Travel Agent

[llee_2003]

This is my first post in CC and thanks for all the useful information which helps me a lot in planning for my first cruise next year in the Baltics(though I am still indecisive between Regent and Crystal, as most first time cruisers.....).

But anyway, after reading through a lot of materials, I have started to obtain quotations from travel agents. Unfortunately, I received only one reply out of the three I sent out and the agent offered a 15% discount against the published price plus on-board credit. Is a discount from travel agent common? Just like hotel booking, it is always cheaper using agents than direct from the hotel.

Also, since I worked in Africa with no local cruise agent I will probably do it through an american agent, is there any things I need to pay particular attention to, when I booked through an American agent (I am not American)? I am used to overseas agent but have never dealt with a cruise booking or American company.

Thanks.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

You should check to make sure you are allowed to book through an American agent. I have heard in the past that it's not possible, but you should be able to find out. Perhaps UK instead? Just guessing.

Regent is not heavily discounted by agents. Some give a small incentive, either a cash payment or onboard credits. Mine is about 5% I think.

[Dreps]

We use the same agent that Wendy does. I know that she has a number of clients in other countries, though I don't know if she has any in Africa. May bet is that it's not an issue. That said, as you know, we cannot recommend agents on CC.

Wendy is correct, the usual discount from our TA is about 5 percent, and this is done with a check prior to the cruise. If she happens to be escorting the cruise, the discount is more like 8 percent. Of course, with the recent economic situation, there have been larger discounts and often larger shipboard credits or other promotions. Frankly, I don't think I've ever seen a fare quoted that was 15 percent lower than Regent's best fare. That is, looking at Regent's US Web site and ignoring the numbers listed under "Brochure Fare," I've never seen anything approaching 15 percent off the "Special Promotion" fare listed on Regent's site.

[Travelcat2]

Regent does have a list of recommended travel agents on their website (here is a link to it https://www.rssc.com/agent/) It is important to use an agent that is familiar with booking cruises -- Regent in particular.

[ededmd]

In her haste to help, Tc2's link will direct you to the site FOR travel agent professionals.

Try: http://www.rssc.com/findagent/

There is an international section.

[Travelcat2]

Originally Posted by ededmd

In her haste to help, Tc2's link will direct you to the site FOR travel agent professionals.

Try: http://www.rssc.com/findagent/

There is an international section.

Oops -- thanks for catching that

[llee_2003]

Thanks for the replies.

I did contact Regent and was given a TA in South Africa (I live in Tanzania). Since it is my first cruise, I would like to work with a TA who knows the product well, therefore, I prefer an american agent.

When you mentioned "TA", are you referring to the individual or the company? I noted that the company was listed in Regent's website but not the individual. Does it matter?

[NCCruzQueen]

Usually a TA is mentioned as an individual. Not all agents in one company are necessarily familiar with the Regent product. Happy hunting and I hope you do find a good Regent TA. Read some of the past threads about TAs to get more information about what types of questions to ask when interviewing a TA.

[llee_2003]

Thanks. I finally figure out that the 15% is not really a discount but the reduction of price since I do not take the Regent air arrangement (I have the impression that it FREE AIR therefore, I thought you pay the same regardless you need the air arrangement and I have to admit I have never read any of the Regent air posts).

Anyway, it feels good to have a surprise discount.

[hondorner]

Originally Posted by llee_2003

Thanks. I finally figure out that the 15% is not really a discount but the reduction of price since I do not take the Regent air arrangement (I have the impression that it FREE AIR therefore, I thought you pay the same regardless you need the air arrangement and I have to admit I have never read any of the Regent air posts).

Anyway, it feels good to have a surprise discount.

Yes, any reduction in price is pleasant.

Let me hasten to add, however, that nothing is "free", it is always included in the price, somewhere, and if people had to pay the same for a cruise without the air arrangement as those who get the airfare, there would be a mini-revolution.

[leese]

Does anyone know what makes a Regent recommended TA? I looked up the recommended agent for my area from Regent's site and see that in her bio she has taken one Regent cruise. I suppose she could be familiar with Regent from not taking many of their cruises, but would have assumed that a recommended TA would have more first-hand experience.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I don't know what the criteria is, but one cruise certainly does not make one knowledgeable about the cruise line.

My problem with their recommendation system is that it depends on location. My TA is a couple of thousand miles away, and is tops in my book.

If I were you I would do some googling, look at some websites, then make some phone calls and ask questions about their experience.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Just wanted to make it clear that I am not recommending a specific agent at all, just recommending a method for finding one. Guidelines prevent us from recommending specific agents, or even hinting at who they might be.

[Host Dan]

Originally Posted by Wendy The Wanderer

Just wanted to make it clear that I am not recommending a specific agent at all, just recommending a method for finding one. Guidelines prevent us from recommending specific agents, or even hinting at who they might be.

Thanks Wendy!

Host Dan

[leese]

I have done some Googling and maybe have found a few options. I’ll have to make some calls. I suppose I could contact any of there recommended TAs even though they aren’t in my area.

Thanks for the help everyone.

[mikeIam]

I have just gone through the process of finding a new TA. One of the problems I encountered when calling prospective TAs (even Regent recommended ones) was that I just got generalities in response to my questions. I found that if I inquired about a specific cruise/ship that it was much easier to determine the real expertise of the TA. The difference in knowledge and professionalism of the one I finally selected was obvious from the first few minutes of talking with them, and that has continued after we made our booking. It's definitely worth calling several TAs and expanding your search to ones outside of your area if you don't get satisfactory answers from the first ones you call.

mike

[egret]

The travel agent I use for Regent is about 600 miles away from my home. I use them because they are Regent experts and we get a better deal through them than we can get through our local TA who we use for other travel needs. In my opinion, in the case of arranging for the perfect cruise experience, where the TA is located is not improtant.

The only problem is that they don't seem to be able to customize outside of the standard Regent program, but I can deal with that.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Egret, do you mean your TA doesn't make hotel or air arrangements outside the Regent packages? Neither does mine, but I'd much rather do that myself anyways. My TA does have lots of recommendations in that regard, however, so will make suggestions and provide lots of pointers.