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Exclusively Cruising is dedicated to the best way to travel – cruise.

Accredited with both ATAS and AFTA, Exclusively Cruising is a proud member of the Small Ship Collective, Australian Travel Agents Co-operative (ATAC), and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

The agency is owned and operated by respected CLIA Cruise Master, Julie O’Grady, one of Australia’s top 20 cruise consultants, who has sailed on more than 40 cruises around the world.

As the experts in ocean, river and expedition cruises, Exclusively Cruising can help you navigate the overwhelming options of different cruise lines and destinations, according to your budget and personal preferences – from family holidays in local waters to luxurious adventures overseas.

Exclusively Cruising is the cruise specialist division of Yarra Valley Tourism Services Pty Ltd, which was established in 2004 as a sales representation company predominantly for the cruise industry. Based in Melbourne, we are always happy to meet outside the office to discuss your requirements.

Whether you are an experienced cruiser or planning your first cruise, you can trust us to find the right cruise for you. To get started, take a look at the thousands of cruise packages listed on our Cruise Finder or give Julie a call on 03 9762 2799.

About Julie O'Grady, CLIA Cruise Master

If you’re looking to book a cruise with someone who really knows cruising, you’ve found me!

Working in the travel industry for 35 years, I have focused on cruise for the past 15 years.

I am consistently listed in the Top 20 Cruise Consultants in Australia, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), based on my knowledge and training. As a CLIA Cruise Master – the highest level of accreditation available to travel agents – I have also trained other agents in selling cruises around the world.

Cruising is not just my career, it's my passion. I've sailed on more than 40 cruises (ocean, river and expedition), so you can be assured that my professional expertise is backed up by personal experience.

In 2017 I established my dedicated agency, Exclusively Cruising, and recently completed the Diploma in Travel & Tourism and Leadership & Management.

Personalised service is my specialty – and it’s essential for choosing a cruise. By getting to know you, I can find the right cruise for you. So, let’s get started on your dream holiday today.

Julie O’Grady Owner/Manager of Exclusively Cruising

© 2024 Exclusively Cruising. All Rights Reserved. Website designed by Smartin Designs , developed by Hope Stewart—Website Design & Management

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BLUESUN TRAVEL

Book your holiday now - you deserve it, best holiday packages 2024 & 2025, bluesun travel - when only the best agency will do, bluesun travel is one of the most respected, exciting and unique travel companies in australia. it is a worldwide leader in marine tourism, ranked number one in its field for cruises and charter boat bookings. it is an emerging force in international travel and as many would say, "the force" on the cutting edge of the industry., 1300 799 758, a full-service travel specialist.

BlueSun Travel is a full-service travel company based in Perth, Western Australia. We have been in business for over 20 years and now have offices in three locations, that include operations in Queensland and Europe. We have seven divisions that cummulatively provide all aspects of travel agency services, including:

• Airline ticketing
• Hotel Ac commodation
• Ground Transportation
• Travel Insurance

Although we are a full-service travel company , we do specialise in holiday packages to a lot of travel destinations. This will include planning, promoting and booking holiday packages to these destinations, among many:

• Club Med Holidays
• Cook Islands
• Croatia Holidays
• Cruise Packages
• Family Holidays
• Honeymoon Packages
• New Zealand
• Ski Packages

INDUSTRY ACCREDITED & PEACE OF MIND

BlueSun Travel  is also  ATAS accredited

This means we have been endorsed by the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA), having passed rigourus financial criteria and the highest customer service standards. As part of the ATAS scheme, we have to be vetted each and every year.

When it comes to planning and purchasing your travel arrangements, you are with the best....a badge we wear with honour.

BlueSun Travel is ranked as the number one marine tourism company in West Australia and a national Telstra Business Awards finalist.   In the last 20 years, we have booked boats and cruises for well over 300,000 passengers. These include cruises and tours around Perth and Fremantle, to Exmouth , the Abrolhos Islands, the infamous Kimberley Coast and all major international cruise desintations.  

Today, our reach is enormous and growing bigger, as we promote all international destinations, both on dry land and the sea. This we achieve through key, operational divisions, each with their own website identity.

BLUESUN TRAVEL'S DIVISIONS

BlueSun Travel  promotes cruises and holidays around Australia and worldwide. We are a niche market  specialist for Asia, Antarctica, Australia and New Zealand, despite booking travel to destinations worldwide. This we achieve through a growing number of divisions:

Kimberley Boat Cruises

Kimberley Boat Cruises  is a division of BlueSun Travel. It is the premier Kimberley Cruise specialist in Australia. Through our website, you can find and book cruises from Broome, Wyndham and Darwin, lasting from 5 to 14 days in duration. Every boat or ship that does cruises in the Kimberley is published on Kimberley Boat Cruises.

We are also famed for our  Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures , offering flights to the Horizontal Falls from Broome and Derby.

Our customers also book rail journeys through us. These include:

• Ghan Rail Journeys
• Indian Pacific Rail Journeys
• Great Southern Rail Journeys

We have just  published the   Ghan 2024  D ates  and  Indian Pacific 2024  dates have just been published. 

Complementing our cruises, we also promote top selling tours out of Broome. These include the  Horizontal Falls  and the  Rowley Shoals , as well as activities like  Camel Rides  on Cable Beach,  Sunset Cruises  and  Whale Watching .

Additionally, there are tour from  Derby, Kununurra and Darwin, especially for  day trips  and  short stays  to places like Kakadu National Park and Litchfield Falls.

BlueSun Cruises

BlueSun Cruises is another division of BlueSun Travel and one of the best resources for planning and booking cruises.

In October 2022, our website went through a complete rebrand and continues to be developed all the time. Here you can find over 15,000 international cruises at any one moment, covering ocean cruises ,  river cruises ,  expedition and speciality cruises . 

All our cruise agents are CLIA accredited and many are Ambassador Cruise Consultants too. They continue to expand their knowledge and training each year, so that our customers can get the best service and knowledge possible. 

It is our intention to promote  cruise deals  for major cruise lines, whilst also being able to offer all cruises in general. 

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Boat charters perth - bluesun2.

BlueSun2 is the charter boat booking division of BlueSun Travel and the only AFTA accredited charter boat agency in West Australia.  We have a fleet of 50 charter vessels for corporate and private hire, especially for trips on the Swan River , or out to Carnac Island and Rottnest Island . In addition to Perth charters for hire, we also offer whale shark snorkelling and whale watching tours out of Exmouth and Coral Bay . 

Best Honeymoon Packages

With Best Honeymoon Packages , BlueSun Travel tries to bring you handpicked honeymoon destinations that are loved by travellers. 

