Be careful which UK TA you choose

[suekay]

I know, and understand why, we can't advertise travel agents on Cruisecritic, but it would be so helpful to know which ones to avoid:mad:.

 

I usually book through a US TA, but was tempted by a cruise package to Dubai this year , so booked through a UK TA (note to self - never do that again) I booked 4 inside cabins and had Crown and Anchor discount vouchers of £40 inside/£80 outside cabin applied. Each cabin was also given a £130 discount by the TA. We later paid to upgrade to 3 outside and 1 balcony cabin. So far, so good, til we received the new invoices. The outside cabins still had the inside cabin discount applied and the TA refused to even phone Royal Caribbean to get it altered. Then the balcony cabin invoice arrived, after requesting that the voucher discount of £40 was changed to the Diamond balcony discount of £150. This was done, but the TA discount dropped to £120 despite our paying well over £200 net for the balcony upgrade. This makes no sense to me? Am I missing something? Don't TAs get a percentage commission, in which case our TA discount should rise? (I'd settle for the original £130)

 

Hope this rant makes sense. I just needed to get it off my chest:)

 

All I can say is - avoid Cruise agents who offer Deals

[gaelsail]

I know, and understand why, we can't advertise travel agents on Cruisecritic, but it would be so helpful to know which ones to avoid:mad:.

 

I usually book through a US TA, but was tempted by a cruise package to Dubai this year , so booked through a UK TA (note to self - never do that again) I booked 4 inside cabins and had Crown and Anchor discount vouchers of £40 inside/£80 outside cabin applied. Each cabin was also given a £130 discount by the TA. We later paid to upgrade to 3 outside and 1 balcony cabin. So far, so good, til we received the new invoices. The outside cabins still had the inside cabin discount applied and the TA refused to even phone Royal Caribbean to get it altered. Then the balcony cabin invoice arrived, after requesting that the voucher discount of £40 was changed to the Diamond balcony discount of £150. This was done, but the TA discount dropped to £120 despite our paying well over £200 net for the balcony upgrade. This makes no sense to me? Am I missing something? Don't TAs get a percentage commission, in which case our TA discount should rise? (I'd settle for the original £130)

 

Hope this rant makes sense. I just needed to get it off my chest:)

 

All I can say is - avoid Cruise agents who offer Deals

Lots of good UK travel agents offer deals, often time limited.

[Missus Makkem]

I know, and understand why, we can't advertise travel agents on Cruisecritic, but it would be so helpful to know which ones to avoid:mad:.

 

I usually book through a US TA, but was tempted by a cruise package to Dubai this year , so booked through a UK TA (note to self - never do that again) I booked 4 inside cabins and had Crown and Anchor discount vouchers of £40 inside/£80 outside cabin applied. Each cabin was also given a £130 discount by the TA. We later paid to upgrade to 3 outside and 1 balcony cabin. So far, so good, til we received the new invoices. The outside cabins still had the inside cabin discount applied and the TA refused to even phone Royal Caribbean to get it altered. Then the balcony cabin invoice arrived, after requesting that the voucher discount of £40 was changed to the Diamond balcony discount of £150. This was done, but the TA discount dropped to £120 despite our paying well over £200 net for the balcony upgrade. This makes no sense to me? Am I missing something? Don't TAs get a percentage commission, in which case our TA discount should rise? (I'd settle for the original £130)

 

Hope this rant makes sense. I just needed to get it off my chest:)

 

All I can say is - avoid Cruise agents who offer Deals

 

sounds as if you would have been better booking direct with RCI?

[insidecabin]

I have had a US agent do similar.

 

Plenty of TAs and cruise lines have admin fees for changes.

 

Always check the costing before finaly agreeing the change, waiting for invoice for final costing is dangerous.

 

Currently booking through the UK is competative on a lot of cruises.

 

With flight costs there have been some good packages.

 

 

The trick is to book the cabins you want first time not make changes.

[NorbertsNiece]

I'm posting here as means of tearing my hair out. My first High Street TA experience and never again. I did book with them as we got the price right after 2 hours but seriously the whole experience was tedious and frustrating. It's a long story which I won't bore you with and the shop manageress had to step in numerous times with the patience of a saint with her staff but seriously.....do they not undergo training? I was in such a state by the time I left the shop I couldn't feel elated in the least at having made the booking.

 

Does everyone charge for using credit cards to make bookings do you know?

