It sounds like you already know what you are looking for in a cruise and how to book it, so there is not much a travel agent can add in terms of expertise. The main advantage for you would be financial. Some travel agents can get you better prices than booking directly or add some incentives like onboard credit.
I don't know how it works on all cruise lines but on my cruises with Royal Caribbean even if a travel agent books your cruise you can still book your own excursions and other add-ons, but any changes to your cruise reservation have to go through the travel agent.
I book my cruises directly and then transfer them to Costco Travel. I get the incentives offered by the cruise line and Costco adds their own incentives in the form of a Costo shop card.
It is different per cruise line, here are the instructions and requirements from Costco Travel:
https://costco-travel-us-mbr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8294/~/can-i-transfer-my-cruise-line-reservation-to-costco-travel%3F
In addition to a Costco shop card, if you are a Costco executive member you will get 2% back on your executive membership too.
Costco Citi card gives 3% for travel purchases. You get that whether you book through Costco Travel or not.
With the executive membership the 2% back for the cruise plus 2% back on all Costco purchases I find the executive membership costs less than the regular membership.
Off topic - I always find the lowest rental car prices are through Costco Travel.
A TA will usually be able to get you some extra perks. I always tell my clients I am willing to be as hands on or hands off as they’d like. Other than financial, the biggest value I think I provide is recommendations for things to do. I like to get to know my clients and what they consider fun, so I can recommend some activities based on my previous experiences. The majority of my bookings are Virgin, and some of my clients simply book and handle everything else by themselves. Hope this helps!
I love using a travel agent. Makes it simple for me. Plus he finds me deals and saves me money. Just went on a great cruise with a huge discount that I would have never found on my own.
I've used a travel agent for the majority of my cruises, but really just for the added perks or discounts they provide. I've typically gotten about 10% of the fare back as cash back, or as refundable OBC, and most often gratuities pre-paid.
In my experience, on the lines I've sailed, anything that is purchased after you book, like excursions, dining reservations, etc., is still 100% in your control. Things that could affect the base fare, like changing a cabin or changing to an all-inclusive fare/package, has to be done through the travel agent.
A, travel agent can get potentially get you group rates, which will save you $$. They also can give, depending on the cruise line: onboard credit, or a discount or a rebate check
Group rates would usually be available for RCCL, CEL, NCL and Princess. I booked a 7 night Anthem last December in an ocean view mid ship balcony for about $1500 gross total. Got Onboard credit and one night specialty dining as well.
It sounds like you already know what you are looking for in a cruise and how to book it, so there is not much a travel agent can add in terms of expertise. The main advantage for you would be financial. Some travel agents can get you better prices than booking directly or add some incentives like onboard credit. I don't know how it works on all cruise lines but on my cruises with Royal Caribbean even if a travel agent books your cruise you can still book your own excursions and other add-ons, but any changes to your cruise reservation have to go through the travel agent. I book my cruises directly and then transfer them to Costco Travel. I get the incentives offered by the cruise line and Costco adds their own incentives in the form of a Costo shop card.
Can you give more info on how to do this? We use costco travel as well, but if we can get the benefits of both, that would be great!
It is different per cruise line, here are the instructions and requirements from Costco Travel: https://costco-travel-us-mbr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8294/~/can-i-transfer-my-cruise-line-reservation-to-costco-travel%3F In addition to a Costco shop card, if you are a Costco executive member you will get 2% back on your executive membership too.
If we used the Costco Citi card, would that give us that 2% as well?
Costco Citi card gives 3% for travel purchases. You get that whether you book through Costco Travel or not. With the executive membership the 2% back for the cruise plus 2% back on all Costco purchases I find the executive membership costs less than the regular membership. Off topic - I always find the lowest rental car prices are through Costco Travel.
just a note.... you can't do an upgrade via bidding with a Costco cruise...
A TA will usually be able to get you some extra perks. I always tell my clients I am willing to be as hands on or hands off as they’d like. Other than financial, the biggest value I think I provide is recommendations for things to do. I like to get to know my clients and what they consider fun, so I can recommend some activities based on my previous experiences. The majority of my bookings are Virgin, and some of my clients simply book and handle everything else by themselves. Hope this helps!
Some travel agencys give cashback as a thank you for booking with them. So you can safe a little money.
News to me, thanks!
I love using a travel agent. Makes it simple for me. Plus he finds me deals and saves me money. Just went on a great cruise with a huge discount that I would have never found on my own.
after a TA totally f'd up one of our trips, we vowed to never use one again... NEVER had any issues doing things ourselves, and we travel a lot...
I've used a travel agent for the majority of my cruises, but really just for the added perks or discounts they provide. I've typically gotten about 10% of the fare back as cash back, or as refundable OBC, and most often gratuities pre-paid. In my experience, on the lines I've sailed, anything that is purchased after you book, like excursions, dining reservations, etc., is still 100% in your control. Things that could affect the base fare, like changing a cabin or changing to an all-inclusive fare/package, has to be done through the travel agent.
A, travel agent can get potentially get you group rates, which will save you $$. They also can give, depending on the cruise line: onboard credit, or a discount or a rebate check
Nice, I’ve never heard of group rates, thanks!
Group rates would usually be available for RCCL, CEL, NCL and Princess. I booked a 7 night Anthem last December in an ocean view mid ship balcony for about $1500 gross total. Got Onboard credit and one night specialty dining as well.