deemk Posted October 13, 2006 #1 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I've read that if it's your first cruise, you should find a travel agent. is this true? and if so, where do i look and how do i know they're good and trustworthy? i've done tons of internet research and it seems all the websites have the same prices. is there one website that is better than another? and will the travel agent be able to get lower pricing than the web? we're looking to go jan or feb to the caribbean from florida, and we have 4 kids with us... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanineM Posted October 13, 2006 #2 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Here is my opinion. If you have not cruised before, use a real travel agent --- like one in your town. There are cruise specialists almost everywhere. A good cruise specialist TA will be able to answer your questions and will know their way around with the cruiselines. We book ourselves on the internet sites, but my husband cruised several times before he hooked up with me, and I used to do corporate travel, so I have a good idea of what I want and how to find it. Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
para Posted October 14, 2006 #3 Share Posted October 14, 2006 I am also a first time cruiser,so I posted a similar question in the Carnival Cruise Line section. The people there were very helpful. So you might want to check out what they had to say. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=426710 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotton Posted October 14, 2006 #4 Share Posted October 14, 2006 I booked my very first cruise through a local TA. I got scalped. I have booked only through the cruiseline (mostly Carnival) since that time, and have been very happy with Carnival PVPs. Personal Vacation Planners - and I've not cruised in the past several years without having received several perks, reduced fares, and last-minute surprises. Great! However, everybody has their own "best" way to book a cruise. You might want to start with the cruiseline itself. Get a little notebook and keep good notes. Then call or visit a local TA. Put all that info down in your notebook. Then - check with a couple of online agencies. I think, once you have all the info in front of you, you can compare and make an intelligent decision. Be sure and ask pertinent questions of all - such as if there are any 'hidden charges', such as fees for changing or cancelling the cruise, and be sure to get the bottom line figure you will be paying. Some agencies give a rate, and then add the port charges and taxes............:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deemk Posted October 14, 2006 Author #5 Share Posted October 14, 2006 by the way, i'm not up with all the abbreviations... what does PVP stand for? and when you talk of booking it through Carnival, do you go online and book through their website, or call their number? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetz Posted October 14, 2006 #6 Share Posted October 14, 2006 A PVP is a personal vacation planner. Yes, I would call if you are booking with Carnival. I have read that some PVP's are very good, some not. If selecting a TA, ask about a cancellation fee. Is there one? Also they should be easy to contact via email or phone. When you book a Ta should send you a confirmation of your booking right away.A good TA will monitor the rpice for a price drop. If that happens most cruiselines will give you an upgrade, $$$ back or obc (onboard credit). After you make your final payment, the most you would get is obc. Find a TA would will go to bat for you if there is a price drop. If you decide to go Carnival and use a PVP make sure you ask about the price drops. They are not going to tell you this. TA's are busy and even thought they say they will watch, I do and always have seen the price drop on the cruiselines website. I call my TA (who is GREAT) and she gets me what she can. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lougee1043 Posted October 14, 2006 #7 Share Posted October 14, 2006 for a first timer --i personally would use a ta that specializes on cruises only and not a general ta -- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deemk Posted October 14, 2006 Author #8 Share Posted October 14, 2006 okay, again i'm inexperienced here, this seems like a stupid question... but when you use a TA or a PVP, do you have to pay them a fee? i've always done all my own travel plans, never had anyone do it for me. but have never done a cruise, so perhaps it's needed in this instance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzlvr57 Posted October 14, 2006 #9 Share Posted October 14, 2006 okay, again i'm inexperienced here, this seems like a stupid question... but when you use a TA or a PVP, do you have to pay them a fee? i've always done all my own travel plans, never had anyone do it for me. but have never done a cruise, so perhaps it's needed in this instance. The cruise line pays the TA commission out of your cruise fare - you will pay the same cruise fare whether booking through your TA, a PVP, or a travel website. Some TA's also charge a "booking fee" which is on top of the price of the cruise - that is a question that you should ask in your initial conversation. You then need to decide if that booking fee is worth the extra service the agent should give you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotton Posted October 14, 2006 #10 Share Posted October 14, 2006 Sorry, deemk, about the abbreviations (but I did type Personal Vacation Planner after PVP).:D And - no, you are not charged for using a PVP, as it's part of Carnival service to you. Outside agencies cannot advertise a lower price for a cruise than the cruiseline. Outside agencies also set their own fees, so I'm not sure about their total charges. As I said in my other post, be sure and ask about any fees for changes or cancellations.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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