How Will You Book Your Next Cruise?

[SeaTheWorld]

I use the online agencies to compare prices to, but no one can ever beat my cruise-only TA because she cuts her commission to get the bookings. I e-mail her the quotes I've received and she always beats them. If her service wasn't excellent, then it wouldn't be worth it to me, but it is!

[arckac]

I use Cruisecompete.com and get the best price from the competitive bids. At that point I can either give that company the business or take the quote to a specific company.

[Emmi]

Originally posted by SeaTheWorld:
I use the online agencies to compare prices to, but no one can ever beat my cruise-only TA because she cuts her commission to get the bookings. I e-mail her the quotes I've received and she always beats them. If her service wasn't excellent, then it wouldn't be worth it to me, but it is!

Just curious (and please don't think I'm trying to be rude), but if your agent didn't cut into her earnings to discount your trip for you, would you still book with her? Is her service worth it to you?

[SeaTheWorld]

Emmi, no I wouldn't book with her. There are plenty of fantastic, very knowledgeable and experienced agents that cut their commission. I can name at least 5 off the top of my head. I think it's stupid to pay full price for a cruise when you have the opportunity to pay less.

If you could buy a roll of paper towels at Wal-Mart for .99 cents or at the grocery store for $2.99, which would you choose if they were the same brand? I believe in caviat emptor. I am the consumer and I need to do my part to find the best deal with the best service. JMHO.

[Emmi]

Interesting. Thanks for answering.

And to answer your question, if I knew the cashier was the one paying the $2 difference at Walmart so I could get those papertowels for .99 cents, I probably wouldn't shop there. Why should she in essence pay for part of my purchase with her income?

Now if both stores sold them for the same price, or in this case if her agency was having a sale for a particular cruise, that's different. I agree, I'd shop around for the best deal too. I just have an issue with the best "deal" being an agent giving up her income to make that deal. The appliance salesmen at Sears aren't dipping into their pockets to make a sale

But hey, that's the particular agent's issue, not mine. I was just curious how consumer's see it. Thanks again!

[susan lineberry]

Many home based agents have evening and weekend hours. You can also transfer your direct booking to a travel agent.

[martina]

"how WILL I book my next cruise???"
Hello,
I am a new user to this site and my dilemma is exactly that; i have no idea how to go about finding a reputable yet inexpensive company to book with after the decline of Cruise Control?
I used Cruise Control for many years and found them to be very cheap, friendly, professional and they appeared to put such emphasis on customer service.
I am now without an agent and wonder if anyone can reccomend a good cruise only company?

[Kate Ashlock]

We booked our first three cruises with a travel agent. We found that the ball was dropped (documents were late, errors were made) and the prices were higher. I also ran into the timing issue where an agent was not available when I needed them.

We have just booked our fourth cruise (yay) and we used an online agency via Cruise Compete. Not only did we get a fair better price ($400 less PP than our agent) but the booking was done quickly and correctly - I already see it on the Princess site.

While the transaction for cruise 4 is far from done, I'm already impressed with the savings and the speed of the service. I'm crossing my fingers that all continues to go well.

[joeyanddavid]

As a matter of fact the last cruise we booked directly with the cruiseline itself. We prefer to be in on every decision and prefer the luxury of dealing directly with the Line.