Cruise Talk: Why book through an online site?

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Topic: Why book through an online site?

tg_lindo
First Class Passenger
Member # 806

posted 11-21-2002 09:39 PM

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a site like Travelocity or Orbitz to book and pay for a cruise? Maybe I'm old fashioned, but for this kind of investment, I like knowing I have a human TA, in an office in my town, who I can go to with problems.

Posts: 349 | From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 11-21-2002 11:11 PM

I guess I would say quite frankly don't book online. With that said I say for those of us that live in a town that does not have a Travel store or at least one that is well informed it is a chance to connect with perhaps a travel agency in San Francisco or any other big city. Most of the online travel agents I have delt with are based in florida, but do not think that for a minute that somewhere during the transcation that a real person does not make the call and are usually connected to a "real" landbased agency with real people and a phone # to contact.
One question I would ask is why deal with any travel agent other than the travel agents that work for the specific cruise lines

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

lougee1043
First Class Passenger
Member # 3303

posted 11-22-2002 02:33 PM

if you are an xperienced cruiser and you are using a ta to book a specific ship on a specific date you really shouldnt have to pay for the services that you are not going to use.
after much searching and overpaying- my tas prices were always the same as hal- i decided to use an online ta----their initials are cq-- they were the cheapest of all the agencies that i checked out -----also reviews on their service were excellent-- so i took a deep breath and booked with them- their online service is excellent- quotes were given in hours and their response time was excellent.
recently i had an accident to my rt foot that has already required 2 surgeries and we decided to cancel the cruise (2 couples) contacted cq and they were as efficent in returning a deposit as they were in taking it.
i realize that on line tas are not for everyone but if you want to save money it imo the only way to go-----if you need any specifics feel free to write direct

Posts: 33 | From: oregon | Registered: Aug 2002 | IP: Logged

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