I have been lucky enough to go on about a dozen cruises during my lifetime. Some I went on when I was merely a child, and others as an adult. Since I have been an adult and have been responsible for making my own travel arrangements, I have learned to get the details of all cruise deals in writing. This is a safeguard against you, as the consumer, being ripped off by a booking agent. If you have the details of your travel arrangements in writing, you will know exactly what you are going to receive for your hard earned money, and you can avoid being misinformed.