Travel Agents: Now's the Time to Book a Cruise

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By Christen Drew

Story Created: Jan 20, 2012 at 5:09 PM CST

Story Updated: Jan 20, 2012 at 5:22 PM CST

WSIL-- This is what's known as the 'wave' season for the cruise industry. It's their busiest time for bookings. While some travel websites report that 10% of their cruise bookings have been canceled since the Costa Condordia capsize, local travel agents say a drop in demand has led to lower prices, making it a great time to buy.

Discount websites like cruises.com are advertising up to 80% off brochure pricing. The prices have travel agents like Joyce Jewett at B&A Travel in Marion busy.

"We can come up with a pretty good price for you. We've actually had requests from people planning cruises," says Jewett.

David Coracy President of B&A Travel in Carbondale expects avid cruise passengers won't be deterred by the accident and says first time cruisers shouldn't be scared either.

"I don't believe anyone should have any fears or worries of any kind of whether or not they should cruise. As a matter of fact, now is the time you should be planning your cruise," says Coracy.

Fred Harvey and Florence Slightom of Marion are taking that advice. Slightom is working with World Wide Travel in Marion to book her 20th cruise.

"I've been a lot to Alaska and Europe and the Mediterranean and Hawaii, about four or five (times) to Hawaii," says Slightom.

She says she knows all about the cruise ship disaster, but has traveled enough to realize what happened off the coast of Italy was because of mismanagement. She's not letting it ruin her vacation.

"I don't have to do anything, don't make my bed, don't have to cook or wash dishes and all that good entertainment at night is what I like," she says.

Owner of World Wide Travel Nancy Beachum says Carnival and other cruise lines are now being extra cautious, taking a closer look into their safety procedures.

"So I think if anything, things will become even safer," says Beachum.

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