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Its cruise-booking interface is simple and straightforward, only requiring you to enter your preferred sailing destination and date range, as well as how many passengers you’ll be bringing along. Then Expedia does the heavy lifting for you, with comprehensive results that make it one of the best cruise search engines. If you don't see a sign or advertisement, always ask -- the agent may have fabulous offers the cruise lines won't let him or her publicize. In addition, ask if the agent can meet or beat the best price you've seen elsewhere.
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Look for travel agencies that are cruise-only or a home-based agent who specializes in cruises. Companies such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line provide online directories to help you find an experienced cruise travel agent near you. Like several of the other best cruise websites, Avoya offers a low-price guarantee; if you book a cruise with Avoya and then find a lower rate on another website within 24 hours of booking, Avoya will refund the difference. Once you've chosen your cruise and, with the agent's help, matched your style with your vacation goals, you've got to book the trip. Again, it's a bit more complex than you might think, but a good agent will make the process go smoothly -- from securing the right cabin type and location to booking the dinner seating that will suit you and your party.
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Imagine you’re en route to your most anticipated Caribbean cruise when a storm in Miami suddenly delays your flight. Your travel agency will provide you personalized assistance with utmost care through an agent. You can’t expect to receive that same assistance through an online service.
Shore Excursions
It can be overwhelming to evaluate the options on your own if you've never cruised before. You should consider booking a cruise through a travel agent because a knowledgeable agent can help you understand the nuances of a cruise purchase and help you make the best decisions for your vacation preferences. Note that a Costco membership (starting at $60 per year) is required to book with Costco Travel, and that Costco doesn’t accept American Express. When you think of Costco, you probably think of bulk food and toilet paper. But the next time you’re booking a cruise, it’ll be worthwhile to pull up Costco Travel, which is, unexpectedly, one of the best cruise websites.
You're Experienced
In most cases, its located in one of the menus located near the bottom of the page. If you're used to booking travel independently, consider these reasons why you might want to make use of a travel agent to book your next holiday at sea. Keep Cruisewatch in strong consideration—more than a typical cruise booking website, Cruisewatch bills itself as a “digital cruise advisor” that couples data power with personalization. From booking your first cruise to understanding onboard perks -- the questions can be overwhelming, especially for anyone that is new to cruise.
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On the plus side, an agent who is a preferred supplier might have negotiated rates with the cruise line and be able to call in favors, such as that bottle of Champagne or a cabin upgrade. We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. If you're a do-it-yourself type, and you have the time and inclination to thoroughly research your own trip using resources like Cruise Critic, then go right ahead. You will likely run into a lot of questions to which you have no ready answer.
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Their expertise can help you avoid mistakes, whether you are a first-timer or a repeat cruiser checking out a brand you have not tried before. Cruise Specialists is a part of Travel Leaders Group and have offered its clients topnotch luxury cruises and tours for 30 years. From a seven day sail to the Caribbean, or a months-long World Cruise, you will have an experience second to none. Their experienced Cruise Consultants are skilled at matching you with the vacation that best fits your lifestyle, expectations, and above all, budget. Luxury cruise lines such as Regent Seven Seas, Ponant, Oceania, Viking, Azamara, Silver Seas, Seabourn, Windstar, Paul Gaugin, offer an all-inclusive and tailor-made small cruise experience. They also usually have unique itineraries and excursions that the main-stream lines don’t offer.
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On Expedia, it’s common to find bookable cruises for 70 percent off face value, with the ability to sort by price so the best cruise deals come up at the top of the list, saving you the scrolling. A sample search for a mid-June cruise to Alaska, for example, quickly came up with a seven-night itinerary starting at $389 per person—that’s less than $56 per person, per night for a mostly inclusive weeklong vacation. Expedia is an obvious first mention in a list of the best cruise booking sites, in part because it’s an absolute juggernaut (Expedia also owns Travelocity and Orbitz).
Questions to ask a cruise travel agent
Your agent will also be able to sort out travel insurance, if required, and will collect payment for the cruise (usually a deposit at the time of booking and the full amount 60 to 90 days before departure). In addition, the agent can help you with the rest of your travel plans, such as pre- or post-cruise stays, airfare and transfers. Cruise lines prefer that you use a travel agent rather than going online and booking directly. They have small in-house reservation teams, and when you have a question while making a booking, good luck in getting an expert on the phone in a timely manner. Plus, the price of your cruise includes accommodations, meals, entertainment and activities — and in some cases drinks, tips, shore excursions, Wi-Fi and other extras. The cheapest base cruise fare does not always provide the best value or best overall vacation deal.
Anyone can read a ship deck plan outlining ship spaces (which you can find online), but you are looking for people who really know their stuff. In addition to sharing their expertise, the agent may have negotiated group space at lower rates with the cruise line, which could save you money on the cruise fare. The agent might also have first access to sale prices because the cruise lines notify their agent partners and loyalty club members first before they announce a sale to the public.
Be aware that not all agents work with all cruise lines; some represent only a few preferred suppliers or specialize in higher-end cruises. Going online to book an airline ticket or hotel stay is a familiar and fairly easy transaction. When you book a cruise, however — particularly your first cruise — you might want to reconsider the impulse to handle the transaction yourself through a cruise line website or an online advertiser with cheap prices. This DIY approach might not be the best way to find your dream vacation at sea.
Find out if the travel agent has preferred status with any cruise lines or whether he or she belongs to travel consortiums that would enable him or her to get you better deals, upgrades, etc. But watch out -- some agents will push a particular line too aggressively for your tastes. You don't want to get caught in an agent's agenda if the cruise line isn't right for you. In choosing a cruise travel agent, you will want to tap into the person's specific expertise about the cruise line and ship you are considering.
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