Self booking Vs Using a Travel Agent

I generally research the cruise I want, find an available cabin, and then call or email my agent to do the actual booking. It costs the same (or cheaper if the agent has access to a special discount), the agent ensures that any future discounts (price drops) get applied, and allows the agent to get paid a bit out of the cruise line's pocket.

Admittedly, not all agents will go out of their way to ensure you get the best deal, but there are still many out there who do care about their customers.

Thanks Amy!!

I usually do my own research, bookings and maintenance of all my travel. I enjoy the experience of it all. I understand that some people don't have the time or patience to do all of that and that's ok. That's where a TA would come in handy for them. Whatever you feel most comfortable with, do that.

I've only cruised with Norwegian, and I call my cruise consultant to book my cruises. For hotels and flights, I book directly with the hotel or airline. I got burned pretty bad the last time I tried to book a flight on a third party web site, so never again for me. I find that I get the best prices and hotel rooms by booking direct with the hotel. Cancellations can be a royal pain if you don't book direct. For me, half the fun is in the planning. and if there's any problem, it's easier to not have to go through a third party to resolve it.

Another point scored in the column for using a TA:

I got a Cruiseline.com notification that the price of our cruise next April had dropped to a rediculously low price(it was someone's group rate) My brother, who had booked through RCI could not get the deal, whereas the Online TA I used honored the price!

[Not realizing that this is a 5 year old post, but still a relevant and good question]

I have used Cruises.com as an online agent for a Celebrity cruise (my own air plans); booked directly for the next cruise plus air package; and recently used a Consultant with Regent Seven Seas for a future cruise through Greece. When I went to Cancun in 2001 I used an Travel Agent. I can say that a real person seems to go out of their way to help you have a great vacation.

Though online sites (no person) have pretty good deals, they don't often (if at all) have better pricing than dealing with a person. With my Regent Consultant I saved over 20K$ on a Mediterranean cruise. Something I would not have gotten online.

We have done it both ways. I am the one who does all of the searching, planning and booking. My head too spins during it all.

The cruise we are currently waiting on that is probably a no go was booked through a TA and I sure am glad I did. It is an Alaskan cruise tour and has lots of moving parts. Even did air through RC which have only done once before. Again, I'm really glad I used our TA for this one.

In my opinion,, for ease, use the TA.

That has been a frequent conversation in our house...I'm not sure how enjoyable it would be when booking for clients and not yourself...the TA exclusives would be nice though...

I love the planning and research and doing it all myself. I'm at the point I should just become a travel agent because I enjoy it so much.

I agree. I was just scanning some questions I hadn’t had the opportunity to review when I found this one. Under the current circumstances it’s still relevant.

No, but its an interesting thought...I could tell em I have an address in D.C.....demand special treatment etc...They don't care if you have an address on the moon. As long as there are no citizenship problems or plague problems, sail on.

Curious to see how many posts this thread can get. it only started 4 years ago hehehehe Kind of interesting reading some of the "old ones"....