Pcc

[bcd2010]

I just received an email from HAL "offer(ing) the assistance of a Holland America Line Personal Cruise Consultant." How does one get selected for this, that is, is there particular criteria as to who gets chosen to be able to access the PCCs? I booked my last cruise through HAL but have been reading here on CC of all the dicounts and bennies associated with using an online TA and was thinking of trying that next time. Is there an advantage to using HAL's PCCS over the online TAs?

[IRL_Joanie]

I just received an email from HAL "offer(ing) the assistance of a Holland America Line Personal Cruise Consultant." How does one get selected for this, that is, is there particular criteria as to who gets chosen to be able to access the PCCs? I booked my last cruise through HAL but have been reading here on CC of all the dicounts and bennies associated with using an online TA and was thinking of trying that next time. Is there an advantage to using HAL's PCCS over the online TAs?

 

 

All who book directly with HAL get a PCC.

 

I only deal with HAL so have had the same HAL PCC who was assigned to me from the very beginning. She is, in my opinion, more personable than an on line TA who will more than likely be different each time you contact the Travel Agency you use, wether it is an On Line or Brick and Mortar TA. I hope that makes sense.

 

My PCC knows my little idiosyncrasies, wishes and dislikes. She knows what I will accept and will not. She also calls me personally every few weeks just to make sure I am ok and things are ok here with us. Also with any changes, i.e., special pricing, taxes up or down, discounts, offers of free upgrades and or special up sells, etc.

 

Others absolutely love their TA reps and would not switch. I think it is a matter of how you feel with the TA or HAL PCC the first time you deal with them.

 

Just seems to me that our HAL PCC is more personable and friendlier.

 

Joanie

[Cruising-along]

I agree with Joanie and want to add one more reason we prefer a PCC. There isn't that "middle man" between you and HAL. We can look up our reservation online and make changes and ask questions without someone saying "your TA has to do that". I just prefer getting my answers directly and not having to go through someone else.

 

You'll hear from others who love their TA, it's just a matter of preference on how you like doing things.

[Magicgenie]

All who book directly with HAL get a PCC.

 

 

Just seems to me that our HAL PCC is more personable and friendlier.

 

Joanie

 

I'm a first-timer cruiser and I booked 3 weeks ago with HAL directly but have not been offered a PCC. After reading your post I went back into my emails and found one early this year offering a PCC as a result of entering a HAL sweepstakes. I assumed then that it was someone that would help me select which cruise to take, etc. , sort of like a sales person. I wasn't serious about a cruise then so didn't follow up. The decision to cruise this summer (Cruisetour starting June 30 in Anchorage, Alaska, and Statendam southbound starting July 4), was based on a whole bunch of reasons, but speaking to a cruise agent or travel agent was not one of them. My brother recommended HAL and so I merely went to the website, saw a good price and availability and booked! I would have loved to have the personal attention you mention as I've had a number of questions which are answered necessarily perfunctorily by the next agent answering the phone. So I'm wondering if the PCC is more there to help you book another cruise and if you've already booked one or booked one at a pretty good discount like we did, then a PCC is not mentioned. Or did I miss something?

thanks!

Jean

[LindaKE]

We, also, were assigned a PCC after I entered a sweepstakes. I've booked before on other cruise lines just by calling and talking to the person who answered and had no complaints. This is the first time we've used one, and, so far, I've liked having her. It's so much easier to email rather than place a phone call and get passed around to someone else who passes me on, ... etc. She always gets back with us right away. If she doesn't know, she'll check with someone else to be sure her answer is correct, so I feel like I'm getting an accurate answer. (It's not a situation of getting a different answer every time I talk to someone different.) And I can always say, "My PCC told me..." so there's a definite person to go back to if there is ever an issue.

[Sprocket]

I'm a first-timer cruiser and I booked 3 weeks ago with HAL directly but have not been offered a PCC. After reading your post I went back into my emails and found one early this year offering a PCC as a result of entering a HAL sweepstakes. I assumed then that it was someone that would help me select which cruise to take, etc. , sort of like a sales person. I wasn't serious about a cruise then so didn't follow up. The decision to cruise this summer (Cruisetour starting June 30 in Anchorage, Alaska, and Statendam southbound starting July 4), was based on a whole bunch of reasons, but speaking to a cruise agent or travel agent was not one of them. My brother recommended HAL and so I merely went to the website, saw a good price and availability and booked! I would have loved to have the personal attention you mention as I've had a number of questions which are answered necessarily perfunctorily by the next agent answering the phone. So I'm wondering if the PCC is more there to help you book another cruise and if you've already booked one or booked one at a pretty good discount like we did, then a PCC is not mentioned. Or did I miss something?

thanks!

