Ken, I don't travel for work, but I consider myself fairly sophisticated in terms of arranging our leisure trips. I am an avid reader of Cruise Critic and Flyertalk, in addition to LCT. I am also an economist, so I pay a lot of attention to the bottom line and am always doing internal cost-benefit analyses. At the same time, I, too, like to be in control.

All I was trying to convey is that in dealing with the few cruise lines I've experienced (Orient, Celebrity, Oceania, Silversea, and Regent for eight cruises), I have yet to see a financial advantage in dealing with the line directly. The TAs I've dealt with have either offered additional discounts (for example, the BK Rewards) or free gratuities. In addition, they are usually much more knowledgeable than I about the idiosyncrasies of the line in terms of choosing cabins, discussing excursions, and other questions I might have. And, a good TA can provide a less biased answer than a cruise line agent.

When it comes to airlines, I always deal directly with the airline, even if I search other sites for fares. In addition, I usually deal with hotels directly unless there is some special involved through the chain or a third party, such as AMX.

Finally, another advantage to this is that every time there has been a downward fare adjustment on a Regent cruise, our TA has ensured that our fare was adjusted, and this has sometimes involved substantial savings. And, by the way, unlike the fact that I have Medallion status on Delta, the only significant benefit my "status" on Regent gets me other than the past-passenger discount when relevant -- which is applicable to anyone after one cruise -- is free Internet.

---------------

Eugene