NCL Direct of TAa to book cruise?

[trojangirl90066]

I am interested in how many people use a TA as opposed to booking with NCL directly and what are the advantages either way.
Thanks a lot, I appreciate the answers

[jimd909]

I'll take a stab at this.

I used an online TA to book my NCL cruise next year to Mexico - 12/2010. They were approx. $1,300 cheaper (total) for an AB and I got $225 OBC (total).

This beat the special NCL was having with offering 2 soda packages. With the OBC I can buy my own and have alot left over.

Also, because you cannot make any changes online with NCL, I didn't see a problem with using a TA since you had to go to them to make any type of changes anyway. The only drawback was payments. I had to call in to make payments to the TA. NCL allows you to make payments online. But, for $1,300.00, I'll makes some calls to make payments.

We cannot mention any TA by name. It's against the rules of the CC gods.

Do a search in Google or Yahoo....you'll find a ton of options.

[hkto]

I'd go with best deal of the day. We got a better deal from TA when we booked in March (about 10% difference). However there is a slight chance that TA may declare bankruptcy prior to remitting money to the cruise line. Happened to my parents last year but luckily for them MC refunded the shortfall.

[zedneser]

The first time I booked a NCL cruise I used a TA. She was helpful in getting the best price for our plane and hotel. Plus we got OBC. She also gave helpful tips on cruising, since it was our first time. However, I found it frustrating that any questions or problems I had about the cruise had to go through the TA who then called NCL and then called me back. I couldn't just pick up the phone and call NCL for a quick answer (which I tried and they informed me they would only speak to my TA).

Since then I've booked directly with NCL. I prefer to deal with them directly.

[johnql]

I originally booked my upcoming Jewel cruise via NCL about 11 months before sailing. A couple months after I booked, an agency that I have used several times in the past sent me an email promotion, offering great OBC enticements, doubling the OBC that was available via NCL. So, I cancelled my NCL reservation and rebooked using the TA. Soon thereafter, I also qualified for the Amex card $100 OBC. Overall, I ended up receiving $700 in OBC vs. $300 via NCL.

[Poconolady]

For our upcoming Star cruise I used a TA-only because this was an award trip won at work and it had to be booked thru a specific TA--the price that was paid was over $380 MORE than what I could have booked the exact same cabin thru an online agency-but since I wasn't paying for the trip it didn't matter (however, yes it did-it justs irks me to know that I could have had that $380 to put toward hotel expenses etc that I am now paying out of pocket). The TA priced the trip using NCL pricing. (By the way, they also tacked on $70 for the airline tickets booking fee) I realize that the agency is fully within their rights to charge for these things, its how they make their money and stay in business--my point is that you can save yourself some real money if you book online yourself--in our case $450. Booking a cruise online is a snap, stay with a well known onlline agency and search for the bargains, added extras like cabin upgrades or obc, etc. Also, be sure to get all of the credits that you are entitles to, such as senior fares, union discounts, specific state discounts, previous cruiser fares,etc.

[STARFISH*4]

i have used both and havent had probs either way...i just GO with WHO can give me the BEST DEAL!! i always call my PCC first tho see what he can do

[Carib210]

I check around for pricing. I've found that many times the actual cruise price is the same as using NCL or an online TA, so I go with who gives the best givebacks..OBC, reduction of commission of TA, etc. I continue to watch the prices and then either contact cruise line if booked directly with them or the online TA and get my discount before final payment.

[Crissy699]

Originally Posted by STARFISH*4

i have used both and havent had probs either way...i just GO with WHO can give me the BEST DEAL!! i always call my PCC first tho see what he can do

I think my PCC is useless..he uses classic sales phrases over and over again, usually in the wrong context (english is not his first language) and never answers my questions, its very frustrating ... anyone have recommendations on how to get a GOOD one?

[ubdkjrb]

It's very simple for me when it comes to NCL. I always book direct because I want to be able to call the upsell desk three weeks out to negotiate a great deal. I would no more think to use a TA to do that than I would to send my neighbor down to the car dealer to negotiate a deal on a new car. The upsell is way more valuable than a couple hundred $ OBC.

