with the airline yourself.

[mitsugirly]

When you book with a TA (as I always do), you CAN call the cruise line (or at least my cruise line) and they will ask you if you booked with them or a TA. If you booked with a TA, they transfer you to that department that deals with just people who have booked with a TA to answer all of your questions. I have never had a problem calling them and discussing my concerns or asking them questions. They also taken payments from me for OBC prior to the cruise and also ordered my soda package, extra slot play coupons and so on. :)

[Dayenu]

Can I call the cruise line to get questions answered?

NO. They will see you've booked with an agency.

 

In other words, will the cruise line provide customer support regardless of where I booked the cruise?

NO. They will tell you to call the agency.

[paul929207]

Can I call the cruise line to get questions answered?

NO. They will see you've booked with an agency.

 

In other words, will the cruise line provide customer support regardless of where I booked the cruise?

NO. They will tell you to call the agency.

They are paying the Agent to handle your booking at your request. I don't know if you meant the thumbs down, but if so, why?

[Dayenu]

I only meant the answer is "no" this is why the thumb down. If I don't pick an emoticon, the website does it for me, and I don't like it :p

[firefly333]

Be sure and ask about fees too. Some TAs have fees for if they have to process price drops for instance or if you cancel. that obc often comes with a price.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I only meant the answer is "no" this is why the thumb down. If I don't pick an emoticon, the website does it for me, and I don't like it :p

 

I never picked those icons...if you don't, the paper one comes up (which is very neutral), so I don't understand why you feel you have to chose you.

 

Anyway to the question, if you decide to go with one of these online ones, you might not have a true travel agent, just someone who books for you. The same with many of the cruiselines. Their CSRs may never have been on a cruise. Often you read here on the boards, someone had called the 800 number and have been given incorrect info, or even have talked to a few different people and get conflicting info. So if this is your first cruise, my best advice is to go through a cruise specialist, a TA who undoubtedly has been on several cruises and can give you pretty good answers to your questions. (the advertisers on CC have paid to get their ads on the site)

[mlsully]

I don't have a travel agent - I guess I can use one. I've called AAA and their prices seem a bit higher than the online sites. I thought about just using one of the online sites that travelers mentioned on CC in the threads.

[paul929207]

Check every site you can find. Look for the one with a low price or large OBC and other perks.

[Wayfairers]

When you book with a TA (as I always do), you CAN call the cruise line (or at least my cruise line) and they will ask you if you booked with them or a TA. If you booked with a TA, they transfer you to that department that deals with just people who have booked with a TA to answer all of your questions. I have never had a problem calling them and discussing my concerns or asking them questions. They also taken payments from me for OBC prior to the cruise and also ordered my soda package, extra slot play coupons and so on. :)

 

This has been my experience too. I can book excursions and packages on line after I receive my reservation number from the TA and I can call either my TA or the cruise company with questions. I do the actual booking with the TA by phone and make sure I get their extension number so I can call that person directly.