Its easy to independently book flights, hotels and car rentals, but cruises are a different. Unless you are fortunate enough to live within a few hours of a cruise departure port or have the time, and patience, to drive, most of us cruisers must consider booking a flight in order to set sail on our cruise getaways even if it means including this cost into our overall vacation budget. Should i book airfare on my own or through the cruise line. Your agent can advocate for you and often cut through red tapeafter all, they want to keep you as a client. They can also help with pre or postcruise travel, such as booking hotels and flights or arranging tours.
I also had to book flights and hotels to and from the cruise myself. Do you use a travel agent or book directly through. This means you could be paying huge credit card interest fees that will add to the total cost of your vacation in the long run. Talk to a princess specialist find a travel agent free brochures. Book airfare through us and we guarantee, should an issue arise, our emergency travel team will work with our airline partners to get you to the first available port of call. Cruises, in particular, can be much easier to book through a travel agent. Why it pays to book with a travel agent personal finance. Honestly, there is not much difference between doing it yourself or using a travel agent. Occasionally, cruise lines offer irresistible deals and specials that are far cheaper than anything you can book through a travel agency. Breaking down the pros and cons of using a travel agent. You can book directly with the cruise company, or you can go through a travel professional or travel agency that can help organize everything for you, including pre and post cruise accommodations, airport transportation or city tours should. Breaking down the pros and cons of using a travel agent outside.
Heres why youre better off booking your next cruise on your own. The pros and cons of booking cruise and flight packages conde. Costco travel offers discounted rental cars, cruises and guided trips, as well as domestic and international vacations. The river cruise companies that allow you to book through a travel agentbroker expect that this agentbroker will bring them business. For example, you might find yourself arriving on the morning of departure which is never a good idea rather than a day or two ahead of sailing.
So your decision on whether to purchase your air directly with the airline or. Book carnival cruise direct or through travel agent. In short, it generally doesnt cost you money to use a travel agent, and in fact, the agent can very often help you save money on your trip more on that in that below. A good travel agent who books lots of cruises on a particular line can often offer perks that you dont get booking directly through the cruise line. Most people book their cruise with a travel agent, especially firsttime. Part of the point of having a travel agent book your trip is that you are freed up to do other. Book your next cruise through a travel agent for a. Should i use a travel agent or book directly with a cruise. The pros and cons of using a travel agent travel us news. How to book river cruise airfare river cruise advisor. Here are 5 reasons why booking a cruise through a travel agent can make your next vacation more enjoyable and stressfree.
There are several reasons why the might not are, just sometimes be cheaper. Should i book my own airfare when planning a cruise or buy airfare through the cruise line. Theres a time and place to book with a travel agent, rather than go it alone. Unless you are fortunate enough to live within a few hours of a cruise departure port or have the time, and patience, to drive, most of us cruisers must consider booking a flight in order to set sail on our cruise. How to refund a ticket bought through a travel agency.
Some travel agents also will monitor your cruise fare and, if. In the 21st century, it is not difficult to reserve a cruise for your family, but travel agents. If i book that way will i still be able to view my reservation and or make payments through. How far in advance should i book a cruise to get the best. Should i book airfare on my own or through the cruise lines air. Now featuring new, lower prices that give you all the benefits of a flexible ticket at the price of a restricted ticket. Anyone who has worked with a great travel agent will tell you that theyre worth their weight in gold. Your best bet is to discuss with your travel agent and research the pricing on both so you can see which option fits with your own unique schedule. Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent, or on your own.
Also, online booking agents are powerful, allowing you to. Our air arrangements offer a seamless, worryfree way to get from your home airport to the cruise ship and back again. There are many benefits to booking with a travel agent, from cost savings, to. After all, we have the internet and anyone can book that. Unlike when booking online, you cant book a cruise with an agent in the middle of night. Travel agents offer affordable payment plans online booking websites normally require payment in full at the time you confirm your reservations. Like costco travel, aaa lets you book travel online without the help of an agent. Due to a suggestion that travel agents can sometimes offer perks unavailable directly through carnival, i spoke with a travel agent to compare. Should i book my own airfare when planning a cruise or buy.
