HEllo....
I would recommend you try the "reverse auction" site CruiseCompete.com to identify the leading TA to consider then compare with a quote from the DIS board site sponsor. They provide support for us to share opinions and they should get a SHOT at your business.
Otherwise - the best "deal" IMHO is IF you're sailing on the ship (gotta buy your 1st sailing to try this) - then it seems a nice approach is to rebook while on-board. They usually offer a generous cabin credit + 10% off their rates. Well - all you're doing is getting the
DCL cabin credit. And then once off transfer the RES to your low all TA. They will adjust the rate to reflect their pricing and you get the cain credit to boot.
Frankly, this was going to e out routine on our 2nd sailing - but hurricane Frances disrupted our cruise and we were offerred a comprehensive crisis package which included a 25% off discount on a future booking. AND if we had rebooked while aboard then we were told we could NOT use the 25% AND get the cabin credit - so we just waited to rebook while off the ship.
I do have a good TA that I found on Cruise compete - but I probaly should offer the reference privately to you if you wish. SO send me a private message if you're interested and I'll reply.
Otherwise.... expect that somewhere out there are a handful of TAs that might be holding group space for your sailing and they can discount YOUR preferred sailing a little bit more than the average TA. Hooking up with one or more of those TAs is the trick. Otherwise - you'll be limited to finding a TA that will kick in a portion of their commission to discount your sailing.
Oh well - hope this helps - most likely a TA able to discount your sailng - has already handled many DCL sailngs - so they should be fairly knowledable and helpful.
HOWEVER.... that does NOT guarantee RELIABLE or perfectly PROFESSIONAL service or CONDUCT. Not to say they are bad - but be certain to record various details and such related to your cruise. ONCE we were trying to set up a Radisson Seven Seas cruise (W. Med for this July) and the TA quoted a rate with a published discount - and we were committing - and it came to pass that they did NOT have the rate locked up. AND - in our conversations I detected little inconsistancies - as well as slow and gradual confessions from the TA on their failure to deliver. SO - we ended up deferring the trip to another occasion - and in the process saved about $10,000 per family (sort of). Strange, eh?
Adios
