First time cruise goer-

Question

Do I need to get a travel agent or is it easy enough to arrange on-line?

Answer 1

It's easy enough to arrange online.  Go to cruisecritic.com and spend alot of time reading the message boards for your research.

Answer 2

shop on line and see where you want to go, and then go see a travel agent.. they can get you as good a price as on line , and maybe even better .. Remember when and where you go effects the price .. some weeks even have a large price swing.. a agent doesn't charge for there service and you will have a million questions before you go.. it's nice to just pick up the phone and ask someone who knows the answer or will get it for you.. I use a agent every time after i do my home work .. it's nice to have someone watching out for you with the cruise line..

Answer 3

I would recommend a Travel Agent.  If you know exactly what you want, you can go straight to the Cruise Line.  But a good Agent can help you with advice on when and where and what line will be best for your needs/desires/budget.

Prices are the same whether you go to the Line, or work through an Agency (be it online or traditional).

The best reason for using an Agent is to get advice, tips and SERVICE.  Also, if anything goes wrong, a good Travel Agent will be there to go to bat for you with the Cruise Line, and make it right.

Answer 4

sometimes you can find good deals doing it yourself or using a travel agent too.  compare your package deals and go for the best one!

Answer 5

It's easy online. Or call them.

Answer 6

Because you are a first time cruises, I suggest going through a travel agent. The price would be the same wether you use a travel agent, or book it direct with the cruise company. I have booked it both ways, plus I have used vacations to go which are great. The reason I suggest using a travel agent is you can ask as many questions as you need, perhaps get a nice bottle of wine in your cabin from them and also see the brochures right there or take some home too.

Answer 7

Hi Tracy.  I am a travel agent and I would be more than willing to answer any questions or help you out to find a wonderful cruise deal.  You can check out my website www.sweetescapes-travel.com or email [e-mail].  I work with all of the major cruise lines and take pride in the personal service that I provide to my clients.  

Answer 8

I personally don't think that a travel agent is necessary. You should't have to pay extra just to figure out what kind of cruise you want to go on. Like other said people said, do research on cruisecritic.com There's tons of boards/threads on every topic you could think of and if you do research and ask questions you will find exacty what you need. also, on the travel channel there is an EXCELLENT show called cruising do's and don't's. Definitely watch that, it helps you out a lot when you're figuring out how to plan your cruise and what to expect. If you have any further questions feel free to send me a message!

Hope this helps!

Answer 9

If you know exactly what you want including which cruise line, which date, what type cabin, which cruise itinerary, which dinner seating, what to pack, what to wear, how and when to get to the cruise port, and have a good idea of how much things will cost, OR, if you have cruised multiple times before and know quite a bit about the whole process of booking and paying, then you will likely be OK booking yourself on line. I have been on many cruises and do it myself all of the time.

BUT, if you need answers to the majority of the "which" questions above and in general need help picking a cruise, then use a travel agent. Agents DO NOT charge for their services as they get commission from the cruise line. I did my first several cruises with an agent until I earned the process.

I do my research on line and then once I know what I want and that its a good price I book myself right on line.  All of the information that you need is right there.  The cruise line web sites have the deck plans, photos and the layout of the cabins, the sq footage of the different categories of cabins, the prices of the various types of cabins, and everything else you want/need to make a decision about your accommodations.  They have a description of each port stop and the tours that are offered at each.  Then each cruise line web site has a Frequently Asked Questions section that will provide answers to just about any question you may have from what to pack to how to get to the cruise port.  Once you reserve you can go back to the web site and make periodic payments.   When you are done paying you print your own boarding passes.  

If you are good as using the internet you will do well booking on line.  If you are NOT good using the internet, then get a travel agent.