• Bali Honeymoon Packages
• Cook Islands Honeymoon Packages
• Fiji Honeymoon Holidays
• Hawaii Honeymoon Packages
• Maldives Honeymoons
• Mauritius Honeymoon Holidays
• Tahiti Honeymoon Packages
• Thailand Honeymoon Holidays

Galapagos Boat Cruises

Galapagos Boat Cruises is BlueSun Travel's first international venture. Much like Kimberley Boat Cruises, this website focuses on cruises and travel out of Ecuador and to the Galapagos Islands. 

TOP SELLING INTERNATIONAL HOLIDAY PACKAGES 2024

Best holiday packages , kuta, legian, sanur, seminyak & ubud, fiji holidays packages, fiji islands holiday packages, maldives romantic holidays getaways - overwater villas, top selling australian holiday packages 2024, best aussie holiday packages , rail packages - ghan & indian pacific, great australian rail journeys, swim with the whale sharks in coral bay & exmouth, the iconic australian cruise on everyone's bucket list.

For more information on BlueSun Travel or any of our cruises and holiday packages, call us now:

Available 7 days a week!

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Cruise Express is recognised as one of Australia’s leading specialist cruise agencies. We are an Australian owned and run business with locations in Balmain and on the NSW Central Coast, and a dedicated team of travel specialists bringing you the best cruise holidays around the world. Pop in to see our team, email or call us for the latest cruising deals and expertise.

Book around 37,000 cruises LIVE online

Compare cruise lines and prices then book your cabin online, with instant confirmation!

Competitive pricing and no hidden charges

We research the market daily to ensure you have access to the best available pricing with no hidden charges.

We are a fully accredited travel agency and a member of the following associations – book with confidence and peace of mind

We use Westpac to manage all financial transactions, meaning secure online payments.

Experienced Travel Specialists

Many of our Travel Specialists have completed their Master, Ambassador or Accredited level training with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), so you’re assured of experience and service excellence. We know the world of cruising and can help you choose the best cruising destinations, the right ship for you, and design a package with flights, accommodation and other add-on’s for the ultimate carefree holiday.

Award-winning agency  

Our multi-award winning agency is recognised by the industry as an Australian cruise industry leader. We were most recently awarded CLIA’s 2014 ‘Silver Cruise Agency of the Year’.

Your dream cruising holiday is just as important to us as it is to you; therefore we do our best to exceed your expectations with our professional, reliable service. Contact our team to arrange your next dream cruising holiday.

T: 02 9810 5377 Suite 92/24 Buchanan Street Balmain NSW 2041 E:  [email protected]

T: 02 4312 5160 Suite 2/26-30 Karalta Road Erina NSW 2250 E:  [email protected]

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Best in Cruise Agency

Compare the best companies in this category

1 - 7 of 7 results

What does sorting by relevance mean? Read more

Sorting by relevance shows all companies that are best in a category, ordered by TrustScore and review count. To be eligible, they must actively ask for reviews and have received 25+ in the last 12 months.

Eclipse Travel

TrustScore 4.9 | 781 reviews

Valhalla Travel

TrustScore 4.8 | 41 reviews

Sun Island Tours

TrustScore 4.5 | 154 reviews

PRICEBEAT TRAVEL

TrustScore 4.4 | 116 reviews

Cruiserepublic

TrustScore 4.0 | 4 reviews

Get Outta Here | Flight Centre Independent

TrustScore 3.7 | 1 review

Travel Associates Australia

TrustScore 3.3 | 116 reviews

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4.5  |  154 reviews

After a hick up with the costs all went well, docs came thru after a couple of chases was easy to get quick replies to e-mails I will use Sun Island again..

4.9  |  781 reviews

25 Mar 2024

Our tour of Peru was fabulous . The ground operator Setours were excellent. Rubin our guide so informative and really pleasant . All arrangements were seamless. Communication from Ruban and also the office of Seatours via Whatsapp was constant and immediate when we had a question. Will use Eclipse travel and Setours again and will recommended them to our friends. Thank you for a rememberable trip. Noelene and Jim

4.4  |  116 reviews

14 Mar 2024

First time when I contacted PB holidays,my call was transferred to Bikrant and Bikrant was very friendly, polite and very respectful while getting the booking and prices for us. I felt felt very safe while paying for the tickets. During his absence Binod without any hesitation helped me through few changes, Next time I will definitely consider PB holidays to book my next holidays and will ask for Bikrant.

4.8  |  41 reviews

13 Feb 2024

My daughter and I had a great holiday in Central America in January 2024. Becky made all of the bookings for flights, hotels and tours. She found a great selection of tours and hotels. We especially liked the resort at Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

3.3  |  116 reviews

15 Nov 2023

We visited Travel Associates Glenelg to obtain help with booking flights. Were informed that $250 "service fee" per person was now normal in the post COVID world. Successfully booked appropriate flights and later travel insurance, but from then on emails were rarely answered or only much later (so that we always ended up sorting out issues ourselves), excuses were made about "sick, busy, other clients", little to no information provided re eg "24hr helpline" (only mentioned at end of trip). VERY confusing, frustrating and huge waste of $500.

3.7  |  1 review

The Get Outta Here team really understand that not all bookings are glamorous. I recently had to travel from Sydney to Adelaide for a close relative's funeral and they helped make everything as simple as possible. I'm not a regular traveller, so I needed a little more guidance than most people would. If I ever need to travel again, I'll be booking with them again!

4  |  4 reviews

11 Nov 2015

I have used Cruiserepublic before and have never had any issues . Their website is easy to navigate & I am kept up to date with confirmation via email. UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS USUALLY CONSIDERABLE WAIT WHEN CALLING BY PHONE but once connected staff are helpful & friendly.

Newest companies

Flight Centre New Zealand

4.6  |  2,040 reviews

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4.7  |  7,053 reviews

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Best cruise lines of 2020

Welcome to our Readers’ Choice Awards for this, the most extraordinary year in our 25 years of publishing.

We thought long and hard about whether we should run these awards at all, given 2020 saw only three months of cruising.

But we know how much our readers and the cruise lines look forward to the results so they can use them to choose their next journey or improve their services.

Votes this year were down on our usual numbers, for perfectly understandable reasons, but our readers answered 42,000 questions and spent an average 8.5 minutes giving us their views.

As well as our usual questions, we also asked who handled the pandemic best. We loved the comments about individual crew members. And while we’ve picked out the best, the most common comment was: “They were all great, so nominating one individual is impossible.” You’ll find those winners on pages 18 and 19.

To those who took our survey, our heartfelt thanks. We know cruise lines will study your verdicts, so you’ve helped fellow cruisers and the industry through a difficult time.

We would also like to thank our regular sponsor Singapore Airlines. All of us will be back next year, when our awards night will return in person.

