book cruise direct or travel agent

Best Way to Book a Cruise: Travel Agent or Direct with the Cruise Line?

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If you’re thinking of booking a cruise , you might be wondering if it’s better to book with a travel agent or directly with the cruise line? There are a few factors to consider, and questions to ask, before you decide.

In this post, we’ll go over the benefits of using a travel agent or cruise specialist, as well as the advantages of booking directly. When it comes to the best way to book a cruise, you may have wondered…

• Why do people use travel agents to book a cruise?
• Do travel agents get better deals on a cruise?
• What questions should I ask the travel agent?
• When is it better to book directly with the cruise line?

For most people, the benefits of using a travel agent experienced in selling cruises are well worth it. Travel agents will help you to choose a cruise, offer travel advice and answer questions, and can often find great cruise deals. Some may also provide an extra amenity, like an onboard cash credit or bottle of wine. 

However, there are some instances when some people will prefer to book directly with the cruise line. We’ll go through when and why this makes sense. I’ll also go through some of the most important and frequently asked questions about booking a cruise.

How to Book a Cruise – Travel Agent or Direct with the Cruise Line?

If you’re a first time cruiser , the process of how to book a cruise might seem confusing. However, even for repeat cruisers, some of this information may be helpful as well.

You can book your cruise with a travel agency or directly through the cruise line. This can mean using a local travel agency or booking online through a cruise vacation website.

Travel agents who specialize in selling cruises, are often referred to as Cruise Specialists or Cruise Consultants. This is important, as you will want to use a travel agent who is knowledgeable and trained in selling cruises.

Which Travel Agents Sell Cruises (examples)

• A local travel agency storefront
• A large online booking website
• Independent travel agents (who may work for cruise agency franchises)

When you do book online with a large website like Expedia Cruises or Vacations to Go, these are large travel agencies. In some cases, depending on the company, you can work with a specific cruise specialist for every cruise. For experienced cruisers, this can often be the best option.

Deposits and Final Payments

When you book a cruise several months or even a year or more in advance, cruise lines will ask for a deposit (which may or may not be refundable). The deposit secures your reservation until final payment. Cruise line final payment dates range from 120 days before your cruise, to 60 days before your cruise. Always check the cruise line confirmation and note the payment dates.

Should You Use a Travel Agent to Book a Cruise?

There are several benefits to using a travel agent to book your cruise. In fact, a majority of cruisers use a travel agent, whether a local agency or an online booking website, to book their cruise. 

According to the Cruise Line International Association , when people did use a travel agent, they reported a high degree of satisfaction with the advice, knowledge and value received.

Suggested:   25 Most Recommended Items to Bring on a Cruise

Benefits of Using a Travel Agent to Book Your Cruise

Experience and Advice

One of the biggest advantages of using a travel agent to book a cruise is getting great advice. A cruise specialist can guide you to the right cruise line and ship based on your vacation preferences and goals for the trip.

If you’re new to cruising, using a travel agent to book a cruise is a good idea. First time cruisers need to know about travel documents, online check in, cruise line gratuities , new health protocols and more. Having a travel agent to hold your hand and answer questions, right up to embarkation day , is very helpful.

Cruise specialists are also aware of more than one cruise line, and for avid or repeat cruisers, this can be especially useful. Our tastes change over time, and we get older. What we loved about the cruise line we sailed with when the kids were young , may not be the best fit years later.

Travel agents can bring our attention to other cruise lines and travel experiences , especially as you may want to plan some of those bucket list cruises.

Service and Convenience

Travel agents can take care of the booking and making payments, and even help with booking flights and pre and post cruise hotels . Of course, if you prefer to book online with an online travel agency website, that’s a convenience too.

This will come as a surprise to many, but when you book a cruise, the service of your travel agent is free. The price will not be higher than booking with the cruise line directly. Now this doesn’t mean they don’t get paid, but rather that the cruise line pays a commission to them directly.

There can be exceptions to this, as some travel agents may charge booking or administrative fees. They should let you know if this is the case.

Suggested:   20 Practical Tips for First-time Cruisers

What to Look for in a Cruise Travel Agent

I love travel agents. In my experience, they are passionate travelers themselves, and can offer excellent first person advice. However, when it comes to cruising, you need a travel agent that specializes in cruise travel.

Travel agents who specialize in selling cruises are often called Cruise Specialists or Cruise Consultants. They are usually passionate cruisers themselves who have a keen interest in learning about cruises and sharing that knowledge with their clients.

When looking for a travel agent, make sure this person is knowledgeable and trained in selling cruises. When booking with an Cruise Agency franchise like Cruise Planners or Expedia Cruises, this should be the case. 

Questions to Ask Your Travel Agent or Cruise Specialist

When you make a payment (deposit or final payment), does the travel agent pay the cruise line directly on your behalf.

It’s best to have the travel agent make the payment for you using your credit card, directly with the cruise line. This is safer than the travel agent taking your payment, and paying the cruise line themselves. Paying directly ensures that your payment is made to the cruise line, and is standard practice for most agencies.

You can also ask to receive the booking confirmation from the cruise line, showing payments, for your records.

Do you have a back up to contact if you’re on vacation or unavailable?

Travel agents go on cruises and travel. While this is great, who is available if you have a question or need assistance? Often, those working for larger agencies or franchises will have a main contact number if the need arises.

Will you monitor my cruise fare for price drops or should I contact you?

Did you know that many cruise lines will adjust your cruise fare if it drops before final payment? Often it needs to be on the same cabin category and it won’t be combinable with past promotions, but it’s always worth checking.

While many travel agents will try to keep an eye on price drops, the reality is it can be missed. It’s a good idea to keep track yourself as well.

Are there any fees I should be aware of?

Some travel agents charge an administrative fee, or even a cancellation fee. While booking the cruise may be free, booking a flight or hotel may have additional fees. It may still be worth their service, however if you’re keeping track of your cruise vacation budget , it’s good information to know.

Suggested:   How to Save Money on a Cruise: 27 Tips and Cruise Hacks

Do Travel Agents Get Better Deals on a Cruise?

Travel agents may have access to better deals on cruises. In most cases, larger agencies or franchises have huge influence and buying power with the cruise line. This can mean better pricing on some cruises and/or some extra perks or amenities.

The Earlier the Better

Travel agencies often hold inventory on cruise ships that are likely to be popular with their clients. They reserve several cabins at the earliest and lowest rates, and can continue to sell them even as prices increase with the cruise line.

However, these cabins can be limited, and may not be available closer to sailing. Book 6 months to a year, or more, before your cruise for access to these special rates.

Extra Perks

Travel agencies that sell cruises may also have some perks if you book with them. This can include an onboard credit (can be used on drinks, excursions and more), a bottle of wine or a plate of chocolate covered strawberries,  and even travel points.

Suggested:   Cruise On Board Credits (OBC): How Can You Use Them?

Special Promotions

Another advantage of using a travel agent or cruise specialist, is being able to book when they have a special promotion with the cruise line. Agencies partner with cruise lines at certain times of the year and will offer a booking incentive, such as prepaid gratuities or specialty dining .

Suggested:   What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise

How to Get the Best deal on a Cruise

The best ways to find deals on a cruise is to keep informed. Sign up for your favorite cruise line’s emails, as well as emails from travel agencies and online booking websites.  If you get too many emails, consider working with only your favorites.

If you’re happy with the service and value of a specific travel agent, keep in touch and let them know what cruises you’re considering even a year or two down the line. This way, when she sees a new promotion or great deal on a cruise, she can let you know.

Should You use a Travel agent to Book a Group Cruise?

If you’re planning a group cruise, using a travel agent will be enormously helpful. 

Your cruise specialist will take care of everything you need, and manage all the reservations. If you’re planning a group cruise with friends or family (like a multi-generational cruise ), the travel agent will work with each party to make sure all their questions are answered. In addition, they’ll coordinate dining reservations and cabin locations.

If you’re the group leader, you can concentrate on the fun stuff, like matching t-shirts , and leave the boring details to your cruise consultant.

Suggested:   27 Cruise Travel Hacks of Repeat Cruisers

When Should You Book Directly with the Cruise Line?

If you know what cruise ship, itinerary and cabin you want, and prefer to do a lot of your own research, you may want to book directly with the cruise line. In addition, if you prefer to have control over all aspects of your cruise booking, and think you’ll be likely to make a lot of changes between placing a deposit, and sailing, booking direct will be most convenient.

When you book with a travel agent, they’re responsible for your booking, and all major changes need to be done through them. Things like changing cabins or requesting a price reduction, if the cost of your cruise drops before your final payment, will need to be done by your travel agent.

However, things that have to do with your own vacation planning are left up to you. As an example, reserving your shore excursions , making specialty dining reservations, and even booking your cruise line air flights are able to be done online, within your cruise reservation.

It’s worth giving this some consideration, as there are pros and cons to using a travel agent versus booking directly.

Planning a cruise? These articles can help:

Should You Prepay Gratuities on a Cruise or Pay Onboard?

10 Cruise Ship Cabins to Avoid

63 Things NOT to Do on a Cruise Ship

What To Wear on a Cruise Vacation (when dress codes are changing)

Cruise Essentials List – Favorite Amazon Items

Video: How to Book a Cruise: Should You Book Direct with the Cruise Line, Travel Agent or Online

If you enjoy cruise tips, news and reviews, please subscribe to our channel, Life Well Cruised on YouTube.

Final Thoughts: Is It Better to Book a Cruise with a Travel Agent or Direct with the Cruise Line?

To recap, in this article we’ve gone through the benefits of booking with a travel agent for a cruise, as well the disadvantages. In addition, we’ve also gone through what to look for in a travel agent and what questions to ask.

When booking a cruise with a travel agent, there’s no additional cost, and it may be cheaper in some cases. You may even receive travel rewards or an onboard gift from your agent. If you’re a first time cruiser or booking a group cruise, booking with a travel agent is probably best.

However, the disadvantages of using a travel agent include not having control over all aspects of your booking. You’ll have to communicate with your cruise specialist for questions and changes you wish to make.

Have you booked a cruise using a travel agent or directly with the cruise line? Please let me know any questions, as well as any tips that you may have.

Happy cruising!

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Should I use a travel agent or book directly with a cruise line?

One of the most common questions I find myself passionately answering both in person and on online communities (I’m looking at you Reddit), is about how to actually book a cruise.  Should you use a travel agent or book directly with a cruise line?  I’ll tell you right out the gate that whether you’re looking into your first cruise or well on your way to the highest levels of a cruise line’s loyalty program, I highly recommend using a good travel agent, but let’s talk about why by addressing some common questions and misconceptions.

Do people still use travel agents?

More travelers than ever leverage the expertise and assistance of travel agents for their vacations.  Let’s look at some quick facts: In fact, according to ASTA (the American Society of Travel Advisors), 

• In 2021, 27% of travelers always or often used a travel advisor before the pandemic, and at 44%, nearly half of respondents overall said they are more likely to use a travel advisor once the pandemic has passed
• In 2016 year 22% of leisure travelers from households earning at least $50,000 used a travel agent – up from 14% just three before.
• ‘Millennials’ seem the biggest fans of using travel agents, with over 30% having used an agent in the last year.  
• They seem satisfied: in 2016, 59% of millennials indicated that their trips planned with agents were better than trips planned without agents.  This compares to 53% and 58% for gen x-ers and baby boomers, respectively.  

So yes, more people use travel agents each year, and the majority feel their trips were enhanced by using a travel agent.  We cruise many times a year, and we get great service and often, better deals.  You can get a free consultation from the same great folks that help us !

How is a travel agent paid, doesn’t it cost me money to use an agent?

In short, it generally doesn’t cost you money to use a travel agent, and in fact, the agent can very often help you save money on your trip (more on that in that below).  When an agent books a hotel room, cruise, tour, etc, this means the provider doesn’t have to sell, market, or service the booking – the agent takes care of all of that.  As such, a travel agent may get a commission from the cruise line you’re sailing with.

