I need to vent-I'm done w/ my agent

[PrincessCarolyn]

In September I was going to book a Norwegian cruise because it was what I knew AND NCL had given us a 25% credit off a future cruise because of our last sailing breaking down....

anyway, even though that cruise was 3 years ago-They said I had that credit for any future cruise.

Called my agent for a cruise (last month/sept) found my cruise and told agent about the 25% and she remembered everything. She said NCL had nothing saying anything about my credit and asked if I had a letter from 3 years ago. So she told me to basically forget about that credit happening. Since I wasn't getting the credit, I figured I'd try another cruise line (booked Celeb for Nov/2009)

 

Today I go on the NCL website to check out the new ship. I put in my info and a cruise consultant called me. She was giving me info on EPIC and other ships and told me to keep in mind I had a credit (almost 500$!) I totally would have booked NCL again, had my agent told me this. Why wouldn't she? Would she lose out on commission?

 

I'm really frustrated because she was going to have me book an NCL cruise at full price. The good news is I can book another cruise and get a good amount of $ off but the lying on the agents part really makes me feel like I was being "taken" which means I will never use here again. She booked 3 of my cruises. No more.

 

Thank you for letting me vent. Comment if you think I'm crazy/wrong/right or whatever LOL

Thanks

[horsesrus]

In September I was going to book a Norwegian cruise because it was what I knew AND NCL had given us a 25% credit off a future cruise because of our last sailing breaking down....

anyway, even though that cruise was 3 years ago-They said I had that credit for any future cruise.

Called my agent for a cruise (last month/sept) found my cruise and told agent about the 25% and she remembered everything. She said NCL had nothing saying anything about my credit and asked if I had a letter from 3 years ago. So she told me to basically forget about that credit happening. Since I wasn't getting the credit, I figured I'd try another cruise line (booked Celeb for Nov/2009)

 

Today I go on the NCL website to check out the new ship. I put in my info and a cruise consultant called me. She was giving me info on EPIC and other ships and told me to keep in mind I had a credit (almost 500$!) I totally would have booked NCL again, had my agent told me this. Why wouldn't she? Would she lose out on commission?

 

I'm really frustrated because she was going to have me book an NCL cruise at full price. The good news is I can book another cruise and get a good amount of $ off but the lying on the agents part really makes me feel like I was being "taken" which means I will never use here again. She booked 3 of my cruises. No more.

 

Thank you for letting me vent. Comment if you think I'm crazy/wrong/right or whatever LOL

Thanks

 

Tried to book a cruise many years ago through an agent, wanted to cruise on Disney's new ship, she tried to sell us a cruise on "The Big Red Boat", we said that's not what we wanted, she insisted it was the Disney ship... it was not, we wanted the new Disney Magic. I just decided to call Disney direct and sure enough, it was NOT the same ship. We booked our cruise with Disney and have never attempted to book through an agent again. I don't mean to insult any agents that are members here, but our experience was bad and that was all it took for us. I would suggest when you are ready to book your next cruise call NCL direct, they have been good to us as have RCCL and Carnival.

[PrincessCarolyn]

That was just part of the issue w/ the booking this time-I could go on and on.

I won't go through an agent again.

I spoke to a girl at NCL directly today. She was so knowledgeable and personable I told her we'd definitely book our next cruise through her.

I'm so jaded w/ the whole agent experience-They definitely lost my future business.

[Cruise4K]

In September I was going to book a Norwegian cruise because it was what I knew AND NCL had given us a 25% credit off a future cruise because of our last sailing breaking down....

anyway, even though that cruise was 3 years ago-They said I had that credit for any future cruise.

Called my agent for a cruise (last month/sept) found my cruise and told agent about the 25% and she remembered everything. She said NCL had nothing saying anything about my credit and asked if I had a letter from 3 years ago. So she told me to basically forget about that credit happening. Since I wasn't getting the credit, I figured I'd try another cruise line (booked Celeb for Nov/2009)

 

Today I go on the NCL website to check out the new ship. I put in my info and a cruise consultant called me. She was giving me info on EPIC and other ships and told me to keep in mind I had a credit (almost 500$!) I totally would have booked NCL again, had my agent told me this. Why wouldn't she? Would she lose out on commission?

