Originally Posted by
Happy
Once I have found our current cruise agent via a cruisecritic poster's referral we have never used any other booking avenue. The NET cost I got generally matches or slightly better than what I could see from Cruises-n-more site or Crucon site. In fact cruises-n-more is my main source of finding what I wanted as I like its way of arranging things.
<snip>
My cruise agent works as part of an AMEX Travel Services Consortium - google it you would understand what it means, and has full credentials. Her home office system directly links to cruise lines' booking system including the payment interface. She normally does not do agency checks but client's CC directly pay to cruise lines.
Your general point is expressed well, but I'm confused. Are you saying that your Cruises-n-more agent is part of the AMEX consortium?
I've used Cruises-n-more and while they had the best price for me in the end, the agent himself was a moron that I had to walk through the booking process (with multiple rooms on a B2B and shared pricing). Obviously, even within one company, the individual agent can make a difference.
For our next cruise, I've booked directly with the line until I can find a better TA deal elsewhere & have it transferred.