Switching cruise to TA

[Waiting for September]

I booked last week through Royal Caribbean and then got an email from a TA saying they could beat the price. They are offering $275.00 more in onboard creidt and say I won 't lose the $100. I got from RC when I booked.

 

Is there a downside to switching over to the TA?

[Poorplaya]

I would love to have gotten that much in OBC from my TA. Oh well, guess I might get lucky in the future.

[Jimbo]

Must be some expensive cruises you are booking to get that kind of OBC.......

 

Jimbo:)

[CroozeAddict]

Must be some expensive cruises you are booking to get that kind of OBC.......

 

Jimbo:)

 

It was an Alaska cruise-tour (#19).

[BroncosFan2010]

I would do it! Wish I could find deals like that!

[greeneng]

What you lose is control over your reservation. Once you transfer it, you can't communicate with Royal yourself about anything. All your questions, changes, choices from then on must go through the agent. This can be an enormous pain. Suppose you want a cabin change. You go on line and find a different cabin. Then, instead of just calling Royal right then and there, you have to call your agent and wait for them to follow through, all the time hoping what you want is still there. This is just an example, not the only one.

 

Then, some agents won't work to get you price drops, and some will charge you if you decide to cancel before final payment.

 

Since your agent gets the same commission regardless, I suggest you wait until about one week before final payment, when you have made all your choices and are sure you are doing the cruise, and then make the transfer.

 

Of course, if you are the kind of person who always trusts someone else to take control of your life and to always have your best interests at heart, well just go ahead and transfer right now. But, be sure you get your agent's OBC guarantee in writing first.

 

 

Jim