Many agents don’t charge fees for their services, though some do, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  These fees could be for value-added services (such as keeping track of price changes) or for booking airfare, something that agents generally only do as part of trip with a cruise, hotel stay, etc.  Much of the time if an agent does charge fees, they'll credit them towards your booking once it's finalized.  This is because an agent doesn’t want to do your research and planning so you can go book on your own.  

What is the advantage of using a travel agent?

Beyond the perks offered with your booking, another great reason to book with a travel agent is the service.  A good travel agent has personal experience with travel, but also gets great feedback from his or her clients so they’re continuously learning about different offerings.  This means that the agent can help get to know you, find out what you enjoy, what type of vacation you’re looking for, etc, and make recommendations based on the knowledge they’ve amassed.  There is no “best cruise line”, but there probably is one that is best for you, and for this particular trip.  

Another great service agents provide is being your primary point of contact for your trip.  This can be a big factor, as your cruise may be much more than just a cruise.  You might need a car to get you to the airport, a flight to the city you’re cruising from, a hotel in that city, a rental car, restaurant reservations, your cruise, shore excursions , and more.  Your agent can not only make these arrangements, but if you need to make changes or get more information, you’ve got one person you can speak with that will help you with everything.

Can’t I get a better deal booking directly with a cruise line?

As mentioned, cruise lines generally require that with the exception of groups, prices are the same across all travel agents, and this applies to the cruise lines’ internal sales teams as well.  Cruise lines depend on travel agents to sell cruises and help service those bookings, so they certainly don’t want to undercut the agencies they work with.  Additionally, the cruise line has to market cruises, guide prospective guests through the process, and then be available for any changes or challenges that come about.  When a travel agent does this for the cruise line, that’s money that in a way, the cruise line has saved, which get’s back to why cruise lines and other companies pay travel agent’s commission.

Getting a deal also means knowing that you’re getting the right cruise for you - a lower price isn't the only measure of value.  While it’s true that 10+ years ago there was far less information out there on cruise line, hotel, and rental car websites – making the role of a travel agent more essential if you didn’t know exactly what you wanted, the amount of information on the internet today can be overwhelming.  Yes, cruise lines put their information out there on the web, but like any other business, they control the message – so Princess Cruises may have a ton of information, but they’ll understandably be slanted to make their own line seem to be the most logical choice no matter what your preferences may be. 

That’s great, but I like doing the research, and I don’t want to give up control of my booking.

Me too!  According to another ASTA study, the biggest reason people say they don’t use a travel agent (aside from the 57% who said they just hadn’t thought of it) is that they want control.  While it is true that when you book with a travel agent you’ll see certain changes aren’t available to you online or on the phone (such as changing stateroom categories, or adding a person to your reservation, for example), that doesn’t mean you don’t have control.  Many of these changes can be a pain to understand, or require waiting on hold for a cruise line to do it.  Let your agent wait on hold and figure out these changes.

Many other arrangements, such as booking shore excursions and specialty dining can be handled directly wih the cruise line if you’d like, but your agent can take care of them for you as well, and in many cases, is able to help with things that might leave you stuck online, such as finding out your desired dining time is booked – an agent may be able to get you waitlisted, or even work some magic on his or her side.  In some cases, a travel agent can even help you skip to the front of a waiting list for a sold-out sailing or other tour.

In the end, you’re not relinquishing any control, in fact, you’re making it so you have slightly more control, potentially less waiting on hold, and you have a single point of contact for all your travel needs.

When you book a cruise directly you’re entering your contact info, birthday, picking your dining time, bed arrangements, traveling companions’ information, etc.  Is it a real pain point?  No, it’s not terrible, but now imagine doing the same for your rental car, hotel, cruise, and more – all while triple checking for mistakes.  An agent will take care of all of this for you, once again, a single point of contact.  Booking multiple trips?  A hotel and a cruise?  Your agent will note and remember your preferences.  For example, my spouse recently found out she is allergic to down pillows.  If I’m booking directly I need to remember to note this, but first I have to figure out how to even communicate this information.  My agent has ways to annotate bookings, and knows just who to reach out to, so I know that any cruise or hotel stay he arranges for me will result in our walking into our room on day one with foam pillows instead of down.  

Because this relationship has been established, when I book a trip, I usually do so in a two sentence email to my agent.  He has my information, knows my preferences, how I like to pay for things, etc.  In the end, I get a nice summary of my trip with all the pertinent information.  Done.

If you really enjoy the process of clicking through and booking on your own, many cruise lines let you do this and then transfer your booking to an agent as long as you make the request within the first 30 days or so.  This means, if you want, you setup the initial booking but your agent can still maintain it.

Want to have more control but with less work?   Use a travel agent .

Should I use a travel agent to book a cruise?

We just spent some time answering this, but the real answer is that you should use a travel agent for booking much more than just cruises!  We mentioned that if you have pre or post cruise plans, an agent can help with your hotel, car, and other reservations - but it turns out some people take trips that aren't cruises! Who knew?  Keep this in mind, as whether it's business travel or a land vacation, it really can be a relief.  Personally, we've booked hotels and other arrangements for entire department meetings using our cruise travel agent, and looked like the hero when we just said, "don't worry everyone, I'll handle it all."

Okay, you’ve convinced me, but how do I find a good agent?

At the beginning of this post, I emphasized the importance of using a good travel agent.  This means finding someone you click with, and someone that isn’t just a call-center worker for a travel company, but a person that will remember your preferences, providing a real value.  In this way, it’s somewhat personal – we all communicate and work differently, so I’d recommend asking a trusted friend, or perhaps a frequent traveler.  Don’t be afraid to speak with an agent about what value they provide – just like any other service, a simple “why should I choose you over others” may be quite revealing.  If you speak with an agent about a cruise, and they ask you just a question or two about your trip before making a recommendation, speak with another agent.  A good agent will want to understand your likes and dislikes, what you do for fun, what type of restaurants you go to, what you’ve liked or disliked about past vacations, etc.  The more an agent knows about you, the better recommendation they can make to ensure you pick the right trip for you.

True Story: For a decade now, we've used the same travel agent for dozens of land trips, cruises, Disney parks vacations, etc. If you want to try the same agency we trust and use, check out Touring and Cruises (formerly known as TouringPlans Travel)!  You can also click here to get a quote!

To get agent recommendations, you can ask cruise lines or others for agencies they work with, or just do a search and read about different agencies online to see how they resonate with you.  You may already belong to some groups that have travel agencies, such as certain credit card companies, social groups, professional organizations, etc.

Ultimately, once you find a good agent, it makes your traveling easier, more rewarding, and at times, more affordable.  This means you can take more cruises if you use a travel agent.  Well, that was my takeaway at least. Do you use a travel agent?  Why, or why not?  Have tips for finding a good agent?  Comment below, or reach out to us on Twitter  or Facebook !

View the discussion thread.

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The Best Ways to Book a Cruise

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Not all cruise sites are created equal. While you may find comparable prices on different sites, each site has its own benefits, offers and cancellation policies. 

Before you book, though, have a look at these credit cards that come with cruise benefits to sweeten the pot even more.

What is the best way to book a cruise?

The best place to book a cruise will vary depending on what you're looking for out of the experience. We've broken out cruise booking sites based on common booking goals.

From our findings, here are the top cruise booking sites for your next vacation, plus the pros and cons they offer travelers.

For sailings across the Caribbean, Mexico or Central America: CheapCaribbean

CheapCaribbean.com is the best cruise website for the Caribbean, Mexico or Central America. It offers a best-price guarantee plus limited-time offers and discounts.

If you find a better deal within 24 hours of booking, CheapCaribbean will price match and beat it by $25. The company's customer service is available seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

Best-price guarantee.

Customer service is available seven days a week.

Charges a $24.99 processing fee on reservations.

Must provide an email address to receive the best deals and promos.

» Learn more: The best cruise lines

For consulting reviews from other cruisers: Cruise Critic

Cruise Critic is an independent website that encourages community members to post reviews and share tips.

Its message boards offer ways for website visitors to ask questions and share feedback with others based on their personal experiences and opinions. The site also acts as a metasearch for cruise deals, pulling in prices from multiple cruise websites.

Read cruise reviews from travelers who've been on that itinerary before.

"Deal Score" ranks deals to find the best value.

Price tracker shows 90-day trends for cruise prices.

Must click through the deal to book your cruise on other websites.

Prices are not guaranteed and can change before booking due to fees and restrictions on the sites where the cruises are being sold.

To review several cruise prices at once: CruiseDirect

CruiseDirect is the best cruise website when all you want are cruise prices. It doesn't offer hotels, flights, rental cars or other reservations you may want for your next vacation. CruiseDirect does, however, offer bonuses for travelers booking through its site.

Travelers can filter search results by destination, cruise line or departure port on various ships. This site offers cruises for every type of traveler, from budget to luxury, and every type of ship, from riverboats to mega-ships.

Bonus offers on every reservation provide extra value.

Best-price guarantee and free reservation holds.

Buy now, pay later financing options.

Promos offered by cruise lines aren't exclusive to CruiseDirect.

Customer service can be unfriendly.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

For budget-friendly options: Priceline

Priceline was originally known for its "Name Your Own Price" promotions, but has grown into a full-service online travel agency offering flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises, saving consumers more than $1 billion dollars per year.

Travelers who book a cruise with Priceline receive up to $2,000 to spend at sea, plus waived deposits on their reservations.

Up to $2,000 to spend on board.

Waived deposits of up to $500 when booking your cruise.

110% best-price guarantee within 48 hours of booking.

Ability to book flights, hotels, rental cars and more from the same site.

Must call Priceline to get exclusive offers and unpublished fares.

Restrictions make the best-price guarantee harder to benefit from.

» Learn more: Tips for getting the best cruise deals

For booking travel experiences beyond the cruise: TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is an online reviewer community where travelers share their experiences, pictures and ratings of hotels, suggested activities and more. This honest feedback and travel inspiration also make it one of the best websites to book a cruise.

Search over 70,000 cruise deals from more than 60 sites at once.

Dedicated ship pages share details, reviews, photos and itineraries.

Too many search results make it harder to narrow down your choices.

» Learn more: Are cruises all-inclusive?

To match with a vacation planner: Avoya Travel

Avoya Travel is a family-owned website that matches travelers with a vacation planner based on their preferences. It's the best way to book a cruise using a travel planner because it offers a low-price guarantee without charging extra fees for the planner.

The downside is that online pricing is not "live." Therefore, you must speak with a travel planner to get the latest prices and book your cruise.

Match with cruise planners according to your needs.

Does not charge Avoya fees for booking, changes or cancellations.

Get a low-price guarantee and the expertise of a vacation planner without extra fees.

Must become a member to unlock the best deals.

Pricing on the website is not "live" pricing, so actual cost may vary.

Cannot book a cruise online. You must speak with an independent vacation planner.

» Learn more: The best cruise insurance right now

To book a vacation package with an airline or hotel

American airlines cruises.

American Airlines AAdvantage members can earn airline miles when booking cruises at BookAACruises.com . All members earn one mile for every dollar they spend on cruise reservations, up to 10,000 miles. Some cruise specials offer up to 100,000 miles based on your selected cruise.

If you have an American Airlines credit card, you'll earn 2x miles, up to 20,000 miles. These miles and Loyalty Points count toward airline elite status. Additionally, trips booked through this site are eligible for promotions offered by the cruise lines.

Earn miles and Loyalty Points toward travel and elite status.

Cardholders earn 2x miles, up to 20,000 miles on cruises.

Cruise experts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cruise reservations are offered by a third party, so customer service issues can be a challenge.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Delta SkyMiles Cruises

Delta Air Lines is another airline that allows members to earn airline miles when booking cruises through its portal. Booking through SkyMilesCruises.com helps you earn Delta SkyMiles on your purchase.

Members get up to 10,000 miles on most cruises and up to 100,000 miles on luxury cruises. Plus, the site waives deposits on eligible cruise reservations.

Can earn up to 100,000 miles when booking a cruise.

Waives deposits when booking eligible cruises.

110% price guarantee within 48 hours of booking.

Most cruise awards are capped at 10,000 miles.

Miles earned are based on the length of the cruise, not the amount spent.

United Airlines Cruises

United Airlines MileagePlus members can earn up to 25,000 miles when booking a cruise through United at Cruises.United.com .

