Book cruise online or by phone...???

If it's your first cruise, you should probably use an experienced travel agent, preferably one who is knowledgeable about cruises.

If you're going through Carnival and have a "Carnival agent", I don't think it would matter whether you use phone or on-line, although on the phone you can ask questions and get an answer immediately.

Just a couple of things to consider if you book directly with Carnival. They will undoubtedly try to sell you cruise air. This may or may not be a good deal for you, but the flights won't necessarily be convenient for you [e.g. very early flight times, odd routing] plus you probably won't be able to fly in the day before, which is always advisable to do [just look at the current mess in air travel for a reason why]. They will also sell you cruiseline transfers to/from port, which will not be the best [or even cheapest] way to go. If you get your own cab [or perhaps even a free shuttle from your hotel if you go down the day before!] you go when you want to go and you don't wait for a bus to fill up and then arrive with that entire busload of passengers. When you debark, you want to get your luggage and tip a porter to get you a cab so you can get the heck out of all the confusion, not wait around again for a bus to fill up and deposit you at the airport with a busload of people.

They will also try to sell you insurance, which is a very good idea, especially if you're going to travel in hurricane season. But the cruiseline isn't always the best place to buy it. There are several reliable places to get trip insurance - do a search or get info at CruiseCritic.com. Click on "Boards", then do a search on cruise insurance.

This is more information than you asked for - sorry! But hopefully you'll find something useful. Have a great trip!

Use an agent - and not just because I am one- but because an agent can first of all sell you a cruise just as cheap as the "bargain" sites. They are also someone that you can call and ask questions or get advice from. In addition agents get cruise deals that are not necessarily publicized.

There are a lot of things that are acceptable to buying online but cruises aren't one of them.

There are too many variables that only an agent can take into consideration.

A cruise typically is a special trip and why take a chance on not getting the best experience possible. First time cruisers make mistakes and don't know all the ins and outs of cruising.

Sometimes these mistakes give them an overall bad impression of cruising for the future and had it been planned better from the start it would most likely be the only type vacation they would choose. Done right cruises are the best, done wrong they can be a disaster.

Tim Powell

Seamaster Cruises

I've taken 4 Carnival Cruises. The 1st 2 we did with travel agents for the experience and one on one time wiht an agent. The 3rd I did online (Bestpricecruises.com) which was a fine experience since the prices there were cheaper than going to the travel agent. It was a little more work on our part but the cruise was just as good. And the last one we used a Carnival agent (Personal vacation planner as they are called). He was there by phone most days when we needed to ask a question. I recommend the first time doing it with an agent since they can offer advice you may not realize you need. :)

2

In person or by phone with experienced travel agent is most likely the best however I enjoy the challenge of booking travel myself so I prefer to do it online. My favorite places to shop are vacationstogo dot com and cruise dot com. I've used a bunch and they seem to have the best listings or best extras. Keep in mind that there isn't a lot of price difference between agencies but some will give you extras like a free bottle of wine, etc. Most cruise experts say the worst place to book is direct with the cruise line but I've OK experience with that as well.

Many choices. For my 2cents for my first cruise I used a travel agent. the next 22 straight with the cruise line via phone. I have found many agents have never been where you are going and what they know they have read or heard.

Why the phone ? I can explain what I would like and any special requests. Found this much easier & faster. Plus, I like talking to areal person.

Good Luck & Enjoy your Cruise.

If it's your first, you may want to go in and see a travel agent-just for the experience. If not, just do it online.

Contact Tom at vacationsnbeyond.com first email tmccaffery@vacationsnbeyond.com

or visit http://www.vacationsnbeyond.com/ and request a quote he has the best prices.

Good luck