Finding a good TA

[xop]

How do I find a good TA? I want to use one because this is only our 2nd cruise (our 1st w/ the kids) and I'm not comfortable w/ booking myself. I also like to talk to a person face to face and not by phone or internet. I used a TA for our 1st cruise, and I think she was worthless, she didn't help much. So I'm not going to use her again, but how do I find a good one? Nobody I knows travel, so I can't go by referral from friends. Is it just going to be a trial and error for me? Thanks

[quepaquete]

Since it's against the policy of this board, we can't recommend travel agents here.

Something I would consider is using the auto club membership if you have one. How about your local Chamber of Commerce. Other would be find a local T/A that belongs to a consortium like Signatures or Virtuoso. You can do this online.

[LHT28]

Go to a few store front agencies in your area ask questions of the agents see which ones you feel gave you the most honest answers & you feel comfortable booking with.

You can usually get a feel for the agent by talking F2F and seeing who answer your questions to your satisfaction

[Travelcat2]

We have had an on-line TA for a long time. The important thing is that they specialize in cruising. IMO, this is more important than talking face to face with someone who may be nice, but, has not been on (or booked) many cruises. The suggestions to check into Virtuoso or Signatures is a good one.

[Aunty Pat]

Check out the Cruise Line International web site: http://www.cruising.org/vacation/welcome They have a place where you can enter you zip code and pull up travel agents in your area that are CLIA member agencies and specialize in selling cruises. There is also a lot of helpful information here on the different cruise lines, destinations and ports of call.

If a specific cruise lines interests you, most cruise lines have a “find a travel agent in your area” link where you can find travel agencies that routinely sell that cruise line.

Aunty Pat

 

Barefoot Windjammer - Phantom ‘81

K&D German Rhine Line ‘84

NCL - Norway ’85, Pride of America ’05, Southward ’87, Star ’97 & ‘05, Starward ’92, Sun ’02 & Windward ’93

RCCL - Song of America ‘89

American Hawaiian - Independence ‘98

HAL - Volendam ’99, Noordam ’06, Oosterdam ’07 & ‘09, Statendam ’02 & ‘08, Prinsendam ’03 & ’06, Westerdam ‘09 & Zuiderdam ’04, ’06 & ’07

Carnival - Spirit ‘05

Celebrity – Summit ‘05

Cruise West - Yorktown Clipper ‘06

Princess - Golden Princess ‘07

A & K - East Queen ‘07

Cunard - QM2 ’08

Crystal – Serenity ‘09

[janice4559]

How do I find a good TA? I want to use one because this is only our 2nd cruise (our 1st w/ the kids) and I'm not comfortable w/ booking myself. I also like to talk to a person face to face and not by phone or internet. I used a TA for our 1st cruise, and I think she was worthless, she didn't help much. So I'm not going to use her again, but how do I find a good one? Nobody I knows travel, so I can't go by referral from friends. Is it just going to be a trial and error for me? Thanks

 

Do you book your own air and hotel? If so, booking a cruise isn't any harder. You've already cruised and you probably know where you want to go, for how long and the time of year you want to go. Jump online, go to any travel booking site, choose cruises and put all that information into the dropdowns.

 

Once the various options get listed, look at the cabin type you want on a date you want, find a family friendly cruiseline (Carnival, RCCL, Princess), find a price you like and off you go.

[Cruisin' Chick]

When you walk into a travel agency (one that belongs to the CLIA or another cruising organization), see if there's posters for various cruiselines on the wall. Ask what cruiseline accreditation they have (many of the lines have a special "school" that will educate the TAs about the line). Ask a TA to describe their favorite cruise and ship. If they just give a vague answer, ask what cruises they've been on and to where. If they're unsure, you know to keep looking.

[luvs2travl]

It's hard to advise you on these boards since we are not permitted to mention or promote any specific travel agents or agencies. We have a fabulous one that we have used for years and I would give you the name in a minute if I could! Here are a few things I would suggest you look for:

1. Find one that has been in business for several years.

2. If you want to use someone local, call the BBB to see if there are any complaints. If online, do a "search" for that agency to see what ( if any) complaints there have been.

3. Make sure they, or the agent with whom you deal, specialize in cruises. Many agencies are members of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Agency), or ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents).

