How do you prefer to book?

[blndee77]

Thought it would be interesting to see how we research and book our cruises. Considering that we are all here, I have a hunch, but I think we could be surprised...

[tomc]

I find "research online, book thru TA" an efficient way to handle the process. Plus, the TA keeps in touch with HAL re: price reductions.

[Randyk47]

We research ourselves and have just started, with our next cruise, to book on line. There was no way our long time TA could match the price we got on the Internet. Love our TA, she's great, but money is money and there was a very significant difference between what we booked for and what she could negotiate. We don't need a lot of assistance planning or traveling, at least not right now, so saving bucks was our main concern. Our Internet "TA" tracks reductions and we watch ourselves so at this point I'm not concerned we might miss something. There'd have to be some pretty significant specials offered to overcome the difference between our "live" TA and the Internet agency.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I always check out numerous on line web sites and write down prices. Then call my TA tell her what I want. I even give her the web site and she has even called to confirm with those companies. Many times she has found errors with their web site prices. I have 2 upcoming cruises that I booked 3 days apart from each other. When I booked the Westerdam the best she could do was $75 more per person but;) could give us $50.00 ships board credit per person and $50.00 check from Amex per person who owns the travel agency. The other places on line will not give you ship board credit all the time or other credits. Then a few days later when I booked the Ryndam I had my amo of prices and was shocked when she came up with $120.00 less person plus $50.00 total ship board credit. It seems this travel agency had a big tour going for this particular cruise and could offer this huge discount.

I have found it to be better with a local TA I can call after I have booked that if Isee prices drop she just makes a phone call and she works to get an adjustment. It is still good to be a wise shopper and keep investigating prices. In the case of my Alaska cruise I booked last August from the time I booked till we went in May the prices did nothing but go ;) up.

[Stevesan]

I finally found an agency that knows the cruise business, so have used it the last few times. Not local, but easily available by phone or e-mail. And just up the street from HAL!:)

I once booked direct with HAL. Believe it or not, for that B2B cruise the prices were as good, or better, than any agency. Booking directly was a great experience. Excellent service - alway courteous and helpful. Reps had much better knowledge of the ships than any TA. I was steered away from a less desirable cabin location. I especially liked getting confirmation and invoice records instantly by e-mail. The only thing I don't like about the current agency is they won't forward a copy of the cruise line's booking confirmation form. I like having that security blanket. However, I confirm my booking number on-line wtih the cruise line's web site so I still can sleep nights.:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

We research everything on line. We always have brochures available.

So when we get a cruise we like, we go to out local TA with all the information, i.e., cabin number we want, etc.

We have used her for over 20 years and have been very pleased with the service.

As was mentioned it is most important if you book through the internet to get your booking number. The booking number is needed for immigration forms, on-line booking of excursions, and any ship services that you may want, i.e., Pinnacle Grill or ordering alcohol.

:)

[catlib55]

Most of the time, I research online and then book through a TA. For one cruise, I booked it through Expedia, but that was the only time I have booked a cruise online.
'Til we sail on Rotterdam,
Mary Ellen

[localady]

Actually my last couple of cruises I have booked originally with HAL as one was a special room request and the other was the last Suite left which had previously been closed/held. Both of those time I set up all my preferences including dinner time etc. and made a deposit. Then I contacted my agent who will meet any price I have found and transferred it to him to get us a workable price. That way I control the details and get the price we feel is fair also.;)

[dst]

We have always checked out prices but when it came time to book we use our TA. No one has ever been able to beat her prices and its nice to know you have someone who cares about you. She takes the initiative to get us a great deal - and then always gives us a bottle of champagne for our first night and a special night in the Pinacle (or other restaurant) No website would do that!

[palmgirl]

We do our own research but like to have a warm, local body to deal with. Have never felt that we could have found a better deal and we have always gotten prices lowered and on board credits. As dst said the website agents aren't sending wine.

[sail7seas]

I voted wrong. Punched the wrong choice....and I'm not even from Florida. :)

I research on line and book through our brick and mortar, down the street and round the corner TA.

[777steve]

I book through an agency that has all of the research online but no direct online booking. And, yes, I do a lot of scanning and quick compares to get quickly to the "what should this cost" bottom line. After reading some of the horror stories I would be a little nervous about booking direct with a purely online source.