When you have a United Airlines credit card, you'll earn up to 45,000 miles. By offering up to 4x miles per dollar spent (or 7x as a cardholder), this site is the best way to book a cruise and earn airline miles on your purchase. If you have Premier status, you receive additional perks on select cruise lines, like wine and onboard credits.

Earn up to 7x miles on cruises.

United MileagePlus Premier members receive additional perks.

Can redeem miles to pay for some or all of your trip.

Not all cruises can be booked online.

Prices do not include a nonrefundable $24.99 processing fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Cruises

If you want to earn hotel points on your cruise, Marriott Cruise with Points is the best cruise website for you. You'll earn up to 6x points on your cruise purchase, or you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points to pay for your trip.

Plus, Marriott cardholders can earn an extra 2x points when they use that card for their purchase. While most cruises max out at 25,000 Bonvoy points earned, some luxury cruise lines offer up to 250,000 Marriott points.

Earn up to 6x points on your cruise, up to 250,000 Marriott points.

Marriott cardholders receive an extra 2x points when paying with their cards.

Can use Bonvoy points to pay for your cruise.

Redemption value of Bonvoy points is only 0.4 cent.

Must call to book cruises using points.

Processing fee of $24.99 per reservation.

» Learn more: Airline credit cards vs. hotel credit cards

For cruise package deals: Costco Travel

Costco is a retailer that offers exclusive products and pricing to its members. Through its Costco Travel website , members receive exclusive prices and benefits when booking hotels, rental cars, cruises and travel packages.

Executive Members earn 2% back on Costco Travel purchases and receive additional benefits on select packages. Plus, Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi cardholders earn 3% cash back rewards on Costco Travel purchases.

Earn 2% rewards and extra perks with Executive Membership.

Some cruises offer Costco gift cards or onboard credit.

Must be a member to book reservations with Costco Travel.

Directly with the Cruise Line

In some cases, booking directly with the cruise line can be best because it eliminates a third party. If there's a problem with your reservation or you need to make a change, you don't have to worry about the booking site and the cruise line pointing fingers at each other.

This may be the best approach if you know which cruise line you want to book and which cities you want to visit. However, you may miss out on promotions offered by third-party sites.

Simple search functions.

No hassles with third parties for problems, changes or cancellations.

Less likely to get scammed by fraudulent sites.

Miss out on deals offered by third-party sites.

Harder to compare prices, benefits and routes from multiple cruise lines.

Comparing cruise prices across websites

Without being able to compare prices, it can be a challenge to determine the best site for booking a cruise. To make it easier to compare, we priced out a 7-night Caribbean cruise for two adults. 

We selected the lowest-priced balcony room on Royal Caribbean departing from Miami in August 2023. Here are the results:

Mitigate cancellation policy risks with travel insurance

If you're worried your trip plans being disrupted by bad weather or a change of plans, travel insurance might help. This optional standalone insurance can be purchased separately from your cruise bookings.

But you might not even need to pay out-of-pocket for trip insurance because many credit cards offer travel insurance as a built-in benefit to customers who pay for travel expenses on that card.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for cruises

Travel cards with cruise benefits

You can get even more perks by booking your cruise with the right card.

on Chase's website

on Bank of America's website

on American Express' website

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Get 25% more value out of your points when you book cruises through Chase.

Book with your card to get automatic travel protections for your cruise.

Redeem miles as a statement credit to cover spending on cruises.

Book with your card to get automatic travel insurance coverage for your cruise.

Earn 2x points on travel spending, including cruises and some ship excursions.

Book with your card to get trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation coverage and other travel assistance services.

Get American Express Cruise Privileges Program benefits when you book at least five nights with eligible cruise lines. Terms apply.

Cruise program benefits include $300 credit redeemable toward dining and spa services plus amenities like wine, chocolates and champagne. Terms apply.

Booking a cruise recapped

When looking for the best way to book a cruise, the price is virtually the same on every website. The difference lies in how each seller sweetens the deal.

Several cruise booking sites set themselves apart from the competition by offering additional benefits to encourage booking through them. Additionally, being able to book other parts of your trip — like flight and excursions — on the same site, or offering access to a travel agent, distinguishes some of the best cruise websites. 

When prices are the same, we recommend cruise bookers compare the perks being offered, then book on the site with the most appealing bonuses, like onboard credits, airline miles, hotel points or cash back.

If you're searching for cruises on a third-party website, you may question the legitimacy of that site. This is especially true if the site doesn't look professional or some of the information is outdated.

For this reason, you should stick with one of the best cruise booking sites on this list because they've been vetted for legitimacy and have a good track record with travelers.

Yes, last-minute deals can be the best way to book a cruise. If your travel plans are flexible, these deals can save you a lot of money. Keep in mind that you may not be able to book your preferred destination or routing if it is sold out.

Unfortunately, most cruise lines do not offer free cancellations or changes to take advantage of price drops after you book. Passengers can always negotiate with a booking site or cruise line, but they aren't obligated to refund the difference. Instead, they may offer you onboard credit, complimentary excursions or credit toward another cruise booking.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5x-2x Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

9 Reasons Why You Should Use a Travel Agent to Book your Cruise

Jul 21, 2021 | CRUISE TIPS , MONEY SAVING IDEAS | 0 comments

Should you Book Direct or Use a Cruise Travel Agent?

You’ve decided to take a cruise. Unfortunately, there’s more to it than that. Many people ask “should I use a travel agent to book a cruise?” and there is a simple answer to this question – YES. Choosing a good cruise travel agent could be one of the best decisions you make when booking your next cruise.

There are several important decisions you need to make. Where would you like to go? What type of ship should you choose; Boutique Ship or Mega-Ship? Ocean Cruise or River Cruise? Maybe an adventure on an Expedition ship? Do you want to Fly to an overseas location to pick up your cruise? The list goes on.

No wonder people feel confused and unsure as to what to do next. So what are your options? Some folks start by doing online research or use recommendations, but whether you’re new to cruising or a seasoned traveller looking for something different, we highly recommend getting advice from one of a growing number of independent cruise travel agents.

We cruise a lot and some of the most frequently asked questions we get asked when someone is looking to book a cruise include the following:

• Should I use a cruise travel agent to book my cruise?
• Surely dealing directly with the cruise company is better for me?
• What’s the best way to book a cruise?
• Should I use a cruise travel agent to make my booking or do it myself online?

This in-depth article, covers all the reasons why we believe booking through a cruise travel agent is the best solution. There is a widely held belief that travel agents are a thing of the past, although it was not long ago that using a travel agent to book any travel was the only game in town. Anyone can book anything online, but is that the best way? Here are why we believe it is always best to book with an agent.

Personalized experience using a Cruise Travel Agent

If you choose the right agent, they will have access to vast numbers of cruise line offerings and will not only be able to scour the whole market to find your perfect cruise; they can also save you time and money into the bargain. On top of this, they will often know of the latest deals available through their prefered cruise lines.

They can also add exclusive perks, such as flowers in your stateroom, onboard spending money, cabin upgrades or a bottle of bubbly on arrival. In addition to these fun extras, agents can also arrange personalized travel details for your cruise like specific dining requirements like vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free.

Higher Levels of Customer Service

Perhaps one of the most important reasons for using a cruise specialist is the high level of customer service you will receive that you will not get when using an online service or even a non-focused travel agent. The right cruise travel agent will be able to answer all of your questions and guide you through essential steps. 

The right travel agent, especially one specialising in cruising, will give you access to experienced staff with extensive knowledge who can help you choose the right cruise and stateroom. They will be able to take care of all your specific requests. If they sound vague or cold, ditch them and find a company that is passionate about winning your business.

Better Communications & Technolgy

Most travel agents can be reached easily seven days a week through a phone call, email, text message, WhatsApp or Social Media.

The better cruise agents will allocate a dedicated person to manage your account, which helps them understand your requirements and help build a long-term relationship.

These dedicated contacts are often called your “Cruise Concierge”, ‘Cruise Consultant”, or “Cruise Connoisseur”.

Sophisticated agents will make all your reservation information available online and readily accessed 24/7 — no more reams of paper to contend with and so much kinder to the planet.

As well as an intelligent Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, these agents will also have intelligent computer systems with access to flights, hotels and other cruise add-ons to help provide you with a stress-free booking.

These booking engines make booking a cruise, flights, hotels and addons simple. They also link to all the major cruise line booking systems and can instantly advise on the availability of particular staterooms or suites. Some agents can even hold staterooms for a few days, so you can double-check everything before parting with your money!

Ship Visits, Inspections and Reviews

The best Cruise Travel Agents gain valuable insights into ships during regular ship visits and ‘educational’ trips with the cruise lines. They will publish their trip reports on their websites and social media so you can gain first-hand knowledge of their insider experience.

You can use their extensive knowledge to ensure they book the right cruise for you.

If there is a particular ship you would like to see and it visits a close port to where you live, some agents can arrange for you to visit and even have lunch on board.

Many of these specialist cruise agents provide helpful, unbiased reviews, inspection reports,  blogs and informational videos on their websites and via their social media channels.

Adding Value and Keeping You Up to Date

The best agents also keep up to date with policy changes made by the cruise lines. Such things include smoking restrictions, covid rules, cruise gratuities and Drinks Packages, which help avoid surprises when you embark on your cruise. They can also advise on the Dress Code and the number of Formal evenings planned for your chosen cruise voyage. If you have stock or shares in a particular cruise line, they will also apply for your shareholder benefits.

More importantly, the travel agents with a real focus on cruising are kept fully informed about the latest offers from the cruise lines. Many of these agents offer the ability to sign up to receive offers and unique offerings direct to your inbox via email.  Signing up for these offers or newsletters is particularly good for last-minute and cancellation cruise offers.

Related: Cruise Line Shareholder Benefits

Groups and Travel Agent Rates

Some Cruise Travel Agents are able to negotiate special pricing with the cruise lines if they undertake to book a certain number of cabins or staterooms on a particular voyage. In return for this commitment by the agent, the cruise line rewards them by giving them ‘agent rates’ or free cabins, which the agent can sell or use themselves.

Examples of these ‘bonuses’ to the agent are 1-in-8 (i.e. The agent gets one 1 Free Cabin for eight cabins sold). If you are travelling in a large party with family or friends, it is always worth asking if the agent has special group pricing and ask for free places for your group rather than the agent taking the “Free” cabins as extra profit or freebies for their staff.

Hosted Cruises

Top cruise travel agents often organize hosted cruises with a particular theme or destination experience.

Examples of this are the Monaco Grand Prix , Food and Wine Extravaganzas and small group adventures to places like Antarctica or the Galapagos. Hosted by a seasoned travel agent, these cruises are an excellent way to pick up tips from a professional.

Your host can often arrange for you to dine with the ship’s officers or the captain.

Tailor Made Cruises

For total peace of mind and reduce the stress and worry of making numerous arrangements, why not pass this on to an expert and let them build a bespoke and unique package for you.

A cruise specialist travel agent will look after everything from transfers, flights, hotel stays and even arrange some shore excursions to ensure your vacation is smooth and effortless.

The Cost of Using a Cruise Travel Agent

There is a view that using a travel agent to book a cruise will cost you more than booking directly with the cruise line. In reality, the opposite is the case. There is no surcharge when using an agent, and in most cases, their prices will be better than booking with the cruise line direct.

The reason for this is that the cruise lines need travel agents to sell the bulk of their cruises as they could not handle all booking themselves directly. The cruise agent will receive a percentage of the fare as a commission, but that doesn’t affect the price you get charged but funded by the cruise line. Commission earned is based on from the cruise element of the fare with things like port charges, flights etc. excluded.

Save Time and Money

Using a specialist cruise travel agency can save you a lot of time and money. If you explain to your agent exactly what you are looking for, they will do all the work and provide you will personalized quotations to meet your needs. The right agent builds a profile of your interests and preferences and will match your hobbies and even the celebration of a special occasion to find your perfect cruise.

The best cruise agents may suggest a unique itinerary which you would never have spotted. It’s so easy to watch one of the many TV programs about cruising or get drawn into a commercial promising a particular cruise line being the best fit for you and then potentially miss the perfect cruise with another cruise line.

