izzinmac,
You have summarized my feelings quite well. Travel agents MUST compete on the basis of service, especially in these days of internet bookings and the like (in fact, my last local
travel agent basically "fired me" as a client because she said I really could do much better on my own given my needs and my willingness to research things, which was basically true but I was trying to give the agency business to let them know that I really appreciated their services and their efforts). My point was that the service was adequate, period. I am not arguing that a really good, really successful travel agent wouldn't do things differently. I suspect that the
AAA office is not many peoples' regular, personal, all-purpose
travel agency (if for no other reason than their locations are often geographically limited at some level). When you combine the details of making a cruise reservation with inexperienced cruisers (of which I am still one!) with relatively assembly line specialty travel operations, one creates anxieties for all parties involved that might not be there in some other travel situations. BTW, I did consider AAA for our cruise reservation, but their fares were higher than even
DCL direct fares (albeit you got some perks, but not as good as some of the other agencies like DU were offering without more out of pocket on my part). I have used our AAA agency three times, I think. They have sometimes been able to get us better rates than other sources for local hotels and often for a Hertz rental car. But their service has been impersonal, though certainly adequate and problem free. Please understand, I am not saying anyone should settle for "adequate" service, just saying that adequate service is just that--adequate. It should not be labeled as inadequate just because one would prefer better or prefer excellent service. As I have been fond of saying over the years, the right to counsel when accused of a crime relates to being given adequate counsel to protect your rights. It does not mean that every accused gets or should get F. Lee Bailey, Johnnie Cochran, or your favorite high profile attorney to defend you free of charge.

All I can say, is I hope I never have to experience the OP's problem first hand!