Cruising for Fees

Regarding “Cruise Lines Test Waters for Bookings on Internet” (Travel Insider, Sept. 19): As one of the first travel agencies on the Internet (my site was launched three years ago), I have watched the industry grow.

At this point, the online bookings from the cruise lines are not a threat to travel agencies. But who knows three to five years from now? The cruise lines do have lots of berths to fill, and more new ships are scheduled. They need the travel agent community to sway consumers from land-based vacations to cruises. It is difficult for some to take that first cruise, but statistics have shown that after that first cruise, there will be more.

As more and more people log on, I see local travel agencies having the real threat of losing business--unless they change the way they conduct their business.

LORI CUNNINGHAM

Fayetteville, Ark.

Let me be sure I understand Carnival Cruise Lines: It’s OK to book the cruise online, but then you should call a travel agent and let him or her waste time answering your questions about a cruise on which no commission is earned.

Does “customize your vacation” mean selling you a ticket with a $30 commission, while the expensive part of the vacation is booked elsewhere?

Is there any honor or loyalty left on the part of wholesalers in this industry? It makes me glad I sold my travel agency five years ago, before commissions were cut further.

PATRICIA L. MOORE

Los Angeles