How to Choose the Best Cruise Travel Agency

There are so many cruise travel agents and cruise specialists after your booking; the trick is being able to find the best ones. Some of the essential qualities to look for before you book include:

• Check that the agent is a member of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association). ie a CLIA Travel Agent. CLIA is the governing body of the cruise industry.
• Multiple cruise line offerings. If your cruise agent only promotes or has knowledge of one cruise line, all of their recommendations will be with that line. Even if another cruise line is a better option, you may end up with a dud.
• Getting to know you. Any cruise travel agent can ask a series of questions and book you on a cheap seven-day cruise around the Med. Always try to find an agent who asks about your family, your interests, hobbies etc. Every cruise line has a particular speciality and a travel agent who takes the time to get to know you will find that perfect vacation. You want your cruise travel agent to feel like a friend, not someone who wants to make a cold business transaction.
• Make sure your money is protected either through financial protection schemes offered by your agent, through travel insurance or at the very least pay by credit card as this may offer some protection.
• We use a local specialist cruise agency called Deluxe Cruises UK who really understands what Ultra-Luxury Cruising is all about. Do your research well, and you will not be disappointed. If you want suggestions on who to use, just drop us a line and we will do our best to help.

The Good Stuff

• Better Pricing
• Wider Choice of cruises
• Perks from the Agent
• Expertise with multiple cruise lines
• Emergency Hotline numbers

The Not so Good

• If you like to do it all yourself, you may feel a loss of control
• Can sometimes be slower to react to problems

FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions

If i book directly with the cruise line, will i get a better deal.

Cruise lines generally expect all travel agents to chargee the same price, for a particular cruise, unless the agent has groups or agent pricing. The cruise lines’ internal sales teams have to abide by the same rules. The aim is to avoid heavy discounting and price wars. Cruise lines depend on travel agents to advertise, sell cruises and process bookings. On this basis, they certainly don’t want to undercut the agencies with whom they work.

SHOULD I USE A TRAVEL AGENT TO BOOK A CRUISE?

The real answer is Yes. It would be best if you used a travel agent for booking your cruise as they have so much added value.

WHEN YOU SHOULD BOOK YOUR CRUISE ON YOUR OWN

If you are happy to do everything yourself and hate the idea of someone else doing what you think you could do yourself, then going it alone may be for you!

While travel agents have access to perks that the average cruiser does not have, some still prefer to book directly through the cruise lines and do all the planning on their own.

HELPFUL HINT

Choosing to use a cruise travel agent can take some time, but once you find a good one, stay with them as they develop their relationship with you.  If they don’t perform, dump them and look for another.

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Welcome all cruise enthusiasts! We’re Mike & Anita, your spirited guides to cruising the high seas (and Rivers), and we’ve clocked in over 600 days at sea.

This blog is dedicated to all you cruise lovers out there. It is a place to dive into the wonderful world of cruising. Join us on this exciting voyage where we share not just tips but insider secrets and money-saving gems about cruising.

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a first-time cruiser, get ready to explore, learn, and soak up the joy of our seafaring adventures. Happy Cruising! 🚢✨

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Need Help Booking a Cruise? Call One of These Travel Advisors

Whether you’re thinking of booking a luxury, ocean, expedition, or river cruise, if you’re traveling solo or with a group, these are some of the best cruise specialist travel advisors in the business..

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Choosing, planning, and booking a cruise can be overwhelming. These pros can help.

Illustration by Shutterstock

Increasingly, amid a sea of confusing online search information and inadequate AI-generated advice , travelers are looking for a human touch when planning and booking their land- and water-based vacations and are turning to travel advisors for their in-depth knowledge and expertise.

A survey conducted by the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) earlier this year found that travelers are more likely to use a travel advisor now than a year ago, with almost half (49 percent) of the respondents citing their desire to have peace of mind when planning their vacations and wanting to get the best value for their travel investment.

And when it comes to the vast world of cruising , where there are so many cruise lines and types of sailings to choose from, not to mention a whole world of destinations, it can be daunting and time-consuming to try to sift through all the options on your own. The key is finding a travel advisor who really knows and understands the cruise industry and who will ultimately relieve you of added stress and work. These are, after all, professionals, and this is what they do day in and day out.

The best travel agents who specialize in cruises

Whether you’re keen on an arctic expedition cruise or a laid-back barge cruise in the South of France, here are the best travel advisors who can match you to the cruise that’s right for you.

Best for planning an ocean cruise

Nadia Henry doesn’t only plan cruises for clients, she also often hosts groups on cruises as well.

Courtesy of Travel With Sparkle

Nadia Henry, Travel With Sparkle

Nadia Henry, owner of Travel With Sparkle in West Orange, New Jersey, is an expert when it comes to coordinating luxury group travel trips, including group getaways at sea. She’s even fashioned a title for herself as a ‘CCIG specialist,’ concentrating on the Caribbean, cruises, and international group travel. You’ll want to keep Henry on your travel advisor list when your group wants to set sail on an ocean cruise, and particularly if your crew is interested in personally traveling with a travel advisor. Henry hosts a number of group trips throughout the year, helping to ensure her travelers have the peace of mind they’re looking for through a hands-on experience with their trusted travel professional. Among her upcoming group cruise trips is a 7-day luxury yacht cruise exploring Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast from Split to Dubrovnik aboard the 18-cabin MV Auriela yacht, owned by Katarina Cruise Line, that will depart on August 3, 2024.

George Aballi, Connection to Cruise

George Aballi, owner of Connection to Cruise in Redlands, California, should be on your radar when it comes to cruising, especially for travelers looking for a more active cruise experience. As a seasoned cruiser himself, Aballi has more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry pairing travelers with a trusted roster of oceangoing brands that include Silversea, Celebrity Cruises, Explora Journeys, and Hurtigruten Expeditions. Aballi also books river cruises for clients with brands like AmaWaterways, American Queen Voyages, Avalon Waterways, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, and Viking. Lately, Aballi has been putting together group cruise trips that focus on pickleball and incorporating the widely popular sport into cruise itineraries both at sea and on Europe’s rivers.

Best for planning a luxury cruise

A self-proclaimed adventure travel enthusiast, Joshua Bush is as well versed in adrenaline as he is in luxury travel.

Courtesy of Avenue Two Travel

Joshua Bush, Avenue Two Travel

CEO of luxury travel agency Avenue Two Travel in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and member of the AFAR Travel Advisor Council , Joshua Bush is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to luxury travel both on land and at sea. He’s a thought-leader in the luxury travel space and a regular consultant for high-end organizations like Virtuoso, making Bush more than qualified to help travelers not only find the right luxury cruise experience, but help them understand what luxury means to them and their needs while on vacation. And as an added bonus, Bush is an avid adventure traveler and can also be of service in helping you add an adventure element to your trip.

Best for planning a luxury expedition cruise

Judy Perl, Judy Perl Travel

There likely isn’t a name more synonymous with cruise travel than Judy Perl and her eponymous travel company, Judy Perl Travel . Perl, who also serves on the AFAR Travel Advisor Council , and her travel company have long-standing relationships with top of the line expedition cruise companies, such as Ponant, Scenic Luxury Cruises, and Seabourn, which offer luxury yacht-style expeditions in a number of polar and tropical destinations. She has spent more than 22 years crafting cruise itineraries for travelers, specializing in niche, luxury experiences. If you’re looking for a sailing that is a bit more thrilling than what traditional ocean and river cruising may offer, look to Perl to book your next expedition cruise.

Best for planning a river cruise

Suzy Schreiner, Azure Blue Vacations

Don’t know where to begin when picking a river cruise ? Even if you’ve already experienced a river cruise or two, it’s helpful to have someone like Suzy Schreiner, owner of Azure Blue Vacations in Bothell, Washington, on your side to navigate such choice-filled territory. As a leading travel advisor in the industry, Schreiner not only knows how to book the kind of river cruise experience you want, but she also comes with a wealth of insight and information about river cruising for first timers, as well as travel tips, and how to get the most out of your experience onshore as well.

Best for planning a canal barge cruise

Ellen Sack, Barge Lady Cruises

It’s hard to talk about canal barge cruising without thinking of Ellen Sack, aka the Barge Lady and expert in the world of all things European barge cruising. Sack and her family-run travel company work as brokers for canal barge cruises in Europe, connecting travelers to the right sailing experience to suit their needs. From whole barge charters to booking an individual cabin on a classic barge, the world of canal barge cruises differs quite a bit from river cruises, offering slightly shorter itineraries in more intimate settings, accommodating anywhere between two and 20 people, compared to the upwards of 150 travelers that river cruise ships can host. You’ll find everything you need to know about sailing on waterways like the scenic Canal du Midi in the South of France or the Caledonian Canal in the Scottish Highlands with help from Sack and the rest of the Barge Lady crew.

Want to custom design a cruise to fit your unique interests? Call Gloria Hobbins of Global Village Travels.

Courtesy of Global Village Travels

Best for planning special interest and custom cruises

Gloria Hobbins, Global Village Travels

If you consider the world to be your oyster when daydreaming about your next cruise, think of Gloria Hobbins of Global Village Travels as the pearl at the heart of making your dream vacation plans come true. Hobbins is a unique kind of advisor in that she doesn’t limit herself to specializing only in ocean or river or small ship cruising—she’s ready to specially craft and curate a cruise to your needs and desires. Looking for a Peruvian Amazon river cruise that also takes you on a deep dive through the region to experience its rich and diverse cultures? How about a multi-river cruise journey that combines a sailing in Southeast Asia with a luxury yacht sailing along the Atlantic coast of West Africa that ventures into Senegal and Gambia? Hobbins can connect the dots for you on your globe-trotting trip of a lifetime.

Best for planning a LGBTQ+ cruise

Michael Henderson, B.A.G. Travel

For LGBTQ+ travelers, including travelers of color and those who are traveling solo, Mike Henderson is a great travel advisor to help you get started on your path to exploring the world of cruising with other like-minded travelers. He’s been organizing group travel for the LGBTQ+ community for more than 20 years and is the founder of B.A.G. Travel , a travel agency that specializes in curating group trips for solo LGBTQ+ travelers that puts a focus on creating a social and welcoming environment. Henderson crafts trips around social events in destinations all over the world, such as Pride festivals, New Year’s Eve, and Oktoberfest, in hopes of creating a safe, inclusive, and interactive environment for travelers.

Best for planning a family-friendly cruise

Darlene McClung, Frosch Vacations

When you need an advisor who understands the needs of not only group travel but specifically traveling as a family, Darlene McClung of Frosch Vacations has got you covered. McClung has a wide variety of expertise in ocean, river, and small-ship cruising, and extensive experience sending families of all shapes and sizes on successful trips around the world. Attentive, patient, and detail-oriented, no stone will be left unturned when it comes to planning the trip of a lifetime with your loved ones with McClung by your side.

Michelle Allen, Travel Magic

Consider Michelle Allen, owner of Travel Magic in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, the fairy godmother of your next family vacation. Allen is a specialist in all things Disney travel, from Disney’s iconic theme parks, to ocean cruises with Disney Cruise Lines, to European river cruises and land tours with Adventures by Disney . Multigenerational trips and bucket-list group adventures are some of the most in-demand types of trips Allen handles regularly. And with so many different layers to booking a trip with Disney these days for multiple people, Allen is a welcome addition to the planning team for your next family vacation.

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Should we book direct or through an agent? - Cruises Forum

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Normally when booking hotels and flights I normally book direct. I see a lot people on here have their favourite tour operator or agent for cruises . Last and only cruise I was on over 15yrs ago and I didn’t have to handle the bookings.

We were planning on flying in to Miami 2 days before and flying out 3 days after, booking the Cruise direct on the Celebrity website and flights direct with the airline . Is there a benefit to book with Cruise agent? If so which one do you recommend if booking from the UK?

8 replies to this topic

From what I have seen, UK agents often will include flights and pre & post cruise accommodation in their packages. US agents will sell cheaply or give onboard credit. Some agents may get a better deal from the cruise line than others.

