Travel agent or direct booking?

[WeddNcruise]

We are looking to book another carnival cruise, the first 3 we have always done direct... But as I'm reading this board more I see a lot of people book through travel agents.

Is there a reason for this? I don't even know where to start looking for a travel agent... We always book everything online ourselves.

So just wanted to check before I book, are there perks? Better prices? What's the secret?

Lol

Thanks in advance!

 

 

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Edited September 4, 2016 by WeddNcruise

[wikoffclan]

I've booked all three ways - through a brick and mortar travel agent for my first couple cruises, booked online and/or with a call to the cruise line direct, and this last time (for the first time) with an online agency.

 

Each time, I booked with the process (after much research) that gave me the best deal for that particular cruise. In my experience, it's all about the research and finding the best deal. Sometimes that comes with the TA setting up a bundle (had a transatlantic with airfare for under $1300), or with the cruise line offering a special rate (ie. "Casino Rate") or with the online TA having a "Labor Day Sale". You won't know until you've done your research. Takes some time but can save Hundreds of dollars.

[easyboy]

We are looking to book another carnival cruise, the first 3 we have always done direct... But as I'm reading this board more I see a lot of people book through travel agents.

Is there a reason for this? I don't even know where to start looking for a travel agent... We always book everything online ourselves.

So just wanted to check before I book, are there perks? Better prices? What's the secret?

Lol

Thanks in advance!

We have a TA whom we ask for rates/deal and always compare with CCL direct. We then choose the better option.

[VALBS]

On my first two cruises I booked directly through Carnival. For my upcoming two I learned about a travel agency (online) that was offering On Board Credit as a perk. (Due to the CC TOS I am not permitted to give you the name of the Agency). I can tell you when "interviewing" the Agent I had already booked through a PvP at Carnival and she let me know that was not an issue, that I could transfer the booking to her and still get the OBC offer. The offer is based on the price of the cruise and was quite substantial. Additionally I get to keep the OBC that Carnival was offering which was $50. The way I see this is my PvP gets the "Productivity" bump, the Agent gets commission and I get free OBC. The only catches, are you have to work through your TA to make any changes to the booking (you can still use the Carnival Website for anything you would normally do, funshops, checkin etc). If you booked with price protection and you find a price drop you need to compare the new rate vs the possible OBC loss if you take it. Here is the article I started with, http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1749 The best advice I can give is if you are interested in exploring other booking options and decide to look at Travel Agents then interview several and see who fits your wants and needs. I interviewed several before I landed with the Agency I chose.

[lostsoulcruiser]

We are looking to book another carnival cruise, the first 3 we have always done direct... But as I'm reading this board more I see a lot of people book through travel agents.

Is there a reason for this? I don't even know where to start looking for a travel agent... We always book everything online ourselves.

So just wanted to check before I book, are there perks? Better prices? What's the secret?

Lol

Thanks in advance!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I have used all types of booking and have found each have benefits and drawbacks. A local TA gave me a good price but it was a group price. The only problem with the local TA was that a change in room location had to be done through the TA only. I called Carnival direct and the agent and I hit it off and he gave me a room upgrade w/o asking. I was already booking a balcony so it was one deck up on the ship. I also used the website once without issues. It really is what you are comfortable with.

[poobears]

I've always booked direct or with a carnival pvp. I did buy my insurance with a USAA affiliate this time but didn't think to price my cruise with linked TA. Might have to go on the website and see what price they give us on our April cruise. I am booked PG so I can always cancel and rebook if the deal is good enough.

[Missileer]

We just finished our 70th cruise/58th on Carnival and have used the same Travel Agent for the last 60 of them. We make one call and everything happens and we go cruising. We are spoiled.

[poobears]

Totally forgot about checking USAA, going there now before I forget again lol

[poobears]

Hmm looks like I could save $200 by booking through them and using my free points they award, plus I'd earn future points to use towards the next cruise to get money off it but I can't find anything about their cancellation policy/fees or change fees online, will have to dig further. Also I see they only price match for 48 hours so if the price went below that $200 they wouldn't lower it. I doubt it would since we are Lido in a 4 person and they tend to sell out fast. I have never gotten a price reduction on a Lido balcony but if a suite drops I may want to upgrade and not even sure it's possible with them without a charge or hassle.

