My local travel office closed so I am looking for a new way to book a cruise. Can I get the same deal calling the cruise line direct or is it cheaper to use an online agent? I could find a new local agent if there is no cost savings. What do you suggest?

I just booked a cruise through Alaska Airlines online to Mexico out of San Diego in January. $965 each for the cruise (includes port fees, fuel surcharges, etc.) 8 nights, balcony room. Heck of a deal I thought. I booked our own air and pre/post trip hotel through Alaska Airlines also (separate from the cruise staff). I also bought our own travel insurance direct from Travelguard (it was cheaper going direct). I've booked before through the cruiseline and ended up with terrible flights there that cost me more than they should have. My advice...find a cruise via the cruise line or Alaska Air and book it (tentatively) and then find your own air, hotel and insurance. Alaska Air guarantees cheaper but charges a few dollars for doing it.

Definitely use an travel agent (TA) or an online service. There prices will actually be lower than booking directly with cruise lines. I realize that this may seem strange (and certainly different than with airlines). It's best to figure out some alternative cruises that interest you, and then try to find an agent that specializes in those cruise lines. For example, our TA (brownandkeenetravel) specializes in Regent, Oceania, Silversea, and Seabourn. We wouldn't think of anyone else for those lines. For more general cruises, vacationstogo, seems to get good marks. Not the same one-to-one relationship, but their Web site gives good ballpark figures.

You will get an agent at Vacationtogo who will answer your questions and help you. The person will give you an extension no. to call them directly after your initial call if you are happy with the person who is helping you. I have done 2 cruises with them and am in the process of planning the 3rd cruise.
The cruise line generally is more expensive to book with then an agent.

I ditto the idea for a TA. Not only do they assist with unexpected issues, some of the TA's do provide benefits such as prepaid gratuties. We're using a TA now who isn't even local, but has been a vocal contributor on Cruise Critic and has been willing to answer e-mail questions I sent w/o even being a client. Hence, when we decided to book our recent cruise we decided to give them the business. So far I'm very pleased at the prompt service. They specialize in Oceania, Regent and Azamara.

In the past I've also used AAA. Agent did a good job and sent us a couple of nice gifts on board.

I've heard good things about Vacationstogo also.

If you know exactly which cruise you want to go on, I would try cruisecompete.com. You enter in the information of which cruise you want to go on, and different travel agencies submit their best offers to you for consideration. Then if one interests you, you contact them.

I just booked a Baltic cruise through one of the agencies on cruisecompete.com - I thought I got a pretty good deal. I got the same fare as a local travel agent was offering, but I also am receiving a $500 onboard ship credit.