[DEEDIA]

Hello NorbertsNiece, we have always booked with our local TA and not every visit has been a good one. We do always check the price and offers with other TA's in shop and online, also give the Cruise line a ring and see what they can offer. Our 2012 Cruise was also booked at the TA but after being on the Phone to Celebrity, we got a better deal. Cabin Upgrade, OBC and Concerige. They matched all our RCI Cruise Points so that came in nice also. Yes we did some of the leg work ourselfs, and don't know if the TA would have gone to those lengths for us, if not, its nice to think we got extras. We are satisfied with the out comes as we both are still working, it is not so easy to just book as other people at work often want the same or near dates.

 

And on Credit yes they all have the 1%, one TA we use had a loyalty card which that could be used to save points which gave money off your next Holiday, like a Store card. This worked well until they cut the points in half then there was no savings, so that got CUT it up. :D:D

[DEEDIA]

Hi Susan we only live 3 mile from the Cruise Club you mentioned and they do a good trade, we have heard a lot of very positive remarks although we have never booked with them. We do ring along with others to see what they can offer price wise then approach our TA armed with information for them to beat.

[insidecabin]

You also have to check the T&C of TA's very carefully.

 

There is at least one UK TA that charges YOU if the cruise line cancels your cruise.

 

It can cost a couple £300.

 

try searching for cruise cancellation fees you might ne shocked at the various charges.

[paul_a142]

I'm posting here as means of tearing my hair out. My first High Street TA experience and never again. I did book with them as we got the price right after 2 hours but seriously the whole experience was tedious and frustrating. It's a long story which I won't bore you with and the shop manageress had to step in numerous times with the patience of a saint with her staff but seriously.....do they not undergo training? I was in such a state by the time I left the shop I couldn't feel elated in the least at having made the booking.

 

Does everyone charge for using credit cards to make bookings do you know?

 

Hello NorbertsNiece, we have always booked with our local TA and not every visit has been a good one. We do always check the price and offers with other TA's in shop and online, also give the Cruise line a ring and see what they can offer. Our 2012 Cruise was also booked at the TA but after being on the Phone to Celebrity, we got a better deal. Cabin Upgrade, OBC and Concerige. They matched all our RCI Cruise Points so that came in nice also. Yes we did some of the leg work ourselfs, and don't know if the TA would have gone to those lengths for us, if not, its nice to think we got extras. We are satisfied with the out comes as we both are still working, it is not so easy to just book as other people at work often want the same or near dates.

 

And on Credit yes they all have the 1%, one TA we use had a loyalty card which that could be used to save points which gave money off your next Holiday, like a Store card. This worked well until they cut the points in half then there was no savings, so that got CUT it up. :D:D

 

Hi Susan we only live 3 mile from the Cruise Club you mentioned and they do a good trade, we have heard a lot of very positive remarks although we have never booked with them. We do ring along with others to see what they can offer price wise then approach our TA armed with information for them to beat.

 

I have to say say that the cruise "club" I use (which i believe is the one in Robin Hood Country LOL) have never charged me to use a Credit card (even Amex) I have only used RCCL and the agent advised me that RCCL don't charge for using a card and as such they don't either.

 

Regards.

 

Paul

[Thejuggler]

I'm posting here as means of tearing my hair out. My first High Street TA experience and never again. I did book with them as we got the price right after 2 hours but seriously the whole experience was tedious and frustrating. It's a long story which I won't bore you with and the shop manageress had to step in numerous times with the patience of a saint with her staff but seriously.....do they not undergo training? I was in such a state by the time I left the shop I couldn't feel elated in the least at having made the booking.

 

Does everyone charge for using credit cards to make bookings do you know?

 

Sounds like our High Street experience - worse than buying a car! Do this it's this much, have this it's this much, book this we can knock this off. After an hour I was bored - I saw the screen and there seemed to have a dozen prices for the same cabins on the same cruise - all with different discount codes so I never knew if I was getting a good deal.

[Ray66]

Does everyone charge for using credit cards to make bookings do you know?

 

All the TA's I've used (online or high street) have charged 1.5% for using a credit card. Some don't make a charge for the deposit, just for the balance. With debit cards there's no charge.

[sandancer]

I learned the hard way never to use a multiple branch high street travel agency, especially if they also offer online booking. They would appear to be in competition with each other. Never managed to speak to the same agent twice and one very well known company sent a new invoice after each phone conversation, even if no changes were made. So, for the past several years we have used a one branch, independent agency who are excellent. The staff are patient (I have been known to hold off more than one cabin while I decide) and very knowledgeable. No credit card charges. No special offers, OBC etc. but discounted every time on the rate offered by the cruise line. So every time I am tempted by one of the big agencies offers I put on my sensible head and get on the phone to my trusted agent. I wish you luck in finding someone similar in your area.

[NorbertsNiece]

Received a survey request from the TA HQ with regards to the service I'd received. I was scathing. Have to say though the price is still keen but the stress of making the booking just did my head in.

