Travel Agent Vs. Book Your Own Cruise

Like others, I tend to do a mix of self and TA depending on the situation.

One huge disadvantage to using 3rd party TA, is you can't make any changes or even get a question answered without going through your TA. That's mostly ok, but sometimes quick action is needed and it's usually on TAs day off...

The biggest benefit I know of if you decide to go through a travel agency is if something were to happen to your booking, the agent can advocate for you to get it corrected.

It depends. When I take NCL out of NY, I book it myself. I live 15 minutes from the port so it’s like ordering a car service. If it involves a flight or hotel I use a TA. Our TA is great. We aren’t supposed to give recommendations , and I can’t find a certain phone number right now. I’ll get back to ya

Yep. I usually do the legwork myself and then email my NCL PVP and give him a selection of cabins that I want with preferences and then he checks them and gets back to me with which from my list are available. Then we book from there.

Interesting...granted a small sample, but it seems that folks who have a grasp of cruising tend to do it themselves...we have a pleasant but limited relationship with our "advisors" for lack of a better generic term, but they know they're only answering a question, or helping with some snag or other...they can do things sometimes that are easier on their end...like swapping cruises and so on...

The one thing ,that I'm aware of, that a PVP can do is see more available cabins. You may notice that when you look on line there are 10 cabins in each section (deck, aft, mid or forward). Often times there are others. I don't always check both my specials and my husband's special, but they will pop up on the screne of my PVP. So if you're happy doing it yourself, no need for a PVP.

I've used an online TA a couple of times, but only when they offer a fare significantly less than what I can get directly with the cruise line.

The question I have is does a cruise line's "personal travel planner" make much of a difference? I used a line's travel planner that was assigned to me when I signed up for their loyalty program, but really didn't see any advantage. He was telling me what a great deal he was going to get me, which turned out to be the same as what was generally available on their website. Booking myself online, I could have selected a specific cabin instead of a "guarantee" cabin, and I could have gotten a nice rebate on the very significant deposit through Rakuten. So, my first and only experience wasn't exactly stellar.

I do both depending upon the situation. If its a vacation that has some level of additional complexity (non-US departure or large group), I use a TA.

If it's just my wife & I sailing from US port to a near US location, we do it ourselves.

IMO: A good TA can minimize any stress by making the calls to the line on your behalf, to include interruption assistance . If I could have an agent that performed well over the long haul, f I'd alway use them, but they seem to become complacent for us after a handful of cruises. And we end up taking care of ourselves.

I am a dinosaur - I admit it. I like making my own bookings for the primary reason that I want a certain cabin for my cruises. If I decide to cruise to the Mediterranean again -- or a new locale on a ship other than my favorite class -- I 'might' use a TA, but will most likely call my assigned Agent from my cruise line. The free bottle of wine/champagne and half dozen strawberries from the TA, I give to you others (whom are more deserving). I tend to book the extra packages in my cruise fare so I get many items already. Old fashioned - yes. Missing special deals - maybe. I am comfortable in my antiquated ways.

I have to admit, my first attempt at replying last night was much better. BUT- when I submitted the post, I found I was not logged onto the website, so off to the internet garbage pile my wonderful post departed. Never to be seen, nor read again.

Oh, there's T-Rex !! Gotta run. Rex, come here, and look at this new cruise port that was just announced. Lots of nice carnivorous dining there as I remember from my youth.

To all - Happy cruising adventures!

I had to look that one up. You might be right but I'd have to get really honest with myself before I could admit it.

I prefer to believe I'm simply a humble control freak with a touch of OCD thrown in. Why not share the fruits of my obsessive labors with those closest to me?