Questions about using a travel agent for booking a cruise???

[clh2]

It seems like the booking for the recently released cruise itineraries was simply chaotic.

We will most likely be booking a 7-night cruise for early December 2027 when those itineraries are available for booking. Assuming this will be on the Treasure. We have Silver Castaway status. We will not be Concierge.

We will need 2 connecting rooms, that are Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah type of rooms. (Family of 5 in one room, and us grandparents in the other.). We were on the Wish in October, on the 8th floor, Aft, Starboard. We LOVED this general location, for many reasons.

So, what are the disadvantages/advantages of using a travel agent?

Room location is probably most important to us. But with all the issues people had with getting reservations made last week, would a travel agent have been helpful securing rooms for us? And, in considering this option, what are other advantages or disadvantages using a travel agent? I know I would be giving up some control, which is a hard concept for me.

Thanks for any input!

 

[tofubeast]

Cons:
They are the ones handling the booking and putting in the special requests. They're the ones that can make changes as well. So if you want to switch cabins because a nicer location suddenly opens up, you have to wait until your agent makes that change which of course depends on their availability at that moment and time.

Pros:
They are the ones handling the book and putting in the special requests. haha So you don't have to do it!

They're services are free.

You usually will get some onboard credit or travel incentive for booking depending on the length of your cruise (less vs more). **For me, this this is the biggest benefit.

You have someone to ask questions and provide suggestions.

 

[lanejudy]

Are you hoping to use a placeholder? If so, that would need to be transferred to the TA within 30 days of when it was purchased onboard. (So too late if you have a placeholder from your October cruise.)

 

[clh2]

Are you hoping to use a placeholder? If so, that would need to be transferred to the TA within 30 days of when it was purchased onboard. (So too late if you have a placeholder from your October cruise.)

We do not have a placeholder to work with from our recent cruise.

 

[Mommb]

Booking through a travel agent will save you from having to wait on the phone for initial booking and for any changes. Especially if you need 2 connecting rooms, it will helpful that a travel agent can look for and book them in one swoop.

If you are someone who frequently makes changes to your dates or room, it may be frustrating to need to make changes through an agent. If you are confident in what you want to book, it will be less of a concern. You can still book all onboard activities and excursions yourself even if you use an agent. My only interactions with my agent are typically telling her what I want to book, thanking her when I get the confirmation, and giving her permission to charge my credit card for final payment.

 

[clh2]

The date of a cruise would be picked due to a school calendar, and would 99.5% certain not be changed. The only changes I I would want are if there was a price decrease.

Did the travel agents have greater success booking their clients “while” the system was clearly struggling to keep up last week?