Where I am, we get the worst deals but things are improving as more and more people take up cruising. The best thing for us is that gratuities are often included. I will always look at exchange rates, different agents as well as direct with the cruise line and compare like with like. I will also compare with vacationstogo.com which often have better deals than elsewhere.

In the UK if you book cruise along with flights , your booking is cover by ATOL Certificate. Which is helpful if one or other parties of your booking goes out of business. Not sure how helpful, never had to use it, touch wood!

Not sure if you have read anything yet about Celebrity changing their “All Included” package? At the moment it’s Classic drinks package, Wi-Fi & Gratuities.. They are removing the Gratuities from the All included cruise price from all new bookings from start of Oct 2023. So if this is something you’d consider booking along with the cruise then I’d get it book before you loose the gratuities.

Hope this helps

If you have a problem then getting through to customer services is a nightmare. Using a travel agent to sort the problem is far easier.

This post has been removed at the author's request.

Pros and cons in using an agent / or direct.

Travel agent Pros…

- yes at times Agents can get a slightly better deal for you.

- yes you can ring them if something goes wrong

Travel agent cons …

- if a TA makes a mistake with your name, you have to pay for any costs to get it changed ( if it’s outside the cancellation period) - this happened to me years ago

- many agents have their own T&C in addition to the cruise lines T&C.. eg if you book directly with a cruise line, you know what the cancellation period is. When you book through an agent, change you mind say within a week, a cancellation fee = to the deposit may be charged - happened to a friend in mine.. she wanted to Change her cruise to a different date.

- some agents will offer a better price but it may be a GTY canon rather than a specific cabin - this happened to me… the TA and I looked at the deck plans, I chose my cabin and said this is the one I want. After I left her office I read the paperwork…my cabin on the ship was not guaranteed until I had paid in full.. WTF??? She planned to book a GTY cabin hence the discounted rate. I didn’t book with her

- some agents will not return calls after you’ve made the booking. There’s not a lot in it for them so the least amount of time they spend on your booking is better for them.

- a couple of months before you leave, the agent rings you in a panic and blames the 3rd party for not booking the airline etc… finds another flight for you on “Dodgy Airlines ” - it happened to me. I did get a consumer group involved in that and the agent had to fly us out earlier, reversed the last part of our itinerary and put us up in a hotel = to what we had arranged some 9 months prior.

- your OS and find that your booking does not match what you’ve paid for/ written on the invoice. Try contacting your agent then.. chances are they won’t be available - happened to me…sane agent/ trip as previous “Con”.

Direct pros

- you can get the information from the horses mouth and book it, only T&C that apply are those of the cruise line

- they sell you what they have .. although your choice to pay less with a GTY cabin or pay a little extra and get the cabin you want.

- sometimes they have deals as past passengers that are only available through them.

- sometimes months after the booking was made they can re-fare the cruise .

- anything goes wrong on the cruise , see the front desk

- if you are someone who likes to know exactly what’s going on with your booking, this is best for you IMO

- you may not get as much OBC or a cheaper deal* ( *unless you book a GTY cabin

- sometimes getting through to the cruise line is difficult - I’ve not had that issue when making a booking but others have.

I always prefer the security of a reveal agent. These days, who knows and it makes us feel better to have a travel professional on our side.

There was one more “con” I forgot to mention .. it may only apply in Australia due to our “Privacy” laws. If a travel agent makes a booking for you, you cannot get any information about your booking from the supplier .. only the agent who made the booking.

It’s ridiculous but true that you can spend thousands of dollars and not get what you actually stipulated you wanted but cannot confirm it with the supplier .. and yes it happened to me. When we came home from our trip we took action against the agent for not supplying what was on the invoice “our contract”.

Turns out the agent deliberately lied to us and that the supplier had sent them various emails telling them that what they booked was not available.

I’ve never dealt with that large well known agency again… this is also a good example of agents who are set up to look like professionals but really aren’t.. they are only interested in making “X” number of sales per month and “keeping their seat” at the agency…. Sales reps not travel agents and definitely not professional IMO.

Over the years I’ve come across many agents have not travelled that much and when they have, it’s usually a short freebie where they are given extra special care, the best rooms etc. At worst, they are great at remembering “spiels” which when you look at brochures, is often pretty much word for word from a glossy brochure !! At best, some do care about clients and do have experience and have travelled… I gave up looking for that elusive “professional” and prefer to book directly.

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Hello everyone;

I emailed an agent and they said they don't give a discount. So what is the advantage of going through a travel agent from your experience?

Thank you for the advice.

20 replies to this topic

If you have a particular cruise in mind, shop around to see what kind of deal you can get, including if buying direct.

I tend to book through travel agents for a greater discount but that's about your lot.

People spend little time in cabins except for sleeping resting and changing. On your cruise see if you can spot anyone on a balcony. $$$$$ more expensive but cruisers will tell you generally not worth the money. We had an outside a few times. You are not going to see much throw the cabin window and you will probably look only once . A large inside can be excellent value

The saver fare won't get you much apart from a cabin but the extra for the select is hardly worth it. I can always find cheap parking. Ships dock next to most ports so most people walk. The extra spending money can be as little as a 1/3 of the extra $$$$ pp on a select fare

So agent for lower overall price and cruise company for a little more protection and flexibility.

Pay by visa credit just in case

PS if you are booking with an agent in USA it looks like you may get perks. Sadly across the pond here in the UK zero perks using an agent.

shop around most TA's do not discount but they will give perks

Some will have Group rates even if you are just the 2 of you

My TA in the USA give pre paid gratuities & OBC some will give other deals depends on the line you are booking & if they offer pass through perks to the agency

If they belong to a consortium they may have better perks

You live in my area, so I can say with confidence, "Use an agent!" then back it up with examples. You will get either perks or on board credit - or both- through a travel agent. You won't get anything from the cruise line they're not offering *everybody*.

Much more important: you have someone to go to bat for you if the cruise line makes a mistake. That's priceless!

But first: what decisions have you already made? Like: when do you want to go, where do you want to go, how long do you want the cruise to be, and have you already decided on a cruise line?

Is it just 2 of you in one cabin?

DO NOT book airfare through the cruise line!!!!

The travel agent *might* do it free as a favour, but you'll likely have to book air yourself. And, you want to fly out of Detroit Metro, right? DTW?

You need to fly into the cruise port and stay at least one night before the cruise for insurance/missing the cruise reasons. If you want to see the cruise port itself, you should stay TWO nights before the cruise to give yourselves a sightseeing day. I seldom do that for Florida ports, but San Juan Puerto Rico and San Diego are gorgeous ports you could spend a WEEK each in, and not see everything.

Insurance is absolutely vital for Canadians - the usual package of cancellation, luggage and so on, but out-of-Canada medical is urgent. You MUST read the policy through, and it's vital to answer the questionnaire carefully and truthfully.

If you don't like the travel agent's out of country medical? Another alternative is insuremytrip.com, 800-551-1337, and male sure you ask for a CANADIAN AGENT. Buy US insurance accidentally and it's $$$ and worthless.

Which agent? Well, my home town agency is rock solid, but if you don't hit it off with the agent you're given? Ask for another.

CAA is pretty good, and you don't need to be a member to book.

I suspect you'll wind up on a Royal Caribbean ship if you haven't picked another line. I did. That's because Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has a very high satisfaction rating, and travel agents want happy passengers who come back and cruise again.

DO NOT book a first cruise with a USA online discounter like VacationsToGo.com or SmartCruiser.com. There are pitfalls for Canadian newbies. You'll get pitched USA insurance for one thing, because the process is automated and impersonal.

I always type these "tl:dr" posts, but there is so much you need to know....like I plan cruises a year ahead for best price and cabin choice.

90-120 days before sailing is "last minute."

Feel free to send me a private message - I could even give you my phone number that way. If this post doesn't seem helpful? Apologies: there's a lot of tips to share.

Omitted Chatham agent!

https://www.vellingastravel.com/

Book in person or by phone IMO.

Most people here in Canada & the USA use CC paying in cash is a UK thing & not usually done here

Except with Viking cruises

For us on this side of the pond if they ask for cash/debit that is a major red flag for us

Just my opinion

I will add to Fannish's post

if you have a brick & mortar agency in your area go in & have a chat with them & see if they meet your needs ask lots of questions

We have used T.I.PS. & RSA in the past had to file claims & they were very good with refunds

• Carrying passports ashore 23:27
• How formal are “formal nights” on Queen Mary II? yesterday
• St Maarten 27 April 2024
• esim card on cruises 27 April 2024
• Kids - is the princess plus upgrade worth it? 27 April 2024
• Does anyone else have this problem with MSC cruises?? 26 April 2024
• MSC Pre Authorization with Debit Card Question 26 April 2024
• Princess cruises drinks…. 26 April 2024
• *FREE* 5 day/4 night cruise? 25 April 2024
• Paul Gaugin Tahiti Cruise 25 April 2024
• P&O Sign in/App 25 April 2024
• CroisiEurope River Cruises - Any recent experience 25 April 2024
• Vancover Canada Place Disembarkation 24 April 2024
• Entertainment options 24 April 2024
• First, tell us WHERE YOU LIVE if that info isn't in your profile!
• Can I remove the auto- gratuity? I want to tip only a few ... how much should I tip?
• What's the best cruise/ship?
• Is a cruise an all inclusive vacation?
• How do I even get started picking a cruise?
• How can I find a cheap cruise?
• How much are alcoholic drinks? Can I bring my own alcohol?
• What are the odds of an upgrade?
• What should I know about the cruise contract?
• What are the noisy locations to avoid on a cruise ship?
• What's the best way to see the ports on my cruise?
• What are cruise dress codes? Do I have to follow them to get in the dining room?
• What kind of insurance do I need? Can I skip that expense?
• What do you wish someone told you before your 1st cruise?
• Cruise Reviews and Reports for cruise lines operating from Australia / New Zealand
• Australia / South Pacific - things I wish I knew before I cruised including port info
• What should you order for the best food on board?
• What you should know about river cruising
• Regional pricing - at what cost?

Should you use a travel agent to book your cruise vacation?

If you have a trusted travel agent who has helped you book your vacations in the past, you will most likely use them again to book your cruise package.

The rest of us will enjoy planning and booking our own cruise vacation. We will take the time to research cruise options, compare flight and hotel prices, choose the best transport options, read reviews, join group chats to get more inside info and tips, and speak to cruise consultants who work for the cruise line.

However, here are five specific situations where it makes sense to consider booking a cruise package with a travel agent. Because most often, we do need the whole package, including flights, the cruise itself, pre and post-cruise hotel accommodation, and transportation.

These are easy-to-follow guidelines that will help you save money and create value.

We will also address some general statements you come across when you read articles on whether travel agents are a thing of the past.

Quick navigation

1. Accessing special flight prices to get you to and from your cruise port

Generally, visiting price comparison sites like Momondo , Kayak , and Skyscanner will find the cheapest flight prices online. 

But then there are the special prices where you need to meet specific criteria to be allowed to book. These prices are often only available at traditional travel agencies. Examples would be:

• Tour operator fares if you also need to book accommodation or rental car
• Youth prices where you need to be of a certain age
• Student prices where you need to produce a valid student ID

Airlines are very strict about following the rules for these types of ticket prices. And today, there is no proven and effective way for price comparison sites and Online Travel Agents to know when to show these prices.

So, if you are looking for a particular flight price, consider booking with a travel agent for the best possible price and terms.

2. Save money when booking flights for more than two travelers

If you travel as a family or a group of friends, you could save money using a skilled and experienced travel agent.

To understand the concept, we need to look at how airlines use so-called booking classes to control inventory (available seats) and revenue (price per seat).

Most commercial airlines divide their airplanes into cabins. Examples would be Economy, Premium Economy, and Business. 

Each Cabin is, in its turn, divided into a set number of booking classes. Each booking class is then given a total number of seats and a price per seat.

It could look like this:

Economy Class T K L

Number of seats 10 10 20

Price per seat 50 75 100

Business Class C D

Number of seats 10 20

Price per seat 200 275

Generally, we would move to a higher booking class and price per seat when available seats in the lower booking class are sold out.

