I am one of the "dying breed" I guess. However, I started as a travel agent 4 years ago and specialize in cruises. I have my MCC and even though "no one uses me anymore" my business has more than tripled each consecutive year. I use the internet a lot and even refer clients there for some of their air. I am NOT in the dark ages but i do not have a web site and just don't care to as I really like the personal contact so i can find out what is really best for my clients. You only get so much from a questionaire. That and the service and care that I give is why my business has flourished simply by word of mouth. On the other hand if the only criteria you have is "how cheap can I cruise" then you would have no use for me. I do usually get a lower price than clients can on their own but it's nice to know it is for what they really want and will enjoy. Sorry, just had to add my two cents!

Hi, I was a travel agent for about 20 years mostly doing international travel (not cruises). Although I don't care much for large cruise ships (like the laid back Windjammers), my husband and I are going on the Infinity on a Panama Canal cruise. I book many things on-line, by myself. Hate to bother agents I know with airline tickets other low end products where they get little or no commission. I narrowed my choice to the Infinity and then priced a sky suite on Celebrity's web site. Then I checked with an agent...Celebrity was running a special for this cruise for the midwestern market. The agent is saving us about $2,000. The cruise lines do not offer many of their regional specials on-line ... nor even the discount for senior citizens (which is 55 yrs. old)! So do check with an agent before booking a cruise on-line. The cruise agents I've worked with keep up to date on all cruise ships and lines.

And Peter, why are you so against travel agents? I think they perform a great service and save many headaches! But you go ahead and pay rack rates!

I would not recommend sailing to Bermuda from New York if this is your first cruise. I have cruised to Bermuda twice, once in May and once in August. We encountered rough seas on both cruises. <BR><BR>I would recommend sailing from Florida to any of the caribbean destinations, southern, eastern or western. The seas are much calmer.

Judy - there's an important distinction to be made here. When I say travel agents are a dying breed, I'm talking about the local ABC Travel Agency that has the office in the local mall or downtown area of Average City, USA. There is another type of travel agent that I would call the .com agencies like crucon or cruise.com. I gaurentee you these .com agencies know about the regional and senior citizen specials that cruise lines don't advertise on their websites. I also gaurentee you they have the same coupons that you have access to and will apply them to my cruise. Unless you are a travel agent that buys groups of cabins on specific sailings to in turn offer to your clients, you can't offer me a lower price on a cruise than any of the .com travel agents.<BR><BR>And, for the record, when Paul recommends to the readers here on Fodors to go to a travel agent for brochures, etc - he means the local mall or downtown agency - not the .coms.