Cruise Quality and Occupation

[harryw]

I have noticed many posts from both industry (travel agents, agency owners) and non-industry persons. This begs the question: Do certain passengers receive preferential treatment based on their occupation? If so, reviews of industry persons should sometimes be taken with a grain of (sea) salt, since their experiences may be better (and if I were an industry person, I would prefer that!), based on their occupation.

Harry

[mncruise]

No, on special treatment. Most of the time people do not even know I am a TA. It is not on our record and the cabin steward, dining room, etc do not know unless we tell them. I usually do not tell other people at our dining table unless asked. Cruise lines do not want us approaching and selling ourselves to guests. I get a lot of questions and I like to refer guests to their local travel agent so the can establish a connection with someone who knows them and their likes. I am not saying agencies out of their area are not good or responsible but sometimes it helps when someone is near them. It must be a personal choice.
A lot of agents go on seminars at sea and then the staff knows we are agents and yes then we get a special party and the Captain will usually speak to us. We also get special rates but do not cruise for free and need to go to the required classes. It helps us learn the ship and policies of the cruise line. I always learn and it helps me better serve my clients. I want to do Azamara to see how it will compare to Celebrity, my favorite line.
Most of the cruises I have taken have been at the same rate as the passengers. I am booked on Celebrity on the Panama Canal in a few weeks and paid full fare. By booking on a Royal Caribbean cruise I have room credit to be used on the ship.
Always talk to the person who has the future cruise department. They are there to help you reserve a future cruise and answer questions. Your travel agent will get the credit and will be informed you have booked.
This is me but when I sail I do not like to wear a shirt from another cruise line, but I do have a Holland America windbreaker I wear on all my trips, land or sea.
I also do not like to run down any cruise line but will give a slight opinion if asked and a direct answer if asked a direct question when I am on a cruise. When I am talking to a client, I use my knowledge to sell them the right cruise or tour.Any cruise can have a problem but it does not usually reflect the whole cruise
Sorry to go on so long, but I hopes this helps.
I get special treatment because I am a frequent cruiser on ships and you will also.
Have a good cruise
Leona

[ocngypz]

When you are attending a Seminar at Sea, yes, those who are being paid their gratuities through the seminar do know you are an attending agent.

I was invited by the same Celebrity Key Account Manager who also invited Mr Bill.

I declined as I always prefer to experience a new ship as a regular passenger.
I sailed the week prior. I know that if our room steward knew we were both agents he wouldn't have smart mouthed us. And if he knew.. and still did it.. well.. he would have been the stupidest person afloat.

I was the most sailed passenger on the 8/18 sailing. Did I receive special treatment? Except for the bouquet of red roses the Captain's Club gave me that Thursday night... and dinner with the Cruise Director (where our service was atrocious!)....and misc phone calls from the CC hostess... no... no special treatment.

When I escort groups,they know I'm a ta... and general speaking, yes, I get special treatment. When sailing as the general public. whether on ta reduced rates.. or at full tariff...nope.. nothing special.

One thing I have learned over 20 years in the business.... the vacation provider (cruiseline, hotel, all inlcusive) needs to underpromise... so they over deliver.

[Seabiscuit]

I have to believe it, Harry. I was on board last week 8/25 - 9/1 and had no where near the glorious experience of other posters for that week. My cruise was a lot more like that of posters on 8/18-8/25. Perhaps, I was in a time warp ! :confused:

I'm just a regular person who has absolutely no connections to the travel industry. I have been fortunate enough to take 30+ cruises starting in 1973 on several different lines. On a scale of 0 to 10 , I'd say Azamara came in at about a 6...... a letter grade would be about a C+ to a B-.

It's a great question you asked, one which I've never even thought about until today. ;)

[Mr. Bill CEO]

Harry,

I beg to differ from one of the previous T/A postings indicating that the Azamara staff knew in advance that we were owners or travel agents. As a matter of fact, our room steward (butler) when she introduced herself to us asked if we had ever cruised before and if we had ever cruised with Celebrity. Now if she had known in advance that we were owners/travel agents, I find that is a strange question to ask. Our prepaid gratuities ar paid in the same fashion as guests who pre-pay...at the end of the cruise, not up front.

If you are a frequent past passenger with most cruise lines, you will usually be recognized as such with extra goodies in your cabin, special invites with the captain or other staff, cocktail parties, etc. With some 89+ cruises logged with various cruise lines we do of course receive some special recognition as do our guests who are past passengers. This is nothing new.

While I wouldn't give Azamara anywhere near a "10", I would give them kudos for effort in improving on a week to week basis. This is nothing new for any cruise line or ship that is recently introduced.

Mr. Bill CEO

[blambition]

I owned an cruise only agency for years and the staff on ships never knew I was an owner. When I travel on ships today I rarely mention that I am a TA because who wants to talk business while away.
The perks I get are because I have gotten to the highest level in their reward progam and availble to everyone. I agree with the comments above.
Vicki

[dgreeney]

I don't know who the cruise personnel thought we were, but they treated me and my GF like we were special. They always friendly, greeted us warmly whenever we made contact, and were very accommodating.

Obviously I do not agree with any of the posts that criticized the cruise staff.

While on the cruise I overheard the most ridiculous criticisms and comments. Quite frankly, I was amused. It was like visiting a nursing home and listening to a bunch of old f-rts whinning.

TA's included.

[bigmjh]

I believe that what you get from the staff (friendliness, smiles, extra service, etc.) depends on how you relate to the staff. We always smile and greet everyone - fellow passengers as well as staff - and usually receive the same. However, we have encountered others that feel they are above the staff and don't even acknowledge them when passing in the halls ... no wonder they feel "unwelcome".

[crzfanatic]

Harry,

Our prepaid gratuities ar paid in the same fashion as guests who pre-pay...at the end of the cruise, not up front.

Mr. Bill CEO

No big deal but our gratuities were charged to our account mid-week on the cruise, they were on our mid-week statement.

Andy

[grandsix]

Seems like quite a few travel agents are coming out of the woodwork. It is difficult not to be biased since their living is made on booking trips. When posting, it would be fair to let the Cruise Critic audience know you are an agent.

[blambition]

Even though I owned a cruise only agency for 8 years that does not mean that I would not tell my honest opinion. I always booked everyone of my clients sailings as if I was booking for myself as far as looking out for the little details and somehow find the last remark an affront to our profession. Yes some of us ( I no longer) make our living as TA's but it is by telling the truth and giving good service that we earn your repeat business. I have kept my hand in the business for fun and the fact that I love cruising. I do not think that people try and hide the fact that they might be in the travel industry.

[PianoGary]

If someone wishes to reveal their TA occupation, that's great. If they don't - that's great, too!
As someone who personally knows literally 100's of TA's - I agree 100% with blambition above. You will always - repeat always - get an unbiased, honest opinion from the vast majority of TA's out there. They want your repeat business!