TA or book online?

[Boxshibe]

Booking a cruise for next year. First time cruisers! Do I book online or via a travel agent? What's the advantages?

If you book direct with the cruise line and pay by credit card should you have any issues you are protected. Do it via a travel agent and you have no protection as they will then claim to just be an Agent

I always do everything direct. I can't see any benefit to using a travel agent for a straight forward cruise booking.

As per previous poster, if things go wrong, it's far, far easier to deal directly with the source.

Do your research, request some quotations online and then when you find a holiday/company you like, ring them direct and discuss your needs. They will be able to tailor the trip to your budget and requirements, and be far more knowledgeable than any travel agent. You will also have a named person to deal with.

Look at any reductions an agent is offering you vrs direct. I found the online agent was £25 cheaper than booking direct in 2019 but for oats year I booked direct for the reassurance in case of covid issues