We may have been able to book our trip online for less money, but my wife and I decided to book our cruise through Amex Travel in Palo Alto because of the great travelers protection they offer. It really is a comfortable feeling knowing that you will be protected, via their guaranteed travelers check, travel insurance, and a dedicated phone number to call should anything go wrong before or during your trip.
As long as you do some homework, and know what's available before you call you will be okay. The employee seemed to really know the ins and outs of this trip, I believe she may have even gone herself. We really appreciated the personalized tips, and although there were some suggestions that weren't for us, we appreciated the effort and would recommend their services for any trip, not just cruises. They do it all.