Booking a cruise

[Deleted]

What is your favorite website to book a cruise through?

[summerkutie]

We typically book through vacationstogo.com, but we always just research the different sites to see who has the best promotions (onboard credit, freebies in the rooms, upgrades, etc..) before boooking. We've used vacationstogo several times, but have also booked directly through the cruiseline's website as well.

[gtkim]

I book all our travel online with the exception of cruises.  I've always done them through agents because the pricing has been better than what I could find on my own.  I'd check Costco too if you are a member.

[Deleted]

I generally figure which cruise line I want to go with and then book directly through them.

[Norticprincess]

Normally direct as the two main ones we book don't allow discounting unless it is group space. We have open bookings from previous cruises that give us on board credit.

[GilliC]

I search and price compare on vacationstogo, but I like to book with CruCon. I sign up for their mailing list and try to book when they have good promotions that apply to the sailing I want (e.g. paid gratuities or shipboard credit for any new booking other cruiseline). If the price is the same and I can't get any extras, I just book through the cruiseline.

I've booked with vacationstogo twice, and they messed something up on the booking both times. The first cost us a few hundred dollars because the agent left the office for a few days without handing our booking off to someone else. The cabin class we wanted sold out before he came back and finished it. He also screwed up our dining preference, but the maitre d' noticed the mistake and went out of his way to help us fix it. The second time I booked with them, they gave me incorrect information when I tried to prebook something. I ended up missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to camp overnight in Antarctica. They didn't even apologize and just said, "Well, normally it works the way we said. That must be an exception." Not very sympathetic, considering it would cost nearly $10K to go back and have the chance again. (...I'm saving for it. Some day.)

[msgeeksout]

I just booked a Disney cruise last month but went with a Disney travel agent (Dreams Unlimited) because of an on-board credit they offer for doing so. Since they are commission from Disney the price to book through them or at Disney directly was exactly the same. So a win for on-board credit I guess. Pretty common among travel agents, not just the Disney set.

[love1999]

If you are a AAA member, I recommend booking through them. While I do a lot of my other bookings online, cruises are one thing I always book through my AAA travel agent.

[jewel]

Costco. They had the best prices on our Alaska cruise last year, and included $300 in onboard credit.