Jump to content

TA or no TA ?


Hutchinj
 Share

Recommended Posts

Should I make use of a Travel Agent for a Paul Gauguin cruise?

I know this is a pretty generic question but I'm posting here as it is specific to a planned Polynesian cruise on the PG.

I actually enjoy planning all the details, organizing travel, scheduling excursions and such for big vacations such as this. I did 100% of the planning on a trip to the Mediterranean a couple years ago and we had a blast.

I don't mind doing the leg work, and rather enjoy doing the research, but should otherwise should I expect any real benefit from using an experienced TA. Is it unrealistic to expect some kind of financial perks from our TA such as on-board credits or similar?

I know it is not allowed to promote any specific TA here on CC and I've already found a couple of TA's that I like but just unsure of what I should expect from them. Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A good TA who knows the ship is golden. Doesn't have to be near you physically--mine is in States, I'm in Canada.

 

They can steer you clear of undesirable cabin locations (although I'm at a loss to think of any of these on the PG), and give you advice about air options.

 

You still get to do your own research; mine is quite hands-off, once they know you are a planner, lol.

 

The big advantage is that many TAs provide a rebate and/or an OBC as part of the package. If you book directly with the cruise line, you may be offered an OBC, not sure, but I don't believe you'll get a rebate.

 

The important thing is that the TA being experienced with the line, or with luxury cruises in general.

 

As for planning, you'll get lots of advice here on this forum, so ask away!

 

Good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We knew what we wanted and were waiting for the fall 2020 itineraries to come out. Our TA talked to his rep and sent us the unofficial itineraries before they were released to public. We wanted one of five specific cabins that always go fast, and his rep let him know when it opened up and he was able to book us one of those cabins. It was probably another three weeks before the itineraries showed up on their website. I’m guessing you could have called PG and made reservations as well, but you wouldn’t necessarily know the day they opened up unless you called every day.

 

I do most of the planning as well, and love doing the planning and research. The TA can be a great resource and a good one will help you with some of the legwork and sometimes get discounts.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Should I make use of a Travel Agent for a Paul Gauguin cruise?

I know this is a pretty generic question but I'm posting here as it is specific to a planned Polynesian cruise on the PG.

I actually enjoy planning all the details, organizing travel, scheduling excursions and such for big vacations such as this. I did 100% of the planning on a trip to the Mediterranean a couple years ago and we had a blast.

I don't mind doing the leg work, and rather enjoy doing the research, but should otherwise should I expect any real benefit from using an experienced TA. Is it unrealistic to expect some kind of financial perks from our TA such as on-board credits or similar?

I know it is not allowed to promote any specific TA here on CC and I've already found a couple of TA's that I like but just unsure of what I should expect from them. Thanks!

 

 

Like you, I enjoy doing the research and getting the input I need from either CC or TripA. So, for us the TA is all about their responsiveness and how much can I get from them.;p

 

I found a TA that for PG gave us an 8% rebate and a $300 OBC which was the best pricing I could find for our balcony cabin last May. We also booked during a promotion by PG which got us another $200 OBC from PG.

 

Hopefully your TA's will provide similar discounts.

 

You will love the PG experience,

 

Doug

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To me the main thing to consider is does the TA frequent FP .... things change quickly in this part of the world and current info is so important.

 

If you can save a few bucks from a OBC that's great but first and foremost make sure the TA is a frequent traveler to FP. A TA with solid advise and current info on FP doesn't cost anymore than one that doesn't.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To me the main thing to consider is does the TA frequent FP .... things change quickly in this part of the world and current info is so important.

 

If you can save a few bucks from a OBC that's great but first and foremost make sure the TA is a frequent traveler to FP. A TA with solid advise and current info on FP doesn't cost anymore than one that doesn't.

 

True, if all a customer is interested in is one or two areas to cruise. I have used my TA for French Polynesia, Caribbean, Europe, Panama Canal, Alaska and up the East Coast. And, next we are planning either Norway or the Baltic Sea.

 

While it would be nice to have a TA that had traveled to all those areas and was able to provide me with current info, I am more than capable of doing the research right here on CC. Give me a TA that provides the best price and is responsive to what I need.

 

My TA provided that without traveling to French Polynesia herself, yet she gave me exactly what I needed, which was the best vacation we have had so far, btw.

 

Doug

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To me the main thing to consider is does the TA frequent FP .... things change quickly in this part of the world and current info is so important.

 

If you can save a few bucks from a OBC that's great but first and foremost make sure the TA is a frequent traveler to FP. A TA with solid advise and current info on FP doesn't cost anymore than one that doesn't.

 

My TA organization is a group of people with different specialties and expertise. The woman who has been serving us for a while has specialized in FP--she is, or was, a diver, and has done the whole PG diving thing multiple times. But the agency has overall expertise in Regent and other luxury lines, plus all the main agents escort trips around the world, and have special expertise in places like Egypt, Africa and New Zealand. They've all been lots of places, repeatedly. So when we did the Nile in Egypt, we had someone there (the owner) giving us expert advice before and after we booked.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My TA organization is a group of people with different specialties and expertise. The woman who has been serving us for a while has specialized in FP--she is, or was, a diver, and has done the whole PG diving thing multiple times. But the agency has overall expertise in Regent and other luxury lines, plus all the main agents escort trips around the world, and have special expertise in places like Egypt, Africa and New Zealand. They've all been lots of places, repeatedly. So when we did the Nile in Egypt, we had someone there (the owner) giving us expert advice before and after we booked.

 

Good point Wendy. The group I use also leads tours and has several specialists for various parts of the world. I just prefer to use one person that I am comfortable with. She is their leading seller for Regent and SilverSeas and I plan on booking with her one of these luxury cruises at some point. I now see the value in the small ship luxury experience after our trip on PG.

 

Doug

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will say the official tourism website for Tahiti states this when your considering French Polynesia, "

 

 

A Certified Tahiti Specialist® who is a professional travel advisor and has successfully completed Tahiti Tourisme’s destination training program, and traveled to

The Islands of Tahiti, can create a customized vacation experience for you."



TA's from around the world go through this requirement before they can become
"Certified Tahiti Specialist®"



There is a reason why .... are there other TA's out there that are very qualified? Yes .... just interesting that this is a requirement from the official French Polynesia tourist office.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will say the official tourism website for Tahiti states this when your considering French Polynesia, "

 

 

 

A Certified Tahiti Specialist® who is a professional travel advisor and has successfully completed Tahiti Tourisme’s destination training program, and traveled to





The Islands of Tahiti, can create a customized vacation experience for you."



TA's from around the world go through this requirement before they can become
"Certified Tahiti Specialist®"



There is a reason why .... are there other TA's out there that are very qualified? Yes .... just interesting that this is a requirement from the official French Polynesia tourist office.

 

 

Well, I got my advice from a CC contributor that has been there 18 times and lives in Paso Robles, I doubt that any TA has accomplished that even if they are a Certified Tahiti Specialist.

 

And, again Tahiti is one of many locations I use CC in lieu of the advice of a TA, and so far we have had excellent results.

 

And, of course the official website wants you to use a TA they recommend versus a TA that could lead a customer to another destination. It is in their self interest.

 

We love French Polynesia and will probably return in 2021, possibly for the reunion cruise. And when we do, I will look to CC and get the best deal from my TA.

 

Enough said by me, I wish the OP the best result as I know the destination is great regardless of who you use to get there. Just be sure to look to this board for advice.

 

Doug

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I've found two TA's I really like, one for the PG cruise and one for the post-cruise portion. Price quotes I got are definitely cheaper and more inclusive than I could have done on my own.

 

Can't wait! :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...