TA versus online booking advice please

[run mum]

Hi I have had a search in the forums but couldn't find what I was looking for. My question is, we are thinking of booking a cruise from Sydney on the RCI Voyager of the Seas. We have done quotes on the RCI website and gone to a local TA which is the same price as the RCI website. However when I go on a well known cruise sale website I can get the same cruise for about $2.5K cheaper (we need 2 cabins and it is a 12 day cruise). Where does everyone book their cruises? Is a cruise sale website reliable? We have been on one cruise previously a 13 day cruise around NZ with RCI in 2014 and absolutely loved it and keen to go back on another one. We booked with a TA and it was fine although not sure they did much as we knew exactly what we wanted, after I booked I noticed I could have got a far cheaper deal online so keen to explore this however I don't want to find my cruise booking stuffed up and a bit nervous about online and why it is SO much cheaper!

 

Thanks

[Chiliburn]

33 minutes ago, run mum said:

Hi I have had a search in the forums but couldn't find what I was looking for. My question is, we are thinking of booking a cruise from Sydney on the RCI Voyager of the Seas. We have done quotes on the RCI website and gone to a local TA which is the same price as the RCI website. However when I go on a well known cruise sale website I can get the same cruise for about $2.5K cheaper (we need 2 cabins and it is a 12 day cruise). Where does everyone book their cruises? Is a cruise sale website reliable? We have been on one cruise previously a 13 day cruise around NZ with RCI in 2014 and absolutely loved it and keen to go back on another one. We booked with a TA and it was fine although not sure they did much as we knew exactly what we wanted, after I booked I noticed I could have got a far cheaper deal online so keen to explore this however I don't want to find my cruise booking stuffed up and a bit nervous about online and why it is SO much cheaper!

 

Thanks

Unfortunately we can name travel agents.

 Booking directly with RC isn’t the cheapest but if there’s a price drop they will usually match the lower price.

 Agents,if you use your local travel agent they won’t be the cheapest but will give good service but can’t give price drop.

online cruise specialist are the cheapest by far but some I’ve had bad experience. But if they are registered they should be insured and accountable ( you would hope)

  December is the best time to book I have found.

Voyeger is going in fo a refit in September in Singapore.about $100 m someone said.

We just booked a grand suite on voyager and got $1400 onboard credit 

 I use a online agent in Canberra and one  also in Melbourne which  offers pretty good cruises.

Edited December 30, 2018 by Chiliburn

[Kiwi Kruzer]

You also need to check the grade of cabin being offered. The deck plans are readily available on line so you can compare to see if they are quoting like for like.

[Chiliburn]

1 hour ago, Chiliburn said:

Unfortunately we can name travel agents.

 Booking directly with RC isn’t the cheapest but if there’s a price drop they will usually match the lower price.

 Agents,if you use your local travel agent they won’t be the cheapest but will give good service but can’t give price drop.

online cruise specialist are the cheapest by far but some I’ve had bad experience. But if they are registered they should be insured and accountable ( you would hope)

  December is the best time to book I have found.

Voyeger is going in fo a refit in September in Singapore.about $100 m someone said.

We just booked a grand suite on voyager and got $1400 onboard credit 

 I use a online agent in Canberra and one  also in Melbourne which  offers pretty good cruises.

That should read 

 Unfortunately we CANT name travel agents.

[run mum]

24 minutes ago, Kiwi Kruzer said:

You also need to check the grade of cabin being offered. The deck plans are readily available on line so you can compare to see if they are quoting like for like.

Yes that is so confusing! A balcony room seems to have several different prices and I have no idea what would be best!

[run mum]

14 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

That should read 

 Unfortunately we CANT name travel agents.

Many thanks I thought we couldn't ! I will get some quotes and make a decision so hard deciding on which deck and which room code though!

[Chiliburn]

5 minutes ago, run mum said:

Many thanks I thought we couldn't ! I will get some quotes and make a decision so hard deciding on which deck and which room code though!

The current special run out on the 6th January.

if you’re after something special like a suite book it by then.

If you’re not after something special you need to look at the overall cost and onboard credit.

 Sometimes it cheaper to get no onboard credit and a bargain price.

 But I don’t think you will go wrong with current prices..

 you should get at least $500US or $700AU onboard credit.

 

[Chiliburn]

16 minutes ago, run mum said:

Yes that is so confusing! A balcony room seems to have several different prices and I have no idea what would be best!

Tell us what you’re looking for??

[GUT2407]

Normally, little if any difference. Sometimes a TA may give you a little kickback as OBC 

[OzKiwiJJ]

Also compare the cancellation policies for the TAs and direct with the cruise line. Some online TAs have very stiff cancellation policies.

[Belmont Babe]

Also make sure the online cruise sale website is AUD based and not USD.