Booking???HELP!

[Rebel]

I'm so confused....I'm looking into booking another cruise (that's the only way I'll survive the Canadian winter to come). I've looked at quite a few sites and done searches to get pricing, and gotten quotes from cruisecompete.com. I've also looked at RCI, Carnival & NCL sites. I've gotten all kinds of different prices. I also got a quote from a local TA through email. What I'm not sure about is...most of the online TA's are US and quote in US$, so I have to convert to Cdn., but do the same taxes & fees apply? AND, what about security and service booking in the US when I'm in Canada?? Is that a problem? Silly questions maybe, but I'm nervous about paying for something this big online. Should I just go with a local TA and hope they can get me a good price, or book through the cruise line itself? HELP!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks,
Nancy

[Sea Trekker]

Hi Rebel,
Well, first off, you have your self confused by trying to compare apples with oranges. My first thought is to go with one cruise line, itinery, and cabin type. after that check out the prices. Get it narrow down to 2 types of cabins,ie balcony or suite, inside / better inside. If the quotes you are getting is in US funds then get a quote asking for Can.$
or maybe thru a TA there where you live. It can be a very complicated process for a novice. There are some really great advice experts here on the message boards, ask a cruise counsler. The other thing to consider is to book one thru the cruise mates. they do it all for you. Much easier then trying to go it alone. and you will get a group discouted rate.
Hope I was on some help
Happy cruising,Carole

[MaryLou]

Carole: I would like to clarify just one point that you made...you said :

The other thing to consider is to book one thru the cruise mates. they do it all for you.

Cruisemates doesn't do the booking. Cruisemates has "group tours" and it is an independent TA who handles the booking, etc.

I just don't want people to be confused regarding Cruisemates selling cruises.

Rebel, since I am from the US, I have not encountered your problems so I cannot anser them intellegently. If you do not get the answers you need, I would suggest that you contact our very own Kuki at kuki@cruisemates.com. He, too, is from Canada and can aswer all of those questions.

[dezertcruzer]

Rebel,
Check your e-mail.

[Kuki]

Rebel.. I do almost all my bookings with US based agents, and in US dollars. Taxes and port fees are the same, no matter where you book.

At the moment our Canadian buck is doing quite well... so the conversion rate would be right around $1.25 Can to pay for $1 US.

Since it was $1.50 just a few months ago, definitely a good time to book.

I would ALWAYS use an agent though. Chances of a lower price are much greater than booking through a cruise line... though you can go to most cruise line web sites and easily check their price on a particular sailing.

Hope that info helps.

[Brenda in Canada]

Hi Nancy, I booked through an online cruise place. I was a bit nervous, but the day after I booked and got my number I was in Carnival's booking website. That reassured me. Now I know sometimes people have problems that occur and it would be nice to have a TA in your hometown to go and actually speak facetoface with.
If you are getting travel insurance, try insuremytrip.com It is a comparison site and most(not all) say they insure Canadians.
I am sure someone here will have a private recommendation about a US online TA.
Good luck.Let us know what you book!!