What are the benefits of booking through a cruise travel agent?

[HundredAcreWoods]

While on the Magic in early July I booked a Cat 5 room for the August 21, 2004 cruise.

The cost was $800 less than what I paid for the cruise I was currently on (early booking discount) and the booking included a $400 on board credit.

I know a couple of cruise travel agents and I can never get a straight answer from them. I see no benefit in booking through a cruise travel agent. Can you tell me some of the perks for using a cruise agency?

BTW...I book all my travel arrangements (I prefer it that way) air, resort, cruise, excursions, rental car, limo service, etc and will continue to do so until someone convinces me that it makes more sense to let the agent do it.

Thanks in advance,

JL

 

[alexandrew]

I assume you mean a cruise travel agency vs booking through DCL? ....or do you mean a cruise agency vs a traditional travel agency....

In my experience, my TA (Cruiseone) has never failed to save me at least a few hundred $'s vs booking directly through DCL....

the knowledge, experience, and general understanding of the industry is a benefit of using a cruise only agent....

 

[WDWLVR]

I use Dreams Unlimited for my cruises (the sponser of this site). The benefit to me is that when I booked a cruise direct with DCL a number of years ago and heard about a new promotion that was less money I had to do research, call Disney and got a new price. The next cruise I booked with Dreams and when the same type of promotion came up I had no sooner heard of it then I had an e-mail from my Dreams agent telling me that had already done the work to get me the lower price and what my savings would be. I have also gotten a rebate from them which lowers the price over doing everything direct through Disney.

I would recommend them. If you are comfortable going direct through Disney then by all means keep it that way.

 

[HundredAcreWoods]

Alexandrew: Yes, I usually book through DCL or the Disney Travel Company. I don't see the point in using a travel agent, but I am willing to listen to anyone who thinks I am missing out.

WDWLVR: I have heard that too. The agent will follow-up on any new promotions and contact you.

I am a programmer (web sites and software) and I find myself on the computer 10 - 12 hours a day, so checking the current promotions is nice diversion from work.

JL

 

[MO Disney cruiser]

JL, I'm with you on booking direct. Especially after what happened with the RCL cruise the family is going on later this month.

I booked with one of the major internet TAs. They've been good in the past and I don't think the problem was theirs. Anyway, trying to straighten out a situation takes so much longer when you have a TA. DCL (or any cruiseline) won't talk to you because you have a TA. Then you get it's not me, it's them. No it's not me, it's them.

If you're like me and like having control. Book direct. A TA may save a few bucks, but the hassles can eliminate that very quickly.

My 5/22/04 DCL cruise was booked direct with Disney.

I guess it's all in what you're comfortable with.

 

[Camping Disney]

We booked both of our trips through AAA. We not only beat the prices offered by DCL, we received free soda mugs and stickers and our agents surprised us with onboard credit when we arrived. I love the convenience of just picking up the phone and letting someone else doing the checking. It truly does just depend on what you are the most comfortable with!!

Michele

 

[goofy601]

Our travel agent is a friend from church. She only does cruise planning part time. She has definately gone above and beyond helping us plan our dream vacation. She checked rates and times and found us rooms for a different time than we had originally planned - all for $1000 less a cabin - and we require two cabins due to our larger family - plus we're doing a four day instead of a three day! We then threw in what we thought was a monkey wrench and wanted our friend and her daughters to go at the same time and be on the same deck - and bingo -- she did it! And got her a fantastic rate also! We did check out web sites and tried booking the cruise on our own - we are very glad that we went with our friend!!

We definately can not wait until our cruise! Is it April yet?!?

 

[markey]

I checked before I left home, rebooked on board and the price was $600 less and also got the $200 on board credit. Turned the reservation over to DU and got a $150 rebate. This is the 3rd cruise with DU and I have never had any problems.

 

[jgalecpa]

I did a hybrid:

I booked directly thorugh DIS than transferred to AAA.

I had a good early booking fare, so they could only mathc that, but I did get (1) free soda mugs for four, value $140 total; (2) two $50 room credits, one for each cabin; and (3) two DIS cruise beach towels (since I transferred during my AAA office's cruise week.

All told, I got about $275 in value, but since I originally booked through DCL also got to pick the specific room I wanted.

Jim

PS Double digit dance coming soon. Watch me work it!

 

[berly1657]

I see that many of you "transfer" your booking to another agency to get better deals. I did not know you could do this. How do you do it? Don't you pay up front?

Just curious

 

[markey]

Actually I don't think you can transfer from travel agent to travel agent. My booking was driectly with DCL and you can have DCL give your booking to any travel agency at any time. When I booked on board she even asked me if I wanted to us DU again. When you make payments to DU they give the information to DCL and your charge card is charged by DCL, not the travel agency.