Internet travel shopping

Another “cutting edge” travel website was just announced. It leads to the question of “how many websites does a person need to visit to get information about travel offers?”   Since we focus on the cruise business, let’s take a look at this particular segment to see if we can shed some light on the question.

The first thing to understand when you let your fingers do the shopping online is that virtually all cruise travel sites develop their prices from the same “feed”.   For the digitally challenged, this just means that the cruise lines deliver pricing from their central computer. This means for all practical purposes, cruise travel sites offer up the same rates. One great myth is that the cruise lines who sell directly to the public (mostly the mass market lines) have special, direct rates different from cruise agent. Wrong, my fellow cruisers! In fact, an independent cruise agent can often find you rates lower than the cruise line. More on how to take advantage on some insider tips in a moment. But first we have to get this off our chest. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU ONLY SHOP DIRECTLY WITH A CRUISE LINE???? First of all, that cruise line employee is paid to get your booking as fast as possible and move on to the next sale. And, heaven forbid, maybe instead of cruise line ABC you really belong on cruise line XYZ, what is the chance that the cruise line agent will say “Oh you really belong on cruise line XYZ and not us”. Sure, the next thing that will happen is that the Toyota sales person will send you next door to the Volvo dealer. Your local cruise agent invests time and interest in YOU and has a goal of creating repeat business.   Where, When, and How you cruise is very important to your specialist.

Kathy Collins, Cruise Planners, 866-486-2800, kcollins@cruiseplanners.com

Now onto those hot tips. Your local cruise agent not only views the pricing feeds from the cruise lines, but also may have access to what is known as group rates. Also, there are often unadvertised specials that are made available from time to time that might include special benefits such as upgrades, onboard credits, spa treatments, complimentary alternate dining.   Your agent can also check for regional promotions, senior and public safety discounts, past passenger specials and lots more.

Get the picture? Maybe instead of surfing a dozen web sites and seeing the same information over and over put a local cruise agent to work for you. They don’t charge for their basic services and often find these hidden lower rates. Let them play detective for you!