[column size=one_half position=first ] Best Cruise Line Overall Best Luxury Cruise Line Best Premium Cruise Line Best Contemporary Cruise Line Best Family Cruise Line Best Adventure Cruise Line Best River Cruise Line Best Luxury River Cruise Line Best for Food Best for Entertainment [/column] [column size=one_half position=last ] Best for Activities Best for Spa/Wellness Best for Service Best for Sustainability Best for Shore Excursions Best for Theme Cruises Best for Cabin Design Best Australian Port Best Travel Agent [/column]

[divider]2020 Readers’ Choice Awards – Results[/divider]

Best Cruise Line Overall

Winner: princess cruises.

It’s the fifth year in a row that Princess has won this prestigious award. And perhaps, after eight months that have seen the line attract all the wrong headlines because of the global pandemic, it is the sweetest victory of all.

Australia has long had a love affair with this premium line. Earlier this year, Princess revealed its commitment to the Aussie market with the announcement that Royal Princess , Emerald Princess , Sapphire Princess , Coral Princess and Pacific Princess are returning for the 2021/22 wave season, making it Australia’s biggest homeported line by far.

Along with the fabulous entertainment of Broadway shows, fine-dining restaurants helmed by Michelin-starred chefs, and decadent accommodation, Princess’s ships are also bringing its Medallion technology to the region. Every guest is given a piece of wearable technology called the OceanMedallion which unlocks their staterooms, orders food and drinks from anywhere on the ship and plans their shore excursions.

Further abroad, Princess sails to nearly every corner of the earth with itineraries to the Americas, Europe and the Caribbean.

Their latest ship, Enchanted Princess , boasts the new lavishly furnished Sky Suites, which can accommodate five guests, offer the largest suites at sea and come with a butler for hosting your own private dinner parties.

Highly Commended: Royal Caribbean

The family friendly line, which boasts the world’s biggest ships, has been voted Australia’s second favourite brand. In 2021, we will have Quantum of the Seas , one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, visit our shores. Like Ovation of the Seas, she has fantastic rides and activities like iFly and FlowRider, as well as a large range of dining options including Tuscan delights at Jamie’s Italian.

Best Luxury Cruise Line

Winner: regent seven seas cruises.

This is the line that set a new standard in luxury cruising: perfection. Now, for the first time, ultra-luxury brand Regent Seven Seas Cruises has snared the gong for the most prestigious and coveted award in the luxury sector.

What sets the line apart is its highly personalised service and attention to detail in everything from its cuisine, suites, amenities and range of activities onboard to the immersive destination experiences on shore.

You will dine well on RSSC ships, at the main dining room Compass Rose or at chic French restaurant Chartreuse. After dinner, head for the Constellation Theatre to be mesmerised by lavish stage productions or meander to the Connoisseur Club for another Regent tradition – cognac and a cigar.

RSSC has 148 new voyages, including world cruises, in 2022 and 2023, with 17 maiden calls at ports across Arabia, Asia, North America, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

Highly Commended: Ponant

Luxury line Ponant offers expedition cruises with more than a touch of French chic to some of the most remote parts of the world. One of the most talked-about features of Ponant ships is the underwater lounges with windows giving passengers a whale’s eye view of the sea life outside, for a multi-sensory underwater experience of wild destinations including Antarctica and the Kimberley.

Best Premium Cruise Line

This is Australia’s favourite type of cruising, so it’s hardly surprising there are lots of contenders. But, once again, Princess Cruises has been awarded Best Premium Cruise Line.

The line’s onboard food, cocktails, fun activities and Broadway-class entertainment all at affordable prices, are just some of the reasons Cruise Passenger readers are such big Princess fans. Some of the tempting dining options include Share by Curtis Stone, the Chef’s Table, Salty Dog Gastropub and the classic Crown Grill Steakhouse.

The line has unveiled plans for its 2021-22 Australian season, with Royal Princess and Coral Princess cruising in local waters, the return of Emerald Princess and Sapphire Princess , and the first world cruise on Coral Princess setting sail from Australia in 2022. The reshuffle of ships will see Ruby Princess and Majestic Princess head to Alaska and North America, and Diamond Princess leave Asia.

Highly Commended: Viking

For an ocean line that is just five years old, Viking has managed to set a new benchmark in this category. Nudging luxury, its catchphrase “No kids and no casinos” absolutely nailed the premium cruise market around the world and Australia is no exception. With its streamlined Scandinavian design and ambience combined with an all-inclusive experience, Viking is fast becoming a favourite among Australian cruisers. Its ocean-going fleet offers itineraries to Australia, Asia and Alaska on 930-passenger ships – the right size, according to our surveys, for post-pandemic cruising.

Best Contemporary Cruise Line

Winner: p&o cruises.

For the fifth year in a row, homegrown line P&O Cruises has taken the title of Best Contemporary Cruise Line. The sale of two favourites, Pacific Dawn and Pacific Aria , while sad, makes way for new vessels Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter to join the modernised fleet in 2021.

P&O’s contemporary style of cruising is exemplified through diverse dining experiences, including concepts from Australian chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan and award-winning Melbourne-based chef Johnny Di Francesco. There will also be exciting new spaces like the Byron Bay Beach Club and live music venue the Blue Room on board Pacific Adventure .

Flagship cruise liner Pacific Explorer stays contemporary with cool onboard features and partnerships with fresh Australian companies, like the Archie Rose dedicated gin bar, based on the Sydney distillery. P&O has also pioneered new destinations, building infrastructure in Papua New Guinea.

Royal Caribbean’s onboard activities, such as surf simulator FlowRider, the Aqua Theatre, laser tag arena, zip lines, trapeze school and sky diving simulator iFly, are a testament to the cutting edge and innovative nature of the line. Contemporary food options are also to be expected, with Ovation of the Seas offering 18 eateries, ranging from Jamie Oliver’s Italian to experimental venue Wonderland.

Best Family Cruise Line

Winner: carnival cruise line.

At a time when many lines have abandoned families in favour of the lucrative older markets, Carnival Cruise Line’s welcoming family-orientated approach to cruising is a winner.

Carnival cruises offer an array of activities and entertainment onboard, as well as dining options for even the pickiest of eaters, all at an affordable price. Carnival Spirit and Carnival Splendour are both sailing Australia for the 2021 summer season and are equally packed with wholesome family fun – a Carnival upper deck is the closest thing to an amusement park at sea.

Carnival Spirit features the Green Thunder waterslide, Hasbro the Game Show, and a collaboration with Dr Seuss. Dining options like Pizza Pirate and Swirls keep the young and young at heart smiling on long sea days. Carnival Splendour also offers minigolf and dive-in movies.