 

I'm really frustrated because she was going to have me book an NCL cruise at full price. The good news is I can book another cruise and get a good amount of $ off but the lying on the agents part really makes me feel like I was being "taken" which means I will never use here again. She booked 3 of my cruises. No more.

 

Thank you for letting me vent. Comment if you think I'm crazy/wrong/right or whatever LOL

Thanks

 

Your travel agent did not want to book the cruise with the credit because the credit is subtracted from the "commissionable" amount of your cruise fare. As your agent, I would have been honest with you and booked it anyway because you were a loyal client. Lying to a client is never acceptable if you value the relationship.

[rzdj96]

Your travel agent did not want to book the cruise with the credit because the credit is subtracted from the "commissionable" amount of your cruise fare. As your agent, I would have been honest with you and booked it anyway because you were a loyal client. Lying to a client is never acceptable if you value the relationship.

I agree with you Kristie. On the other hand, the credit is usually in the form of an On Board Credit letter from the Cruise Company for which they will apply toward the cruise if booked directly and asked for. When it comes to a T/A, it's not advantageous to do it that way, but, like you, it's not worth loosing a good client due to greed either. I've experienced both experienced and non-experienced agents on both parts.

[CruisnGram]

I spoke to a girl at NCL directly today. She was so knowledgeable and personable I told her we'd definitely book our next cruise through her.

I'm so jaded w/ the whole agent experience-They definitely lost my future business.

 

Wow, color me surprised.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1072628&page=5

 

PrincessCarolyn

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: Oct 2009

Location: Connecticut

Posts: 118

 

 

NCL does stink but I'm not low class!

I have to say NCL was my very first cruise, it was OK. Back when the ship was new we left out of NY and went to the CAribbean for 11 days. The buffet and ship were immaculate. This could be because the ship was new though....

 

The reason I won't go NCL again is because the food was AWFUL. People who don't appreciate good food will be fine w/ it AND because the customer service is the worst in the WORLD! I've never had worst customer service:

 

1st cruise: Rude Dining staff I filled out a card in main DR and only gave it 2 stars because of service and the GIRL GRABBED MY ARM AS I LEFT!!!!!-I got home and wrote a letter to NCL. They replied "please sail w/ us again! give us another chance and when you do sail w/ us again let us know so we have a fabulous thank you package when you arrive" I booked again: the thank you package was a card for a free appetizer (shrimp cocktail) delivered to your room.

 

2nd Cruise w/ NCL leaves NY for Caribbean and BREAKS DOWN IN VIRGINIA!!! 2006? anyone remember this? Nobody on the ship is authorized to do anything for you. We were stranded OVER two days w/ no casino or shopping because of the duty free/american territory thing and they wanted to give us 100$ on board credit. What an insult!!! We had to go back to NY and after a RIOT (literally a riot in the main lobby) they gave us a full refund.

 

I will say the passengers didn't seem low class THE SHIP did. I paid good money for this cruise ($3500 for a couple) it's not a low class price!

The food was atrocious and accomodations were just OK.

We had a mid 10th floor room (10168) and similar for second cruise.

 

I am going on Celebrity next month. EVERYONE tells me I'll never go back to Norwegian again. Which I wouldn't anyway.

 

MATTER OF FACT: my agent said some agencies are making customers sign a waiver because NCL has gotten so bad!!! TRUE!

 

************************************

 

CG

[flbeachmom]

I have to say i always book thru a good TA. But i also do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions. They probably wish Id book thru the cruise line by the time its over. I pretty much know what is going on and it helps i have been on a few cruises already. The TA price is on the norm for me a $500 or more savings. I would have been on the phone with NCL right away to find out about the credit then picked ANOTHER TA. Just a thought....

[PrincessCarolyn]

I had a bad passed experience w/ NCL. Stop jamming that old threat/conversation down my throat. I AM ENTITLED TO MY OPINION. Jeeez.

