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Travel Agent question


Buzzbea
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A recommended travel agent tried t tell me that I could only get a Carnival cruise out of New Orleans. I know from searching this site that this is not true. Why would I be told that? Is it in poor taste to contact different travel agents the way one might contact might contact more than one person if the project was remodeling, landscaping etc.?

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Hopefully it was a misunderstanding but if you have these doubts about the TA prior to booking, I certainly wouldn’t book with them. Nothing wrong w trying a different TA, as long as you haven’t booked yet.

 

 

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I wouldn't ever use a TA but if I did and I was questioning one out of the gate, I'd definitely seek another one. If they're giving you bad information before you're committed to them, what else would they do down the road? I'd say "see ya" and find someone else if you still need a TA, or just book the cruise yourself. If you're searching TAs then the OBC/incentive one would be offering obviously isn't there, so that leaves no real reason to even use a TA.

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We often post about the benefits of shopping around among reputable high volume cruise/travel agencies...and we have been playing this game for at least forty years. When I read the OP's post my reaction was....if a agent said this to us it would take us less than 15 seconds to thank them, say goodbye, please don't call me, and hang up the phone. We would not want to hear excuses, explanations, etc. The information is simply wrong, makes no sense, and that agent could go peddle their goods to some other uninformed sucker.

 

FYI, there are currently 3 cruise lines routinely embarking from Galveston (Carnival, RCI and Disney). But we think its an awful port for embarkation for multiple reasons. The lack of competition does not help in getting really good deals. Itineraries are very limited because of basic geography. And Galveston is a horrible port because of its distance from a major airport...and the lack of good transportation between those airports and the port. The port has also had its share of issues with major fog causing delays. We have cruised, twice, out of Galveston and have no desire to ever return.

 

Hank

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Not that I'm doubting you but I think its in poor taste if the TA said that unless there were conditions attached to the comment - i.e. in your price range, the type of stateroom that is available you want, the itinerary you want, etc.

 

We have a TA we usually use but that doesn't stop us from shopping around. Its your money and you are under no obligation to go with any one TA, especially if you don't feel completely comfortable that they are looking out for your best interest and not lining their wallet......

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I would say the TÁ isn't a cruise specialist.

 

I've had similar things to me because they are not knowledgable about cruises. i.e. Celebrity was a lower class line than Carnival.

 

I have also spoken with TA's that only deal with one brand i.e. Carnival Inc.

 

I use a couple of different agencies who deals with a variety of cruises and I go with the one with the better price on the day.

 

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Thanks for the advice . I called another TA and had a RC cruise booked in less than 15 minutes. I'm glad I did it quickly. It turns out that Christmas cruises sell out early.

 

Oh that's possibly the most popular time the entire year. That said, if you strike out at one TC, try another. The big ones often have huge chunks of the ship reserved. Still sell out quick though.

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