TA and Guarantee Questions

[BonnieSeattle]

Excitedly planning our first cruise and are having a hard time trying to figure out if we should find a TA.

We were the highest bidders at a local charity auction for a 7 day HAL cruise. The certificate that came in the mail, gave us a number at HAL to call to book the cruise. We live in Seattle and are planning to take the train to Vancouver the day before boarding a ship to Alaska. Is there a benefit to using a TA and if so, how do we find a good one?

Also, I've been enjoying this site and see the term "room guarantee" bantered about. Am I correct in that by booking "guarantee", we will not get a room assignment until the last minute, but in return might be upgraded for free? If so, is this something that HAL will automatically do? How do we decide which is best?? The certificate is for an inside stateroom, but we are going to pay the difference for a balcony (going cheaper by staying away from the middle). I imagine a free upgrade if we book "guarantee" would be more to the middle of the ship (which would be awfully nice for a first timer at sea)?

Thanks!

[montana20024]

I like the idea of having a TA, she plans everying, we just go, ...don't have to serch constantly for this or that...cruise and flight...she does it all..
As far as a guarantee room, I booked one and was told , that i will get a room no lower than the one I booked, but chances of upgrading are possible, but in the end I will get the deck that I choose...the other way is to book an assigned room, and you cannot be upgraded with this type...
Hope this helps a little...Have fun and you will definately LOVE CRUISING...
GUARANTEED...

[CaptData]

I would read your thing very carefully. It may state that you can not upgrade on it. Go with a TA. A gty room is just that they gty a room in most cases you will only get what you paid for. If you go high season it is best to pick the room up front beacuse you will get one way forward or back if gty. Also location may be under the dance floor.

[BonnieSeattle]

Wow, I hadn't even considered the dance floor. Thanks! I'm definitely leaning toward securing the room, rather than the guarantee. We've already called HAL and confirmed that it won't be any problem to upgrade to a balcony.

As for the TA, do most people use online agents or find them locally? I haven't seen one in our local phonebook that specializes in cruises. If online, how do you make sure they're ok?

[serene56]

Since you have lots of questions you do not want a ta that deals with only email.
Other agents you will want to ask specific questions.
How much is it gonna cost you if you need to cancel or change your dates. THe cruise lines give you up til final payment for free for that stuff. (after that there is a fee. )

What is it going to cost to make changes to a booking?

Do they charge you to send your documents.

Will they give you any rebates if the price comes down up til sailing. (dont know how that would work if you have a certificate.

Since we cant mention agents here no longer may I suggest that you do a search on google to BUY CRUISES.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Definitely go with a TA.

That way both of you can go over the certificate and she can call HAL to get all the details. There might be restrictions on the cabin you can book - there might be restrictions on which ship - there might be restrictions on which weeks.

Check it all out.

Also find out if the certificate covers port taxes, etc.

[serene56]

I dont know if ANY certificate included port and the taxes. nopt even the tips. But agree with Krazy that it would be easier to deal with a person then an online agency over the phone.

[CaptData]

Also if possible go day before and stay at hotel. Check into buying insurance for travel (insuremytrip. com is a good place to start). Please remember that the cert will only cover cruise not drinks, trans there and back (unless stated), tips, tours ect.

[98Charlie]

Bonnie

First off, congratulations on your purchase!

If you are having trouble finding a TA with cruising experience you may want to go to the Cruise Lines International Association web site Click Here and do a search by your zip code. I have pesonally never used the service but it might be a good place to start. We use an online agency with phone contact. However, it sounds like you may want to be face to face for this first cruise.

Even after finding some names you may want to ask for references and other pertinent questions. (How many cruises has the TA taken, do they have a favorite line, etc.)


Charlie

[lougee1043]

[quote=montana20024]the other way is to book an assigned room, and you cannot be upgraded with this type...QUOTE]

montana --this is not so ---on our alaska cruise a few years back we booked waht was known then as a mini suite with an assigned cabin number --when we went to the pier to check in we were upgraded at no charge to a full suite- and the people that were booked in the full suite were upgraded to the penthouse--this was a last minute thing because all of the excursion paperwork for the people that were upgraded to the penthouse was still in the suite when we got there--we met them and have kept in touch and we are all sailing together again in mardh on the galaxy

[jcanino]

Originally Posted by serene56

I dont know if ANY certificate included port and the taxes. nopt even the tips. But agree with Krazy that it would be easier to deal with a person then an online agency over the phone.

Carnival sells certificates for 3/4/7/8 day cruises. The price you pay includes cruise fare, taxes, port charges and gratuities. We sell them to businesses and organizations that want to use it for raffles.

[BonnieSeattle]

Thank you so much, for all of your responses. I have printed out the excellent question suggestions and will take them with me, when I go IN PERSON <g> to the TA. Charlie, I clicked on the link and found a number of agents who, although not in my immediate town, are close enough to make the effort to go in person.

From my conversation with HAL, I do know that 1) We will be charged an extra $260 each for port fees and taxes, 2) We have an expiration date (must be used by 10/29/05, 3) We have no restriction on which ship we take, as long as it goes to Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico or New England.

We're definitely going up to Vancouver the day before. No way would I want to risk travel the day of!

I appreciate all of your answers. Will be 'cruising' CC a lot in the next 8 months!

[montana20024]

Thank you lougee1043...I just learned something new...always open to new information, that is what makes these boards so gooooooood...have a nice day..