With a big credit for NCL-of course I would use it and HOPE for a better experience this time.

This thread was about an issue I had w/ my agent-can we leave it at that? OR DO you have nothing better to do?

[PrincessCarolyn]

If I've learned ONE THING it's: NEVER SAY NEVER LOL

After my bad experience and NCL (or my agent anyway) telling me NO credit I was NOT going to be loyal to a line who did that.

Now that they are acknowledging the credit-why not use it? It's too substantial to let go.

I hope you get out and enjoy the gorgeous day CruisnGram. Relax-life is too short.

[PrincessCarolyn]

Your travel agent did not want to book the cruise with the credit because the credit is subtracted from the "commissionable" amount of your cruise fare. As your agent, I would have been honest with you and booked it anyway because you were a loyal client. Lying to a client is never acceptable if you value the relationship.

 

 

NCL told me I could use it as payment toward my cruise and/or onboard credit which was nice. I agree-it probably was cutting into her commission but not only have I booked 3 cruises w/ her, my friends who have gone along w/ me booked w/ her and some neighbors. Oh well....pays to shop around and do some research.

Thanks all!

[DMH15]

OP-

 

Please don't judge ALL TAs by one. I can understand your frustration.

 

Also, of course you can change your mind. I hope you do try NCL again, and judge your next cruise on it's own merit. There is a reason food critics visit a restaurant twice. Anything can be a "one time" fluke. I hope it works out.

[warriorking]

Sorry for your bad service, and enjoy your upcoming cruise....I just finished making my final payment to NCL through my TA for my upcoming Eastern Med cruise in Jan.

She has been outstanding...she has been working with NCL to make sure everything is setup as I want it and she also saved me a considerable money in the long run, I would use her again without any reservations......

[mmejj]

In September I was going to book a Norwegian cruise because it was what I knew AND NCL had given us a 25% credit off a future cruise because of our last sailing breaking down....

anyway, even though that cruise was 3 years ago-They said I had that credit for any future cruise.

Called my agent for a cruise (last month/sept) found my cruise and told agent about the 25% and she remembered everything. She said NCL had nothing saying anything about my credit and asked if I had a letter from 3 years ago. So she told me to basically forget about that credit happening. Since I wasn't getting the credit, I figured I'd try another cruise line (booked Celeb for Nov/2009)

 

Today I go on the NCL website to check out the new ship. I put in my info and a cruise consultant called me. She was giving me info on EPIC and other ships and told me to keep in mind I had a credit (almost 500$!) I totally would have booked NCL again, had my agent told me this. Why wouldn't she? Would she lose out on commission?

 

I'm really frustrated because she was going to have me book an NCL cruise at full price. The good news is I can book another cruise and get a good amount of $ off but the lying on the agents part really makes me feel like I was being "taken" which means I will never use here again. She booked 3 of my cruises. No more.

 

Thank you for letting me vent. Comment if you think I'm crazy/wrong/right or whatever LOL

Thanks

 

I'm with you. I would be steamed also. Enjoy your celebrity cruise!

[Studebaker59]

We've read so many stories here on CC about people getting differing answers from NCL reservationists. Perhaps, your TA really did get that reply from the NCL reservationist she spoke with regarding your credit. Then she passed the info onto you.

 

I also would have not have accepted this answer, and would have repeatedly called NCL about this until I got an answer that seemed to make sense.

[BIG_Steve]

Hmmmmmmmmm

 

Well, I'm not a travel agent, keep that in mind. However, a "credit" and a "reduced price" are not the same.

 

If GM sells you a car for $30,000.00 with a $1000.00 rebate, the salesman gets his normal commission, and GM refunds or credits to your loan, $1000.00 However, if GM slashed the price of the car by $1000.00, then the salesman eats whatever portion of the $1000.00 is his commission.

 

I guess then, the question is when the agent tried to book the fare, would they have been booking normal fare with NCL crediting the OP, or did NCL reduce the fare?

 

Offhand (FWIW) I'm not convinced the agent would have taken a hit on the commission. I could be naive, but NCL needs the agents, and if they burn one on a commission, that's not good business.

