Here's a thought: If you find a seven day cruise to the Caribbean for $400 per person; who cares if you got it thru a travel agent or on your own? You're cruising, you saved a bunch of money and thats the most important thing, isn't it?

If something goes wrong, is unsatisfactory,<BR>or any number of things, you may care that you don't have an advocate working for you.<BR>A professional travel consultant is working on behalf of the client with his/her best interests at heart. It benefits an agent to establish a positive relationship with a client. <BR><BR>As your question is structured I ask...if you are able to reserve the same thing through an agent or not, why would you choose to go it alone rather than have informed advocate by your side?

Before you shop with agents and other websites, you should always try calling the cruise line directly. This gives you a fair idea of what prices should be. Agent rates should be no higher than what is quoted directly to you. <BR><BR>Also, if tell the agent you have found a better price, do not be affraid to let he/she know. Given the state of travel agencies( they seem to be dropping out of business in great numbers ) agents should be hungry enough to try and compete.

SHOP AROUND! Get at least 5 quotes for the same ship, same date, same category. Now, take the lowest bid to your agent and indicate that you are ready to book if he/she can beat it. If the agent balks, take your business elsewhere. TIP: Deal with the owner of the agency. If your friends deal appeals to you, you can probably book through her agent, but be sure you consider plane fare too, especially if you're coming from a different part of the country. <BR><BR>I've been doing this for years and have always gotten great rates. I'm from the northeast, but currently dealing with a Florida agent who discounts heavily.<BR><BR>GOOD LUCK!

I book with whoever gives me the lowest price. I know exactly what I want. I found one through a cruise magazine that has always beaten everyone's price. <BR>I had gone on a group cruise that had a great price. The TA was ok, but not great, but nice lady. I booked another cruise with her for the following year. Six months before the cruise the price dropped on the cruise lines web page. She said she was handling it. Four weeks later and multiple phone calls she had done nothing. I called the TA from the magazine and she gave me a great deal. I called the original TA and let her know about the quote I received. She then said she would drop the price to match the cruise lines published price. ($200 PP). The new TA saved me $700 PP. This was a no brainer. I moved the cruise to the new TA and have been using her ever since. I still get multiple quotes then call her to see what she can do.