With all of the online tools available today, why go “old school” and use a Travel Agent? That was my reasoning for not using a TA ever since I knew I could book everything myself.

My “day job” is computer technical support, so I have no qualms getting online, searching for the best itinerary, shore excursions, etc. I started watching a YouTube vlog, CruiseTipsTv

Sheri and her family always use a TA for the expertise as a value-added resource. Once I found out the TA Sheri used was right around the corner from us, I decided to give CTA Travel a try. Suzi and I made an appointment with Karen Lentz and the rest is history.

Karen listened to our preferences and follows up when booking. She can apply special rates or On Board Credits granted to TA’s that us mere mortals don’t get. Except for making payments, I still have the ability to log into the Princess site and research, book excursions and do pretty much everything I used to do.

Then there are usually perks:

For example, the two cruises we’ve booked through CTA, Karen provided a really nice breakfast served on our balcony. This is something we would not do for ourselves, but found totally delightful! Included with our most recent cruise to Hawaii was a Princess coffee card, worth 15 specialty coffees along with two coffee mugs showing the Hawaiian Islands and Ports Of Call. Very nice and much better than the picture frame our first TA used to give us…

Personalized service. This past cruise was the first time we decided to rent a car. Karen helped us research rates and contact info for shuttles to and from the port to the agency. Karen also sends custom documents detailing things to do during your stops. They even have a cool app for your smartphone with your itinerary, etc.

CTA does charge a minimal maintenance fee (hey, they gotta make a living, too), but the OBC we got from CTA more than paid the fee.