Jean

 

Why not give the PCC Hal assigned to you a call, and if you are happy with them transfer the booking you already have to them. Out of 8 cruises I have only used a PCC once and that was for our last cruise. She worked from home and while her office hours did not always coincide with mine, she always followed up promptly with an email or a voice mail. I would use her again, unless I found a much better online deal.

 

Curiously the only time we were offered an upsell is when we booked through the PCC, YMMV.

 

Enjoy your cruise......

[CaveDiving]

Hi There,

 

I'm surprised that no one on this thread has mentioned one of the main reasons for using an on-line TA. In a single word it is DISCOUNTS.

 

I can practically guarantee that the larger on-line TA's will get you a lower overall price than dealing directly with HAL. And I believe this is true on just about any cruise.

 

Take care, Scott & Karen

[tooalto]

With all due respect to the poster above, we used online TA's for several cruises. Since I was a TA in a former life, I knew what I was looking for and what to make sure of when choosing an oline booking. However, for our last cruise on the Oosterdam, we received an "offer we couldn't refuse" from our PCC whom we had only had brief contact before. The price could not be matched by anyone anywhere. She did a fabulous job for us. We traveled with friends and the bookings were linked, we had the seating we wanted, had a wonderful table right by a window. Every call I made, whether it was to check a price reduction or reconfirm arrangements, was handled promptly and professionally. We now have our second booking with her and we have again found the price to be below what we could find online and the service definitely above.

[meterman2]

We booked one time directly with HAL using a PCC. He was awful in every respect, start to finish.

 

I know some people have had excellent service from PCC's. Quality service may hinge on who is assigned to you.

[bcd2010]

Thanks to all who have answered so far - would still like to hear from others.

 

I cruised 3 times with HAL in the late 90's using a bricks&mortar TA. She was great but has long since retired. I didn't cruise again until early this year. Called HAL (not a PCC) a year before cruising and it was neither good nor bad - I'd like something better than neutral. I like the idea of discounts and bennies from a TA (online or not) with the access available by booking directly with HAL - that's why I'm asking the question, because I'm really undecided. BTW, they didn't assign a specific PCC to me, only gave me the number for the department.

[IRL_Joanie]

Thanks to all who have answered so far - would still like to hear from others.

 

I cruised 3 times with HAL in the late 90's using a bricks&mortar TA. She was great but has long since retired. I didn't cruise again until early this year. Called HAL (not a PCC) a year before cruising and it was neither good nor bad - I'd like something better than neutral. I like the idea of discounts and bennies from a TA (online or not) with the access available by booking directly with HAL - that's why I'm asking the question, because I'm really undecided. BTW, they didn't assign a specific PCC to me, only gave me the number for the department.

 

When I booked our first HAL cruise 3 years ago, I did it on line and clicked on the little button that asked if I wanted HAL to call me within 15 seconds. Before I could take a breath my phone rang and I was booking our first cruise with the HAL TA NOT a HAL PCC. The PCC assignment came as an email the next day giving me her name, phone number and hours. She contacted me that same day and has been wonderful since.

 

I belong to several on line cruise sites and receive discount and special offering notifications from them, this includes Cruise Critic. When I see that one of my cruises is being offered at a lower price or has some different amenities, I can call my HAL PCC and request the same price or amenity and get it (so far).

 

I like being able to deal with HAL directly and not have to do things through a 3rd party.

 

BY the way, we are not allowed by the Cruise Critic Guidelines to give you our TA or HAL PCC names, phone numbers or email addresses. All I can suggest is that you contact HAL directly via their web site and ask them to assist you in getting one.

