I've been watching the discussion on CC. I do agree that it seems to be a way to price fix the advertised prices on cruises which would logically cause a general increase in cruise fares that people actually pay. I think it's a bad business decision by the cruise lines but heck, what do I know? I'm just a consumer. I'd hate to think what this is going to do for pricing for the luxury and near-luxury lines though if they decide to do something like this as well. Carnival will be implementing this soon as well - will this mean that Seabourn will be affected eventually? And then the others?

Sorry, Richard - don't have any answers for you. Just comments. :) I would think though that TAs would be independent retailers.

Masaki