Carnival may not have every whiz bang go-faster goody or tech delight, but they know how to make mums, dads and kids feel at home.

Highly Commended: P&O Cruises

Kids’ clubs, waterslides, adventure parks, sports, talent time, music lessons and more are present on each and every P&O cruise. Parents can send the kids off for a full day of entertainment or join them in a variety of activities and shore excursions for whole-family fun. But it’s not just about children. Check out any deck on a P&O ship, and you’ll find multi-generational cruising. Yep, grandma and grandad will also be there.

Best Adventure Cruise Line

Winner: ponant.

From whale watching on a Zodiac to kayaking in the Norwegian fjords, French luxury line Ponant takes great pride in giving guests the finest experiences at sea in the most rugged parts of the world.

With its fleet of small expedition ice-breaker ships carrying experienced expedition leaders, Ponant traverses the world from Antarctica to Papua New Guinea, taking passengers to distant regions to immerse themselves in unspoilt nature.

Its Explorer-class ships can accommodate up to 184 guests and operate with a crew of around 112. They are contemporary in design, each with two restaurants and a spa, and are designed to provide absolute comfort for passengers.

The line’s latest environmentally friendly ship,  Le Commandant-Charcot ,  runs on liquefied natural gas and electric generators, is scheduled to debut in April next year.

Highly Commended: Hurtigruten

Norwegian line Hurtigruten was once used as the country’s postal ferry service but it has evolved into a sophisticated, environmentally friendly brand that takes guests on expedition cruises all over the planet. What’s so special about Hurtigruten is that on expedition trips, there are naturalists, lecturers and working laboratories onboard rather than casinos.

Best River Cruise Line

Winner: viking cruises.

Founded by Norwegian billionaire Torstein Hagen when he purchased four ships in Russia in 1997, Viking Cruises has grown into the world’s leading river cruise line.

All its ships are identical – with clean, Scandinavian design, light-filled staterooms and expansive public spaces – which makes return cruisers feel instantly at home. Viking ships are spacious, catering for about 190 guests on each ship.

The line takes pride in “no nickel and diming” so wine and beer are included during meal times along with at least one complimentary shore excursion at each destination.

Viking river ships sail in Europe, Egypt, Russia and Asia and, from 2022, in the USA. The new Viking Mississippi will sail the eponymous river and visit seven US states on four itineraries.

Highly Commended: Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways is known for its one-of-a-kind Panorama Suites, with wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows for the best views on the water. Its fleet of river ships sail in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, and offer a variety of special interest cruises. It also introduced Active & Discovery sailings, in which excursions are tailor-made to guests’ activity level preferences, ranging from energetic experiences to interactive discoveries.

Best Luxury River Cruise Line

Winner: avalon waterways.

For the second year running, Avalon Waterways has taken the gong for Best Luxury River Cruise Line, thanks to the ambience of relaxed luxury onboard its fleet. The line takes pride in providing excellent food, unstuffy service and impeccable attention to detail. Avalon’s offering of themed cruises and shore excursions catering for guests’ preferred level of activity is what sets the line apart.

Avalon has also fine-tuned the design of its Panorama Suites, in which the beds face the wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows for the best river views and guests can choose the firmness of their beds and pillows.

Its flexible dining options with no strict seating times mean guests have the freedom to decide where and when they dine – from an alfresco lunch at the Sky Grill to a four-course dinner in the dining room.

Highly Commended: Scenic

Scenic has grown from a river cruise company to a river, ocean and tours group but river cruising in its Spaceship fleet is still what it is best known for. Its all-inclusive river cruises have long been a favourite – though new contenders in the market and a few missteps in its treatment of passengers during the pandemic have eroded its position.

Best Cruise Line for Food

Winner: oceania cruises.

With dedicated culinary journeys and an onboard cooking school, it comes as no surprise that Oceania Cruises has won the award for best dining for the fourth year running.

Sailing on the luxurious fleet, guests will enjoy signature specials from the godfather of French cuisine, Jacques Pepin, and fabulous Asian fusion at Red Ginger nightly. Meal variety is essential, and menus change daily, offering choices of at least ten appetisers, soups and salads and twelve mains at dinner.

Other dining options available to suit a range of individual tastes include The Bistro, Toscana, Polo Grill, Terrace Café and Waves Grill, as well as complimentary room service. Oceania also won praise for culinary shore excursions such as visits to local markets with the ship’s chef to find fresh produce and make local dishes.

Highly Commended: Princess Cruises

The wide variety of dining options onboard a Princess Cruises ship earns the line a Cruise Passenger highly commended nod. Not only does Princess boast Michelin-starred restaurants and celebrity chefs but the signature food offerings of all kinds always hit the spot. The Designed for Fresh motto is evidenced in every meal.

Best Cruise Line for Entertainment

For the fifth year in a row, Princess Cruises takes the crown for the best entertainment at sea.

The one-of-a-kind Princess productions are a combination of vibrant stage sets and international performers playing out modern hits and timeless classics in state-of-the-art Princess theatres and right across the ship. With rock ‘n’ roll, magic, opera, pop and a few interesting crossovers, Princess cruises have it all.

The Grammy Award-winning composer of Wicked, Steven Schwartz, has created an exclusive musical for Princess ships called Magic to Do, featuring a mash up of the best musical numbers from his Broadway shows, along with a few originals.

Less formal but equally entertaining shows include world class magicians and illusionists, top comedians, live music, disco deck parties and street entertainers in the piazza.

Staying true to their catchphrase, ‘Ain’t no party like a P&O party’, the homegrown line has slid into second place. Next year will see Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure join Pacific Explorer and ready to entertain. Comedy, ’80s, Elvis Presley and country-music themed cruises are all on the P&O agenda for 2021.

Best Cruise Line for Activities

Winner: royal caribbean.

The line with the largest cruise ships in the world has been named the best for activities for the fifth year running, and no wonder. All Royal Caribbean ships offer the most contemporary and innovative activities for the whole family.

Australian favourite Ovation of the Seas is set to impress for another season with fun features including the iFly, for a skydiving-like thrill; the North Star’s panoramic view of the sea; and famous surf simulator FlowRider.

Quantum of the Seas has a bold line-up of activities for her first Australian season, with iFly, North Star and FlowRider, as well as laser tag, and mind-bending puzzles in an all-new Royal Escape Room.

Serenade of the Seas is home to a mini-golf course, rock-climbing facilities, cooking classes and plenty of activities for the little ones at Adventure Ocean.

Highly Commended: Carnival Cruise Line

Coming in a close second, Carnival Cruise Line offers something for everyone onboard, with the steepest waterslide at sea, dive-in poolside movies, Cloud Nine Spa, painting and jewellery design workshops, video game arcade and more. Carnival sets family fun activities at the top of its priority list.