 

Personally, I've had wonderful results with talking to NCL direct. Regardless, they seem to have a bad reputation as far as what their call center reps know. I wonder if NCL misinformed the agent, the agent isn't good at what they do, or the agent was trying to rip you off?

 

I suppose we'll never really know.

[PrincessCarolyn]

OP-

 

Please don't judge ALL TAs by one. I can understand your frustration.

 

Also, of course you can change your mind. I hope you do try NCL again, and judge your next cruise on it's own merit. There is a reason food critics visit a restaurant twice. Anything can be a "one time" fluke. I hope it works out.

 

 

 

Thank you...and even though I said in the past that I wouldn't go NCL again, I did speak to soon. I will try NCL again (possibly Epic) especially since I have a big credit. The only difference is-this time I'll go w/out the agent.

 

Thank you all for letting me vent! :)

[O'Shore]

I had a bad passed experience w/ NCL. Stop jamming that old threat/conversation down my throat. I AM ENTITLED TO MY OPINION. Jeeez.

With a big credit for NCL-of course I would use it and HOPE for a better experience this time.

This thread was about an issue I had w/ my agent-can we leave it at that? OR DO you have nothing better to do?

 

I agree. Why go to the trouble of seeking out and posting something you said in the past? Is it to embarrass you? Some people like to stick your nose in things and never let you forget. We get over things we move on and as long as we are still breathing, we have a right to re-evaluate things and change our minds. That said, I would have been just as turned off as you were had I experienced all those things.

 

I've only cruised on NCL once before and we have one coming up in a few months ( we love freestyle ). It was a great positive experience but the one thing I do have to agree with is that the food was not as good as other cruise lines. But it was not terrible either. We just had great food before so we were slightly disappointed in the quality of food but it had no real impact on our good time.

 

As for your TA, of course I'd move on from this experience and do what you have to do. It's a lesson but good thing you still have your credit.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Hmmmmmmmmm

 

Well, I'm not a travel agent, keep that in mind. However, a "credit" and a "reduced price" are not the same.

 

If GM sells you a car for $30,000.00 with a $1000.00 rebate, the salesman gets his normal commission, and GM refunds or credits to your loan, $1000.00 However, if GM slashed the price of the car by $1000.00, then the salesman eats whatever portion of the $1000.00 is his commission.

 

I guess then, the question is when the agent tried to book the fare, would they have been booking normal fare with NCL crediting the OP, or did NCL reduce the fare?

 

Offhand (FWIW) I'm not convinced the agent would have taken a hit on the commission. I could be naive, but NCL needs the agents, and if they burn one on a commission, that's not good business.

 

Personally, I've had wonderful results with talking to NCL direct. Regardless, they seem to have a bad reputation as far as what their call center reps know. I wonder if NCL misinformed the agent, the agent isn't good at what they do, or the agent was trying to rip you off?

 

I suppose we'll never really know.

 

If the OP has a $500 credit towards a future cruise NCL would receive $500 less in cash so the comission to the TA would be reduced accordingly.

 

If the comission is say 15% they would recieve $75 less in comission.

 

NCL is not burning the TA.

 

So for $75 the agent lost all further comissions by doing this.

 

Bill

[PrincessCarolyn]

I agree. Why go to the trouble of seeking out and posting something you said in the past? Is it to embarrass you? Some people like to stick your nose in things and never let you forget. We get over things we move on and as long as we are still breathing' date=' we have a right to re-evaluate things and change our minds. That said, I would have been just as turned off as you were had I experienced all those things.

 

I've only cruised on NCL once before and we have one coming up in a few months ( we love freestyle ). It was a great positive experience but the one thing I do have to agree with is that the food was not as good as other cruise lines. But it was not terrible either. We just had great food before so we were slightly disappointed in the quality of food but it had no real impact on our good time.

 

As for your TA, of course I'd move on from this experience and do what you have to do. It's a lesson but good thing you still have your credit.[/quote']

 

 

First off: I couldn't believe either she took the time and effort to pull up a post from the past-I could go on and on and on w/ the posts SHE LEFT OUT-but I won't. I ignore such people.

