Why I will only book through TA and not direct with Carnival

[valtandc]

- I always get either an OBC or some type of cash reward.

 

- I get a return cruise check or another credit.

 

-when there are issues with Carnival (and I always seem to have issues with the back office offering credit, or claiming I don't have one) my TA handles these.

 

- My TA always give me a bottle of wine.

 

- My TA is pleasant and easy to deal with and intelligent.

[firefly333]

Other than the kickbacks from your TA which they arent supposed to do to that degree, the service I get from my PVP is the same as what you get, plus I have a inside edge. Internal PVP notes got a problem fixed once that had I used a outside TA I probably would have lost that battle.

 

I tell my PVP all the time I wish she sold RCL cruises too and she tells me one of her friends works for RCL .. but yea and then we chat. She is the best and I would not give her up for some under the table perks someone sneaks to me.

[TheCalicoCat]

When I used a TA I had the opposite experience. She promised my a dinner in the steakhouse - did not materialize...

[Aplmac]

I agree.

 

Always nice to have a person-to-person physical relationship with someone just a mile away from my house

and not be dealing with just a telephone voice of a faceless Corp. who has your money now. ;)

 

The one time I dealt with a (UK) cruise booking entity

it was plain that as soon as they had my CC number and the deal was done

I was a hot potato, not to be handled.

Needless to say, I never booked with them again

and have always booked with a real live agent living here on my island.

 

Besides, those TA people seriously know the ropes, all the workarounds.

 

.

[happy cruzer]

I think it depends on how much you are spending on your cabin.

 

I book insides not much room for a TA to do any kickbacks, maybe a bottle of wine. But then I have to work around their schedule if there is a problem or a change. I rather cutout the middle man unless the perk offered is worth my time to add in the middle man.

[firefly333]

Lets be honest .. there are some great TAs, and some great PVPs, both of whom know their job backwards and forwards and give great service.

 

To me the idea that one knows the ropes and the other doesnt is ludicrous. Great we all have people we like to book with, but one is not more knowledgeable necessarily than the other. good and bad of each. My PVP does know Carnival rules better than any TA can, because the TA has to know all cruiselines and cannot know ever single little carnival rule and what is the flavor of the week. But other than that, both are good.

 

Thats all I was saying above .. other than the kickbacks (which the TA is only allowed now to give what 5% max, or carnival has tried to cut back what is allowed to no success) .. both booking ways can be great for you. silly thing to argue about .. my dog is better than your dog kind of thing.

[girlscruise2011]

I booked 3 vacations within 1 1/2 years with the same TA. One land and 2 cruises and I got NOTHING. So much for loyalty. :mad:.

 

For my cruise in October I found a Carnival PVP and like firefly said, wouldn't trade her for any OBC :)

[sonicbuffalo]

For our upcoming cruise, we didn't book with either. We booked onboard The Dream for our Miracle cruise. We will probably do it again for our next cruise. Our PVP says she gets the credit anyways, but we get to pick our cabin and we buy the FCC and get the $100 OBC. We're over a year away from the next cruise we want to take so we make out ok.

[Aplmac]

I booked 3 vacations within 1 1/2 years with the same TA.

One land and 2 cruises and I got NOTHING. So much for loyalty. :mad:.

You expect a kickback?

 

And who do you think is going to be paying for that kickback?

-your Travel Agent? The firm she works for?

 

No. it's YOU who will be paying for that kickback, whether directly or indirectly! :)

Whatever it cost Them, to give You your kickback, was all tied into the price you were quoted.

 

Nothing is free, certainly not kickbacks. Not in the cruise industry

Not in any industry.

 

I'm just glad to get a firm booking with no shilly-shallying.

Don't want, need or expect a kickback. I can afford my own. ;)

 

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[zqvol]

- I always get either an OBC or some type of cash reward.

 

- I get a return cruise check or another credit.

 

-when there are issues with Carnival (and I always seem to have issues with the back office offering credit, or claiming I don't have one) my TA handles these.

 

- My TA always give me a bottle of wine.

 

- My TA is pleasant and easy to deal with and intelligent.

 

Very nice, and when Carnival figures out that your TA is giving you more than $25 in benefits, they will no longer accept bookings from your TA.

 

By all means use your TA, but don't expect the benefits to continue.

[ccartman2]

I really like my PVP. He has always taken care of every thing I have needed. Now maybe he hasn't produced a free bottle of wine, but I'm quite happy with who I am dealing with.

[girlscruise2011]

You expect a kickback?

 

And who do you think is going to be paying for that kickback?

-your Travel Agent? The firm she works for?

 

No. it's YOU who will be paying for that kickback, whether directly or indirectly! :)

Whatever it cost Them, to give You your kickback, was all tied into the price you were quoted.

