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Booking directly vs. discounter

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Phyllis DeLancey
Senior Member
Username: Phyllis

Post Number: 2531
Registered: 06-2003
Posted on Friday, January 22, 2010 - 11:46 pm:   

Mark we have done both. The last few we took we did with the cruise line. I would just go on line several times a week, if they had lowered the price, I was on the phone to them, and they would lower our price.
You can also change travel agents even if you have booked, if you find a better price. We kept the same cabin and the only that changed was the price.
Also be sure to ask for the senior rate, if you are a senior. Since travel agents make their money by how much you spend, they sometimes don't tell you about all the special. I found this out about 10 years ago when I have booked a NCL cruise with a local agent. I called the cruise line to ask a question, while talking to them, I said this seem high to me. They then asked if any of were senior citizens, I asked what age that was they said 55. Well all six of us were over, so we got the lower rate, and our travel agent was not to happy with me. But hey it my checkbook, not hers.
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DeeDee Clarke
Senior Member
Username: Deedee

Post Number: 515
Registered: 05-2004
Posted on Friday, January 22, 2010 - 11:36 pm:   

With some cruise lines, the price will be the same whether you book directly or not as they do not allow travel agents to discount. The only thing you may get by going through a travel agent are things like OBCs (on board credits), pre-paid gratuities or gifts (bottle of wine). Other cruise lines do allow discounting, but you do need to research the travel agent to be sure they are not of the "fly by night" variety, especially in these days of businesses going out of business.

The other thing to be aware of when booking through an agent, if you want to make any changes, you will need to go through the agent as the cruise line will not make any changes if you call them directly. And, some agents charge for any changes.

As for "stuck with a higher price" some cruise line will honor price drops after a reservation has been made, but you have to call them and ask for it, they will not call you and offer it.

Have you checked to see if the cruise line is also offering that Panama cruise for $2000?
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Mark Earl Bennett Sr.
Member
Username: Snulafecto

Post Number: 20
Registered: 08-2008
Posted on Friday, January 22, 2010 - 10:19 pm:   

Please forgive this very ignorant question however perhaps someone out there can answer it.
Is it better to book directly with a cruise line even though their rate is more expensive than what you may later see with a discounter? Do the cruise lines "match" this price, or are you stuck with the more expensive price? What are the advantages of booking directly?
Last Spring, while making a transatlantic trip (our first cruise), we could have booked a Panama Canal cruise for $3,400 however discounters offer the same (balcony) trip for about $2,000 now. Thanks for any advice on this.
Trish

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