The agency I use is not in my state. I learned of them through a thread here on CC and, after doing some follow up, have had a spectacular relationship with the agent I prefer to deal with there. She has booked 4 S suites and 2 A/AA cabins for my next HAL cruise and I imagine she will book all of my others. I still compare (yes, money does matter) but I wouldn't switch horses for $25 when I have one that works well.

Since their prices have always been lower or at least a close 2nd in comparison with other online research agencies I have reviewed, I have never had to deal with the "can you beat this?" situation. I don't know if they can go lower or not. But my confidence level now suggests that she/the agency probably would.

Good thread!

Cheers all!

[jhannah]

It's research online and book with a TA for me. I have found a good TA who works on my behalf. For our upcoming cruise, for instance, I found a website that was $350 PP cheaper than what she quoted. She called HAL and was basically told "no way." A couple of hundred total is tolerable, but this would make a $700 difference. She asked me to give her a little time. Well, two weeks later she came back with a price that was over $800 less PP ... $1,600 cheaper than the original quote. Those are real dollars to me, and I appreciate my TA putting the effort into it. She's enjoyed multiple commissions from our travel, and she stands to get more in the future. So as long as personal service continues, I'll do my homework online and book through my TA.

[sail7seas]

That's great, Jim. Did your TA tell you how she accomplished that kind of saving when HAL originally told her no? That kind of money could not have come from simply reducing her commission. She sounds like a "keeper".

[jhannah]

No, she didn't go into any detail. She had mentioned earlier that even if she forfeited all her agency's commission she still couldn't match the price. I'm guessing that she worked to find some sort of promotion (published or not) she could fit us under. Looking at HAL's website today, the SS is way-way more than what we paid. Made final payment today, so it's a done deal. Yes, she's a keeper!
:cool:

[Aussie Gal]

I prefer to book whilst on board the ship. I do the research long before we leave on our cruise and then I do the booking with the consultant whilst on board. (We always take 14 day cruises) That way we also get cruise credits. I leave it with HAL and then transfer the booking when I arrive home to a TA.

Last year I transferred our booking to a U.S. based agent for the first time, but then our local TA was able to organize us to pay in US dollars when our final payment comes up in two weeks time, so we transferred it to her. The result of all this messing about means we won't be losing our usual amout through wrong exchange rates and paying far too much for the cruise. It is very complicated for us down here but well worth the hassle when we board our lovely ship.
Jennie

[scopewest]

I've been using the same TA for the past ten years and have sent her business because she's that good. Yes, I could book hotels, etc. cheaper on the Net, but I prefer to have her do it. If something goes wrong, I've got her behind me. I had booked the QM2 for Christmas, but our plans changed due to my new job. I told her we wanted the Oosterdam for NYEve and within one week she reserved the cabin we wanted, the hotel we wanted, the rental car, and the flights, and let's not forget we're flying out two days before Christmas, one of the worst travel times for getting reservations. She's worth every dime of commission she makes!

[HeatherInFlorida]

The overwhelming feeling seems to be the real live TA, but I just can't rationalize that for us. Money is a big factor and I've been booking online for the past couple of years and had a great experience. In fact, when I found a lower price two months after booking, my online guys were able to match it for me.

I have heard of local TAs being able to come up with as good a price, but they are few and far between. And it's often after you've shown them an online price you've been offered. With less overhead, it only makes sense the online guys can do it for less.

I have to tell you all that the service I've gotten is outstanding! The only thing lacking is a human voice. But their response time is within an hour or two and I defy any brick and mortar guy to match that. Still, the human touch is always nice and we get less and less of it these days so I can totally understand why many of you want to stick with your local TAs. But I sure can't see going out of state or cross country when there's simply no question you can save money online.

Vanilla and chocolate; it's good to have the choice. Nice place America:)

[SharonN]

We used Travel Agents when we lived in CA but after we moved to KY/OH 10 years ago we tried to find one open on a Sat and were not able to. At that point it became easier to book directly with the cruise line (originally by phone but the past few cruises have been on line).