But this is not the whole truth. Imagine that available seats instead look like below:

Number of seats 1 2 9

When a family of four searches online, most booking engines would return a result of 4 seats in booking class L at the total cost of $400.

The reason is that the L booking class is the lowest available class with four available seats.

However, a skilled travel agent could create a booking below at a lower cost of $300.

One seat in T class ( 1x 50) Two seats in K class (2×75) One seat in L class (1×100)

This would likely be three separate bookings, but your travel agent would link them together in the reservation system.

But how would you know if this is possible? Start looking for one seat, then two seats, and so on.

But you should also be able to ask your travel agent as that level of trust must exist in any good professional working relationship.

3. Combination trips to a new destination you have never visited before

You should always contact a travel agent if you plan a combination trip with several independent components to a new destination.

Choose a travel agent with experience booking to your desired destination, or better still, if they have been there and can advise you based on personal experience.

• Experience will protect you against booking a trip during the rainy season. 
• Expertise would safeguard against missing essential details, such as a planned safari that requires a transit visa.
• The volume would allow you to benefit from preferential treatment and more competitive prices.

When you plan trips that include flights, hotels, transfers, tours, and a cruise, many details could go wrong.

And it is in situations like this that specialty travel agencies shine.

And no, it does not have to be expensive. Any good travel agency should have preferential rates where you end up paying the same as you would booking directly, and they pocket the commission paid to them by their supplier.

4. When your time is worth more to you than money

Booking with a travel agent should be stress-free and save you time. 

You set a budget and discuss with your travel agent what you want from your vacation. A good travel agent will put together two or three suggestions for your vacation, and you work together to create your ideal holiday package at a price you are willing to pay.

From there, your travel agent will handle all the details, inform you of any itinerary changes and help you with information such as visas, vaccinations, check-in procedures, and more. They do all the planning and booking, saving you valuable time.

5. Airline stopover packages

If you are booking long-haul international flights, some airlines offer stopover packages. 

A clever travel agent can identify a route where you can take advantage of a stopover package. This means you can explore an exciting city on the way to your final destination. And beat jet lag by breaking up your long journey with a good night’s sleep. 

Often this is possible if your layover is, for example, longer than 6 or 8 hours. The airline will offer a heavily discounted package price on transfer to/from a city hotel, hotel overnight with breakfast, and even a city excursion can be included. 

Some stopover packages allow up to 3 nights’ stopover. The stopover packages can be booked by your travel agent in the Global Distribution System (GDS) at the same time as your flight booking, saving you time and money and creating a seamless journey. 

Some examples could be Singapore Airlines (Singapore), Air China (Beijing), and Emirates (Dubai) but always check with a travel agent for the latest information.

Three myths about the benefits of using a travel agent

As we have noted above, there are times when it makes sense to book your cruise vacation with a travel agent. But with the technological advances, the marketplace is becoming much more competitive and difficult for the broad and general travel agent.

Whereas there still can be a place for skilled, experienced, and specialized travel agencies, the following three myths are long gone as general truths:

1. Travel agents save you money

Generally speaking, a travel agent will not save you money. However, a good travel agent will not charge you more than you would pay to book directly and will instead earn commissions from partner cruise lines, airlines, and hotel suppliers.

The problem for the general travel agent is that many products are offered below cost in the online marketplace. And when the travel agent does not specialize, they may find it challenging to sell the volumes necessary with individual airlines or cruise lines, benefit from preferential rates, and remain competitive with their customers.

2. Travel agents offer personal service and support 24/7

This may or may not be true. But it would be best to verify before you assume that your travel agent provides 24/7 personal support and international contact numbers.

If something does wrong with your travel arrangements late on a Sunday afternoon and the airline refers you to your travel agent as you booked a package vacation, will your agent answer your call?

Nowadays, 24/7 access across all time zones is a significant selling point for airlines and major hotel providers.

3. Travel agents are specialists

Again, verify before you assume that your travel agent is a specialist.

The word specialist is an extensive term. Booking a flight in the Global Distribution System that all travel agents use requires skills and expertise and is, in many ways, not destination specific. Some commands show availability, sell a seat, and price the booking regardless of destination.

On the other hand, if you plan a trip to Europe, Singapore, or Hawaii, you would want a destination specialist. The flight would be a part of it, but you would also want someone who has put together fantastic and successful trips in the past with rave reviews to prove it. 

The harsh reality for many travel agencies is that they have to serve the business that comes their way. And with this follows an industry with more travel generalists and fewer travel specialists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth booking through a travel agent.

There are situations where you should contact your travel agent for a quote. These include booking complicated trips, needing expertise, qualifying for special prices, or booking flights for large groups. But generally speaking, you will save money if you book yourself online.  

How do I know if a travel agency is legit?

Reputable travel agents are often members of international associations such as The International Air Transport Association (IATA), The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), and The International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN).  

It is also advisable to visit online travel portals and read reviews. And if there are no reviews to read, that should also tell you something.

Furthermore, you can contact consumer protection agencies and ask for advice. 

And finally, if you doubt the travel agent you are in contact with, please find another travel agent to work with. So many good and reputable travel agencies are out there – there is no need to risk your hard-earned money.

Book flights through a travel agent versus online

When booking just flights, you will most of the time save money booking online. There are some situations where a travel agent can be helpful if you qualify for special prices or book larger groups of people. 

How much do travel agents make per booking?

A good and professional travel agent should be prepared to share the fees charged. Ideally, the travel agent will not charge you more than you pay if booking directly and will make a living from commissions from travel partners and suppliers.

Is it cheaper to book flights online or with a travel agent?

In most cases, it would be less expensive to book flights online.

The cost of booking a flight can vary depending on various factors, such as the airline, route, time of year, and demand. In general, booking flights online through a travel website or directly through the airline’s website can often be cheaper than booking through a travel agent.

Online booking platforms usually offer competitive prices because they can access various flight options and compare prices across multiple airlines. Additionally, some airlines may offer exclusive discounts or promotions for online bookings unavailable through travel agents.

On the other hand, travel agents may offer more personalized service and can sometimes find flight options that may not be easily accessible online. However, this may come with an additional fee for their services, which could make your overall cost of booking a flight more expensive.

Meet the author: Sarah has created and booked hundreds of travel itineraries for thousands of customers during a career in the travel industry that spans 20 years. Having worked hand in hand with cruise lines, hotels, airlines and tour operators worldwide, she offers inspiring & detailed insights in the world of travel and tourism.

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1 thought on “Should you use a travel agent to book your cruise vacation?”

Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article! It is the little changes that produce the biggest changes.

Many thanks for sharing!

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Cruise Trip: Should You Work With A Travel Agent Or Book Directly?

It's never easy choosing between working with a travel agent or booking directly with the cruise line. Read on to see our take.

Let’s face it. It’s always hard deciding on whether to use a travel agent or to deal directly with a cruise line. Each option has its disadvantages as well as advantages. Also, a cruise trip is not like a road trip. There are many factors to consider. According to our opinion, we think the best scenario will involve working with a travel agent but not living everything to him—in a hands-off manner that many imagine.

Therefore, one should, for instance, check the cruise line’s website or call their representatives to get what they would offer as the best deal. With this amount in mind, call the travel agent and give him or her—the baseline price—while asking if a better deal is possible. After this, monitor price movements daily , and then inform the travel agent to get a re-price in case of a drop.

Here’s our reason.

Why You Should Work With A Travel Agent On A Cruise Trip While Still Maintaining Control

We all know this trite phrase: trust but verify. That’s the same attitude one should assume when working with a travel agent. The danger, like with most things in life, is to sit on the extremes. One extreme is to believe that booking a cruise trip directly with a cruise line is the best option— always . At the other end of the spectrum, the decision to deal with an agent—and leave everything for him to handle is a little naive, even gullible. Here’s the truth: booking directly not only feels secure but is actually secure. It’s unlikely that one will be scammed or seriously inconvenienced. Secondly, the prices of cruise lines are almost always the best one can get. Still, working fully with them may make you miss out on certain perks and incentives. And aside from the parks, there’s actually a chance that one can get a lower price when working with an agent—than the one quoted by the cruise line.

That’s the reason we advise working with a travel agent—while still doing both preliminary and continuous research throughout the trip. While leaving everything in the hands of the travel agent may appear so relieving, it’s better to be in the know regarding many travel elements to be sure of a good deal. The main advantages of working with a travel agent are: the possibility of getting better On-board credits, the agent’s ability to price adjust in cases of price drops, the possibility of getting lower prices due to group rates that cruise lines give travel agents—and the ability and competence of the travel agents to expertly handle logistics-related issues that may be hard or just impractical, especially for a novice. Remember, on a cruise trip, there could be a lot of complex nitty-gritty to consider. For instance, there are issues a couple will want to consider that a solo traveler won’t.

Related: Top 10 Best Cruise Journeys To Take In 2022

In the end, working with a travel agent while putting one’s fingers on the pulse, is the best strategy. It’ll ensure one will get the best that both have to offer. With this in mind, one should ensure his or her choice of a travel agent is the best.

How To Choose A Travel Agent For A Cruise Trip

Since we’ve advised working with a travel agent, even if still closely being involved, the next step in the process is to identify a reliable cruise trip travel agent. Let’s make this simple. It might appear odd but the best method of getting a reliable travel agent for a cruise trip is through the old, tried method of referral. While one can pour through a thousand reviews on online sites of agents, and read each and every review, nothing compares to word-of-mouth referral by a friend, colleague, or family member. A referral is important because it’s a true story of someone that’s known—and who’s close—and therefore reliable. A good step would therefore to ask for such information from a network of friends. Also, when a traveler engages a travel agent because of a referral and mentions the same to the travel agent, the travel agent will be motivated to exceed—or at least equal the desired expectations. This is because they would want to maintain that reputation as it can earn them even more business.

Related: The Best Argument For Hiring A Travel Agent In 2022

Still, even if a referral is the best way to choose a travel agent for a cruise trip, one should still check the online reviews and feedback for a big-picture perspective. Other than referrals and reviews, a good cruise ship travel agent should be someone who’s detailed and thorough. If in an initial engagement, an agent is ready to proceed with a reservation before knowing more about a traveler, then that’s a red flag. This desired information should include stuff like hobbies, personality, preferred food and drinks—and the desired type of restaurant or nightlife—among many others. It’s this information that’ll provide a profile on which basis the agent should select the cruise ship. Of course, as a traveler, one should also be involved in the selection of a cruise ship .

Here’s the take-away. For one wondering whether to book a cruise ship directly or work with an agent, the best option is to work with an agent in a close, deliberate manner. The key is to get a fine travel agent.

• Saga Cruises

Book direct or with a travel agent?

By Janet- , May 12, 2021 in Saga Cruises

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Are there any advantages booking direct with Saga instead of with a travel agent and receiving a discount? 

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Prices sold through TAs and Saga are generally the same. You may get some OBC but in my experience it is better to book direct.

If you want to get the best price book early   🙂

It’s hard to see what advantage there would be in using a travel agent to book with Saga. Why complicate things with an intermediary? It’s normally very easy to book direct with Saga over the phone or online. Most of all when things go wrong, as they have done over the past year, Saga is pretty reliable in sorting out refunds or changes. From what I have read, some travel agents have not been so prompt or accommodating.

Unless of course the discount is really substantial!

Windsurfboy

Looking at advert in today's paper , no extra discount just a few bottles of wine.

Saga direct are good to deal with

13 hours ago, Kohima said: Unless of course the discount is really substantial!

It looks to be about 5%

Tothesunset

We have booked with an agent to get the value of £300 worth of accumulated cruise miles. Can't, of course, access the booking on the Saga website. Would book direct if not for using up the cruise miles. 

Can you elaborate please. Is this a disadvantage that you can't access the booking.

Everything has to be done thru the TA even booking excursions. 

Regarding the 5%, are the TA's figures up to date? As more cabins are sold in a category the price increases by 5%.

If you know someone who has previously sailed with Saga ask them to introduce you and you will both get a 10% discount. You don't have to be sailing on the same cruise.

2 hours ago, Janet- said: Can you elaborate please. Is this a disadvantage that you can't access the booking.

