WDW4TheGirls
WDW4TheGirls
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2007
Is there a better way to book a cruise, booking online vs using a travel agent? Or calling RC agents? I didn't know if using a travel agent of some sort got better deals, or made it more "user friendly"
I have used an online agent before for different cruise lines including RCCL, but its not always best. RCCL has a policy that they do not allow anybody to sell their cruises at a cheaper FARE than what they sell directly. In other words, if the fare on Royalcaribbean.com for a specific room is $449 per person, no travel agent can sell that same category for less. However, incentives can be different. So if on that same room RCCL is offering $75 on-board credit, you will likely still get that through a travel agent, but they are allowed to offer something else in addition if they choose. It might be 1 free specialty dining or an extra $50 onboard credit from the travel agent etc. In my experience, it doesn't usually make that big of a difference. I have had one site give my $50 onboard credit, but I had to pay a $25 booking fee for that cabin. Obviously I still made 25, but was it really worth the hassle?
Using a travel agent can give you one more person to yell at if something goes wrong. Also, if you're inexperienced with the complexities of finding a flight, booking transportation to the boat, and managing the details of a reservation an agent can be helpful, but it won't usually be a money saver (on RCCL anyway).
When I book RCCL, I find exactly what I want online, but then I call to make the reservation. Usually we're celebrating something or close to it, and if you mention it they may treat you to something. Typically a free birthday cake and a bottle of wine etc.
Hope this helps a little
::::edited to add something I forgot!
When you're searching online agent's sites they may advertise that same room in the example as "$425 per person" which is of course cheaper than RCCL's site. But they're playing with the math and subtracting their 'extra onboard credit incentive' (450fareone+450faretwo=900totalfare-50onboardcredit=850"adjustedfare"/2=425per person)