Should i book cruise through travel agent or direct

Should you use a travel agent to book your disney cruise. But if youre looking at cruises specifically, there are a few good reasons why booking online or directly from the cruise line will be in your best. This means you could be paying huge credit card interest fees that will add to the total cost of your vacation in the long run. Should you book direct with the cruise line or use a travel agent to handle the booking. Morgan discusses why a travel agent is definitely the way to book your next cruise. Book your cruise with a travel agent 6 reasons why you should. My agent will match all prices and promotions the cruise line is offering, plus give a portion of her commission as obc. The pros and cons of using a travel agent should you plan your trip with an agent or rely on the internet. This is a rather long letter that may or may not persuade you to book with direct line cruises. When youre ready to purchase your cruise, you can either go directly to the cruise. What is the best way to book an ocean or river cruise. Weve booked through the travel agents, both virgin and thomas cook where cheaper than booking direct with disney, and we still got the free dining plan, if it was the same price id quite happily book through disney, i dont see any reason not to. If the tour operator has gone bust, check with atol.

If you know your way around a cruise, have booked one a few times, then you probably are safe to book carefully through some internet site. Travel agents, and particularly specialist cruise travel agents, play a vital role in matching customers to the right ships. I have booked cruises both through a travel agent and directly with cruise lines. If going direct, contact the carnival group booking number instead of the regular one. However, i believe it is worth the time because i am certain that the content of this letter will provide you with numerous compelling, credible and beneficial reasons to book your cruise with a travel agency vs booking direct with the cruise line. The biggest advantage of booking a cruise through a travel agent is personalized advice from a knowledgeable source. Is it better to book the cruise through agents rather than. Nov 11, 20 why travel agents and telephones still rule cruise booking.

Roaming boomers travel services and our roaming boomers blog were both built to primarily serve the 80,000,000 baby boomer travelers who are at or near retirement and now have a. Booking directly with cruise line or through an agency. The cruise line will not discuss it with you, nor will they make any changes you want. Why it pays to book with a travel agent personal finance. Travel agents can hack their way through all this stuff. My last 2 cruises i got a better deal with an agent, i got extra miles on my credit card, and overall a better deal, not major, but worthy enough to book through agent. Lets look at the pros and cons of each option so you can make an informed decision.

When youre ready to purchase your cruise, you can either go directly to the cruise line youve chosen, or you can book a cruise with a travel agent. Jan 08, 2020 when youre ready to purchase your cruise, you can either go directly to the cruise line youve chosen, or you can book a cruise with a travel agent. Oct 20, 2016 the pros and cons of using a travel agent should you plan your trip with an agent or rely on the internet. Just wondering if there is any difference in terms of pricing and promo to book through agency or direct. I usually book my cruises through travel agents, but they do not handle msc kine. A big question always is should you book your cruise direct with the cruise line or should you use a travel agent in this video i will give. If you are inexperienced, you will find it much better to deal with an experienced local travel agent or book through the lines website. We have heard some good things about booking a cruise with a travel agent but not sure if i should or not. People still believe to book their cruise, if they do it themselves and go direct through a cruise line reservationist, theyll save the money that would have gone to pay a travel agent. Apr 05, 2012 i think it depends on if you are an experienced cruiser.

So we made an infographic that walks you through the data. Many times, when you book with a travel agent you will only be required. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call. Cruise travel agencies are able to block out groups of cabins on many sailings.

Or maybe, why should i use a travel agent to book a cruise when i can simply do it myself. Mar 12, 2019 a big question always is should you book your cruise direct with the cruise line or should you use a travel agent in this video i will give the benefits to both methods to help you decide what. Im making plans for a carnival cruise to caribbean in feb. Booking shore excursions independently vs booking through the. Is it really bad if there are rough seas vs extra room giv. What are pros and cons of booking direct through royal caribbean, or booking through travel agent. Hi im new to msc and am planning my 1st cruise with them. If you decide to purchase through your travel agent, be sure to ask who you are to call while on your trip if you run into trouble.

Group bookings usually get extra perks like one person or. Cruises should i use a travel agent to book a cruise. Mar 17, 2017 hi im new to msc and am planning my 1st cruise with them. Benefits of booking with a travel agent vs booking online yourself fa iconcalendar. Bottom line you should book your cruise with a travel agent if youre a first time cruiser, have a lot of special requests or want to get the best deals. We at choice acknowledge the gadigal people, the traditional.

Here are 5 reasons you should use a travel agent to book your next cruise. The prices are the same as booking through disney direct but our wonderful ta looks for looks for specials that come out that suit our family. Occasionally, you can find a travel agent, that through a special. Book your cruise with a travel agent 6 reasons why you. There are many benefits to booking with a travel agent, from cost savings, to having. Before you book a cruise, consider working with a travel agent and make sure to ask these questions to get the most from the cruising experience. In terms of pricing youll of course find any number of prices depending on the excursions youre looking at, but if you compare booking a tour independently vs a nearly identical tour through the cruise line youre very likely to find it cheaper to go at it on your own, leaving more money for say booking another cruise. This is the only reason you should use a travel agent to book a trip. The 70% factor cruise lines international association clia reported in its 2015 state of the cruise industry report that 70% of river and ocean cruise travelers book their cruises with a travel agent.

