Cruise Direct Online, owned by Travel Direct is now one of the few online travel agencies to offer no-fee e-mail, online and phone reservations for all cruise departures. By comparison, some online and so called "brick and mortar"  store-front travel agencies charge as much as $25 per person to book a cruise. According to the LA Times ( Nov 5, 2009 ) Some online travel agencies charge agency fees for changes and cancellations. As much as $75 for canceling a cruise, on top of the cruise line imposed cancellation fees! And of course, there’s the nonrefundable $25 booking fee on top of that. Some also apply as much as $25-$250 or more in agency or consulting fees.

"You pay for taking your bags on a flight. You pay much higher government taxes and fees to the cruise line. Today most travelers are just nickel and dimed for every extra fee a travel provider can think of.  And industry experts predict they will continue to rise, as companies look to make up for profits lost in the recession, states Marty Trencher, Managing Director of Travel Direct Corporation. We believe like others, that this is not the way to go. Charging high fees is not good for business. We expect that this decision will be welcomed by the thousands of cruise travelers who use our services."
 

Cruise Direct Online is one of the most viewed cruise-related web sites in the United States. Cruise Direct Online is a one-stop shop for cruise enthusiasts. Known as the "Cruise Traveler's Ultimate Cruise Search Engine", the site offers the most cruise-related travel options to visitors. 

 

Cruise travelers can choose from the firms own product offerings as well as those offered by others; including Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline and Travelzoo. Thus, visitors can compare the most popular cruise destinations, sailing dates and ships. They can price shop all the vendors and preview as many as 12,000 sailings to find offers with exclusive bonus extra's amenities like onboard spending cash, free cabin upgrades, cruise deals and discounts.

 

This web portal gives visitors the tools to reserve the cruise they want for a great price. All without having to spend hours searching all over the internet. Cruise Direct Online also provides free access to 1000's of Cruise Reviews, a social network with other cruise enthusiasts and a daily cruise blog via their exclusive Cruise Reviews Online connection. There's even an easy and convenient direct online booking experience for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Carnival Cruise Lines. Cruise tips and an extensive library of cruise information for the first-time cruiser or seasoned traveler complete the online experience.
 

Raye and Marty Trencher, a husband and wife team with more than 30 years experience cruising the world, provide visitors with free e-mail or telephone advice as part of their "Ask The Experts" column. Their commentary and the web site have been quoted by MSNBC, CNN,  Budget Travel, Chicago Tribune, the New York Times and in syndicated travel columns and online sites across the country. They are publishers of Cruise Travel Magazine and are also editors of Cruise Reviews Online. From planning to packing, from discount rates to departure dates, everything you need to know. Visitors can ask all about it. And now, without paying agency booking fees.