Booking your cruise

[Doerthoch]

Hi,

Trying to plan our first cruise and we want to go to Alaska. We want to go at the end of May.

 

How do you usually book your cruise. Online on vacation/cruise sites or from a travel agent?

 

Thanks,

D

[paul929207]

I use a travel agent. Others will post that they go thru the cruise line.

[ldubs]

We book directly with the cruise line's web site. I think there are pros & cons, but where the rubber meets the road, it is probably close to a wash. Many share that they save a lot by going through travel agents. We have not experienced that, but then again, we don't book suites which might provide more room for a travel agent to kick back some savings. Don't know that to be a fact -- just guessing.

Edited January 8, 2014 by ldubs

[Lerin]

We book directly with the cruise line's web site. I think there are pros & cons, but where the rubber meets the road, it is probably close to a wash. Many share that they save a lot by going through travel agents. We have not experienced that, but then again, we don't book suites which might provide more room for a travel agent to kick back some savings. Don't know that to be a fact -- just guessing.

 

Ditto. We had 1 bad experience with a travel agent and almost a dozen great experiences booking on our own.

[EdmPair]

We use a TA as the cruise has to coordinate with a night of hotel and flights. If all are thru the TA, then insurance can be set up better and I have a 1-800 number to reach somebody if the alignments seem off. Travel businesses like to keep travel agents happy as one TA can get them more customers while you are by yourself and they know it.

 

I have done the comparison shopping and it is about the same in price. If somebody is getting big bucks in discounts, I suspect it is more on timing than using or not a TA.

My 3 cents.

[taglovestocruise]

We use a TA as the cruise has to coordinate with a night of hotel and flights. If all are thru the TA, then insurance can be set up better and I have a 1-800 number to reach somebody if the alignments seem off. Travel businesses like to keep travel agents happy as one TA can get them more customers while you are by yourself and they know it.

 

I have done the comparison shopping and it is about the same in price. If somebody is getting big bucks in discounts, I suspect it is more on timing than using or not a TA.

My 3 cents.

 

It is all about timing. Just got a email today from our online TA, they are offering Oasis of the Seas transatlantic with a 300 dollar obc, prepaid gratuities of up to 360 dollars, and a premium drink package valued at 1400 dollars, as well as giving a diamond discount of 350 dollars for a D5 ocean view balcony priced the same as RCLwebsite.

[taglovestocruise]

We book directly with the cruise line's web site. I think there are pros & cons, but where the rubber meets the road, it is probably close to a wash. Many share that they save a lot by going through travel agents. We have not experienced that, but then again, we don't book suites which might provide more room for a travel agent to kick back some savings. Don't know that to be a fact -- just guessing.

A good TA can save you a bundle

Exclusive rates which can save you up to $ 2300 per cabin off the current cruise line rates (Feb 2014- Mar 2015)

PLUS,

- NEW Unlimited Complimentary Drinks (Classic Beverage Package) Includes Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

PLUS,

- Pre-Paid Gratuities

PLUS,

Europe cruises ALSO receive up to $ 300 Onboard Credit

PLUS,

3rd/4th in same cabin receive a Complimentary Non- Alcoholic Beverage Package and 38 minutes Free Internet Package

PLUS,

 

NOTE: Not interested in the Classic Beverage package? You can trade it off for up to an Additional $ 300 Onboard Credit!

 

Classic Beverage Package applies to two guests per stateroom and includes beers up to $6 per serving; and spirits, cocktails, and wine up to $8 per serving, all soda selections, fresh squeezed and bottled juices, premium coffees, teas and non-premium bottled water. Must be of legal drinking age.

 

happy cruising

[Cruisin' Chick]

If it's your first cruise, I would suggest going with a cruise specialist (a TA who specializes in cruises) or through the cruiseline. The reason: if you have any questions (you may notice the plethora of differing answers to a single question here on CC), you can call your cruise specialist anytime between the planning stage of narrowing down the cruise to the booking to any last minute info. He or she is trying to establish a long time relationship so they want to help you. You can also call the cruise line if you book through them (and hope you get a knowledgeable source. But if you use one of those cheapie consolidators that you book with an operator, try tracking down that person or anyone else there who has actually been on a cruise and can help. A cruise specialist goes on many cruises a year as part of their job, and there's employee discounts offered to some cruise line employees (our first Princess cruise was bought through a friends and family discount).

[ldubs]

A good TA can save you a bundle

Exclusive rates which can save you up to $ 2300 per cabin off the current cruise line rates (Feb 2014- Mar 2015)

PLUS,

- NEW Unlimited Complimentary Drinks (Classic Beverage Package) Includes Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

PLUS,

- Pre-Paid Gratuities

PLUS,

Europe cruises ALSO receive up to $ 300 Onboard Credit

PLUS,

3rd/4th in same cabin receive a Complimentary Non- Alcoholic Beverage Package and 38 minutes Free Internet Package

PLUS,

 

NOTE: Not interested in the Classic Beverage package? You can trade it off for up to an Additional $ 300 Onboard Credit!

 

Classic Beverage Package applies to two guests per stateroom and includes beers up to $6 per serving; and spirits, cocktails, and wine up to $8 per serving, all soda selections, fresh squeezed and bottled juices, premium coffees, teas and non-premium bottled water. Must be of legal drinking age.

 

happy cruising

 

Good stuff. We get deals and OBC, but don't book the categories that would allow for the kind of discount you mention.

[Gunner22aa]

Had the same one for over ten years now. She knows what we like and don't, the only suites we choose to sail in and the only ships those suites are on. I tell her where and when and she works her magic on the rest. Although we have never had a problem to deal with if one arises the ball is in her court. She has different contacts at the cruise lines then I can get to. I really don't care to deal with individuals whom I have never met let alone trust. I also detest crappy elevator music intensely! I currently have three bookings on the go, all of which she has handled flawlessly.

[dorisis]

P.S. The best deals are rarely in suites. They seem to be among the first cabins to go (because there are so few on most ships)and the price rarely goes down. ame is true of handicapped cabins.

[Gunner22aa]

Agree with the above post. Rarely deals as they do sell fast. On our next cruise in Apr all of the suites were gone 14 months out.

[bevnice343]

I am also going to embark on my first cruise, but I need to know if anyone knows which cruises offer a bathtub in the suites? IF ANY??? I have recently purchased a how to tighten skin treatment and need a bathtub for 15 consecutive days. I plan on doing this treatment again around the time that my hubby can go on vacation and I need to find a cruise ship with a tub!!! Help please....

[OCruisers]

We use our long time TA. :)

 

As a first time cruiser, you would find a good TA so very helpful to you.

 

LuLu

~~~~

[WatchHill]

Another long-time client of a cruise travel specialist who has more than once helped correct problems with cruise lines. Great service, discounts, OBC's and his long history of travel can't compare with the phone people who only represent the interest of the cruise lines for which they work. Others may have had different experiences, but 25 years with the same person speaks volumes.

 

Darcy

[Krazy Kruizers]

We book through a TA that we have used for over 24 years.