[maldenmusic]

We have booked all our cruises directly with Carnival online. I never thought about a TA being able to get better rates. May have to look into that.

[riclop]

We are looking to book another carnival cruise, the first 3 we have always done direct... But as I'm reading this board more I see a lot of people book through travel agents.

Is there a reason for this? I don't even know where to start looking for a travel agent... We always book everything online ourselves.

So just wanted to check before I book, are there perks? Better prices? What's the secret?

Lol

Thanks in advance!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

A TA may give you OBC.

[geduffer]

We have booked all our cruises directly with Carnival online. I never thought about a TA being able to get better rates. May have to look into that.

 

 

It's not just about better rates. If you use a travel agent with a lot of cruise experience and a high volume of business with your chosen cruise line, the agent can ask for, and receive, perks for you than you can do on your own.

 

 

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[Micahs Grandad]

Generally prefer dealing with pvp so we can call direct to Carnival.

 

However some times a TA can do a group booking that gives you a nice discount.

[emptynestcruises]

I started out booking through a travel agent, then booked direct with a PVP, and finally became a home based travel agent. As a bit of a control freak, this was a natural progression for me, as I am now able to handle all elements of a cruise from their travel agent website. You should not encounter any price advantage or disadvantage through a travel agent as Carnival policy prohibits discounting or marking up a cruise fare. However, a travel agent may provide a sweetener such as an on board credit. The question comes down to a tradeoff of convenience versus control. If you want to use the benefit of someone else's knowledge and experience to take care of all the details, find a travel agent who is experienced in booking cruises.. If part of the fun of a trip is doing the research and planning, by all means don't be afraid to do it yourself or use a Carnival PVP.

[rjrpar]

What's the big deal about talking direct to any cruise line. We book though an online TA (or transfer a onboard booking to him) and receive about 9% of the cruise price in obc. The TA cruise price is always identical to that of the cruise line.

 

 

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[ekajun1957]

Why use a TA?

1. Personal service, she knows us, we use same one every time, and for different cruise lines still have same person to talk with.

2. Never cost me more to use TA and most often get OBC.

3. I deal with a local company that specializes in cruises so a local business and a local employee get some money without costing me.

4. Sometimes things happen and one call and most things get fixed.

5. Things change, just like our December 2016 trip, was supposed to be just me and DW and another couple. Now we have at least 18 of us going, TA handled them all with just easy phone calls. And more OBC!!! YEAH

6. I like our TA, she is just so sweet, and knowledgeable.

[coevan]

"I don't even know where to start looking for a travel agent." Google cruises

 

I won't use a brick and mortar T.A. as I use mileage for flights and like control of my layovers. The internet cruise sites almost always have better OBC. On our 21 day B2B we got a steak dinner for each leg and $100 each leg OBC. CCL offered us $50 OBC.

[RjayB]

What's the big deal about talking direct to any cruise line. We book though an online TA (or transfer a onboard booking to him) and receive about 9% of the cruise price in obc. The TA cruise price is always identical to that of the cruise line.

 

 

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I noticed a price drop about 4 months before my cruise, and since I booked directly with Carnival I called and upgraded from a Junior Suite to an Ocean Suite for $200 LESS! If I had gone through a TA, I would have had to call the TA and let them work with Carnival on my behalf.

 

Personally, I prefer having control over my own booking, but I don't have anything against others who prefer a TA. :)

[poobears]

I notice the Ocean suites on our cruise are only $40 higher than our current JS, they still have bunch left, they just dont' seem to be booking. I expect them to go lower.

 

Not sure I'd want to switch though, I think the rooms are the same size right? Just the balcony is bigger? I love the big balcony like we've had in the past but I the view from the JS at the front of the ship will be better and the kids will like the Lido deck better. Of course if it takes a huge drop I might be persuaded to switch. A drop like yours might do it lol