Hey Scrappy...
As far as finding a good T/A, there are many who hang out on cruise @ddicts. While the forum rules prohibit us from "advertising" our specific agencies or services on the boards, most of us do not keep it a secret that we are in the business because it adds some credibility to what we post. There are also a number of cruise agencies who have paid advertisements here. Some people prefer to have a local travel agent who they can visit in an office. Others like the convenience of going to the big websites to book.
Whenever you choose a T/A, I recommend the following.
1) Find an agent who is knowledgable. There are some people here on cruise @ddicts who have forgotten more about cruising than some agents know. You don't know how it makes me cringe when I hear an agent mis-pronounce the name of a port...or heaven forbid...the name of a ship :dizzy
2) Select an agency that allows your agent to handle your booking from beginning to end, not one that will just pass you along to the next available agent. Make sure your agent is easily accessable in person by phone. That means a direct number and/or extension number to that specific agent. Some online agencies only have access through e-mail or just to the "next available agent". It is a bad idea to have more than one agent involved in a booking for many reasons.
3) Find an agent who has your best interest in mind, not theirs. I have seen agents over the years who wouldn't give their extention numbers or make a phone call back to a customer who was booking a shorter, inexpensive cruise or even an inside cabin. I have seen others who are happy to get you to book and then ignore requests for "service after the sale". These agents stink. They give us all a bad name. A good T/A always has their clients' best interest in mind. I've said it a million times; no good excuse for bad customer service.
4) Once you've found a good agent, stick with them and recommend them to others. Nothing pleases me more than to have a repeat client or a referral. It is one of the highest complements an agent can receive.
Oh well, off my =soapbox Just my =twocents
