While I'm on the topic, does anyone get good service from a travel agent? It seems like a hell of a challenge.

I haven't done business with a travel agent very often, but it seems most of the time I do, it's terribly hard to get them to be interested in helping me. For example, last year, Mel and I communicated with two
different agents before finding a good one. One of those actually promised to get back to us, didn't, promised again to get back to us after I emailed her asking what the hell, and never did. Except when, a few months later, she emailed me asking if I needed help with my next trip... seriously?

I usually use Expedia.ca for my travel plans because it's easy, reliable and so far I haven't really needed advice when booking. Plus I don't like people, so planning in front of my computer in my PJ's works perfectly for me. So it is on Expedia that I found the cruise I was interested in, but it's not possible to book a cruise on Expedia - you actually have to send a request to a CruiseCentre and a travel agent
gets back to you with a quote.

So obviously, I got a lazy agent. First, she quoted me a price much higher than what I saw on Expedia without explaining why and without
suggesting other, cheaper dates - although I had mentioned my dates were flexible and I really wanted to best price.
I had to email her to ask what was the reason for the price difference, whether I could get a better price for another departure date, and if my mother, being over 55, got a special price. She replied explaining the price difference and saying the date I was suggesting was "one of the cheapest". That's 1.5 answer to 3 questions!

After getting in contact with a CruiseCenter agent, you get a link to their local website. And guess what? On that website, you have access to
the exact same information the travel agent does, and you CAN BOOK ONLINE!

So I found a better price for another date and booked online. Screw Lazy Travel Agent. When you're helpful, you get my business. Til then...