TA vs Booking Online

[IBDP]

I wonder if someone out there has information on the pros and cons of booking with an agent; the pros and cons of booking online. I am not familiar with any cruise agents, but I hesitate to just click on the buy now button online without some useful info. Thanks for your help.

Kind regards,

Donna (IBDP)

 

[Natalia]

Donna,

There is a ton of information here in these boards... do a search for something like "online TA" or "boking online", etc. They discuss it here quite a bit. There is also a links area where you can visit sites of several recommended (by others on this board) online TA's. You will definitely get a better price online compared to what a local TA will give you or a direct price from the cruise line. If you like, drop me an email, I am happy to give you more information but I need to know what you are looking for.

Edited to add: do that search over in the Community Message Board, more info there for this topic.



Post Edited (03-08-04 23:38)

 

[PEB]

I wouldn't say that I totally agree with Natalia that you will always get a better deal with an online agency over a local TA. Many online TA's are a franchise of a big agency. The agency gets credit for their number of sales with the cruise lines, just like any TA. A local TA may also be a franchise agency or a big agency itself. Because of the number of sales they may have a better deal with some cruise lines or specific sailings. So in this case perhaps a good Travel Agency Locally may have some better deals. Online agencies do NOT ALWAYS have the best deals.

The big difference can be in contacting the agent if you have questions or problems. In some cases it is much easier to contact a local TA or a regular travel agency than it is to contact an online agency. I say sometimes because some online agencies can be contacted easily.

Also if you are an inexperienced cruiser a good cruise TA can help you find the right cruise easier than just using an online TA in some cases.

What it ultimately comes down to is you should pick the type agency you feel the most comfortable with. Is the savings large enough for you to go with an agency you may not feel as comfortable with whether it is online or local? If you search hard enough and long enough you will always be able to find a better deal through somewhere else. There is no ONE agency that always has the best deal on every cruise on every cruise line. JMHO but my opinion is based on some experience and some fact.

 

[cruiserdru]

Donna,

Several years ago my brother in law got us a deal on a Caribbean cruise through his local agent. The agent had booked rooms for a large company group and the group was unable to sell all the rooms but was going to have to pay for them all anyway. The agent sold the rooms for them at a very deep discount so they at least recouped some of the money.

That's the kind of thing I think only an agent can come up with. And this didn't occur at the last minute because their money was due the usual time in advance.

I have booked my last two Princess cruises online and been very happy with the prices, they easily beat out the cruise line.

Several weeks ago, the Washington Post had a big article on the topic. They researched online through several web sites, got quotes from the cruise lines direct, and said online won every time. They did recommend, however, contacting an agency like Liberty Travel and giving them a chance to beat the rest.

Dru

 

[Natalia]

PEB is right, online is not ALWAYS the cheapest... I was speaking from personal experience and should have said that I had never personally found a local TA that could match or beat the prices I find online. Maybe Ive just been unfortunate, but I have stopped into several local agencies near me (and I live in my states capital city, its not a rinky-dink town) and not found any yet that REALLY specialize in cruising. Sure, they have the brochures, and can book a cruise for me, but they really didnt know the answers to my questions. Where as I find an online agency that specializes in cruises is far more helpful to me. Thats why I said it would help to know exactly what you are looking for, that would help us to make suggestions to you. In answering your actual question, to me one of the Pro's of booking online is the price. Because this is an internet website, you will find that many here do their travel business online. Its also my opinion to have a TA (local OR online) instead of booking directly with the cruise line if you are new to crusing, because at least you will have someone to help you along with questions or whatever. Like I said, drop me an email if you want, Im happy to give you some information that I have found here over the last few years.

 

[SueClark]

I have often booked online and thereafter transferred the booking to a TA. The TA i deal with doesn't have weekend or late night hours... when I find something I want too book, I do so and then transfer it to my TA.

 

[seagarsmoker]

Sometimes it just comes down to service level you want. I go with an 'in-between' of the two options you described. A TA who specializes in cruises, but I do the work selecting cruise line, ship, dates, room category, etc and they give me price. The best part is, even though we do most of the work and book online, they are available for an occasional phone call in case I havea question or need something changed.