 

Second: The food on NCL definitely wasn't superb but edible and not the worst food I 've ever had. I heard that Celeb's food is really really good so that is exciting. But I am going to try NCL again like I said-especially w/ my credit. Only thing is, I'm going to have to research their ships since I've only been on the Dawn and am too antsy to wait for the epic. Any suggestions on newer, nice ncl ships is much appreciated!

 

Thanks! :)

[Down-Unders]

I agree. Why go to the trouble of seeking out and posting something you said in the past? Is it to embarrass you? Some people like to stick your nose in things and never let you forget. We get over things we move on and as long as we are still breathing' date=' we have a right to re-evaluate things and change our minds. That said, I would have been just as turned off as you were had I experienced all those things.

 

I've only cruised on NCL once before and we have one coming up in a few months ( we love freestyle ). It was a great positive experience but the one thing I do have to agree with is that the food was not as good as other cruise lines. But it was not terrible either. We just had great food before so we were slightly disappointed in the quality of food but it had no real impact on our good time.

 

As for your TA, of course I'd move on from this experience and do what you have to do. It's a lesson but good thing you still have your credit.[/quote']

 

 

 

Well said!

 

 

:):):):):)

[swedish weave]

I had a bad passed experience w/ NCL. Stop jamming that old threat/conversation down my throat. I AM ENTITLED TO MY OPINION. Jeeez.

With a big credit for NCL-of course I would use it and HOPE for a better experience this time.

This thread was about an issue I had w/ my agent-can we leave it at that? OR DO you have nothing better to do?

 

I feel the Princess doth tend to shoot from the hip !!! That tirade against NCL was NOT an old post. Those disparaging remarks were IMHO totally unnecessary and false.

 

In all fairness, you should warn NCL employees that you are coming back.

 

I am still happy I married a commoner !!!

[CruisnGram]

I feel the Princess doth tend to shoot from the hip !!! That tirade against NCL was NOT an old post. Those disparaging remarks were IMHO totally unnecessary and false.

 

In all fairness, you should warn NCL employees that you are coming back.

 

I am still happy I married a commoner !!!

 

Amen Weave. The written word has a way of coming back and biting you in the butt here on CC. Yes, people can change their minds but when history shows spewed venom directed at certain people, and outright nastiness (not just an opinion) , one shouldn't be surprised when others bring those posts back to light.

 

CG

[*Wink*]

I feel the Princess doth tend to shoot from the hip !!! That tirade against NCL was NOT an old post. Those disparaging remarks were IMHO totally unnecessary and false.

 

In all fairness, you should warn NCL employees that you are coming back.

 

I am still happy I married a commoner !!!

 

Amen Weave. The written word has a way of coming back and biting you in the butt here on CC. Yes, people can change their minds but when history shows spewed venom directed at certain people, and outright nastiness (not just an opinion) , one shouldn't be surprised when others bring those posts back to light.

 

CG

 

Well said.

 

:):):):):)

[mbisson]

Yikes-I gotta find something to wipe the coffee from my monitor!

Yep, the rant appears to be from about 3 weeks ago. I guess 'old' is up to each of us to judge, but IMO it's not old yet.

 

I feel the Princess doth tend to shoot from the hip !!! That tirade against NCL was NOT an old post. Those disparaging remarks were IMHO totally unnecessary and false.

 

In all fairness, you should warn NCL employees that you are coming back.

 

I am still happy I married a commoner !!!

[Dr. Jack Daniels]

Amen Weave. The written word has a way of coming back and biting you in the butt here on CC. Yes, people can change their minds but when history shows spewed venom directed at certain people, and outright nastiness (not just an opinion) , one shouldn't be surprised when others bring those posts back to light.

 

CG

 

I would consider what you have done on this thread to be just as nasty and venomous as Carolyn. The sole purpose of your post was to try to embarrass someone. Well you did. Too bad it was yourself.

 

Pot meet kettle.:rolleyes: