We went with the Cruise Authority because we needed guidance on what ship was best for kids and looking at the actual cruise line sites is confusing and overwhelming. After help(and not great help) choosing the cruise we would go on, we basically had to do the rest ourselves. It was easier for me to call the cruise line direct to get answers than it was dealing with my agent at Cruise Authority. We had absolutely NO contact with our agent unless we contacted her. We had to print our own documents, rather than the agency print them, make sure everything was in order and then send it to us. We had NO help with travel arrangements and we had to call the cruise line to figure out transfers. When I figured it all out, I then had to call the agency to have them give the cruise line the information since I was working with an agency. So basically if you have an agent you work with, good or bad, they have to do it all. So my work was just doubled. Having to call the cruise line and the agent. If I had to do that I might as well leave out the travel agency. Another situation that was disappointing was calling the agent and her not having much knowledge of this particular cruise or ship. I understand your agent may not have first hand knowledge, but someone should. I was told that someone from Cruise Authority was leaving the next day on the exact cruise we were taking and as soon as they got back she would inform me of certain things I had inquired about that they did not know. I NEVER heard from her. Weeks passed and I finally had to call them! And my questions were still answered with "ask when you get on board". Really? I called the cruise line directly and got it all figured out. Seriously, I could do without Cruise Authority and make my life easier by just going direct to the cruise line next time. I just hope all is good to go when I get to the check in line!
Pros: null
Cons: null
more