The options for finding and booking a discount cruise today have increased significantly for would-be travelers and in fact, it’s no secret that with the tools available on the internet, people can almost become self-appointed travel agents.

There are numerous travel sites online today whose sole purpose is to provide holiday-makers with the best prices possible and to direct them to the best discount cruise offers available. And many have taken the opportunity to find their own deals through these sites

Online vs. Travel Agent

There is a silent debate raging about the benefits of booking a discount cruise through a real live travel agent or going online and booking through some of the major internet booking sites.

It’s been an ever-changing part of the travel landscape yet, when it’s fully analyzed, are people actually better off going online and booking their discount cruises or going through a travel agent?

The argument is a relevant one in that travel agents are still the preferred option however, not always convenient. But before you think you can do better by booking online just think for a minute what you may be giving up in terms of customer service.

Benefits Of Travel Agents?

Getting the best price is what a discount cruise package is all about. When you have a travel professional on your team doing the leg work for you then in most cases, you eliminate a lot of risk on your part.

Risk such as:

– booking a cruise on one site and then discovering it’s a lot cheaper on another site

– the risk of buying a discount cruise package based solely on an advertised priced without realizing there are certain terms and conditions to be met such as traveling at a particular time of the year

Travel Agents Charge More?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that travel agents are more expensive to book a discount cruise through than on the internet. It’s in the travel agents best interests to get you on a cruise at the best discount because it also helps their bottom line.

So thinking you’re getting a better deal by going online and booking a discount cruise may be a little misleading. A discount cruise booked through a real live travel professional has a ton of extra benefits.

But does this mean you should ignore the internet as a booking medium. No, definitely not. In fact, using the two in combination with each other can go a long way to getting the discount cruise you’re after.

Just think, a smart and savvy shopper would fully exploit having the option of using both to their own advantage.