For a "First Time Crusier", I think you need to use a Travel Agent. We are "Elite" Captain Club Members on Celebrity and have cruised most of the other mainstream crusie lines. The reason I suggest using a travel agent is you need to find a ship or cruise line that is to you liking. Each cruise line caters to different crowds and different tastes. What is important for you...is it Price, Food, Entertainment, ports of call, Age mix (young middle or older crowd), Do you like to dress UP for 1 or 2 dinners or always be casual, ship size, kids programs etc etc. Getting on the wrong ship could spell days of unhappiness for you and your companion.
Now if you know what cruise line and what ship you want and what dates you want to sail (Do you really want to sail spring break on Carnival??) you can get some competitive pricing. For the most part all Travel Agents offer the same price as offered on the cruise lines web site but what a travel agent can offer you to reduce the price is ON-Board Credits (OBC). OBCs are just like cash and credited to your shipboard account to use while on board for drinks spa treatments shore excursions etc. Crusie Lines normally do NOT offer these driectly to the public unless you are buying your next cruise while onboard a curent cruise. Also when you book with travel agent you must be certain this agency DOES NOT charge a Booking fee, Change Fees, Document Fees or a Cancellation fee. Why is this important......if prices go down from when you initially book a cruise and final payment has not yet been made a good trvel agent will reduce the price automatically or at a minuimum when you bring the reduced price to his/her attention. Some times the reduced price will read "For New Booking Only" but that is meaningless if it is outside the penalty period which is typically 70 days from your sail date except for holiday cruises. I say its meaningless for TAs who have a no cancellation fee policy for if they object just tell them to cancel and rebook. All that can happen is you will lose some OBCs if you are getting any to begin with.
Some people think it is good to book with affinity groups such as your school reunion or with a "local Band " from the Villages.......There are many advantages ; bus transportation to the port etc is all arranged for; and you may have one or two extra parties while on board. However the downside may be you will not be able to take advantage of cruise line price reductions, May not get the Best OBCs offered, you may not have a choice in dining early or late or even anytime dining (different cruise lines call this different things), and strict cancellation policies.
Cruising is alot of fun, We just came back from a 16 night Panama Canal trip (LA to San Juan) and it was fantastic. You really get to know the cruise staff and other cruisers while having a drink or at the tables in the Casino or just lying around the pool.
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