Yes because I must give control of pick up etc to the TA. I'd much rather be able to make and implement things myself directly with the cruise line. If you want a job done right.... and all that. 

Some lines will allow access to the booking online even if the booking has been made through a TA. Silversea allows this as does Cunard. 

But I'm sure the TA will be fine. 

I see now. Obviously if its only a few pounds different then it's much better to keep control but a few hundred each then it's a different ball game.

I'm only just considering a Saga cruise at the moment but take on board Glenndale's point about the price going up as more cabins are sold. I've not yet spoken to  our TA so don't know if the prices on their web site are "live".

Some years ago a subsidiary of Saga had a ship called Spirit of Adventure, just under 10000 tons. We cruised with them to Antarctica so I don't think we qualify for the new to Saga discount.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond.

• 3 weeks later...

NorbertsNiece

I have a terrific TA. Very efficient and easy to communicate with. Far easier than holding on line for Saga to pick up! 

• 2 months later...

Sunday golf

Getting through to Saga is a nightmare. Had a number of attempts taking over 45 minutes. A TA is much easier. So if you want to interact with person on the details then a TA every time. You also get it slightly cheaper. The worst cruise line must be Silversea get through quite quickly but they charge 7p per minute. Again use a TA!

32 minutes ago, Sunday golf said: Getting through to Saga is a nightmare. Had a number of attempts taking over 45 minutes. A TA is much easier. So if you want to interact with person on the details then a TA every time. You also get it slightly cheaper. The worst cruise line must be Silversea get through quite quickly but they charge 7p per minute. Again use a TA!

Never pay premium  telephone , use website to find alternative normal number.  CC rules mean I can't advertise website but the are a few that find alternative to 0870 numbers

Before the pandemic we never had any problems easily contacting Saga direct. Unfortunately there has been a perfect storm recently of increased customer demand and fewer Saga staff (many were made redundant), of whom most are still working from home. Additionally there have been constant changes of itineraries and regulations due to changing Covid circumstances so it must have been a complete nightmare.

We booked via a TA and got a 7% discount. Well worth putting up with not being able to access the booking on the web.

The wait for Saga to answer the phone is unacceptable whatever their problems. I wonder how many people gave up and booked with a different company.

Agreed, it is unacceptable as it will lose them potential trade. Perhaps they need to re employ some of their former staff?

I also saved around 10% (not including insurance) with my TA for  a Christmas cruise 2022.

My TA is always available and helpful.They make payment direct to the cruises lines, they sell the whole cruise package, not cruise plus flights and transfers like a Northern company. They were very difficult to deal with last year when my cruises were cancelled.

I will never use them again.

I have generally found my TA’s prices very competitive.

3 hours ago, piscean said: I also saved around 10% (not including insurance) with my TA for  a Christmas cruise 2022. My TA is always available and helpful.They make payment direct to the cruises lines, they sell the whole cruise package, not cruise plus flights and transfers like a Northern company. They were very difficult to deal with last year when my cruises were cancelled. I will never use them again. I have generally found my TA’s prices very competitive.    

Has the TA who is always helpful had to refund any money due to cancellations to you or have you rolled over bookings?

As you get older and have a few minor health problems the cost of insurance can be around 10% of cruise fare, especially for the Caribbean and America.

To all of you advocating a TA how did they respond during Covid?

My wonderful TA who I had used for over 12 years was powerless when the large company he worked for furloughed many of the staff and took 6 months to refund a fully paid up cruise which was due to depart on the 30th March 2020.

It took a section 75 to finally have our money returned.

Since vowing to book direct I have had cruise monies of cancelled cruises returned in a timely fashion i.e. within 14 days.

You only get a real measure of a company when they have to respond to a crisis.

happyboomer

If you are a US citizen what is the best way to book? 

When I quoted without insurance I should have clarified that the insurance could be added after the discount .  insurance is indeed difficult after  a certain age …i currently have a banks (monthly charge) which covers all ages (my husband is 83) with  worldwide cover. I previously had Saga (different to the included Saga cruise insurance)

the TA who is always helpful has refunded 7 cancelled cruises promptly, unlike the Northern Agency….i too put in a section 75  although they took so long the Agency eventually paid after several months.

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• River Cruising

Best to book through Viking or an agency?

By badger1829 , September 4, 2013 in River Cruising

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First, we have never ever been on a river cruise but are anxious to go. Is it best to book through Viking or will a travel agent get the same deals? Is it better to book Viking air? Are there advantages or disadvantages? Any thoughts or help is appreciated. Thanks in advance

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For our first cruise with Viking we booked direct. I booked our own airfare and arranged our own pre/post extensions.

That's just me as I like to research and plan.

Cary Cruiser

When we booked through a TA we got a $500 discount that I don't think we would have gotten from Viking if we had booked direct. This offer was advertised on the TA's website and that was what drew me to them initially.

We booked through Viking Air for our November trip. I could not come close to their $847 roundtrip air fare on my own from Ft Lauderdale. But then maybe others know places to look for fares that I don't.

Also when I balked about the cost of travel insurance the TA was able to offer us travel insurance that was less expensive than Viking's.

We did book the pre and post extensions with Viking and I know I am paying more than what I should be than if I did things on my own, but their seems to be a big convenience factor for me - no muss, no fuss, no worries - I give them my luggage when I land in Prague and they give me back my luggage when I leave from Budapest, and they provide all of the transfers. More carefree, but also more expensive.

We have booked our Viking cruises with a cruise specialist. As others have mentioned, she is able to offer some discounts that Viking extends to the T.A.'s. On our first Viking cruise, she also worked with me and Viking Air to book my airfare and flights, staying on the phone with me to ensure I was comfortable in my dealings with the process. For our next cruise in '14, we have decided to book our own airfare and extensions, as we have found that Viking cannot match the price. But, we are traveling with another couple, so that increases our comfort level in doing so, where we might not do that on our own.

As you see we always sail with Viking and the TA we use has a standard $500 off (prob the same TA Cary Cruiser uses :D) the Viking cruise price which is on top of all other discounts you can get from Viking. There is also a $200 per cruise discount if you use a referral which is combinable with the TA discount.

However booking with any TA requires more time and interaction from your side: e.g. you can't make any changes or check something just calling to Viking. Need to call TA first, ask them to call and check it out for you and wait for their call back...

Viking Air could be very inexpensive. For this Christmas they are even offering it for free from certain cities: NYC, PHL, BOS, EWR...

I can think of another consideration.

My wife & I did an early June cruise with Viking. We are inexperienced travelers and we purchased everything through Viking, including Travel Insurance. No Muss, No Fuss.

Once we arrived in Budapest and took our first walking tour, we learned all about the Flood heading our way. There was no way the cruise was going to work out as planned.

Some travelers managed to cancel and take advantage of their insurance with the help of their Travel Agents. Viking was my Agent and they were impossible to talk to during the whole flood thing. No surprise as they had plenty of other problems, but they weren't available to help me.

The Boat wasn't ever full, so I imaging that many folks cancelled because they knew what was going to happen. I would guess a good agent would know about things like that and help the traveler. This is not something I would expect from Viking.

Had we been given any warning about the situation, we would have cancelled before leaving the country, making good use of the Insurance.

By the way, I was with Viking, but I'd bet all the cruise lines would work about the same way.

Next time, I'll give an Agent a try.

I can think of another consideration.   My wife & I did an early June cruise with Viking. We are inexperienced travelers and we purchased everything through Viking, including Travel Insurance. No Muss, No Fuss.   Once we arrived in Budapest and took our first walking tour, we learned all about the Flood heading our way. There was no way the cruise was going to work out as planned.   Some travelers managed to cancel and take advantage of their insurance with the help of their Travel Agents. Viking was my Agent and they were impossible to talk to during the whole flood thing. No surprise as they had plenty of other problems, but they weren't available to help me.   The Boat wasn't ever full, so I imaging that many folks cancelled because they knew what was going to happen. I would guess a good agent would know about things like that and help the traveler. This is not something I would expect from Viking.   Had we been given any warning about the situation, we would have cancelled before leaving the country, making good use of the Insurance.   By the way, I was with Viking, but I'd bet all the cruise lines would work about the same way.   Next time, I'll give an Agent a try.

Thanks for the info. So sorry about your trip

PhillyGirl2

We have booked three times directly with Viking as we have found, in the past, that some travel agents did not work as hard as we had to in order to find the travel accommodations that we wanted. There are pros and cons to booking directly. Pros--not having to worry about booking hotels, travel arrangements to and from ship/hotels, Viking has to worry about getting you there. Cons: While we have received discounts dealing directly with Viking, not sure how much more if we had used an Agent, Travel Insurance is always cheaper with a private insurance provider (Allianz Is good). I have friends that books their own private tours on pre and post trips and some they loved and some they didn't because they felt rushed. All in all, I think it's a crap shoot. If you have a good agent and have been happy with them and what they do for you, why not stick with them. Have a great time.

• 2 months later...

Why? You are paying the same whether you do it yourself. (often times more)

Use an agent that specializes in river cruises. You may see negative comments here and there about travel agents but many times...those agents just aren't experienced or as knowledgeable about the river cruise product. River cruising is a niche that is relatively new...so to speak. Some general agents are still learning this fast-growing cruise niche.

A trusted agent on your side adds value. You get free assistance from start to finish and they handle all the work and remind/educate you along the way. No need to stress over figuring everything out, hoping you don't miss something.

A good agent will find you all the discounts you qualify for and probably save you much more money with the experienced advice and industry connections...not to mention finding you the best value on air and insurance and hotels and...

In Retirement

The river cruise companies that allow you to book through a travel agent/broker expect that this agent/broker will bring them business. Although each TA goes about doing it somewhat differently, the reality is that a substantial piece of your payment comes back to the TA and with the best ones (for us) this means many hundreds of dollars (or better) back into your pocket.

On the other hand, I don't think you can count on anyone (better read it here) in terms of which company, which itinerary, what season, which cabin etc. through folks who have experienced it!

I'm one of those folks who fell for the 100% early payment and hope that the itinerary, the season, the boat, and the cabin work out and am eager to continue reading about river cruise experiences.

• 3 years later...

Cary, Thx for this info about your experience going through a TA vs. booking direct with Viking. After reading similar comments from others, I'm thinking I need to find a river cruise TA. Did you use one of the ones linked through Cruise Critic or find one locally. First-time cruiser, and, other than going direct, I don't know where to look for a river cruise TA.

Thanks for any advise or recommended TA's.

When we booked through a TA we got a $500 discount that I don't think we would have gotten from Viking if we had booked direct. This offer was advertised on the TA's website and that was what drew me to them initially.   We booked through Viking Air for our November trip. I could not come close to their $847 roundtrip air fare on my own from Ft Lauderdale. But then maybe others know places to look for fares that I don't.   Also when I balked about the cost of travel insurance the TA was able to offer us travel insurance that was less expensive than Viking's.   We did book the pre and post extensions with Viking and I know I am paying more than what I should be than if I did things on my own, but their seems to be a big convenience factor for me - no muss, no fuss, no worries - I give them my luggage when I land in Prague and they give me back my luggage when I leave from Budapest, and they provide all of the transfers. More carefree, but also more expensive.

Host Jazzbeau

Cary, Thx for this info about your experience going through a TA vs. booking direct with Viking. After reading similar comments from others, I'm thinking I need to find a river cruise TA. Did you use one of the ones linked through Cruise Critic or find one locally. First-time cruiser, and, other than going direct, I don't know where to look for a river cruise TA. Thanks for any advise or recommended TA's.

THE most strictly enforced rule on Cruise Critic is against naming or requesting names of TAs. This makes it very difficult to find a good TA at the time you need him/her most (before taking your first river cruise) -- once on board you can chat up your fellow passengers and get some good recommendations. Sorry about that -- but my job is to enforce the rules...

The way I found out TA was through the cruise company site. They had suggestions for companies they deal with, and I talked to a couple in our area. Once I found someone I was comfortable with who had been on a couple of different companies cruises, we settled with her.