Best Cruise Line for Spa/Wellness

The Lotus Spa onboard Princess Cruises’ fleet has a reputation among those who love being pampered. As well as traditional treatments like facials and hot stone massages, the cruise line also offers its guests access to a special aromatherapy thermal suite called The Enclave.

This VIP area has a dedicated hydrotherapy pool, therapeutic jets as well as a Turkish-style bath called a hammam. In adults-only retreat The Sanctuary, couples can indulge in their own private cabana where Princess serves their specialty spa cuisine, consisting of lighter and fresher dishes. The standout feature in The Sanctuary is the option of an open-air massage while you watch the sea roll by.

The Lotus Spa Fitness Centre has spinning classes available as well as access to weights and treadmills but to achieve the ultimate zen, Princess offers special yoga classes and tai chi sessions on the deck.

Highly Commended: Holland America Line

A newcomer to the category, premium Holland America Line gets a nod for the luxurious pampering services it offers. Its Greenhouse Spa & Salon has exotic pampering skin, body and hair treatments on its menu. On certain Holland America Line ships, you’ll find spa suites and staterooms located in quiet enclave of the ship so guests can spend their voyage relaxing.

Best Cruise Line for Service

Winner: regent seven seas.

White-gloved butlers and impeccable hospitality have put luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises in top spot for best service for the second year in a row. While every cruise line offers fantastic hospitality, Regent goes above and beyond with its luxury offerings.

With each suite comes a personal butler who will cater to your every whim, restock the mini-bar with premium wines and liquor of your choice, unpack and launder your clothes, shine your shoes and ensure your freshly made up room is waiting for you when you return from your day exploring in port.

Staff also shine in public areas. In the dining room, the maître d’, the sommelier and the wait staff make each dining experience feel like guests are in a Michelin-starred restaurant. And should you desire anything that’s not on the menu, the staff will cater to the best of their ability.

Highly Commended: Cunard

Known for its Art Deco interiors, sweeping ballrooms and grand staircases, traditional luxury line Cunard has lovely, obliging service. Guests in the Grill Class experience exceptional assistance and Cunard’s charming bell boys, decked out in the red uniforms, are unmissable for their iconic attire as much as for their attention to detail.

Best Cruise Line for Sustainability

Winner: hurtigruten.

Former postal carrier service line Hurtigruten is leading the charge of creating environmentally sustainable options for the future.

The Norwegian line recently unveiled MS Fridtjof Nansen , featuring a revolutionary battery hybrid powered propulsion system. She is a sister ship to the hybrid-powered Roald Amundsen , launched last year. Roald Amundsen is propelled by electric motors and internal combustion engines, which the line claims cuts fuel consumption by 20 per cent.

Across the fleet, guests won’t find any unnecessary single-use plastic items onboard and can forgo having their room cleaned every day to save on supplies and water.

The line has plans to roll out more hybrid ships that are battery operated and also run on fuel from dead fish and organic waste. Hurtigruten has signed a long-term agreement with Norway-based Biokraft to supply climate-neutral liquefied biogas.

Highly Commended: Viking Cruises

Viking Cruises has pledged to work towards a more sustainable future. In 2018, the Scandinavian line announced that it would build two more ships at Vard Holdings Limited, which is known for constructing the world’s most environmentally friendly ships. Its focus on natural environments at destinations – with education and thoughtful excursions – is another plus.

Best Cruise Line for Shore Excursions

With cruise lines exploring more of the world, brands have gone above and beyond to offer their guests immersive and educational shore excursions. This year, Princess Cruises has again won this category, one that is incredibly important to Cruise Passenger readers.

While the line offers fabulous excursions to the top food and wine destinations in the world, unspoiled natural environments, and culturally and historically important sites, Princess also takes their guests to communities that need support the most.

At the beginning of 2020, Princess took guests to visit the bushfire-ravaged South Australian destination of Kangaroo Island. Guests on Sun Princess were welcomed with open arms by local tour operators, who took them to some of the island’s natural wonders as well as to visit local food and wine providores.

With one included in the price at every destination, and with destination a focus of their river, ocean and (soon) expedition cruises, Viking’s shore excursions cover a wide range of interests. Whether you love arts and culture, adventure activities or food and wine, Viking offers it all. The line also advises the fitness level of each activities, which is incredibly handy.

Best Cruise Line for Theme Cruises

Winner: p&o cruises australia.

It’s no surprise that Australia’s homegrown cruise brand has won this year’s award for best themed cruises. Sailing out of Brisbane and Sydney, P&O Cruises offers short voyages themed around food, sport and comedy.

One of the favourites is the annual State of Origin cruise, which sees fans from both Queensland and NSW come onboard alongside famous footy players from the Blues and the Maroons, who will be available for photo and autograph opportunities as well as Q&A sessions.

P&O hosts an annual cruise to the Melbourne Cup, the race that stops the nation, with an onboard lineup of fashion, entertainment and culinary delights.

The line also hosts comedy cruises, with an impressive line-up of Aussie comedians and a partnership with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival that includes an exclusive comedy show for P&O guests at Melbourne Town Hall.

Royal Caribbean cruises around the world offer guests interesting themed sailings. Organisations and production companies charter ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet to host cruises with themes such as country music, holidays and motorbikes. There are even tattoo-themed cruises where you can get inked onboard if you dare.

Best Cruise Line for Cabin Design

Winner: norwegian cruise line.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ships have some of the most stunning accommodation at sea. Staterooms are spacious and sophisticated, and filled with useful amenities like USB ports.

Club balcony suites, family balcony and balcony staterooms all have comfortable seating areas, convertible drop down beds and plenty of storage space, making them perfect for a family of four. The high-end suites in Norwegian Cruise Line’s exclusive VIP area, The Haven, come with their own sitting rooms and dining areas and are beautifully appointed with unique pieces of artwork.

Select Norwegian ships also offer award-winning studios that are designed and priced for singles.

Once again, Viking Cruises’ loyal followers highly ranked their clean, sophisticated and chic stateroom designs. The warm pinewood finishes combined with modern fixtures make Viking staterooms a classic, and the most welcoming place to start and finish a day of cruising.

Best Australian Port

Winner: sydney.

Sailing into Sydney Harbour is a bucket list item for many keen cruisers.

Arriving at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in the heart of the city, guests step off their ships straight into historical area The Rocks, within walking distance of high-end and high-street shopping and fine restaurants with views of the busy harbour.

Outside the city, Inner West suburbs are buzzing hubs filled with breweries, op-shops and trendy cafes, and in the opposite direction lies Bondi’s world-famous beach.