[iluvcruzin]

I hear you Sharon. I seem to find AAA as the only ones who have some one there Sat. mornings. Cruise prices aren't the best through them. I ended up finding someone on a cruise board some years back. They are in Arkansas which works out fine for me as they are still working when I get home from work (another thing I found - TA's here end at 4-5pm). I'm not far from you in Springboro - I'm close to where I75 & I275 intersect.

[cruzincurt]

We always search online and sign up for the many weekly emails. We take two or three cruises a year. Getting an email with notice of discounts on the approx time we want to cruise prompts us to begin our search as rooms are now released.

For example, we just booked a balcony room that two months ago was sold out. Blocks of rooms are reserved, but not sold.

Gave up on AAA years ago, don't like paying $$$ for them to hold our hand, they never had a competitive price so we quit calling them for a quote. After searching fares on the web sites, I contact a local agency I've used before. Sometimes they will beat or match the price, other times they tell me to grab the online deal.

This time we booked totally on line, never talking to a person. Saved $250 over talking to an on line agent. As for getting a bottle of wine, I'd rather get $100 off the fare than a $5 bottle of wine.

[Lisa63]

We prefer booking through a travel agent, although we usually have a pretty good idea as to the ship and itinerary. We used the same TA for many years, until she retired, and she was in our corner when things didn't go "just right." For instance, back in the days when it was typical to have the cruise line handle air arrangements, the cruise line booked us a flight that got into the port city at 8 pm the night before the cruise left -- and our TA was on the phone immediately to get us in much earlier so that we could enjoy several hours more.

Contrast that to the online agent we used last year, who didn't even notice that our flight to London departed from an airport that was 250 miles from our home -- and we have a major international airport close by.

We now have a new "brick and mortar" travel agent who is a gem, and has passed along several price reductions for our upcoming cruise. Even without the reductions, she has treated us very well and is highly knowledgeable -- a pleasure to work with.

[Orcrone]

I've booked my last cruise and my upcoming cruise through an online site of a brick and mortar agency. Once you book online they assign a real person to you and you deal with that same person all the time. Sometimes I've had to call twice, but most of the time she's very responsive. And their price was the best I found anywhere for the cruise I'm taking.

With that said I don't expect her to provide the level of service I've heard of from others. For instance, I keep track of prices and inform her rather than the other way around. Also, I wouldn't expect her to fight for me to get an upgrade. But I have gotten good service at an excellent price.

[Jacqueline]

The one thing that needs to get separated is that a TA can be a bricks and mortar TA or an *online* TA as opposed to an online agency like ***********, expedia, travelocity, cruise411, etc where one does not have a *person* responsible for their booking to talk to and follow the situation.
I have used two individuals(ie real people) that have a larger agency behind them, but most of our correspondance is thru the internet. I havent met them, but they are widely well regarded in the CC community.
Local agents I have talked to about potential cruises either do not have the access to pricing that these specialists are able to garner or the indepth knowledge of the ships, ports, etc. A great cruise TA will be able to help avoid problems in cabin selection and follow price reductions.

[ekerr19]

777Steve - it sounds like you might use the same agency we use - right up the street from HAL. We have booked the last 5 cruises through them and would not think of going elsewhere. They are the most knowledgeable we've found and have a great relationship with HAL. Most people can't believe we use an out of state agency, but their service is exceptional and we've never had a problem!

[ekerr19]

I read another post above and just want to respond - our TA is out of state, in Seattle. We still get the best price from our TA, she has managed to beat every legitimate web-based travel site out there, for each one of our cruises. Their pricing is the best we've ever encountered.

We also enjoy shipboard credits and complimentary gifts from our TA. Over Christmas, she sent each of our three cabins a small decorated tree and bottles of wine.

I just don't think there is any way to beat this type of great pricing, shipboard credit and personal service.

[FlamingoT]

We researched online and then called HAL to ask some questions and ended up booking with them. They were helpful and courteous and we think - hope- we got a good deal. Leaving Oct.31 on Westerdam Autumn Enchantment and European Farewell. Can't wait!!

[dakrewser]

You left out one possibility:

research online and book with online T.A. !

I use two different T.A.s, one in LA one in Boston - and I'm happy with both.