Peter

[Tink35]

I've been using my TA since I began cruising and have found that I'm completely satisfied. I've gotten OBCs everytime and a wonderful bottle of wine waiting for me in my cabin. Last cruise NCL somehow lost our excursion tickets & my husbands surprise birthday pkg order and I called my TA and the whole thing was taken care of within an hour. Now because of that incident NCL has given me a substantial OBC for our next cruise. My TA also will check prices and if he finds it cheaper he will reprice for me.
Would I book directly through NCL? I might. Like many others have said, whatever the best deal is. Just for me so far my TA has given me them.

[njhorseman]

Originally Posted by ubdkjrb

It's very simple for me when it comes to NCL. I always book direct because I want to be able to call the upsell desk three weeks out to negotiate a great deal. I would no more think to use a TA to do that than I would to send my neighbor down to the car dealer to negotiate a deal on a new car. The upsell is way more valuable than a couple hundred $ OBC.

Peter

Not everyone would agree that an upsell is worth more than an OBC...and by the way, you may get a lot more than an OBC from a good travel agency...you may save hundreds on the price of your cruise in addition.

[markvalv6]

Originally Posted by ubdkjrb

It's very simple for me when it comes to NCL. I always book direct because I want to be able to call the upsell desk three weeks out to negotiate a great deal. I would no more think to use a TA to do that than I would to send my neighbor down to the car dealer to negotiate a deal on a new car. The upsell is way more valuable than a couple hundred $ OBC.

Peter

I am fairly new to all this. Can you explain the upsell and how you do this?

[paulekrause]

I always use a TA. He knows my preferences, sends bon voyage gifts to the cabin, and is aware of special deals. For example, he knows that i usually charge on Discover Card, but informed me that for one cruise, if i used a VISA card, I'd get a $100 ob board credit. I also never pay him directly. All charges he makes go directly to the cruise lines so worrying about his agency going bankrupt is not a problem.

And, he ALWAYS seems to get me the best price!

[veggie59]

Like others have said....it depends. We check around for prices online first...then call NCL. Our last cruise I found better pricing with a PCC.....our next cruise with a TA. It can vary each time. I tried to book with the PCC we had last time....but she couldnt come close to what I had for prices and perks from a TA. We booked with the TA of course.

[KermitClin]

We booked with a TA, she got us a fair that was just a little bit less than NCL's price, plus she was able to include $50 OBC at the time. 3 weeks after we booked, she negotiated a price that was $250/per person on our cruise and 2 weeks after that she had our OBC raised to $100 and we were still 11 months from sailing at the time. She's proved herself to us by making the process less expensive and so easy on us that we won't hesitate to book with her again in the future.

[ubdkjrb]

Originally Posted by markvalv6

I am fairly new to all this. Can you explain the upsell and how you do this?

All cruiselines have a system for filling up their ships. NCL uses the upsell approach. About three to four weeks from sailing, they begin to contact passengers to see if they would like to upsell to a higher category. They do this because, for the most part, the unsold inventory is in the higher cabin categories (suites, etc.). They start with the junior suite passengers and offer to move them to a full suite for a few hundred per person (example). If they bite, then they contact the balcony passengers and offer the now vacant junior suite for a slight upcharge, etc. etc. etc.

There are some of us who don't wait for the call from NCL and instead call them. Our theory is why take a chance on being called when we can call ourselves. In order to effectively do this, you should book direct. This way, you can talk to NCL yourself. If you book thru a TA, they have to make the call. I always negotiate with NCL for the upsell. If they want $300 per person, I might offer $200. It's much easier and effective to do the negotiations myself than thru a TA.

Peter

[bled01]

I used an online TA that saved me $400 over the NCL direct price plus I got $100 OBC. I think there are even better deals to be had out there from TA's in general as my savings are on the low end due the cruise being on the Epic the second month after if sets sail.

[Thatsright]

We saved over $1000 booking (on a mini suite) with a TA who does group bookings. For me a better price upfront is more important than the slim chance of an upsell.

[magenandmax]

I have used both TA and direct buy. Now I just shop around and compare prices. With the TA I have saved more money and received OBC plus great hotel rates that I use either before or after the cruise. This time I called NCL last week seeking an upgrade. I went from a mini suite to a penthouse suit at a very reasonable rate. I was only seeking a suite but jumped at the opportunity. Don't be shy, go ahead and make the call, the worst the TA or cruise line can do is have a good laugh and say no. You have nothing to loose! If it doesn't work that time call back again. Make it your game and go for it!