 

Keep in mind that a HAL TA is NOT THE SAME as a HAL PCC (Personal Cruise Consultant)

 

Joanie

[CaveDiving]

With all due respect to the poster above, we used online TA's for several cruises. Since I was a TA in a former life, I knew what I was looking for and what to make sure of when choosing an oline booking. However, for our last cruise on the Oosterdam, we received an "offer we couldn't refuse" from our PCC whom we had only had brief contact before. The price could not be matched by anyone anywhere. She did a fabulous job for us. We traveled with friends and the bookings were linked, we had the seating we wanted, had a wonderful table right by a window. Every call I made, whether it was to check a price reduction or reconfirm arrangements, was handled promptly and professionally. We now have our second booking with her and we have again found the price to be below what we could find online and the service definitely above.

 

Hello tooalto,

 

If you're at all interested in a lower overall price, I really think you ought to talk to the two large on-line cruise TA's (whose names I can't mention on this board). I simply cannot believe that << ... again found the price to be below what we could find online ... >> as I know darn well that this simply is not true.

 

Scott & Karen

[smslms]

We booked one time directly with HAL using a PCC. He was awful in every respect, start to finish.

 

I know some people have had excellent service from PCC's. Quality service may hinge on who is assigned to you.

 

I tend to agree with you. The one we have/had? never did a thing for us. We get a lot better deals and service thru our TA.

[DizzyDallasDi]

I'll throw my hat in this ring. I've received much better "deals" by using online TAs than dealing with HAL directly. I'm not sure if this is going to fly on this board (the rules sometimes defy common sense :)) but if you're an AARP member, you might give them a call and see what they can offer. I've also used an airline's cruise offerings and received good perks and a competitive rate as well as mileage points.

 

There's many ways to book a cruise and I would price them all out before picking one over the other. If I was doing a complicated cruise, i.e., World or Grand Voyage, I'd probably utilize a trusted brick and mortar agency in town or one that specilizes in those types of cruises. I'm lucky to live in a big city with several agencies that I could choose from if I ever decide do take one of those long-term cruises.

 

I have made travel arrangements for most of my career and I'm pretty savvy with knowing what to ask and who to call for the best deals. I suggest that others who are testing the waters start with a local brick and mortar agency and then get bids from online agencies then the PCCs offered by the cruiselines. Everyone's comfort level will be different.

 

Whatever way you choose to book your cruise, I hope you have the time of your life. :)

[sparky-elpaso]

I got a phone call from a HAL PCC a week or so after we returned from our first HAL cruise. Needless to say, I was impressed. She also sent a letter a couple of days later with her card, etc. So I will definitely call her when it's time to book our next cruise.

[Jade13]

With all due respect to the poster above, we used online TA's for several cruises. Since I was a TA in a former life, I knew what I was looking for and what to make sure of when choosing an oline booking. However, for our last cruise on the Oosterdam, we received an "offer we couldn't refuse" from our PCC whom we had only had brief contact before. The price could not be matched by anyone anywhere. She did a fabulous job for us. We traveled with friends and the bookings were linked, we had the seating we wanted, had a wonderful table right by a window. Every call I made, whether it was to check a price reduction or reconfirm arrangements, was handled promptly and professionally. We now have our second booking with her and we have again found the price to be below what we could find online and the service definitely above.

 

Do you think this was because they saw you as a TA?

 

Also, curious how far out you were to get this deal?

[Luna]

Okay. So how do you know who your PCC is? I booked a cruise for March, 2011 back in August 2009 directly through HAL and have never been contacted by anyone. Do I have to call them to request this?

[Cruising-along]

Okay. So how do you know who your PCC is? I booked a cruise for March, 2011 back in August 2009 directly through HAL and have never been contacted by anyone. Do I have to call them to request this?

 

If you want to have a PCC, I'd contact HAL. By now you would have gotten an email or phone call introducing him/herself and offering their services as your PCC.

 

Sometimes they contact you, sometimes you have to contact HAL. Either way I'm sure they'll be happy to help you. :)

[pms4104]

I was contacted by a HAL PCC after I cancelled a cruise.:confused:

[kakalina]

We have had the same PCC for 8 years and we wouldn't know what to do without him. We have priced cruises on line and through TA's and he has come very close or met their prices. We get onboard credit and perks. The perks depend on the length of the cruise. From flowers and wine to VIP status on our cruises.

[TracieABD]

I booked this upcoming cruise directly with HAL and did not get a PCC. :(

I did get a call from someone who said that since I had booked online that I was not in need of her services...

Not sure what that means.

[SilvertoGold]

When we were young and foolish, we did book through a PCC. We were looking at one very expensive cruise and saw on the HAL site another cruise, which, by comparison, was a much better deal. We booked this, about 6 weeks before the cruise.

