Is it cheaper to book a cruise through a travel agent?

Question

Use a local travel agency or use something like Yahoo or Expedia.. ? thanks!

Answer 1

I've honestly never had luck with a real live person travel agency, they all have the same prices I can find online and seem to push add ons such as insurance and upgrades. They are great if you really need someone to talk to but I always feel comfortable in what I'm doing so its not nessecary for me.

Yahoo and Expedia are great to give me ideas and search but they have the same prices you can get from the cruiseline directly so I usually just book directly with the cruiseline after I find what I want. Yahoo and Expedia might have occasional promotions like free upgrades and $50 room credit so that might be worth it but if you sign up for the cruiseline you like's email list you'll get those kind of offers ALL the time.

I've had excellent luck with Costco travel. I would have never thought to use them but I was checking prices and they were the lowest I could find! They are about 5% lower than what everyone else can offer and it doesn't cost anything other than a membership I already had. The ywere super nice and easy to use. They are my favorite travel agent for cruises. Any other vacation I just book everything myself.

Answer 2

A lot of the times it is. The biggest benefit to booking with a travel agent over using a site like Expedia or even booking it yourself is that they are there for you. The sites like Expedia book the trip and then after that it can be really hard to get a hold of them if there is a problem, change etc. There can be a lot of things between the time that you book and the time that you travel.

Sometimes you will find a lower rate with sites like Expedia, other times they are actually higher in cost. Most agencies will offer you some sort of an incentive. For example, an onboard credit or a gift in your room. It can vary based on the agency. Also, many travel agencies that actually deal with cruises will have group rates. They purchase a large amount of rooms on each ship and then can offer them to travelers at a lower rate, many times these also include an onboard credit or another incentive as well.

Personally, I have had a lot better experience with online agents over the local travel agency. I used a local travel agent for years and was not real happy, they did the booking, but not much else. My family switched to an online agent a few years ago and I have been very pleased and all my vacations have been booked with her since. When I say online agency, I mean an actual travel agent, the sites like Expedia and Orbitz are online discounters and aren't always knowledgeable in the travel they sell.

I think each person prefers to do things a little different, but I prefer to use an agent and I have done plenty of traveling, so I know how to deal with booking my trips and things, I just find it much more convenient in my situation.

Answer 3

Look online thru all the cruises. Cruise critic is very good with reviews which I found very helpful. Also check the last minute deals & 90 day ticker which offers prices cheaper the closer the cruise date is...They want to fill the ship....When you narrow it down, CALL the cruise lines you are interested in directly. They have their phone number listed. They are very helpful & will give you so much information. We went on a 7 Night Cruise last spring. I called the cruise line direct. For my husband & I we booked a cabin for 349.00 each & we were upgraded to a larger cabin. Travel agents have to make money...

Oh and don't book any port excursions thru the cruise ship.....you can buy one on shore much much cheaper.

Have fun on your cruise........don't forget your passport!!!

Answer 4

Ms; everyone has had either good luck or bad using an agent or web sites. I have been on 19 cruises and used an agent once. Since I have always booked straight threw the cruise lines. People talk of hidden fees like taxes and port charges all I know is I call the cruise line tell them when and for how long they say how much and that is the end of it. The only money I spend is what I buy while on the cruise for myself or gifts for others. I have never had one single problem in 18 cruises and after checking the same price as an agent or web site and some times less.

        Look at it this way you do not have someone else buy your car or food for you, you do it yourself. Why not go straight to the people who run the cruise after all it is their job and if they do not do it right they would not be in bussiness for long.

          Which ever way you go I hope that no matter what you spend you have the time of your life.

Answer 5

Not always. Before you go see your travel agent try a few websites, see what kind of prices you can find. If you go to your travel agent and the prices seem really different maybe its better not to go with the agent. Try vacationstogo.com for great cruise deals. Or try cruise-connections.com. Compare multiple sources.

Happy Cruising!

Answer 6

Be the travel agent -   www.idl-travel.com

Answer 7

All the answers so far have been great!  One thing I thought I would add is that sometimes an agency that works with cruises a lot will book a block of rooms knowing they can do enough business to fill them and that gets their clients a lower price.  

When shopping around, make sure that when you see a price advertised that it includes port charges and taxes and fees.  Port charges alone are $150 and taxes and fees are another $50.  So you might see a great deal for $199 but once you add on the other charges it doubles the price of the cruise.  When a travel agent quotes you a price it will be the grand total (of course it is subject to change until you have made payment).

Travel agents will be able to get you the best rate (most of the time, not all agents are created equal :)  But the biggest advantage to using a travel agent is the service (again, if you're using a good agent).  If anything needs to be changed or there is a mistake with a ticket or you want a nice vacation that is stress free, it's easier to have a travel agent take care of all of it.  Also, if anything were to go wrong (like a natural disaster or something along those lines) people with travel agents are taken care of first because their agent demands it of their suppliers and there is a professional relationship there.  So, since there are so many benefits to working with an agent and it costs you absolutely nothing and most of the time ends up saving you money, why not?  Just make sure you are working with a good agent who actually cares.  

One last thing, if you are seriously looking into a cruise then it is a good idea to talk to an agent.  There are a lot more cruising options out there than people think, and people also have a lot of misconceptions (mainly that cruises are all inclusive) that a travel agent can help you sort out.  Going with the a particular cruise line just because you saw a killer deal is not always a good idea, there may be a reason why they're offering it so cheap :)  A good agent will talk with you and see what cruiseline is going to be the best for your lifestyle and give you what you expect out of a vacation.  

Hope this helps!  Seriously consider taking a cruise, they are awesome!  If you already know you're going to book one, then have fun on your vacation!