Booking a cruise

[aidensmom73]

Can someone recommend an on-line travel agent that they have used and were happy with?

 

[starwood]

You should check on the cruise boards. I have booked with Costco (when they were giving a great discount) and Dreams Unlimited (my most recent for a great onboard credit). Both were great.

 

[mrsmom]

I have booked both my cruises with costco and i'am booking another one for next year, I have had great prices.
Kim

 

[pediatric-rnp]

Our first cruise (Disney Wonder) was booked thru AAA. Since then, I have booked our Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruises myself directly with the cruise company. It's very easy. I do it by phone, as I usually have questions, but you can book online.

One advantage to booking it yourself is that if you find a price drop, you can call yourself for it to be credited back to you. If you go thru a travel agency they have to be the ones to call and get the price drop for you, per cruise company policy. Some travel agencies will not do this. Once I book the cruise, I go online daily and "pretend book" a cruise for my ship and dates. That will bring up the current prices. On our RCI Liberty of the Seas cruise I got 2 different price drops totalling $1,500 within the month before we sailed. On Carnival, I also saved, but not as much.

With the Carnival cruise, there was a price drop, and then later on I found an online travel company offering the cruise for a few hundred less than what we had paid dirdectly thru Carnival. So, I called Carnival and told them unless they could match the price, I would be transferring my reservation. They immediately matched the price once she checked the website and confirmed what I had said.

Very easy, and you much more control.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

We used Sams Club travel services for our last cruise. But I agree with the PP that it is easier to just book directly through the cruiseline. That way your requests (and any changes) can be made directly.

 

[Darcy03231]

I've used Cruises-n-More for my last four cruises and have been very happy with them. I recommended them to a co-worker and she's used them for her last two cruises and also been very happy with their service.

 

[DVCBELLE]

We used Costco and they aren't really an agency - they just book for you and give you a discount. Our price has gone down significantly since we booked and I have to pay them $25 to get the adjustment - it has still been worth it on 3 occassions to pay them but I would rather be able to just call Carnival myself than deal with an agent.

 

[leight]

I've used 1cheapcruise.com- great customer service -I've referred several friends and everyone has been very happy.

I'm going on the Disney Wonder tomorrow as a matter of fact!

 

[Chelley00]

We used CruiseCompete.com to get prices for our cruise, then booked it with one of their recommended companies bestpricecruises.com They have been great dealing with a couple of changes we made, and called Princess to get a price drop when I noticed the price had gone down.

 

[lulamc]

I have booked with upromise cruises, I think it's 3% back in the upromise account. I worked with a lady named Shelia, I think, both times. She's been great!

 

[aidensmom73]

We used CruiseCompete.com to get prices for our cruise, then booked it with one of their recommended companies bestpricecruises.com They have been great dealing with a couple of changes we made, and called Princess to get a price drop when I noticed the price had gone down.

Hmmm..I tried Cruise Compete and already got 4 quotes which was fast. However, they are much, much more than what BJ's and even Carnival quoted and the rooms are in a lesser category.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Not all quotes are created equal. Disney cruise prices should be the same everywhere..but no all places with give you the taxes, fees and insurance in their quotes...so you are comparing apples and oranges.


A good TA will offer you a OBC (on board credit).

I use www.myfavoritemouse.com. They are Disney Authorized and do all cruise lines too, not just Disney.

 

[aidensmom73]

Not all quotes are created equal. Disney cruise prices should be the same everywhere..but no all places with give you the taxes, fees and insurance in their quotes...so you are comparing apples and oranges.


A good TA will offer you a OBC (on board credit).

I use www.myfavoritemouse.com. They are Disney Authorized and do all cruise lines too, not just Disney.

Actually, both quote included fees and taxes. The less expensive quote from BJ's was for a better room category also.

 

[preb]

We've also booked our past Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises with www.cruisecompete.com and it worked out great with shipboard credits and other perks. I would use Dreams Unlimited for a Disney cruise, though.

 

[pediatric-rnp]

Just to reiterate - if you do go thru a TA, make certain up-front that they will allow you the price drops when they occur - not all agencies will do this. Over on cruisecriticdotcom there are many tales of woe over this point. (Great resource for cruisers, by the way!) The TA will not follow the prices for you - that would be your job. However once you find a drop, you want them to act on it on your behalf, as the cruiseline will not work with you individually if you booked thru a TA. In this economy, drops are happening. As as I mentioned, our biggest drop was for $1,500. That's significant! (And it goes right back to your credit card, so is really cash back in your pocket.)

I found one of my drops on a Sat night, when a TA normally wouldn't be available. Sometimes the price drops only last for a few hrs. This is why I like the control over booking the reservation with the cruise line myself. However, I have heard that as long as you print out the drop you found, the cruiseline will honor it if called after they pull it.

Many cruisers on cruisecritic recommend booking yourself, and then transferring your ressie to a TA a week or two prior to sailing if you want the perks or OBC they offer. That way you get the best of all worlds.

Whatever your decision - have a great time! Cruising is the best!!

 

[Kendallkat2]

I used cruisecompete.com once for a cruise and didn't get the on-board credit or any of the other things they promised (free photo bottle of wine). So beware.

Our next cruise I booked through Carnival. My next cruise I'm going to try smartcruiser.com. Their prices are very good. My niece used them and had no problem at all.

Good Luck, Beth