With the addition of White Bay cruise terminal, Sydney can host a range of cruise ships in all sizes, and the proximity of both terminals to train stations and the airport makes it easy to transit domestically and internationally.

Highly Commended: Brisbane

Queensland’s capital will soon have a new cruise terminal at Luggage Point. The opening has been delayed, but when it opens, world-class ships will homeport and visit here for sailings to the South Pacific and elsewhere in the state, including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is a modern metropolis.

Best Cruise Travel Agent

Winner: bicton travel.

“No doubt 2020 has been one of the most challenging years for the travel industry, but the industry has proven how resilient and important we are for millions of travellers. The personal relationships we’ve built with travel partners over 20 years have eased some of the challenges in this year of refunds and cancellations. Without our dedicated team and trusted partners, we couldn’t do what we do to assist our loyal clients. Thank you to our clients and readers of Cruise Passenger for once again acknowledging the important role accredited travel agencies provide to the wider community.” – Carole Smethurst, owner.

I am please that Princess took out the Best Shore Excursions Award. We went to Kangaroo Island in March 2020, on the Sun Princess. Probably the last Cruise ship to visit Kangaroo Island then. I have a photo of the Sea Princess anchored at Kangaroo Island as my desk top home screen. We can hardly wait to start cruising again. We are booked on a Princess Cruise to PNG in November 2021, I do hop we get to go.

When will cruising be. Sage again? Especially for seniors.

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Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent? We say yes

Going online to book an airline ticket or hotel stay is a familiar and fairly easy transaction. When you book a cruise, however — particularly your first cruise — you might want to reconsider the impulse to handle the transaction yourself through a cruise line website or an online advertiser with cheap prices. This DIY approach might not be the best way to find your dream vacation at sea.

In reality, it's not that simple to book a cruise. You will likely run into a lot of questions to which you have no ready answer.

That's where specialized cruise travel agents come into play. Their expertise can help you avoid mistakes, whether you are a first-timer or a repeat cruiser checking out a brand you have not tried before.

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Why you should book through a cruise travel agent

You should consider booking a cruise through a travel agent because a knowledgeable agent can help you understand the nuances of a cruise purchase and help you make the best decisions for your vacation preferences.

When you book a cruise, you are making a vacation decision that goes way beyond a flight or hotel nights. Which ship you choose determines your dining and evening entertainment choices for the duration of your vacation. Which itinerary you choose impacts which destinations you'll visit and which shoreside activities will be available to you. It can be overwhelming to evaluate the options on your own if you've never cruised before.

In addition, cruise fares can be hard to understand and compare. You might, for instance, see a fare listed online without the port charges, taxes and fees, which you only see after you give your personal details.

Plus, the price of your cruise includes accommodations, meals, entertainment and activities — and in some cases drinks, tips, shore excursions, Wi-Fi and other extras. There's a lot bundled into some fares and not as much with others. A travel agent can help you determine what your cruise fare gets you. The cheapest base cruise fare does not always provide the best value or best overall vacation deal.

Related: 4 scenarios when you should use a travel agent

You aren't just booking general passage on a ship, either, as you will be asked to pick a specific cabin and when you prefer to dine. Making a mistake in these categories can ruin your cruise experience, as there are such thing as "bad" cabins and dining times (think noisy or claustrophobic cabins, dinner at 8 p.m. with cranky children, etc.).

With cruises, you typically don't pay for your whole vacation upfront but rather put down a deposit, with final payment due at a later date. A cruise travel agent can ensure you don't miss any due dates.

Remember, you might be a DIY type when booking airlines and hotels, but booking a cruise is more complex. If you enjoy doing your own research, focus on what to do and see in the ports of call. Read about different ships, cruise lines and itineraries. However, when it comes to booking the cruise, we recommend you still contact a travel agent who specializes in cruises to help you learn a few tips and avoid any rookie mistakes.

Travel agents can get better deals on cruises

If you're concerned that working with an agent will make your cruise more expensive, don't be. Cruise travel agents receive the bulk of their income via commission from the cruise lines. Their service to you is usually free, though some might charge first-time clients a minimal fee. It's worth it.

In addition to sharing their expertise, the agent may have negotiated group space at lower rates with the cruise line, which could save you money on the cruise fare. The agent might also have first access to sale prices because the cruise lines notify their agent partners and loyalty club members first before they announce a sale to the public.

Related: 6 ways to get a deal on a cruise

Some cruise travel agents even throw in booking perks , such as a complimentary bottle of Champagne, awaiting your arrival in your cabin.

How to find a travel agent for a cruise

Cruise lines prefer that you use a travel agent rather than going online and booking directly. They have small in-house reservation teams, and when you have a question while making a booking, good luck in getting an expert on the phone in a timely manner.

Companies such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line provide online directories to help you find an experienced cruise travel agent near you.

You can also find experienced and certified cruise travel agents through CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association , which is the industry's main marketing group. Asking friends who have cruised to recommend a travel agent is another good idea.

Related: 5 unexpected places that sell cruises

You might get more personalized care from smaller agencies than from the huge online agencies, though websites such as icruise.com, Cruise.com and Cruise411.com also have experienced cruise agents. These larger online travel agencies can be a good option for those who prefer to make decisions and ask questions via chat. Just make sure you get the name and phone number of the representative for any follow-up questions.

Questions to ask a cruise travel agent

In choosing a cruise travel agent, you will want to tap into the person's specific expertise about the cruise line and ship you are considering. Anyone can read a ship deck plan outlining ship spaces (which you can find online), but you are looking for people who really know their stuff.

Look for travel agencies that are cruise-only or a home-based agent who specializes in cruises. If you are using a full-service travel agency, ask for the cruise desk.

Here are some questions to ask a travel agent to determine their expertise:

• How often do you cruise?
• Have you cruised on the line I am considering?
• Have you cruised on the ship that I am considering, or do you have clients who have cruised that ship and provided a review of their vacation?
• Do you have firsthand knowledge about the cruise destination? The itinerary?

You will also want to ask the travel agent if they have a preferred relationship or negotiated agreement with any specific lines that could lead to special perks for you.

Be aware that not all agents work with all cruise lines; some represent only a few preferred suppliers or specialize in higher-end cruises. They get bigger commissions from their preferred lines.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, but be aware if the agent seems to be putting you off the line you were originally considering, as this could be the reason. On the plus side, an agent who is a preferred supplier might have negotiated rates with the cruise line and be able to call in favors, such as that bottle of Champagne or a cabin upgrade .

You should also ask if the travel agency offers 24/7 assistance (usually an 800 number) in case you have last-minute questions or something goes wrong before or during your trip.