 

Nothing is free, certainly not kickbacks. Not in the cruise industry

Not in any industry.

 

I'm just glad to get a firm booking with no shilly-shallying.

Don't want, need or expect a kickback. I can afford my own. ;)

 

.

 

I dont want or expect a kickback. I was just answering the OP who says that is why she books with a TA for the kickback she gets. I was stating my experience that not all TAs give anything which is why I now choose to deal with a PVP and Carnival themselves. This way I have control which to me is alot better then a bottle of wine

[valtandc]

Other than the kickbacks from your TA which they arent supposed to do to that degree, the service I get from my PVP is the same as what you get, plus I have a inside edge. Internal PVP notes got a problem fixed once that had I used a outside TA I probably would have lost that battle.

 

I tell my PVP all the time I wish she sold RCL cruises too and she tells me one of her friends works for RCL .. but yea and then we chat. She is the best and I would not give her up for some under the table perks someone sneaks to me.

 

nothing is sneaked (is that a word).

[valtandc]

Lol. You guys get angry so fast. Its not a kickback. Its credit being offered back for loyalty using my TA. I can't list my TA but they are probably the largest TA group in the World and as reputable as they come and probably have helped you in some way in the past or present.

 

And someone mentioned they are all equal and knowledged....not true....just as with any profession some are better than others and some work harder for you than others....Just like a good tax attorney....they will find the loopholes and benefits you are entitles too.....

 

.....some of you better start looking for a new TA or better PVP.

[firefly333]

nothing is sneaked (is that a word).

 

OK since only a small amount 5% or $25 or some such is allow.. its under the table .. or in the case of the TA I use, there are some steps to make the pricing and the actual booking two separate steps, so the discounting isnt right off the top of the price. Carnival has a signed contract with these folks to allow this, so they must know there are ways of getting around the rules. I know more than one TA has written to Carnival to complain that this TA Im using is doing this .. and right now we have mostly Carnival providing us berths on the cheap .. so Im thinking Carnival is allowing some TAs to get around the rules.

 

The TA is finding ways to do what Carnival says is not allowed. We all know TA are doing it under the table behind closed doors .. call it sneaked or under the table whichever floats your boat.

[valtandc]

OK since only a small amount 5% or $25 or some such is allow.. its under the table .. or in the case of the TA I use, there are some steps to make the pricing and the actual booking two separate steps, so the discounting isnt right off the top of the price. Carnival has a signed contract with these folks to allow this, so they must know there are ways of getting around the rules. I know more than one TA has written to Carnival to complain that this TA Im using is doing this .. and right now we have mostly Carnival providing us berths on the cheap .. so Im thinking Carnival is allowing some TAs to get around the rules.

 

The TA is finding ways to do what Carnival says is not allowed. We all know TA are doing it under the table behind closed doors .. call it sneaked or under the table whichever floats your boat.

 

If its listed in a newspaper or website then they are not sneaking it. In the case of my TA its in the open. Just an fyi. Also, they have a loyalty program whether you book a hotel, car rental, cruise, whatever. So this may be one way they are able to offer great pricing by combining things. Who knows.

[firefly333]

If its listed in a newspaper or website then they are not sneaking it. In the case of my TA its in the open. Just an fyi. Also, they have a loyalty program whether you book a hotel, car rental, cruise, whatever. So this may be one way they are able to offer great pricing by combining things. Who knows.

 

TAs cannot advertise lower price or perks such as this .. if its in the newspaper then it has to be a promo from Carnival, and some TAs do try and make it sound like they are giving the OBC.

 

If the TA really is advertising lower prices on Carnival prices and OBC that is not allowed, they wouldnt still be in business.

 

The OBC and discounts Im talking about are given over the phone or if you sign into a web site (not on a open website) or via email. Having to log into a website, is a barely concealed way to disguise the discounting, most make you call in or email.

 

They are not in the newspapers. TAs cannot advertise the OBC they give clients over and above what is allowed ....too bad we cant name names and discuss particulars... but your TA is doing this somehow and if the amounts are as large as you say, the TA is not advertising it openly Ill bet.

 

There has to be some step you take to get these discounts on Carnival cruises. Most TAs have figured out ways to get around Carnival rules .. I am not arguing that, just saying they do it in not open ways, since they cant advertise they do this.. maybe there is a membership for instance .. etc.

[valtandc]

thanks for the detail.

 

All I know is I cruised in June and again this coming Oct and am getting some good OBC and cash back. Don't really know or care how it happens. My TA keeps me loyal to them and the ship loves me on board with my all too high Sign and Sail bill.

 

Enjoy your next trips.

[NCTribeFan]

For our upcoming cruise, we didn't book with either. We booked onboard The Dream for our Miracle cruise. We will probably do it again for our next cruise. Our PVP says she gets the credit anyways, but we get to pick our cabin and we buy the FCC and get the $100 OBC. We're over a year away from the next cruise we want to take so we make out ok.