4. Ask questions: "What cruise lines have you personally sailed with?" "What itineraries have you cruised?" "How long have you been a travel agent?" "Why should we book with you rather than just doing it ourselves?" "How familiar are you with travel insurance?"

 

Do an interview & ask anything and everything you can think of that will ease your mind. You will be able to tell fairly quickly if he/she knows what they are talking about.

 

5. Don't be afraid to compare what one agent tells you to what another agent tells you. They will be working for you to get you the best possible cruise deal and experience - not the other way around! So, if they seem irritated with your concerns, or are trying to rush you into something - run!!

6. A good TA that has dealt with cruise lines in the past can get you a better price than the cruise line itself offers, and will also be able to get you "perks" like OBC's, bottles of wine, complimentary dinners to the specialty restaurants on board, etc. Maybe not all of those at once, but you should be able to get at least one, if not two!! So - ask about what "perks" they will have on your specific bookings.

 

It will take some work on your part, but once you find a good one, hang on to 'em 'cause they are worth their weight in gold!! :D

[scorpluvsdolphins]

I book directly with the cruise line. When the price goes down, most, TA's won't extend the reduction to you. Most cruise lines will either upgrade your cabin or give you an OBC.

 

The customer service individuals seem very knowledgable and have always answered my questions. Along with cruise critic you have tons of help.

terri

[printingchick]

I met mine on a cruise!! I'd booked that cruise directly with the cruise line. I had breakfast with a woman who was a TA and we got talking. She gave me her business card and I've booked with her since. I like the fact that she watches the prices for me and lets me know when I can snag a price drop - even though I know that reduces her commission!

[janice4559]

I met mine on a cruise!! I'd booked that cruise directly with the cruise line. I had breakfast with a woman who was a TA and we got talking. She gave me her business card and I've booked with her since. I like the fact that she watches the prices for me and lets me know when I can snag a price drop - even though I know that reduces her commission!

 

Whenever I read this, it always begs the question: how do you know she's diligently watching if you aren't as well? Maybe she's only checking once a week or twice a week. Maybe she isn't really checking at all. It would drive me crazy to leave this to someone else. Prices change almost hourly some days.

[printingchick]

Whenever I read this, it always begs the question: how do you know she's diligently watching if you aren't as well? Maybe she's only checking once a week or twice a week. Maybe she isn't really checking at all. It would drive me crazy to leave this to someone else. Prices change almost hourly some days.

 

If you've read any of my posts, you'll know I'm the obsessive type. I'm checking too! She did catch one before me once, so I know she's checking pretty regularly. I'm not a good at delegating, so basically I know TWO people are checking for price drops!

[MCC retired]

Since it is forbidden to recommend TA's here , look elsewhere.:(

There has to be someone that you know who cruises .

Look for online agencies with Cruise in their name.

 

Then "interview" every TA that you contact.There are many that are just order takers and may never have been on a cruise.;)

 

Along with a better price or a OBC than offered by booking direct , a good TA should have the cruise training and experience , to advise the best cruise to meet your vacation preferences.:)

Ask if they earned CLIA Certification (ACC, MCC oe ECC):)

Agency should also not charge fee's for cancelations or adjustments.:)

[NMLady]

In my opinion it is better to have a cruise specialist that you can only talk to on the phone or via email than it is to have a local travel agent who has never cruised and perhaps hasn't even booked many cruises.

 

You'll get much better service from a cruise specialist.

 

Have you tried searching online via google or some other search engine?

[WEELYNCRUZER]

If you book with an auto club you will find that most of them have little or no cruises under their belt. Ask the questions posed by the other posters. If they have a clia mcc they have to meet cruise requirements on more than one cruise line.

[never2late]

Ask any potential TA: Do you charge a fee for changes or cancellations? Many TA's will not charge a fee, but some will, so know ahead before you book.

 

Ask if there is a price drop (check the Princess site frequently) will you reduce the price if it is before final payment? This cuts into their profit, but a good TA will reduce the price -- it always makes me happy when I can save a bit!

 

I finally have a TA that is accessible by e-mail or phone very readily -- that was the deal maker for me. I had 3 different cruises booked with 3 different TA's until I found the right one. Sometimes you don't know how much service a TA provides until you are already booked, but at least you will know for the next time.

 

Good luck in your search. :)