Should I book my Cruise through a Travel Agent?

A common misconception is that if you use a travel agent (preferably one who has a lot of cruise experience), you will pay more for your cruise than you would pay if you booked direct with the cruise line. I’m here to tell you that in 99% of the cases this is NOT true.

Cruise agents are paid a commission for their work if it results in sailed revenue for the cruise line. The price you pay at an agency is not marked up by the agency to cover that commission and most cruise lines dare not under cut their distribution system because they need them too much!

Remember 88% of the traveling public has not been on a cruise so it is impossible for the cruise lines to penetrate markets without good agents. And they don’t have the time to spend with you answering numerous questions nor the staff to handle the volume.

You won’t pay more working nose to nose with a great cruise agent (like us!) and you’ll have the comfort of having someone to talk to on a regular basis. And you have all the above pricing information so you can ask the right questions.

It is in the agent’s interest to keep you happy! Why? Because they do not get paid until you sail. And your deposit is refundable in most cases right up until your final payment which is anywhere from 60 to 120 days prior to sailing depending upon the cruise line!

BUT… Always check to see if the agent/agency you are dealing with charges any form of services fees or a Plan To Go fee before you deposit your cruise. A Plan To Go fee is a fee that is imposed by the agency if you don’t go or if you cancel and can be charged by the agency (it is not one charged by the cruise line). If you do go, then there is no fee from the agency. Always, always ask.

I hope you have enjoyed your journey through the accommodation and pricing side of a cruise ship and I also hope you are now looking forward to cruising.

In future articles we will discuss the nitty gritty of cruise travel such as:

• Picking an Itinerary
• Shore Excursions
• On Board Life and Activities
• Cruise Safety
• Documentation, Passports and Visa concerns
• Cruise Health
• Cruising with kids
• River and Barge Cruising
• Dining Options
• Cruise Guide for Honeymoons
• Preventing Motion Discomfort At Sea
• And much more

Let me assure you that there is no better vacation on the planet than cruising. You dine, dance, enjoy fine entertainment, and dream the night away and in the morning they bring a new country right to your door! What a way to see the world.

If you are so excited about cruising, you don’t want to wait for volumes 2 and 3 but want to get started booking a cruise NOW, you can contact me here a Cruise4U.co.uk and I will do my best to help you out. And yes, I can arrange your cruise for you!!

Next: Cruise Holidays FAQs

This Guide to Cruising is being updated regularly - Please bookmark this page and come back again for the next 'chapter'

1. Introduction to this Cruising Guide ...

2. How much more you can enjoy a cruise compared to a 'land' based holiday ...

3. How to research a cruise holiday

4. Types of Cruise Ship Accommodation

5. What Part of the Ship Should You Choose For Your Cabin?

6. How to choose your cruise cabin

7. Choosing and Booking your Cruise Part 1 and Part 2

8. Should I book my Cruise through a Travel Agent?

9. Cruises - FAQs ... Answers to frequently asked questions on Cruise Holidays

10. Your Cruise Checklist ... Things to consider when choosing your cruise ...

11. So what do all those sailing terms mean?

12. How to Choose a Cruising Holiday - What different Itineraries mean ...

13. Cruise Destinations - Caribbean Cruises

14. Cruise Destinations - Alaska Cruises

15. Cruise Destinations - Hawaii Cruises

16. Cruise Destinations - Mexican Riviera Cruises

17. Choosing the right kind of cruise ship for your kind of holiday

18. What kind of cruise traveler are you?

19. Next ...Singles Cruising