Wonderful Christmas Present Today!

[Laurie S.]

I transferred my upcoming March 16th Noordam cruise to my travel agent shortly after booking it while on the Noordam last Thanksgiving. It's now time for final payment, which was going to be $8,000+ since I'm in a suite. Well, she just called me and I'm saving $2,000 because HAL is in a new partnership with her agency. Merry Christmas!!!

See, there are good reasons for using a travel agent. :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

Congratulations Laura!!

That is a fantastic savings!!

[Kaibocan]

How do you find an agent in a HAL partnership?

I thought they weren't allowing agents to discount any more?

[cruzboss]

Her agency is probably part of a consortium, or has group space on this sailing, thus the lower price...

[CruiserBruce]

They are definitely allowing agents to discount, as from my personal experience, and as described by Laurie S.

Can recommend or mention TAs, tho.

[sail7seas]

Congratulations.
Happy for you.

[Laurie S.]

Thanks! Yes, she called it a consortium.

[dobiemom]

I transferred my upcoming March 16th Noordam cruise to my travel agent shortly after booking it while on the Noordam last Thanksgiving. It's now time for final payment, which was going to be $8,000+ since I'm in a suite. Well, she just called me and I'm saving $2,000 because HAL is in a new partnership with her agency. Merry Christmas!!!

See, there are good reasons for using a travel agent. :D
Wow! :D That is great! :D:D

[LAFFNVEGAS]

How do you find an agent in a HAL partnership?

I thought they weren't allowing agents to discount any more?
I do not think the OP was quite told the correct information or the agent relaying the information did not explain it correctly. Based on Volumn and agency sells there are different levels of what percentage of commission they receive when selling a HAL cruise. My guess is the agency reach the Platinum Level. Also an Agency can discount from the commission, what they cannot do is advertise in anyway that they can do this or the price they would discount it to on any web site or printed material.

Her agency is probably part of a consortium, or has group space on this sailing, thus the lower price...

My guess is that there was group space with lower pricing that is often a nice discount for the Deluxe Vernadah Suites over HAL's pricing, plus HAL has had several price reduction of recent for Spring Caribbean cruises. And yes possibly part of a consortium or group as being an American Express Agency.

They are definitely allowing agents to discount, as from my personal experience, and as described by Laurie S.

Can recommend or mention TAs, tho.
Yes I mention above agents can most certainly discount from their commission at final payment.

[Typhoon1]

Such a deal, it will make your cruise even better.

[Himself]

Laura: Congratulations. Your travel agent can call it whatever she wants but it is a bargin for you. A nice early Christmas present, to say the least.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Laura, I am actually sorry I forgot to tell you Congratulations :o That is really great that your TA did lower your price. It does make for a nice Christmas Present :)

[Laurie S.]

Thanks, I am just thrilled! That pays for all our diving and a lot of other extras!

[PathfinderEss]

WOW, very nice, great Christmas present, congratulation.