Travel---how secure is my money?

Highfield_2

Can someone in the travel business help?

I am in the position of booking a long distance cruise which will require me to pay thousands of pounds to a travel agent. Just how secure is my money, it for instance, the agent goes bankrupt. He is an ABTA member but from what I can gather, they are will only arbitrate if things go wrong. I think they do not guarantee that my money is safe and insure me against any loss. If the agent goes bankrupt and has insufficient money to pay their obligations, they can not get blood out of a stone no matter how good they are at arbitrating.

Are they the selling agents of the shipping line they represent and the shipping line will cover any customer's losses? If I deal with them on the internet, they may be just a one man band operating from home.

Any tips on how I can book as securely as possible? Thanks.

grumbler

Paying a holiday deposit

jonesMUFCforever

Pay by credit card (even if it means paying a fee).
If at possible pay the holiday company direct not the travel agent.