Do you use a travel agent?

Hi! We have cruised three times (Celebrity, RC and Carnival) and have booked directly through the cruiseline each time. As I read on hear, it seems like some of you are getting better deals and room choices using a travel agent. Any recommendations or suggestions where I might look for a really great cruise expert?

the rules here don't allow for recommending specific travel agents. I can tell you that we find that out travel agent frequently offers obc from the travel agency in addition to what the cruise line offers. I suggest you Google some cruise specific travel agencies and see what's out there. there are also web sites that you enter your criteria and companies respond with offers. finally, talk to friends that cruise. there are lots of us.

We use our long time travel agent. It works for us to tell what we want and have her take care of it with the cruise line for us. If any issues arise, she deals with those as well. :)

Sorry, but we cannot name a TA on here. We use one and she is great. Princess allows a TA to discount if someone requests a quote. We usually save about 15% off the current Princess price when we book. Get a little OBC too.

We used a TA once. Everytime I had a question, she'd say "I don't know, let's find out". And then proceed to call the cruiseline and ask the question. Well, I can do that.

Wasn't impressed.

I like using a travel agent as she knows who to talk to and how to get things done if there is a problem. Although most cruise lines do not allow TAs to discount fares (Princess is the only one I know about that does), my TA usually gives me some OBC or a bottle of wine.

Just a personal choice...I choose to book myself (just like you have been doing)...the OBC some TA's offer aren't worth it to me to have a third party involved.

Also TA's don't have access to better located cabins than I can get booking directly with the cruiseline.

Sorry you have misunderstood this fact.

It's based on avalibility at time of booking or what may become available before your cruise date. I change cabins easily if I see something else better located comes along.

Just another reason to have control of your booking...no one can respond as quickly and make a change faster than you can yourself.

Just a personal choice...I choose to book myself (just like you have been doing)...the OBC some TA's offer aren't worth it to me to have a third party involved.

 

Also TA's don't have access to better located cabins than I can get booking directly with the cruiseline.

 

Sorry you have misunderstood this fact.

 

It's based on avalibility at time of booking or what may become available before your cruise date. I change cabins easily if I see something else better located comes along.

 

Just another reason to have control of your booking...no one can respond as quickly and make a change faster than you can yourself.

So wrong. Preferred partner TAs can wrangle post-final payment price drops, secure price matches to other TA special sales, add hundreds in OBC, add discounts for blocks of rooms they've secured. You are correct that it may not amount to much on cheap lines like Carnival. But it can mean hundreds to thousands of dollars on premium and luxury lines.

I don't use a travel agent.

I book as soon as schedules are released, and if there are price drops I don't have to depend on someone else to call, I can do it myself.

As to better cabin choices, I know where I want to be and I can book the cabin location I want.

Yes - sort of. I pick the cruise and ask him to book it. He then looks out for me once the booking has been made.

DON

We wouldn't think of not using a TA. A good TA will save you anywhere from 5 to 20% off the cruise line rack rate either in a discounted fare (where allowed) or in OBCs, transfers, travel insurance or other perks. A good TA cuts through the corporate bafflegaff that cruise lines will throw at you and will be there for you if something goes wrong. When something goes wrong and it often does you want someone on your team not some faceless soul in a cruise line call center who likely doesn't know the bow from the stern of a ship. However, there are good and not so good travel agents .... so you want to get to know them a bit, find out if they do a large volume in cruises, do they offer "group" fares or packages and do they charge fees for cancellation, changes or re-pricing .... if they do keep looking. Talk to friends who cruise and find out who they use or ask people on your next cruise who they use.

So wrong. Preferred partner TAs can wrangle post-final payment price drops, secure price matches to other TA special sales, add hundreds in OBC, add discounts for blocks of rooms they've secured. You are correct that it may not amount to much on cheap lines like Carnival. But it can mean hundreds to thousands of dollars on premium and luxury lines.

Sorry you feel I'm "so wrong"... My experience is 20+ cruises with RCI..perhaps a "cheap line" in your opinion. But there's just as many of us that prefer to keep ownership of our travel than those who want to involve a 3rd party.

This was my "personal" opinion and response to the OP's question...not your's. :rolleyes:

After a couple of bad TA's, we were fortunate to find a TA that we have used for over 25 years.

Like the discounts, gifts, etc.

She knows what type of cabins we like, takes care of all forms to fill out for various shipboard credit and medical needs.

If a problem happens -- she takes care of it.

I agree with KK. There are lots of bad TAs but there are also lots of good TAs, and a good one will have lots of information about specific ships, specific cruiselines, specific itineraries, and specific ports to be able to answer all your questions. And they will often have access to discounts and on board credits and gifts that you will never get from the cruise line directly. And, perhaps most importantly, if something goes wrong with your reservation (your fault or the cruiseline's fault), they'll be much better motivated and equipped to fix things than some random person at an 800 number owned by the cruiseline will be.

It's also rare that a good cruise TA will also be a good land trip TA, but not impossible.

Ask a few of your friends who cruise regularly to recommend their cruise TA to you.

Giving up the perk's and free services of a Good TA Cruise Specialist , to "control my own booking"?