A week later we noticed the same cruise advertised in the local newspaper, about 20% less. HAL would not even consider doing anything with our reservation. Live and learn.

This year we asked the PCC for a quote on our last cruise. Good price, no amenities, but a local TA had this cruise for about $25 pp more, but with $225 SBC per cabin, Pinnacle, 2 wine, bathrobes, chocolate strawberries.

 

We would really, really love to book directly with HAL, but it is a toss up between the savings and the great HAL service.

[sail7seas]

Choices........ we all make choices.

I like dealing with my HAL PCC but certainly know there are times we may be paying a bit more.

 

Our brick and mortar TA went out of business some years ago and there choice for those left is pretty dismal. I'm comfortable with the choice we make to use PCC but each has their reasons for how and with whom they book.

 

Whatever works best for you ......... :)

 

Not to say we might not reconsider at some point. There is always that option.

[serendipity1499]

<snip>

 

All who book directly with HAL get a PCC.

Joanie, are you sure that even those of us who only book inside/outside cabins are offered PCC's? We've never been offered a PCC, mostly book longer cruises.. We'll be on our 12th cruise in Nov.& & we'll be 4 star Mariner's by the end of that cruise..

 

I only deal with HAL so have had the same HAL PCC who was assigned to me from the very beginning. She is, in my opinion, more personable than an on line TA who will more than likely be different each time you contact the Travel Agency you use, wether it is an On Line or Brick and Mortar TA. I hope that makes sense.

<snip>

 

Just seems to me that our HAL PCC is more personable and friendlier.

Joanie

 

And that's not always true about talking to different people..We've been using an on-line TA for several years..I always talk to the same person..When we are interested in a cruise I send him an e-mail & then get a return Phone Call with-in an hour....He knows our likes & dislikes, Birthdays, Anniversary, Dining preference etc..He gives us a generous OBC's, Dinner in the Pinnacle, & wine...

 

Hello tooalto,

 

If you're at all interested in a lower overall price, I really think you ought to talk to the two large on-line cruise TA's (whose names I can't mention on this board). I simply cannot believe that << ... again found the price to be below what we could find online ... >> as I know darn well that this simply is not true.

Scott & Karen

 

Actually Scott & Karen, I agree with you to a point...It may not always be true..

In April of 2005 with Friends, we booked 2 Outside cabins directly with HAL for the Prinsendam's Amazon April 2006 cruise..We booked cabin F 430 (midship) on Dolphin Deck & our Friends had one close by....During the summer , after seeing so many CC Posts, touting on-line Agents I actually set out to prove them wrong....What a surprise!..:eek:Not only were we quoted prices for an E cabins together ( Ours was 320 also midship) on Main Deck, the fare was $1,078.00 less (8.9%) than HAL's fare for EACH up-graded cabin..

We were all shocked, until I spoke to a HAL Supvr. & asked HAL to meet the Price..HAL's Supvr. explained that they could not meet or even beat the fares of their high-producing GROUP Agents & suggested we send them a FAX to release our booking to the on-line only Agent, which the HAL Supvr. confirmed was a good TA of theirs..:)

The only problem was that, it was an on-line only Agent, & we could not talk by phone which made us uncomfortable... Since, then we've found a smaller on-line Agent, which we are happier with,. as we want to be able to talk to a TA directly & have him available if something goes wrong...Ours is knowledgeable, has been in the business for 18 years & an excellent T.A., who pays attention to detail & has great deals...We've always saved much more than any fare which HAL has quoted us as Mariners...We receive generous OBC's, Pinnacle Dinners, Wine etc..Last year in addition, we received Spa Massages for all of us..:D BTW we always check out other TA's & HAL before accepting our TA's fare & we've always had a discount...

However as mentioned at first, I wonder if a TA can give good discounts, when they do not have Group space blocked or are not in a consortium of TA's which hold blocked space...?

Would love to hear Lisa's take on that question..

For those contemplating using on-line Agents, be sure to check them out carefully with the State Consumer Protection Agency as well as the BBC in the state where they do business..

Happy Cruising everyone...:)

Cheers.....:) Betty

[sail7seas]

:confused: Why wait to be offered a PCC?

 

If you want one, maybe it might be accomplished by asking.

 

Has anyone ever asked for a PCC and been refused the name/extension for one?