"Discount" cruise websites - please enlighten me

[TrySomethingNew]

Recently a friend and I were catching up - hadn't seen each other for some time. She's gone on 10+ last minute cruises and indicated a particular cruise discount site she has happily used for these trips. Although she lives closest to either Norfolk or Baltimore cruise ports, I don't think she is only going on those few lines that utilize these ports, and my impressions is that she has done several very different itineraries. The discount website she's used seems to list about every line out there (including Disney) - and locations all around the world, but there is always a deal and "must book quickly" as these deals "go away"!!

So, my question has more to do with this category of discount - I'm sure there are other sites that offer these last minute deals, so the site itself is irrelevant. Mostly, I'm curious as to whether these types of deals are really as good as they seem, as I am more of a skeptical person particularly with "amazing" deals. In my limited research of that site, it seems that they list the pp price without the port costs/taxes, and with some sort of discount off of a "brochure" price - sometimes that discount is pretty good, other times "meh". I can't get very far in the process unless I create an account or call, so I don't know what the whole process would entail - nor any penalties (but would guess PIF at booking). Also, when looking at reviews of this site some people are very happy - others are not - seems more like they didn't get what they thought they would (like cabin category) or some perk.

For those familiar with these types of sites, or these kinds of discounts, can you enlighten me with the benefits and especially the pitfalls? (skeptic here)

 

[Nick Taylor]

I would suggest that many of the discounts are "sharing" the agent's commission, especially on DCL where they get booked up very quickly.

There's no harm in using these sites as long as you know the price direct and you are dealing with a well established company

 

[Cwusinbunny]

I used a cruise website - pretty decent prices - you need to know what you want - and watch prices - they also discount disney cruises - a friend of mine recommended them and so far so good - just booked our disney cruise with them