The travel providers (the cruise lines, tour operators, hotels, and resorts) have set prices. Becaus

But here's the problem.  If you type cruise vacation into a search engine you will get millions of pages. Even if you narrow it down to say Alaskan cruise or Caribbean cruise , you will still get thousands.
The travel providers (the cruise lines, tour operators, hotels, and resorts) have set prices. Because the travel providers consider travel agents as their principle distribution system, they provide special discounts and value-added amenities that are not always provided to internet sites.
You, as the consumer, do not pay more, or less, depending on whether or not you use an agent. Travel providers do not allow agents or online sellers to take less commission and sell the product for less.
If you do book online or directly with the cruise line, the person you talk to (if it is a live person) is just an order taker. They do not take the time to get to know you or find out if this is the best vacation for you and your family. And for little or no effort they get that same commission-no discount for you.
If you use a travel agent professional, they will ask about you, your family, what type of trip you are looking for, where have traveled in the past, where have you always wanted to go to, what is your budget.
They will advise you on the best destinations for the activities you and your family like to do and the best time to travel there for weather considerations as well as crowds. And they will do all of this for that same commission as the order takers.
Say you arrive at the cruise terminal and the cruise line can't find your reservation or you arrive at a resort and they don't have a room for you. Good luck calling that online order taker and getting them to help you.
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