[lipoppop]

I always check out numerous on line web sites and write down prices. Then call my TA tell her what I want. I even give her the web site and she has even called to confirm with those companies. Many times she has found errors with their web site prices. I have 2 upcoming cruises that I booked 3 days apart from each other. When I booked the Westerdam the best she could do was $75 more per person but;) could give us $50.00 ships board credit per person and $50.00 check from Amex per person who owns the travel agency. The other places on line will not give you ship board credit all the time or other credits. Then a few days later when I booked the Ryndam I had my amo of prices and was shocked when she came up with $120.00 less person plus $50.00 total ship board credit. It seems this travel agency had a big tour going for this particular cruise and could offer this huge discount.

I have found it to be better with a local TA I can call after I have booked that if Isee prices drop she just makes a phone call and she works to get an adjustment. It is still good to be a wise shopper and keep investigating prices. In the case of my Alaska cruise I booked last August from the time I booked till we went in May the prices did nothing but go ;) up.

LAFFNVEGAS,I think I use the same company you use. My TA's prices have always been better than any on-line real quote that I found. Perhaps it is because of the volumn the company does. However my TA does not know when specific prices are reduced. It is too much to have her check every booking she does. These are not promotions but price reductions. So I check the internet and if I see a lower price on HAL's site or something like AA cruises I call my TA. She has been able to get me the price reduction albeit via a cancellation and rebooking.

I have a question. How do you find out about the promotions? There has been a lot of talk about promotion 267 but I have not been able to find its source. It is not on HAL's promotion web site. Also on board credits seem to be hit or miss- no set pattern.

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

In the past years we have booked both through an agent without researching online, to researching online and booking with an online service, booking directly with HAL online, booking onboard while cruising with a HAL agent, and back to using the personal service of a TA after researching online.

The best advantage of using a TA is their communication with HAL, in our presence, then being able to make booking decisions with a live HAL agent for the best deal.

[Lithium]

I belong to a vacation club which will beat any cruise price by at least 5%. So I do my research online, find the lowest price, call them and they will give me a lower price (assuming the price is legit and they have access to the same bookings). It works out nicely!

[Navy_Chief]

I found that my OnLine TA is just as helpful and does very good work as the TA available to me at the Naval Base near me and the prices are no different.

[jazzsea]

What a refreshing thread. Those of us in the cruise business love to hear or read nice things about other agents and agencies. So many times we get blamed for things that are really not our fault.

Pricing is sometimes difficult for us to match or beat. Other times we are able to find promotions or specials that are missed by or not offered to the online agencies. I know that I get group prices that some other agencies don't get. I also know that AAA agencies get pricing that I sometimes can't get.

It used to be that those of us that were Premium Preferred and Centurion agencies with Holland America would get really wonderful pricing. Now pricing is much more competitive and we sort through tons of research to do the best that we can for our clients. Unfortunately, we sometimes have to tell clients to grab the great price on the internet because we cannot match it.

Have you told your TA that you appreciate him or her lately? It will make their day!

[lipoppop]

Have you told your TA that you appreciate him or her lately? It will make their day!

Carol,

No but I sent her an e-mail on how to enjoy life.

Seriously she knows that we appreciate her service and help. She has always matched or beat any internet price I found. Her agency is also in Florida- maybe it is yours- extension 35 Diana?

Jay, aka lipoppop to the grandchildren and the internet

[Orcrone]

Using someone else's credit card.:D

[ekerr19]

Using someone else's credit card.:D

You are killing me! :D

I use someone else's all the time!! My DH's.... ;)

[RISKMGR]

After over 30 years of cruising,I have gone on too many cruises to count. But since finding CVS 6 years ago, no TA has ever come even close to their prices.

You might like your TA, but if you really want to save $$$$ try online booking thru a cruise specialist. It's easy simple, and I have never been dissapointed, or had a mishap or mistake

Iy would appear that from the news I have read on another thread, that the cruiselines are trying to squeez discount TA and online out of business. They would prefer you to book thru the cruise line directly ( no commissions to pay, and no discounts !)

[jan7487]

After over 30 years of cruising,I have gone on too many cruises to count. But since finding CVS 6 years ago, no TA has ever come even close to their prices.

