Booking Cruise -Should You Use a Travel agent or Book Direct?

[@InsideCruise]

Make your next cruise unforgettable by joining our Email Newsletter! - bit.ly/3XuZdsy We'll provide you with the best tips to make sure that your getaway is an amazing one.

[@nanfrostsfashionfocusstyle6250]

Oh yes....the excursions did break the bank on my last cruise. That is a good tip that people need to pay attention to. It may seem like a reasonable price for an excursion but then you have to multiply by two (in our case) and then you have to think about how many days you are on the cruise and how many potential excursions that could be. The total becomes a staggering number.

[@kat7777]

Book them separately and it makes a huge difference

[@paulahenry1458]

I'm a travel agent & this is the best advise ever. Thanks so much for sharing & support travel agents :)

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh, SO many people will find this video useful - my biggest tip is to do with budgeting - I meet so many people who splurge on the more expensive ship, then realise they need to spend quite a bit more once they're onboard!

[@mercyrodriguez5780]

We have had a Travel Agent for over 25 years, she is excellent and always get better deals through her. We highly recommend a TA!

[@jennifer21571]

I've never had a good experience 😕 Will you share yours?

[@mercyrodriguez5780]

@@jennifer21571 we are in Florida.

[@jennifer21571]

@@mercyrodriguez5780 So am I!

[@mercyrodriguez5780]

@@jennifer21571 Miami ?

[@jennifer21571]

@@mercyrodriguez5780 No, Dunedin. Does your TA only take clients in the Miami area?

[@heather1980]

I book all my cruises myself-because I’m a control freak. I’d rather deal directly with customer service if I have an issue. In the next 12 months I’m doing a Mekong River cruise, a Baltic, a transatlantic, a couple of Caribbean, and Dubai to Genoa. I decided to take my retirement now-instead of when I’m too old to do things like hike, visit amusement parks etc. I took a 3 night with Carnival in January-apparently the Casino took note of me because I got an offer for great rates and I booked the solo transatlantic for the deposit and the taxes-$387.

[@adacat87]

What site do you recommend to book cruises?

[@emeraldkimble7602]

There are deadlines fir booking reserving and paying six months before departure fir booking and deposit three months for final payment

[@jeannecrawford6324]

This was very well done! The only thing is hurricane season goes until November 30 as shown last year when we had Hurricane Nicole go right over us on November 10th. Lots of destruction along the Volusia County beaches. Everything else in your vlog was spot on with wonderful advice especially for novice cruisers.

[@ZiggyZ820]

Booked on 6 cruises this year!!!! 2nd one is on March 5th on Anthem of the Seas

[@julianigoe1291]

You forgot about the land down under. We have all sorts of South Pacific itineraries. Scenic and beautiful. Love your channels. 🍻🇦🇺❤️

[@constanceworden487]

Great video, very informative! I can listen to Ben speak all day!

[@sitchad]

Balcony cabin for use no question. We want to feel and smell the fresh sea air. We always book direct. Thanks for the information.

[@moplady9541]

thanks Ben some good points you made

[@juneyoung5503]

Excellent tips for booking cruises 🛳

[@nicolewilson2567]

Thank you for sharing. 👍🏿👍🏿

[@dnarobo]

Well written and high production value...kewl!

[@TheHawaiianc]

Hey ben because of Covid I had to rebook my cruise on princess diamond and because of that they gave me “Crew Appreciation Included.” Do I still pay gratuity? I don’t mind paying if I have to but it’s good to know instead getting bill last min you know and way they tell you in policy is very veg.. just want make sure.

[@cynthiamiller]

Please book your cruise with a travel agent and support a small business. We get paid by the cruise line, not you. You will pay the same as the cruise line and we may be able to get you more OBC, or better rates depending on the sailing.

[@daveaglasgow]

The problem here is, for everyone booking a cruise through a travel agent, the cruise pays them, but then they have to increase prices to cover the unnecessary step of the travel agent booking instead of the passenger booking. People would actually save money if everyone just booked it themselves.

[@cynthiamiller]

@@daveaglasgow That is not true. You pay the same price whether you book direct or use a travel agent. When you book direct with the cruise line, they keep the money they would have paid a travel agent. The cost to you for the cruise is the same. So please support small business by booking with a travel agent.

[@tenniskinsella7768]

Going on ruise with my family first cruise thry want to book on Internet I want to go through travel agency

[@marecianoble5826]

Thank you. Informative as always.

[@Jmansheim7]

Looking for a good travel agent. Any recommendations?

[@angelap9142]

Good morning! I enjoy watching your videos they are very informative. It was great seeing your video first thing in the morning. We are going on the Harmony of the Seas in April (2 of us) and July (family vacation, 11) Is Izumi Hibachi good for lunch? Have a great day!👍🏻🇨🇦

[@beesonshort2627]

Good morning, everyone! Do you have any Med cruises booked for this year>

[@InsideCruise]

Not yet!

[@huwlewis9059]

Ben, lots of useful info. But your name is mud in Myanmar now 😊

[@InsideCruise]

You know me I can’t pronounce anything soooryyy 😂

[@InvisibleVisible793]

Was it your latest Cruise with Ben and David (posted on that channel) cruise that a cruiser died and another cruiser was arrested for an ATV shore excursion accident? If so, my heart breaks to think Steph was on that same cruise - way too soon for her to have that knowledge after her husband's death. 😰😰😰😰

[@InsideCruise]

We have no idea about any of that..not sure that happened on our cruise

[@InvisibleVisible793]

@@InsideCruise Thank you for your reply.

[@mikezupancic2182]

There was only a 1 minute portion related to agent or direct. Everything else was just normal research info.

[@branches1053]

In 2023 you do not need a travel agent. The internet is your friend. Do your research and find the best deal. Travel agents are middle men...they have to get paid and where does that money come from? Book direct and keep control in your hands.

[@kellieashman6908]

My Mum and I booked our cruise with a local TA and I wish I hadn’t. Right from the start he’s been arrogant and moody with us. He has the personality of a wet rag. First he tried to sell us a cabin type we didn’t want and then he sold us our cruise without the included drinks and wifi packages - I had to really push him to get them included. He and I have had a personality clash right from the start which had resulted in me doing all our accommodation and flight bookings myself anyway.

[@anniesparno502]

This was very vague in my humble opinion and I love those guys channels…I was expecting more of a “down and dirty” kind of here is how we do it kind of video and this skirted everything…..sigh

[@vincesanin4221]

What? No Celebrity?!😂🤣