Vicbabe99

I am a TA and what everyone is saying is true.  Only thing I would add is I pay attention to sales and check to see if rates drop or can be rebooked.  If someone wants to make a payment all they have to do is email me or call and say use same credit card and charge so much or I even have some clients we split up and make payments. Been doing this for years and now cruiselines and tour companies  have gotten into I can let you make payments.  A group takes allot of time and depending when you book is based on whether getting on board credit or a reduced rate.  You mention Royal so I am speaking about them.  All companies do not work groups same way.   I just had someone book Carnival to go with 6 other couples.  They had booked 2 weeks before him and if I had helped them I would have booked as a group to start out with and they would have gotten some benefit of it. As it was they had confirmed early dining and he was waitlisted and because a Carnival rep told him he had booked with me was why he was wait listed. Not true so I was able to go to my sales rep and she look into and got him cleared before he go on ship plus I gave him a thank you gift.  Booking direct no matter which cruise line they are order takers (and many are working from home now a days) and not going to go out of their way.  There are many good travel agents out there, call and talk to them and find one you like.           

The best thing travel agent can do is contact his HAL rep and ask for their assistance in obtaining a cabin. Other than being wait listed this is how it works. I would give him the cabin numbers that are not assigned so HAL rep,has something to go by. I have been an agent many years and that is what I would do.

Also if you are on another ship and want to book if same line do so on ship, goes back to agent and you may get additional perks.