The cruise travel agent should have questions for you as well, to better understand your dream vacation desires. If you are calling a cruise agency for the first time, the agent should be interviewing you as much as you are interviewing him or her. The agent should be focused on helping you choose the cruise line , ship and cabin that is right for you. Making the correct choices is very important to your overall cruise experience.

Bottom line

Booking a cruise is a complex enterprise. A cruise travel agent will guide you through choosing your cabin and dining times, deposits and final payment, and options for shore excursions and specialty dining. If you need to cancel the trip, the agent will also help you through the refund process. You'll have a lot less stress before and during your vacation if you book with an experienced agent.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Using a travel agent

By Jaaaney , November 4, 2023 in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

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I have only been on 2 cruises, one just before covid and one recently.  Like all travel over the past few decades, both times we arranged it ourselves.  Reading these forums I see TA's mentioned a lot.  Looking at booking a few more cruises for next year and after, what are the advantages (or not) of using a TA?  And - do you have any recommendations for good ones, if that is allowed on this board. 

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mum and son

I'm interested to hear answers to this question as well. I'm a deal shopper so usually go with the cheapest prices but, post covid, if the price difference is small (which it usually is) I have been booking direct with the cruise line. If I do a really last minute cruise then I may grab a cheaper price through an online agent, knowing full well that I won't get any service and I won't be able to reach them to make changes if necessary. 

I have previously had great agents overseas, back when the AUD was stronger and there was value in booking o/s, but that's less of an option now. I would love a great TA based here, but checking pricing etc is like my hobby so I'd probably annoy the agent too much and they'd sack me  😆 .

Aus Traveller

We have booked both ways - either direct with the cruise line or through an agent. Usually an agent will give us a few sweeteners in the way of extra on-board credit and/or specialty dinners. The agent we use is very good at getting us good cabins. We aren't permitted to mention travel agents' names.

Before you book with an agent, I suggest you check what their T&Cs are on cancellation. You can't avoid the cruiselines mandated cancellation policy, but some TAs charge on top of that. Although when you book you wouldn't be planning to cancel, life can get in the way and you might have to cancel for a reason not covered by your travel insurance.

I use online cruise specialist TAs. The only time I have booked with a cruiseline was once while on a cruise where I booked a future cruise with a post cruise tour. I later transferred the booking to a TA (you can do this) to add a pre cruise tour.

I look for deals where I like the itinerary then look at which cruise line it is and compare prices. I get regular emails from TAs with deals.

cruiser3775

I've booked direct with the cruise line and also used travel agents in Australia.  You need to look for specialised cruise travel agents, not general ones. And especially not that one that has branches everywhere in shopping centres. The cruise TA specialists are the ones that offer a few sweeteners like some extra on board credit or meals in the speciality restaurants, and they sometimes have access to a block of well located cabins that you can't find when you deal directly with the cruise line.  Check that they are members of the cruise lines travel association CLIA and also the Australian travel agents association ATAS.  Also see if you can find some product reviews for that agent, because there are one or two that have poor reputations.

We booked an OS cruise with a bricks and mortar TA (and yes, it was in a shopping centre but there are quite a few different companies and they are not all tarred with the same brush 🙂 ) and were happy with the expertise, service and deal.

Conversely, we have used an on line cruise specialist company and it was a constant frustration from start to finish. It was like amateur hour. Then again on another occasion we used a different on line specialist and they were just great. So, I guess in some cases it is the luck of the draw.

We booked our last two cruises directly with the line and got a good deal with no hiccups.

The foregoing, unfortunately  is probably not very helpful in assisting you to decide, Jaaaney.

If it helps, we are seriously considering using the bricks and mortar agent again for a cruise we are considering mainly because we are looking at cruise lines we haven't sailed with before and it might initially be easier to do the comparison with a TA before making a final decision.

Not sure if I can use actual company names on this forum so I'll try to get my point across using euphemisms.

For years I used the local automobile club travel agent here in Mandurah.  I'd developed wonderful realtionships with the section manager and other agents, they'd let me know when cruises I'd be interested in were coming up and went out of their way to offer excellent customer service.  Then fairly recently the powers that be decided to close the TA section of the shop down here.  Shock horror!  Seemed to make no sense to me as the place was always busy and almost every self funded retiree I spoke with said they used this particular agent and all had glowing experiences. 

I've heard many poor reports of the other big player in the market usually located in shopping centres.  So now this little black duck is going it alone and I book direct with the cruise line. 

MicCanberra

You cannot name TAs on the forums, it is against the guidelines 

We use a TA for some cruises and while sometimes you are better off going direct, the TA is nearly always cheaper and the better deal. This is especially true if getting a travel package such as a fly, stay, cruise package.

Thinly veiled hints are also on the non-gratis list for the forum. It pays to check the guidelines when joining.

We have booked direct, we have booked overseas, but we pretty much book with an online agency now. It isn't the agency for us, but the agent. When you find one that is awesome, they are pure gold.

It isn't just the price, but the service. The ability to work outside office hours to secure something special, or to react to a limited deal. If I could name our agent here, I still wouldn't. The good agents already have a pretty full book, and I don't want to dilute the service we get. 

If you are hunting for an agent, I would suggest asking the cruise line you are booking whether they have PVPs you can engage with.

I have always booked direct until the latest cruise with RCC.  The TA I have booked with has been excellent and so helpful. I have changed cabins twice. While I was on the phone asking if she could change my cabin she found one more suitable and emailed the  paperwork through before the phone conversation was finished. The TA also sorted my insurance out at a better cost than I could get it. If you get a good one they make it feel there is no problem they can't sort out.

Our first cruise, back in 2010, was booked through a bricks & mortar TA, as were the next few. I eventually worked out that I was doing all the research online and then calling (or visiting) the TA with the details of the exact cruise I wanted to book but not getting any bonuses such as OBC. So I switched to booking directly via the Internet.  Last year we planned a multi segment itinerary including os flights and 4 cruises on 3 different lines so decided to engage the same online cruise TA that DW’s parents use, same individual and same person. I was a little annoyed that she booked the in-laws on the same cruise as us but that’s another story. 

As it was we did have issues with delayed flights but QANTAS sorted that, and P&O organised a complimentary COVID motel and complimentary taxi when I tested positive. I didn’t need to call upon the TA or our insurance. Getting the promised cruise credit out of P&O was a different story but that was booked direct; I’d grabbed a cheap sail price when I saw it and found out the hard way that they won’t transfer a booking to a TA after you’ve paid in full. It would have been helpful if the TA could have chased the credit for me. 

I’ve continued to use the TA to date.   

PROS & CONS

With a TA you don’t have direct control of your booking. Any changes need to be done through the TA. This can be a frustration but dealing directly with a cruise line can also be frustrating. Over the years I have spent hours on the phone with cruise lines. Sometimes it’s easier if a TA can do that on your behalf. On the other hand, I’ve had a cruise line tell me I couldn’t change my booking and I’ve phoned the next day and a different operator fixed it for me without a hassle. I’m not sure if a TA would have done that.   

