How do you book your cruise usually?

This same thing happened to us. We had a few years history with this rep but in one call, she undid the great working relationship we developed. I was rather put out and we had to re-think the use of United Cruises altogether for a while. As it turned out, we found someone else at UC and work with her now. It is very hard to walk away from getting up to 7 miles per dollar spent. Those miles are used for the business and first class air travel to get to embarkation ports. Fortunately, it worked out for us.

I also do all the research and booking myself for cruise, flights and hotels. I find better prices then a package through the cruise line. I had tried AAA one time and the hotels in Rome they offered were not good location and prices higher then I was able to do on my own. With all the travel sites and reviews on line it is now easy to do the research to get good location and prices.

Deejay, I also like the Vacations to go site for prices and ship deck plans so I know whats around my cabin when I book.

Yeah, I go pretty much the same route. I love doing the legwork for my family. I did it for land vacations for years. Then we got turned on to cruising and I picked up where I left off.

Good to know this. HAL prefers you to deal with a TA and then wants to only deal through the agent. I understand when people say that they feel they lose control going through an agent. We asked our agent to tell HAL to deal directly with us. Seems silly to ask the agent to buy for us a special beverage package for example when we can do it ourselves.

Sad thing is, and I know everyone has a bad day, but this one agent that I used to deal with, whom used to be fantastic, was a real arse the last time I called. It was as if I was bothering him with regards to price guarantee and getting the lower rate. That is why I do my research, what the deals and book when appropriate. In fact, I am now doing it for our friends and put together an entire portfolio with all their travel documents, etc.

Perhaps I missed my calling

You know what ? Lately I have been getting e-mails and calls from an NCL consultant. Every day. I never had one before, I would just book what I wanted with whomever picked up the phone. So, I gave this guy a call back, and he got us a good deal on a 10 day in March out of NY. EC, and we got the same cabin we've had twice before.

It is always best to deal with someone knowledgeable.

Yes, I am sure that TAs do make mistakes. We try to double check everything but still things slip through occasionally.

I think they feel more in control of the booking. For example, HAL prefers to deal only with agents. When you book through your agency they send all documents through the agent. So, it takes longer to reach you. They prefer questions to come through your agent, too.

i feel that we get more perks going through an agent. Sometimes, she finds us a lower price too.

Frequent flyer miles are good to accumulate. We used to book cruises directly but found that we got more perks going through a travel agent.