Cruises booking directly with cruise line or through an agency. I have just booked our second disney trip through a ta. The pros and cons of using a travel agent travel us news. Benefits of booking with a travel agent vs booking online. I always recommend that cruisers use a travel agent to book a cruise. Part of the point of having a travel agent book your trip is that you are freed up to do other.

Recently, expedia enhanced their points program, which allows customers to earn travel rewards through them. Why you should still book your cruise through a travel agent. Dec 01, 2016 why you should still book your cruise through a travel agent. Its easier than ever to find travel deals, and you can usually get the lowest price directly from the hotel or airline. Book directly with royal caribbean or through travel agent. Reasons you should never book a cruise through a travel agent. At cruise critic, we tend to think that most people should use a travel agent for the best experience. Should i use a travel agent or book directly with a cruise line. Also, if you book your cruise with a travel agent, youll have to carry out all communications with the cruise line through the agent, which can slow the process down and become frustrating. Ive found expedia reliable for other travel transactions. I think it depends on if you are an experienced cruiser. Only downside is, if cruise drastically drops in price, or has other specials my agent cant do anything, sometimes when you book directly theyll give you the special.

Its easy to find and book a disney cruise on our cruise listing page. Jun 30, 2011 using an expert cruise travel agent will save you money and get you a better experience than doing it yourself. So, should you book through a travel agent or online. Apr 30, 2012 why it pays to book with a travel agent. Do you use a travel agent or book directly through rcl. People still believe to book their cruise, if they do it themselves and go direct through a cruise line reservationist, theyll save the money that would have gone to pay a. Weve only cruised a few times, but ive spent a lot of time researching the details and ive always booked our many other. Theyre not the first online travel agency ota to offer something like this, so lets see. You dont save money when you book your cruise direct through the cruise line. Jan 08, 2020 unlike many other sectors of the travel industry where travellers confidently book direct low cost flights, for example most cruise passengers still book through travel agents. Ever wonder if you should ask a travel agent to help book your family vacation.

Hi guys me and my better half are planning a first time cruise this summer. A good travel agent who books lots of cruises on a particular line can often offer perks that you dont get booking directly through the cruise line. However, some of those agencies have a 24hour support number. Dont book a cruise without asking your travel agent these.

Pros and cons of using a travel agent to book a cruise miles for. Finding an australian cruise travel agent cruise critic. Book carnival cruise direct or through travel agent. Ill tell you right out the gate that whether youre looking into your first cruise or well on your way to the highest levels of a cruise line. Weve only cruised a few times, but i ve spent a lot of time researching the details and i ve always booked our many other. Theres no onesizefitsall answer to whether you should use a travel agent or book your cruise directly with the cruise line.

The travel agent responded to our online enquiry with two flight options and detailed information on three resorts, along with pricing for each package. One of the most common questions i find myself passionately answering both in person and on online communities im looking at you reddit, is about how to actually book a cruise. Booking shore excursions independently vs booking through. Aug 02, 2010 i ve found expedia reliable for other travel transactions. Most cruise lines offer an airsea program that allows you to purchase your cruise plus airfare in one neat little package. Unlike many other sectors of the travel industry where travellers confidently book direct, most cruise passengers still book through travel agents. Why you should book disney with a travel agent travelingmom. Using an expert cruise travel agent will save you money and get you a better experience than doing it yourself. There are times when i dont use a ta as i do like having direct control.

Why travel agents and telephones still rule cruise booking. And although some people use agents for the perceived convenience, all the emails back and forth actually ended up taking up more time than the diy option. Travel agents offer affordable payment plans online booking websites normally require payment in full at the time you confirm your reservations. You can print it out and post it above your office desk to use as talking points when your clients call and ask why they should use a travel agent vs. Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent, or on your own.

Here are 5 reasons you should use a travel agent to book your. Better yet, just send it directly to your client and save yourself a lot of talking. Aug 31, 2017 why book your ocean or river cruise with roaming boomers travel services. Should i use a travel agent or book directly with a cruise. Heres why you should use a travel agent instead of booking. Is booking travel through a site like expedia worth it. Keep in mind that a travel agents who works in a 95 store front agency may not always be available should you have an emergency over the weekend. Buying travel insurance from a 3rd party company vs. The advantages of booking with a cruise travel agency. With all of that in mind a good question to ask is, should i book airfare on my own or through the cruise line. Aug 11, 2016 you dont save money when you book your cruise direct through the cruise line.

All travel insurance plans have 247 worldwide assistance services that can help travelers in a number of ways. Should i book airfare on my own or through the cruise line. I m making plans for a carnival cruise to caribbean in feb. But are you able to pick your flights, and are they more expensive.

If you booked via a travel agent and there is no tour operator then check with your agent what is happening under travel agent protection, it should ensure you can continue your holiday as planned just with a different flightroometc or get a refund. Is it best to book through viking or will a travel agent get the same deals. Any cruise payments need to go through the travel agent, and they would be the ones to book the rooms, change rooms if you wanted to switch locations, etc. Or maybe, why should i use a travel agent to book a cruise when i.