I'd certainly would not wish to "control my own booking" in the event of a problem that a Good TA Cruise Specialist would have extensive contacts for and experience, to resolve for me.

Of course finding a Good TA Cruise Specialist is the first challenge. They are not all Good .

A good travel agent can be worth their weigh in gold.

The key is to get recommendations from people you know and to interview them before you give them your business.

Keith

The only two choices are to book direct with the cruise line or book through a travel agent. Travel agents can come up with better prices.

I have not used the same travel agent twice in the last 25 years. When I see a cruise I am interested in I will find out how much the cruise line charges and will ask for quotes from 5 big online agencies that are on my approved list and book with the cheapest. I never needed any help from a travel agent. I don't fiddle with the booking once made. "No, no, I want to change to the port side. Maybe a deck lower. How much could I save with an ocean view? Okay, book that. No, wait! My wife wants a balcony. How much is a suite? Yeah, book the suite for now. How much is a bottle of Tanqueray? Yes, I'll hold. Is that a fifth or a liter? Yes, I will hold. You know for the money, I think we'd be just as happy with a balcony. Book that. I will call you again next week."

When flights are delayed or cancelled I figure it is easier for me to phone the airline than for me to contact a travel agent and have him contact the airline. I know the rest of you have had the dearest agent for years who works 24/7, but I never found one of those. I book with whoever answers the phone.

The one thing I like about having the right TA is when a problem comes up a good TA can handle it. They speak with the proper personnel at the cruise line and take care of major problems. We had large money issue after final payment . TA was able to speak to heads of departments and Supervisors and make us happy with the result. Can't do that on your own.

It seems like many of you that have posted have had or are worried about problems with your reservation that have or might come up.

Guess I've been lucky 20+ cruises with RCI all booked directly by me and never a problem that I couldn't get a remedy for with just a phone call. ;):)

Sorry you feel I'm "so wrong"... My experience is 20+ cruises with RCI..perhaps a "cheap line" in your opinion. But there's just as many of us that prefer to keep ownership of our travel than those who want to involve a 3rd party.

 

This was my "personal" opinion and response to the OP's question...not your's. :rolleyes:

You may want to try another cruise line via a TA.

It seems like many of you that have posted have had or are worried about problems with your reservation that have or might come up.

 

Guess I've been lucky 20+ cruises with RCI all booked directly by me and never a problem that I couldn't get a remedy for with just a phone call. ;):)

I don't think you are wrong at all....if you are comfortable with booking directly with the cruise line and are not open to saving money on your cruise...who am I to argue. That said, there are lots of poor and mediocre TAs out there where you may as well deal with the cruise line as deal with them.

You may want to try another cruise line via a TA.

Why is it so hard for you to understand...some of us feel differently than you :confused:.

That's what this open forum is all about...A question is posted and you'll get a variety of personal experiences.

If you don't like my answer change lanes and move on....no need to debate it.

Peace Out :rolleyes:

I don't think you are wrong at all....if you are comfortable with booking directly with the cruise line and are not open to saving money on your cruise...who am I to argue. That said, there are lots of poor and mediocre TAs out there where you may as well deal with the cruise line as deal with them.

Thanks for your input...I have and continue to save on my direct bookings...Might be strange to some of you but I personally at times have a hard time spending the OBC I do receive.

I'll be passing your way in early September...and will give you a wave :)

We use a travel agent just for the cruise. She has gotten us cheap upgrades almost every time.

After a couple of bad TA's, we were fortunate to find a TA that we have used for over 25 years.

Like the discounts, gifts, etc.

She knows what type of cabins we like, takes care of all forms to fill out for various shipboard credit and medical needs.

If a problem happens -- she takes care of it.

Wow...you sure are lucky. Ive been using the same agency since 1999 and well, the agency gives great rates etc., the agent Ive used the last few times really has been pretty bad. Ive been lazy and not researched a new agent there or even a new company. The cruise I have coming up this Sunday, I essentially did all the work myself as in picked the date, category type etc. All she had to do was take my CC number (she wasnt there the day I did that even).

When the rate dropped (granted it was within the 60 days of cruising) over $300 PP, I emailed asking if there was anything she could do such as a room bump up (since we had a guarantee and our room wasnt even assigned, an OBC, free drink or dine pkg...anything since the cruise wasnt selling well. I even asked in that same email about a good cruise for the Fall. She never wrote me back the next day.

That same day, I contacted the Cruise Line but they wouldnt speak to me (as I expected). When I did contact her office and spoke with another agent, the agent after calling the cruise line, claimed the cruise had sold out (I was shocked since I just spoke with the cruise line and they never said that) since it was still available on their website albeit now at an increased price. The other agent even asked if I took a screen shot of that low rate from the day before (never even entered my mind to do that).

While I understand the agency might have blocked out/group rates thus the agency might still have rooms, the whole situation just frustrated me. I just shook my head and gave up knowing that was the last time I will use that agent. I might even start looking for a new agency.

You really are lucky to have an agent take care of you. Ive never had that...just occasionally good prices. Ive learned now that price isnt everything.