I was just wondering if anyone has booked a cruise through American Discount Cruises & Travel. I am considering booking a cruise through this site for June 2009. I've never booked a cruise before, so I thought I should hear from others who book online before I go ahead with it. Thanks

We frown on recommendations for specific agents or agencies being posted since it often ends up being de facto advertising.

I prefer using an established agent who specializes in cruises. In many (but not all) cases, booking on-line leaves you without an advocate if something changes or a problem develops.

If you never have booked a cruise before (this is your first cruise)I would recommend finding an experienced TA who books a lot of cruises. Many times they can match or beat any price on the web. Plus, they can give you very important advice that you will need for your first cruise.
This is coming from someone who has booked his last two cruises on line.
By the way, be prepared to become a cruise-addict !

Sodey

If you do use any online agent, be sure to find out about "booking fees" and "cancellation fees". Many online agencies have one or the other or both. I have been stung for a cruise we cancelled well in advance, so I speak from experience.

We book lots of cruises (about 70 days of cruising a year) and always use on-line major cruise-only agencies. Over the years, we have developed a "short list" of agencies we favor for their price. Most of these agencies allow web booking via computer, which goes directly into the cruise lines computer. For example, today we booked a 26 day Holland America cruise for next spring. I searched our usual 6 agencies and than decided to look at a few others. The price difference for the same category of cabin varied by over $700 on this approximate $6000 booking. We simply went with the cheapest, booked online, and our booking showed on the Holland America site within seconds. This is perfect for those of us who know exactly what we want, but many cruisers still need advice and "hand holding" to plan their cruises. But, be advised that these services do come with a price.

Hank

quote:

But, be advised that these services do come with a price.

That hasn't been my experience. For the cruises I book the price my agent quotes is the same as can be found on-line. There is more variance in the longer cruises, but not necessarily so for the more normal itineraries.

I've booked over 40 cruises, a couple on line, and the rest with a travel agent that specializes in cruises. I would suggest using a travel agent. There were a few times my agent called me after booking with a better price because the cruise line lowered the price—I don't think that would happen if I booked on line. You can check with the cruise line for prices before you talk to an agent or look on line.

Sonny

We have a couple of on-line cruise agencys that we book through, and there is usually a specific agent who deals with the booking. You can call them if problems arise. Luckily, we have never had to cancel or change anything in our reservations, so I can't tell you how good they are at solving problems. Be sure to read the fine print about cancellations, etc.
Unfortunately we have only one travel agency where we live and we have had problems using them, so on-line works better for us.

An agent doesn't have to be in your town for you to use them. My agent is in Texas and I am in Alabama. Many agents work by phone or internet and don't have a brick-and-mortar office. But even those with an office will be happy to work with someone who doesn't live close by.

How's this one... my agent is in Arizona and I'm in Massachusetts!

The key is to find someone with whom you are comfortable and who has a great deal of knowledge about the industry. Whether that's Internet-only, long-distance brick-and-mortar, or local agent is up to the individual. Yet, for a first-timer, I strongly recommend going the TA route, as a good TA can help sort through the many variables involved to narrow down the cruises that are right for you.

I also recommend using an agent certified through CLIA (Cruise Line International Association). To find one in your area (or beyond), click on the CLIA site, and use the search function on the bottom right.

I strongly agree with Lisa P about CLIA agencies. We also like to see ASTA and a decent Better Business Bureau rating (easily checked on-line). As to cost differences, trust me that there are major differences if you really look. I could post specific info here and give you some real web sites and cruises to compare, but that would violate board policies. As to price cuts, after we book a cruise (normally have 4 or 5 booked at any time) we check a couple of decent booking engines once or twice a week. If we see a price drop, we send a quick e-mail or call our TA and we get the price drop. This just happened to us last week where a short 12 day RCI cruise for this November had a $400 rate drop. I called our TA who called RCI and we got the reduction within minutes. On an Azamara cruise last March, we had 3 price reductions after booking. It always pays to be vigilant.

Hank

quote:

As to cost differences, trust me that there are major differences if you really look. I could post specific info here and give you

Albeit these websites method of operations is less than ethical in the travel industry. For sure though, this is America. If someone doesn't place any value on their time, and wants to spend hours on the internet searching different sites; then that certainly is their prerogative.

Most Travel Agents are in the business because it is their passion. They enjoy traveling themselves, and they enjoy talking about travel and helping others plan their travel. They think, breath, and live travel. They basically are on call 24hours. How often have you been somewhere and met a Travel Agent? When you asked about travel did they say "Here's my card, make an appointment and come in and talk."? No, they gave you free advice. It's a pity so many don't recognize the dedication, professionalism, expertise,knowledge, and hard work that a Travel Agent does. A Travel Agent that has been on 68 cruises has been there, done it, seen it; so they can advise you on what cruise line, ship, itinerary, and time to travel is best for you. They have all the up-to-date knowledge on what is happening with ship refurbishments, itinerary changes, new ships, hot new destinations, and cruise line policy changes. They will have insight on things to know, do, and see. They will provide a lot of those "I didn't know that, or think of that" ideas. They have titles and initials behind their names that stand for hours or years of training. And their training doesn't stop there. It continues almost daily in the form of supplier emails, webinars, reading travel industry newspapers and magazines, taking on line specialist courses, attending conventions, conferences, ship inspections and trade shows. Many do it with a lot of out-of-pocket expense, all because they are dedicated to learning more to help you. Many agents still offer their services at no additional charge. Many people bulk at those that do charge. But why shouldn't they? Their expertise is just as valuable as a lawyers or accountants, and people willingly had money over to them.

Next to homes and cars, a vacation can be the next most important purchase you will make. But yet; so many are so willing to put their vacation in the hands of a computer.
Just because someone has a computer though does not make them a Travel Agent. No more than knowing how to put a band-aid on your knee makes you a Doctor.

Hmmmm. Sounds like you are a travel agent and I've hit a nerve.

I am not going to allow this thread to devolve into something that gets personal. That is not in keeping with our forum terms of service.

Accordingly, since my original response stated that we do not allow specific recommendations for on-line agencies or agents, there is no point in this thread continuing. So it is now closed.