As for doing your own research vs using a TA, there is nothing stopping you from still doing your research to see what you want and letting your TA know. That's what I have done, given her the name of the hotel where we wish to stay pre-cruise, the train route we wish to take to return to our originating airport, and our preferred flight plan. The nice thing for me, she has the experience in getting the bookings done, so I don't have to worry about that....and if anything goes wrong, she will be the one to sort things out for us!

Pick a TA that will give you something beyond just booking the trip for you, if there is no extra discount or OBC then find a different TA or do it yourself.

Don't get too excited about OBC offers though as there isn't a lot to spend the money on as it cannot usually be used for tips for example, look for a TA offering a rebate or discount on the price paid instead.

We are on a 23 day Viking cruise starting April 6th Amsterdam to Bucharest we booked a suite, the TA price was $2000 cheaper then booking direct with Viking! We are using Viking Air its $1995 per person for business class round trip the airline price is $8500 per person without transfers which Viking includes if your using Viking Air our Air price was cheaper because we booked a Suite, we will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary on this trip!

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You will pay TOP dollar if you book direct with Viking!

It sort of determines how much of a discount is significant for you and whether you can and like to make arrangements versus having them made for you? I am ex-military (just a regular service once I completed university) and my insurance company has a travel agency and I have used this agent for several years. Obviously I compare prices and nobody is upset when I go with the best price. Viking uses travel agents as its price includes agent commission. It depends on the agent in terms of how much is shared with the customer.

I would also suggest that the same effort is necessary with air travel. So far I've never found a provided fare is both less expensive and of equal time to the one I come up with myself. Indeed, I met a retired pilot on my Viking cruise (Basel/Amsterdam) who lived in Jacksonville Florida -- you would think that they would fly out of the country at Atlanta? But they first flew into Minneapolis (as Viking obviously uses the least expensive seats they can find).

Our first Viking cruise represented the first week of our 2014 summer vacation that was followed by a train visit into Belgium and then an extensive Norway cruise RT Amsterdam (absolutely wonderful). My logic was that I selected a short river cruise and balanced it out with visits to Ghent and Brugges and then a wonderful cruise (hope to repeat fairly soon).

I could also note that we are retired and have plenty of time to select/design vacations, including internet, Cruise Critic, and Trip Advisor. I also found that doing pre-vacation research on river cruise ports did NOT improve this experience as incorporating that "additional art museum (etc.)" was often a problem and Viking made no effort to accommodate such activities (i.e. you miss lunch time, there isn't even a plate of sandwiches provided for your arrival). If you have never researched your own vacation, you may not want to start with a river cruise (I'd suggest spending a week in an exciting city using a rental apartment). (I have always wondered about folks who reach our age without making hotel and air arrangements: Some vacation-planning is a challenge, but many people are motivated to be helpful!

Clay Clayton

FWIW, we booked our Viking cruise through a big box member based retailer's online travel agency. We got about $300 off of Viking's price, a $200 abc (which frankly was difficult to use and not really needed) and a $500 cash card for the warehouse store...which since we shop there regularly and buy our gas there, was as good as cash in our pocket.

When Viking redeployed our boat and therefore canceled our cruise, I was very concerned that we wouldn't get much service out of the TA....boy was I wrong. They went to bat for us and got us not just the one category upgrade on the revised cruise (we lost one land day pre-cruise but gained one on the other end)but a two category since I didn't want a french balcony.

• 2 weeks later...

You will pay TOP dollar if you book direct with Viking!     Sent from my iPhone using Forums

True our TA was $1000 less per person than the Viking price, but Viking Air is a bargain compared to booking on your own or Thur a TA.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums We are flying business round trip for $1995 p/p booking direct with the airline was almost $9000 p/p

Sunny AZ Girl

Most ocean cruises are at their cheapest when first released. Is this also true of River Cruises? Also, once booked, if the price drops will Viking honor that price drop?

Viking will NOT honor a price drop. If you don't care where your cabin is located or aren't interested in sailing peak season you can get some good deals by waiting to book. The problem with waiting is that often what you save on the cruise you more than lose because you can't find a good deal on airfare.

Viking will NOT honor a price drop. If you don't care where your cabin is located or aren't interested in sailing peak season you can get some good deals by waiting to book. The problem with waiting is that often what you save on the cruise you more than lose because you can't find a good deal on airfare.     Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thank you. That is what I wanted t know.:cool:

• 6 months later...

Have travelled with Viking Ocean and able to get a good discount with my TA but she now states as of May 11, 2017 Viking will not allow discounts with travel agents. TA's may be able to give ship board credit but unless you have the desire to take Viking's optional tours don't need too much OBC.

Maybe they will change that policy as they get more ships operational as there is lots of competition. Like Vikings product and will use again if the itenary is to my liking but lots of other ships in the ocean.

:evilsmile:

Have travelled with Viking Ocean and able to get a good discount with my TA but she now states as of May 11, 2017 Viking will not allow discounts with travel agents. TA's may be able to give ship board credit but unless you have the desire to take Viking's optional tours don't need too much OBC. Maybe they will change that policy as they get more ships operational as there is lots of competition. Like Vikings product and will use again if the itenary is to my liking but lots of other ships in the ocean.

Your agent is misleading (a polite way to express it) you! The agents who provide 10% or more of the cruise only price do not discount the cost of the cruise. But rather share their commission with their customer. This usually works out in a couple ways, 1) way "can be" the client bringing in less for final payment OR a check to the client either just before sailing OR upon arriving home. It all depends on how & when the Agent receives their Commissions from Viking.

This is not DISCOUNT and is not banned my any cruiseline. So don't let you TA pull that old "Cruiseline A,B, or C" just banned the practice.

Go to Vikings web site or goggle new Viking policy. It states that only OBC can be given as a discount. The agency I use is HUGE and quite a presence in the industry and after reading the new Viking policy don't think they are " pulling the wool over my eyes" . I was getting a minimum of 10% off Vikings rate taken off my invoice plus Viking's paltry $200.00 past passenger credit prior to the the New Policy.

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Secret advantages of using a travel agent to book a cruise

​Are you tired of your usual land vacations? Have you thought about trying a cruise for the first time? Great! All you need to do is make a reservation and put a deposit down. While you might think it is best to browse thru the cruise line website, find a cruise you like and then call their reservation line or start booking online. But how can you be so sure that you’re getting the best value for your money?

What if there’s another option to get the best cruise deals? Or better yet, the best cruise value! ​ Here’s a tip – book thru a travel agent. And here are some reasons why:

1. GET A CHEAPER CABIN RATE

​Most cruise lines offer their lowest prices on their website. But have you ever noticed that some travel agents offer cheaper cabin rates even though the cruise lines do not have ongoing promotions? Fret not, it’s not a scam. Preferred travel agents are sometimes given access to exclusive, non-advertised rates by cruise ships which allow them to offer discounted cabin rates to their customers. These unadvertised rates help the cruise lines fill their ships without upsetting your fellow guests who have booked at a higher fare.  Typically these fares are bare-bones and don’t include any extras. Also, these low fares are not usually available during special holidays and last-minute bookings.

2.ENJOY OTHER PERKS & FREEBIES

​To stand out from the competition, all travel agents aim to make their travel packages as attractive as possible. And since most travel agents cannot legally publish prices lower than what the cruise lines offer, they resort to the next appealing incentive – travel perks!

Here are two popular travel perks you can possibly get when you book with a preferred travel agent:

• Onboard Credit. This is the currency onboard. This credit is loaded into your onboard ship account which you can use to purchase goods in shops or to pay for specialty restaurant up-charges. You can also use this to buy souvenir items, beverages and shore excursions.
• Prepaid Gratuities. Expect great services once you are sailing. However, most of the time, you will be required to pay daily gratuities for such services – sometimes amounting up to $18+ dollars a day per person! With free prepaid gratuities offered by your travel agent, you can save over $100 per person for a 8 day / 7 night cruise trip.

3. SCORE THE BEST DEAL

BONUS : Tips to get more savings through your travel agent

• Sign up on a travel agent website/newsletter so you are always updated with their special promotions.
• Book through a seasoned travel agent. They are more often than not ‘preferred agents’ of cruise lines and get special discounts and promotions.
• Compare before you select. Be proactive in calling several travel agents and find one you are comfortable with.
• Don’t be shy to ask for special discounts and freebies. But also be sure to ask about what’s the best value. For many guests, the cheapest price is not the BEST deal or value.

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Vacations are an investment! With literally thousands of options, choosing the right vacation and the best value is difficult to sort through. That’s where I bring my 12 years of travel experience and expertise to do this right, and get you the best value for your money. With the backing of the largest travel consortium behind me, we have options you can’t find online. Plus our work just gets started once we book your dream vacation. Chat with us to learn more.

The world awaits you and we look forward to assisting you in choosing the exact right adventure on the waters or land for you and your companions!

Let’s chat and find the right vacation for you.

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How To Book Your Cruise And Flight Together

W hen a well-deserved vacation is in order, nearly 30 million passengers across the globe choose to cruise annually. Whether you're heading to the Caribbean or looking forward to a European tour, cruising is an appealing way to travel. A cruise provides passengers access to a variety of destinations. It's often seen as a comprehensive and convenient form of travel where onboard luxuries can be as inviting as the ports of call.

Travel logistics are typically taken care of onboard, but getting to the ship can be another story. Many travelers who book a cruise are tempted to book airline tickets to the ship's point of departure after the cruise reservation is already in place. However, you might be setting yourself up for unnecessary stress and expenses when you choose this approach to planning.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported its highest flight cancellation rate in a decade in 2022. Delays were also on the rise, giving travelers every reason to assume that modern flying comes with plenty of unexpected hurdles. When you're heading toward a cruise departure point and are faced with delays or flight cancellations, it can be an expensive and inevitably disappointing experience.

Fortunately, there are routes to booking your cruise and flights together that don't require plotting out time-sensitive connections on your own. There's no reason to tackle uncertain flight planning when you can eliminate the stress from the process altogether. A better option is to book your cruise and flight simultaneously directly through the cruise line.

Book Through The Cruise Line And Enjoy Peace Of Mind

When a flight you've booked separately from your cruise reservation is canceled or delayed, there's a good chance you'll be responsible for booking an entirely new flight to meet your cruise at its first port of call. This is expensive and means missing a significant portion of your first sailing days. Your cruise is cut short and money that could have gone toward fun is now directed to additional flight costs.

That's what makes booking flights and a cruise together through the cruise line so reassuring. Booking airfare and cruises together is also a refreshingly simple process. Passengers just need to call up a cruise line representative directly to make their cruise reservations and receive flight options that suit their plans.

In many cases, cruise reservations that are made alongside flights through a cruise line come with some great guarantees that provide peace of mind. For example, many cruise lines will fly passengers to the first port of call if the flight they've booked through the cruise line is canceled or delayed. Cruise lines will typically cover the cost of a hotel in those situations too.

Many major cruise lines try to make combining flights and sailing experiences as smooth as possible through specialized reservation programs. Carnival operates Fly2Fun while Princess offers EZair booking options to passengers. If you're cruising with Holland America or Royal Caribbean, start your cruise and flight search at Flight Ease and Air2Sea respectively.

Consider The Benefits Of Travel Agent Services

Another convenient option when you're ready to book a cruise and flight together is to go through a travel agent . Much like the cruise lines, travel agents who specialize in cruises often have access to special fares and flights. This is largely due to meticulously negotiated contracts with both cruise companies and airlines alike.

Many cruise travel agents have taken time to experience various cruise routes for themselves. This gives them first-hand experience with how flight times and cruise departures match up. That makes them a wonderful resource when you're looking for a stress-free booking experience that's well planned out too.

A travel agent is also a great choice when getting to your cruise requires multiple flight connections. Your agent will handle the reservations to ensure you get where you're going easily and successfully. They can adjust itineraries on your behalf to make sure you have plenty of time between flights to reach your next gate and are available to contact should problems arise.

If you ultimately remain completely committed to the idea of booking your cruise and flights on your own, there are still options for making the process more streamlined. In many cases, the reservation ID for the cruise you've booked can be used to search for corresponding flights online. This will likely lead you back to the cruise line's flight program and is a good route to making sure you reach your departure destination on time.

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