 

Went in today with a few questions and had excellent service from a different agent.

[moniquet]

All the agents seem undertrained and undertravelled, they know nothing. I predict in 10 years there won't be any. Even with deals you can usually buy cheaper online. USA agents are better but many cruiselines have changed policy and do not allow them to take booking from Europe.

[Ray66]

I predict in 10 years there won't be any.

Even with deals you can usually buy cheaper online.

 

Yes, and these can be with an online travel agent as well as direct with the cruise-line. I can't see why travel agents might disappear in 10 years, unless you mean just high street ones? But not everyone owns a computer.

[suekay]

I have had a US agent do similar.

 

Plenty of TAs and cruise lines have admin fees for changes.

 

Always check the costing before finaly agreeing the change, waiting for invoice for final costing is dangerous.

 

Currently booking through the UK is competative on a lot of cruises.

 

With flight costs there have been some good packages.

 

 

The trick is to book the cabins you want first time not make changes.[/quote]

 

The problem is that I've been spoiled by my US TA. I've changed cabin categories when prices drop enabling me to upgrade at little cost, then cabins within that new category as better ones become available. Confirmatory email within minutes and never a charge (for changes or credit card payments). I do agree though that some UK packages offer good deals considering the flight costs, and that's why I booked this one despite preferring to DIY - or should that be DIM? (do-it-myself)

[moniquet]

But not everyone owns a computer.

 

True but they probably will all own them in 10 years time.

[ovccruiser]

 

Does everyone charge for using credit cards to make bookings do you know?

 

My last cruise was booked direct with a cruiseline and even they charged 1.5% on a credit card. Times are tight and the credit card companies are charging them, they are merely passing on the charge to us.

[dsrdsrdsr]

I always use a smallish independent firm, about 25 offices or so, and I've never had any of the problems listed above - they've always been model professionals to deal with, in fact. Maybe because my mother books seven or eight holidays a year with them? ;)

[amajaa]

Yes I was also told RCI don't charge for using a credit card which is why our TA didn't charge us but when I was phoning around beforehand some TAs were still charging a credit card fee which means to me that they must have been pocketing the fee then.

[Ray66]

It's the credit card companies that charge the fee. The TA then passes this on to their customers. Some cruise-lines absorb it (if you book direct with them). Cunard is going to start passing on credit card fees from all cruises starting in 2012.

[Lotus Girl]

I used a High Street TA last year follwing a "cruise event" that they held and what a fiasco that was. I decided to upgrade which was fine however there were then price drops and they hadn't a clue what to do. I have a friend who works for a cruise line and she told me what to tell them! I did report this particular branch to the training department of the cruise line who were very interested in my story. I spoke to atleast 4 different staff during the booking and even told the Manager that I would never book another cruise with them again. I do realise that they were loosing money when there was a price drop and was even told by a member of staff that you pay the price and that's that! If I hadn't argued with them, I wouldn't have got the drops. I went up several grades in the end up from the original booking and the eventual invoice price was more than what it started at however so many High Street agents go for the look of the staff in their office, not the knowledge and interest! Where is customer service when you need it? Clearly not in some agents offices!

[Greghouseo]

I'm posting here as means of tearing my hair out. My first High Street TA experience and never again. I did book with them as we got the price right after 2 hours but seriously the whole experience was tedious and frustrating. It's a long story which I won't bore you with and the shop manageress had to step in numerous times with the patience of a saint with her staff but seriously.....do they not undergo training? I was in such a state by the time I left the shop I couldn't feel elated in the least at having made the booking.

 

Does everyone charge for using credit cards to make bookings do you know?

 

So why on earth go to a High Street TA? Jack of all trades, master of none.

Surely a Cruise specialist is the route to go.

Someone who has been on the ships, some one who understands cruising, someone who knows the cruise mentality of clientele, someone of maybe slightly more mature years and most of all, someone who actually goes on cruises him/herself.

[NorbertsNiece]

So why on earth go to a High Street TA? Jack of all trades, master of none.

Surely a Cruise specialist is the route to go.

Someone who has been on the ships, some one who understands cruising, someone who knows the cruise mentality of clientele, someone of maybe slightly more mature years and most of all, someone who actually goes on cruises him/herself.

 

Yeah. I know. BIG mistake. HUGE.

[Greghouseo]

Yeah. I know. BIG mistake. HUGE.

 

So how are you Linda?

keeping well I trust?

 

We are on Adventure again in October

7 nighter + 4 nighter

Tenerife/Lanzarote/La Palma/Grand Canaria/Malaga/Lisbon/Gibralter