Or maybe, why should i use a travel agent to book a cruise when i. Were independent travelers who enjoy the details of planning a trip and have never used a travel agent. If you look at the market here in the uk british airways and virgin atlantic have high brand recognition in the. Heres a guide to the many booking options, from going directly to a cruise. With all of that in mind a good question to ask is, should i book airfare on my own or through the cruise line.
We have heard some good things about booking a cruise with a travel agent but not sure if i should or not. When an agent books a hotel room, cruise, tour, etc, this means the provider doesnt have to sell, market, or service the booking the agent takes care of all of that. Benefits of booking with a travel agent vs booking online. The short answer is, not always, but you should always book with a travel agent. Note that some cruise lines, like carnival, will absorb the additional travel cost, depending on the. Princess ezair flights for your cruise princess cruises. The pros and cons of using a travel agent should you plan your trip with an agent or rely on the internet. We will gladly assist our guests with scheduling air on a backtoback cruise. Why you should use a travel agent to book a cruise.
For standard air transportation bookings, the cruise lines agent will pick your. When planning a vacation, its sometimes easier and cheaper to book a flight through a travel agency, as travel agencies often have access to deals that arent available to the general. Do you use a travel agent or book directly through rcl. The biggest advantage of booking a cruise through a travel agent is.
This is the only reason you should use a travel agent to book. What is aaa travel and can it save you money on travel. When an agent books a hotel room, cruise, tour, etc, this means the provider doesnt have to sell, market, or service the booking the agent. Sites, such as kayak and expedia, and an entire app stores worth of travel apps, enable travelers to book flights. But between booking and the departure date the cruise line cut the price and offered a number of. Can royal caribbean make my air travel arrangements.
Carnivals fly2fun air program carnival cruise line. Book your cruise flight with princess ezair, save time, money and stress. When you reserve your cruise with royal caribbean, we can also assist with your air arrangements. Air2sea, cruise insurance, and airport transfers royal. Guide to finding deals and booking a trip usa today. Why is it cheaper to book airline tickets through a travel. Before you commit to one travel agent, make sure that. Travel agents can hack their way through all this stuff. How do i book shore excursions on holland america panama canal cruise. Back in the day, you would use a travel agent to book every aspect of your trip. Unlike costco, nonaaa members can at least book flights, hotel rooms, cruises, and rental cars online. Not every agent is perfect, of course, and even a good agent might not be right for you. The fees paid to travel agents arent always cutanddry. The agent will receive a portion of the cruise fare as their commission, but.
You will get the same rate, and sometimes a better rate. What to know when youre thinking of booking your next trip with a travel. Airport transportation can be purchased on our website or by calling your travel agent or 1800carnival. Travel agents are not allowed to undercut the cruise lines, so the base price you pay is exactly the same as the cruise lines. There is a common misconception going around that travel agents have gone the way of the dinosaur and are not needed to book a cruise. Reasons you should never book a cruise through a travel agent. Booking directly with cruise line or through an agency. When youre ready to purchase your cruise, you can either go directly to the cruise line youve chosen, or you can book a cruise with a travel agent.
You should also check with your airline, travel agent, cruise line and travel insurance company to work out what your options are if things change and check with your insurance company. I was planning on booking through a travel agent because it is my first cruise and thought they would be able to help me with any questions i had. Unless the river cruise line has a special promotion like free economyclass airfare we recommend that cruise passengers book their airfare independently, or use an experienced travel agent. What is the difference between booking our airline tickets through the cruise line or purchasing them from an online travel agency or airline. Six travel agent tricks to watch out for when you book. The internet has turned wouldbe vacationers into their own travel agents.
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