You might like your TA, but if you really want to save $$$$ try online booking thru a cruise specialist. It's easy simple, and I have never been dissapointed, or had a mishap or mistake

Iy would appear that from the news I have read on another thread, that the cruiselines are trying to squeez discount TA and online out of business. They would prefer you to book thru the cruise line directly ( no commissions to pay, and no discounts !)

Did you mean CVC?

[iamirish]

I book through my TA. When the brick and mortar TA's are gone, who will fight for us.

I do my research by going to cruise shows, looking at the cruise line brochures, watching the cruise lines videos - all of this, to see WHO the cruise line "would like" as their passengers. I realize that that is not always who “books” their ships.

I also go on-line to see what is available. My TA will normally answer all my questions (if he doesn't know the answer he will call me back). You can't always get answers on-line.

And of course, what you all have to say about a cruise ship, a cruise line and the destinations - THANKS!!

Tom

[Roadwork]

We research and book on line. At one time we used local TA's but found they didn't do much for us. We found the prices on line are better, but only choose one that you can talk to if the need arises.

[sologrip]

I made my vote, TA research and booking, then, after giving it a little thought, realized that I actually come upon my cruises by accident (boards, word of mouth from friends, ad mailer, or SOMETHING) and then do some researching to see if the the itinerary or novelty gives me a little tingle. The more I find out about the cruise the better the vision. I'm a sucker for something different, with the problem being that the research material is pretty thin (anyone seen any information about that Alaska Service Dog training cruise?) and the visualizations end up getting drawn mainly from prior experience and imagination. I voted for booking with a TA, too, but I couldn't immediately imagine why I would do that, either. By the time I'm through fueling my imagination, I've revisited the cruise website so often I know it all by heart. Maybe it's that the tedium of negotiating accommodations to an official cruise line policy of not transporting animals, mostly dogs, on board a treeless platform for up to 14 days takes the negotiating skills of a seasoned diplomat...As each cruise line's official service animal policies cannot cover all contingencies, they tend to be pretty general to allow flexibility based upon the specific ADA-defined disabling condition of the service dog handler and the service dog's training and temperament (Some dogs just do NOT find a concrete potty area compelling enough to avoid the inevitable Feenamint moment...) but SOMEtimes the problem is with the cruise line...They might HAVE no official policy because, despite any ADA requirements they are supposed to follow (and I'm not speaking of cruise lines exempt from ADA directives) they refuse to permit service dogs on board, in which case negotiations continue into the legal arena and out of my view.

Maybe it's that trying to discover if a particular excursion is accessible to wheeled mobility is best left to those with the connections of someone in the "biz" and the patience of someone other than I. It's certainly a task that separates the TA drone from the TA genius. There's no doubt about it, booking on-line would be so much easier... if only to avoid the inevitable extra layer of administration that can foster an increased number of errors but, as with everything else, planning a cruise around physical limitations takes the investigative skills of a PI and the patience of a saint. I just want to enjoy my vacation as a joyous tour of discovery, not as a recovery from a nervous breakdown...
So, I vote for the joy of doing research myself to fuel the excitement, and booking with a TA to preserve my sanity.

[sail7seas]

777Steve - it sounds like you might use the same agency we use - right up the street from HAL. We have booked the last 5 cruises through them and would not think of going elsewhere. They are the most knowledgeable we've found and have a great relationship with HAL. Most people can't believe we use an out of state agency, but their service is exceptional and we've never had a problem!

Do you now if that Agency has someone there named "Janet"?

[1cruiselvr]

As experienced cruisers, we do our own research, then ask for price quotes from various online cruise brokers as well as the cruiseline itself. We book with the cheapest, as price dictates who gets our business since we already know what we want. I would not suggest this approach for newbies or less experienced cruisers. A TA that is knowledgeable is worth his/her weight in gold. As others have pointed out, this person can save you from making mistakes that could ruin your vacation. Happy Sailing!

[Stevesan]

Do you now if that Agency has someone there named "Janet"?
A further clue: Janet L. She can nurse your cruise blues back to health.

[BADBUOY]

Booked with a online cruise agency. I think we got a real good deal with an onboard credit to boot!