Mousequake
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2012
"Best" depends on what you're looking for.
A lot of people use Dreams Unlimited (sponsor of this board), while others have a Travel Agent they've used for years, and wouldn't think of changing. Still others prefer using Costco (no onboard credit, but a cash card equal to 6-9% of cruise cost for use after returning. There are those who feel a TA that's reachable 24/7 is more important than OBC. Some TAs give gifts (photo packages or bottle of wine) instead of OBC. And there are TAs who don't give anything extra.
You need to ask around at various TAs and find one that works for you.
Excellent answer. If perks are your the reason you want to use a TA, shop around for one that will give you the most onboard perks. However, also be aware that in my experience these are usually the ones that will not give you a great level of service, as they're giving away most of their commission to give you those perks. They're more about booking volume, since they're not making as much per booking, rather than spending a lot of individual time meeting their clients' needs.
If great service is your thing, read their reviews, ask friends, etc. Most importantly, contact a few agents-- 'interview' them, essentially. You'll quickly get a good feel for which one is right for your needs.