 

I always get to pick my cabin. Why wouldn't you be able to do that dealing with a PVP or a TA? :confused:

 

I thought about booking with a TA, but, honestly, I adore my PVP. I inherited him when the guy I had was moved to a supervisory position and I like this guy even better.

 

No, I don't get any perks. But he knows exactly what I like. He laughs at me because I call him, ready to book, knowing the exact cabin I want, the booking code, and what my price should be because I've already done my research online. I've told him things about different classes of ships that he didn't realize. I've clued him in about which cabins I thought were better than others and which I wouldn't book again and why.

 

He calls me when I get home just to chat and ask what I liked or didn't like on my cruise. He called me after my HAL cruise to find out what I thought about it!

 

So, if someone prefers to book with a TA and get their goodies, well, fine.

 

Not sure why it's necessary to start a thread about it, since it is a very subjective thing, and subjective things always seem to anger someone who feels differently.

 

Maybe not OP's intent, but it feels a bit like "Well, I have a great TA and I get this and I get that, so there!"

 

Good for you. You keep using your TA and I'll keep using my PVP, but thanks for sharing! :rolleyes:

[StingRaysfan]

My take...

 

Our first cruise together was for our friends wedding. It was as a group (but only 4 or 5 cabins) and all arranged through a TA. We were in an inside, got $25 OBC, a bottle of champagne and some petit fours in the cabin... all sent by the travel agent.

 

The last two cruises and our upcoming two.... we've booked on our own online or through a PVP. Now that I'm a little smarter about the way Carnival works, early saver etc I feel much MUCH more comfortable having control over my own booking. When I see a price drop I can just fill out the form and get confirmation, and to me... that is worth giving up a little OBC and cheap champagne. I couldn't imagine not having control of my own booking now, and if, say, an OBC was denied I'm gonna sit here thinking the TA filled something out wrong and I can't do anything about it because I have no control..... no way jose....

 

Maybe it's just me... maybe I'm a control freak. :) But hey... when we booked our Valor cruise I was spouting off to my PVP about how many Oceans Suites were left on the Liberty cruise and chances of the upsell fairy calling etc etc etc.... She said I should come work for Carnival HAHAHAHA..... Control freak much???

[rlkubi]

I love my PVP! She is fantastic and I wouldn't trade her for anything! She always goes the extra mile and is super!

[iTouch]

Lets be honest .. there are some great TAs, and some great PVPs, both of whom know their job backwards and forwards and give great service.

 

To me the idea that one knows the ropes and the other doesnt is ludicrous. Great we all have people we like to book with, but one is not more knowledgeable necessarily than the other. good and bad of each. My PVP does know Carnival rules better than any TA can, because the TA has to know all cruiselines and cannot know ever single little carnival rule and what is the flavor of the week. But other than that, both are good.

 

Thats all I was saying above .. other than the kickbacks (which the TA is only allowed now to give what 5% max, or carnival has tried to cut back what is allowed to no success) .. both booking ways can be great for you. silly thing to argue about .. my dog is better than your dog kind of thing.

 

 

It's not ludicrous. A reputable TA especially cruise specialists are knowlegable about ALL cruiselines. A reputable TA will go to bat for you in case of an emergency making hotel resrvations, missed flights, transfers etc a PVP won't....

[Tapi]

thanks for the detail.

 

All I know is I cruised in June and again this coming Oct and am getting some good OBC and cash back. Don't really know or care how it happens.

 

If you care about your TA, I wouldn't be publishing in a public forum that your TA is giving you more incentives than Carnival authorizes. They've ben trying to crack down on these deceptive practices, which, even though you may think are fabulous, are actually very unfair to the other TA's that play by the rules. Your TA could easily loose the ability to book Carnival cruises permanently.

[okwriter]

- I always get either an OBC or some type of cash reward.

 

- I get a return cruise check or another credit.

 

-when there are issues with Carnival (and I always seem to have issues with the back office offering credit, or claiming I don't have one) my TA handles these.

- My TA always give me a bottle of wine.

 

- My TA is pleasant and easy to deal with and intelligent.

 

Maybe you wouldn't have these issues if you used a good PVP. :D

[loveJake]

One time I found a fairly good rate with a TA, before restrictions were in place. Out of loyality I booked furture cruises with her and also sent her some other business from friends and family, everything was great. Until ES came along. I had to do the leg work anyway, but she got very upset when I found a lower rate and she had to submit the form. After the 3rd one she informed me that there would be a $25 charge if she had to make any changes (this was not listed in the original agreement). I'm glad that some people are loyal and get good deals, but for me a TA is out of the question for any future cruises.