We got a really good price on a cruise earlier this year that was only available to members of the TA “club". It cost me a $90 annual membership fee but I ended up saving 100s.   

My sister is about to go on her 2nd ever cruise, and her first with the kids who are now teens. The TA said it was impossible to link the two bookings (2 cabins) together but my sister was able to do it herself with information from an online forum.   

Going forward I might go back to booking direct with the cruise lines unless the TA can give me a better deal or better service. 🤷‍♂️

Aussieflyer

1 hour ago, arxcards said: SNIP/ If you are hunting for an agent, I would suggest asking the cruise line you are booking whether they have PVPs you can engage with.

I book many cruises directly with the cruise line (especially mainstream lines like Princess etc) and use an online specialist cruise agent for something like Silversea or expedition. They give a bit of a sweetener with $ rebate. My agent is good and will get back to me very quickly if I have a question or want to check something. But if I am booking something cheap, I just go straight to the cruise line site as that way I have full control. 

Only once have I tried to contact the Princess PVP - useless. I keep getting emails where they introduce themselves or tell me 'exciting news' but the one time I wanted to ask a question the person didn't reply at all, so I don't bother.

Thank you for all your opinions and previous experience.  I will investigate and contact a few in Melbourne

The main take on all the above as I see it, is if you love getting into the nitty gritties, and you find it fun, then do it yourself.

However if your not that type, then you face the problem, how do you find a good TA?

I found our TA from recommendation from other cruisers, he is our third TA, and he's magic, the other two were ok, but had to follow up a bit.

Our TA has been worth his weight in gold as they say.

I tell him what I want, and he, come back very quickly, never been unhappy with what he has did for us.

Quite often he will arrange free upgrade, sometime even at a lower cost.

TA are always getting the latest info, and if their good, you benefit from it.

In the end its a personal thing, go with what your comfortable with.

Ask around as you talk to people on a cruise, what they do, can't hurt and you may get some good info re booking cruises.

2 hours ago, Jaaaney said: I will investigate and contact a few in Melbourne

Just because you live in Melbourne, don't restrict yourself to local TAs. Some of the best online ones may be based in other states, or even overseas. I have used an overseas agent for a booking and he got me a deal that none of the cruise specialist agents in Australia could match.

8 hours ago, mum and son said: interested to hear answers to this question as well. I'm a deal shopper so usually go with the cheapest prices but, post covid, if the price difference is small (which it usually is) I have been booking direct with the cruise line. If I do a really last minute cruise then I may grab a cheaper price through an online agent, knowing full well that I won't get any service and I won't be able to reach them to make changes

I use online agent and when Covid hit mid cruise it was no problem for me to get in touch and get help,,same agents have a draw every month for a free holiday for members

Cheers Carole

yes!yes!yes!

I mostly book my holidays (cruises and land holidays) direct.

Sometimes on line and other times I pick up the phone and call. ( I'm not tech savvy)

I only started with Princess last year and have booked all 8 cruises and 2 future cruises direct over the phone. I always call the direct line of the first one I dealt with and she always gets me things people say on here you cant get. (drinks package just for me and not my mum, no medical reason, she just doesn't want one) Sometimes I let her know when I'm interested in a cruise and she contacts me when the price comes down.

With Royal Caribbean I have used online cruise agents a couple of times but have mainly booked direct on their website.

Earlier this year I booked 3 cruises at short notice with MSC. I found there website too frustrating and They weren't answering their phone (on hold for far too long) so I used an online cruise agent. I was happy up until I needed a bit of help with booking addons and online check in a few days prior and the cruise line refused to help me as I was booked thru an agent. This all happened whilst I was overseas and calling the agent from the UK to Sydney time was a challenge.

15 hours ago, yes!yes!yes! said: I mostly book my holidays (cruises and land holidays) direct. Sometimes on line and other times I pick up the phone and call. ( I'm not tech savvy) I only started with Princess last year and have booked all 8 cruises and 2 future cruises direct over the phone. I always call the direct line of the first one I dealt with and she always gets me things people say on here you cant get. (drinks package just for me and not my mum, no medical reason, she just doesn't want one) Sometimes I let her know when I'm interested in a cruise and she contacts me when the price comes down.

Great that you have a good rep to look after your bookings. BTW, I understand that now anyone can book the drinks package just for one passenger. Earlier people reported that you couldn't do it.

2 hours ago, Aus Traveller said: Great that you have a good rep to look after your bookings. BTW, I understand that now anyone can book the drinks package just for one passenger. Earlier people reported that you couldn't do it.

I think part of the snag was when passengers were booking the fare type, you couldn't book one passenger on plus and the other on standard.  As far as I can tell, you can't book direct online that way, but you can split your fare type over the phone or when booking with an agent.

Just now, arxcards said: I think part of the snag was when passengers were booking the fare type, you couldn't book one passenger on plus and the other on standard.  As far as I can tell, you can't book direct online that way, but you can split your fare type over the phone or when booking with an agent.

That sounds reasonable. The point I was making is that it is not just a Princess agent who can split the fare type - travel agents can also.

sciencewonk

I always use a TA.  If something goes wrong or needs attention, I would rather the TA spend the time to get it done and relieve me of the anxiety.

I also always use a small independent as opposed to a large, franchised agency.  Again, if something goes wrong, it's good to have the person most familiar with the booking to troubleshoot for you rather than a random agent who answered the phone.

I have had a bad experience with a TA.  This was not one in a shopping centre.  It was a package deal and my flight day was changed and when we got to the airport we were told our ticket number was not for that day.  It was an expensive trip.  

turned out that the TA had not given us the new ticket number and because it was a code share flight the airline could not help or wouldn’t.    

we phoned the airline office in Sydney and got the correct info.  Luckily it was a midweek flight rather than the weekend.   We called the TA from the Melbourne Airport but she took so long to get back to us that is why we called the airline ourself.

if I stuff things up I only have me to blame and I double check everything.

7 hours ago, Cruisers47 said:   if I stuff things up I only have me to blame and I double check everything.   Eileen

Personally I like when I can blame someone else.

Really hate it when I have to point at me as the faulty one.

Have to do that to many times at home, when you know who gives me one of those looks. 🥺

7 hours ago, Ozwoody said: Personally I like when I can blame someone else. Really hate it when I have to point at me as the faulty one.   Have to do that to many times at home, when you know who gives me one of those looks. 🥺

As if you would get one of these looks!    My husband says it’s the tone of voice I use..really!!   That’s why he never organises anything to do with cruises!    

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