Are discounted cruises legit?

Not really. The only time they are a good buy is when the travel agent (and that goes for any of these online sites) cut into their own commission. Some like to advertise an onboard coupon book which is no more than a booklet filled with ridiculous things like 'take 5% off the purchase of a t-shirt and hat when you spend $50 in the gift shop' (yes, that is an actual coupon from a book!) so don't fall for it. One VERY important thing to keep in mind is that once you hand over your reservation planning to a TA you lose control over it and legally the cruise line cannot discuss your own reservation with you directly. Everything must go through the agent from that moment on. And if you are unlucky enough to get a really bad one you can just kiss your money goodbye. There are many good TA's out there but many also just take your money, book your cruise and then you cannot get hold of them no matter how hard you try. So then you are stuck between an uncooperative TA and a cruise line that cannot help you directly. I work for a cruise line and hear it everyday.

And finally the price you get from a TA is usually the same price you would get if you called the line yourself. Plain and simple, the best way to go.

First answer by ID3251207457. Last edit by Jaclinhyde. Contributor trust: 2 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question]