JP, I don't necessarily disagree with what you're trying to do.

The way I look at it is that if a TA does the work for you and provides you with options, then he or she certainly deserves the full commission if you're paying the full price. But if I do all of the work I think it's only fair for the travel agent to rebate some of the commission.

On several vacations I've called a TA and handed her an $8,000-$10,000 booking for a cruise or land tour for my wife and myself. In these cases, she does no work other than to book it and take the payment. I don't see anything wrong with asking for half the commission back, usually 5%.

There have been a couple of cruise lines who have told agents they cannot discount. I'd be curious to see how they can legally do this.

And by the way, the agency associated with this website, that many of us use, does discount cruise fares.

Tom.