Experienced canadians cruisers

[Du vent dans les voiles]

Hello,

 

Pretty new here!

 

We cruised for the first time last winter booking with a TA, didn't get any OBC from her, but it seems to me that many cruisers here being from the US can get a lot from a TA.

Is it just that canadians TAs don't have the same opportunity from cruise lines to offer them to their clients or we have just been unlucky with our TA?

Your opinion, Canadians?

 

Thanks,

Josée

[Vitulla]

Montreal here. I booked 3 cruises through my TA abd booked via a big online TA for my next cruise. Got some OBC and prepaid gratuities...

[Commodore]

Hello,

 

Pretty new here!

 

We cruised for the first time last winter booking with a TA, didn't get any OBC from her, but it seems to me that many cruisers here being from the US can get a lot from a TA.

Is it just that canadians TAs don't have the same opportunity from cruise lines to offer them to their clients or we have just been unlucky with our TA?

Your opinion, Canadians?

 

Thanks,

Josée

 

it just dépends of your TA standing with a cruise line and also the category you are booking.For example an Inside cabin gets gets almost nothing as a suite gets the maximum also sometimes prepaid gratuities I deal for years already with a USW based TA but not for t5he OBC.:)

[TeaBag]

We book through a large on-line TA in the US and get OBC's up to $300 depending on the length of the cruise and the type of cabin chosen.

Edited September 23, 2014 by YVR cruiser

[Du vent dans les voiles]

Agree with you Phxazzcruisers, service is the most important thing but I'm just curious and maybe we can get both. ;)

 

Thanks Vitulla for your input! I will keep this in mind....

[Du vent dans les voiles]

it just dépends of your TA standing with a cruise line and also the category you are booking.For example an Inside cabin gets gets almost nothing as a suite gets the maximum also sometimes prepaid gratuities I deal for years already with a USW based TA but not for t5he OBC.:)

 

We were CC last February.

[cwb27]

Our TA gave us a few options, one of them included a group sailing she was running in January where there was $150 OBC if you booked into that group (in addition to any Celebrity promos), unfortunately that date didn't work for our schedule.

Edited September 23, 2014 by cwb27

[Sloop-JohnB]

For the record... We cannot name names of TAs or Agencies (IRL or Online) here on CC... So don't expect to get a lot of eye opening info here

 

Posts that do name names are going to be deleted or edited by CC Mods

 

Based on info here on CC, I have done some research

 

Our first cruise we used a Cdn Travel Co, our perk was being able to use our Airmiles Points we had accumulated to offset costs

 

The downside was we lost a lot of control by using a TA over our booking, having to go thru them for everything... And we also had to pay everything upfront when we booked

 

Second cruise, we booked aboard, dealing directly with Celebrity. As Captain Club Members, We got a 2 Category Upgrade (no longer offered), got a fabulous cabin (because we had a year lead time), paid a lower deposit, and did not have to make any more payments until Final Payment Date

 

We also had 60 Days to move our booking to a TA of our choice. We shopped around. According to the posts I read by other Canadians here on CC we found that the most likely perks were gong to be... Highest to lowest... Some OBC - Paid Grats - Meal at a Specialty Restaurant - Bottle of Wine - or points in a loyalty program (such as Airmiles)

 

Or NOTHING

 

Many TAs give nothing. Claiming that their prices are identical to Celebrity's... Which they most often are. And that some TAs truly believe the perk is found in using a TA... But as an informed traveller and avid CC user... I can tell you that I (or most anyone) can do the same job or a better one... So there truly is no need for a TA

 

And don't get me started on the countless times I've read on CC how CC Members feel they are stuck in a situation with a non cooperative TA

 

Now, if one uses a US based TA, Travel Co, or a 3rd Party Online Marketer things could be different.

 

Or if one Spends a lot of money cruising be that frequency or Suite Accommodations

 

But for non Americans there can be a lot more hoops to leap thru to use these services I have found

 

In the end you have to do your own research to determine if it is worth it for you

 

In my opinion, currently I am quite content doing my own booking direct with Celebrity... Especially so as I can watch for Specials, get my Captain's Club Perks (Email Specials - 1 SubCategory Upgrade - 50% Deposit) and keep on eye on pricing before, during & after I book *

 

I do my own Research & Booking now.

 

* Recently got to take advantage of a price drop of over $ 200 per person... Called Celebrity, they made it happen immediately.

 

On another cruise I booked over 9 months in advance and got a great cabin, 25 Bonus Captain's Club Points and 50% Deposit

 

I will continue to monitor it weekly on the Celebrity Website... As well as pricing it when I am aboard my next cruise in December.

 

All stuff I might want a TA to do for me, but many do not (or worse yet don't know how or want to)

 

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers!

Ps... We also found that a lot deals tie in to group bookings... And we like to choose our own dates, not be tied into someone else's. As well the USA has 10x the population of Canada... So just naturally things are going to be different there due to demand / volume

Edited September 23, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[Scrappytraveller]

Hi neighbor!

I don't even bother getting quotes from local agencies anymore, especially not here on the south shore. They give nothing and know nothing. You might get some OBC booking with the big online site with the gnome, but it's usually not much. You can book with a U.S. travel agent with no issues, but this was a lot more tempting when our dollar was stronger. You'll get OBC and/or prepaid tips with a U.S. agency, but these days the foreign exchange and credit card fee for booking in USD can pretty much cancel out any perk. And you also have to worry about the dollar dropping even more before final payment. Doesn't hurt to ask for quotes though.

[workingonlytocruise]

Booking with a U.S. agent can have some definite drawbacks. They can only book in U.S. which was fine when our dollar was at par or only slightly off. They cannot sell you insurance, nor can the cruiselines, most of the big box are only order takes and can't or won't help you on weekends.

 

I would only use a local TA and never a U.S. based one. If you book in Ontario at least you have some protection from TICO.

 

However, to each their own.

[Christine Frances]

I have booked for years with an online TA in Florida. He can make my bookings in either USD or CND, works his butt off for us, always gives us great OBC, and my preferred way to deal with him is by text which is so convenient - no wait for return emails. I once tried to give an onboard booking to a brick and mortar TA here in Canada and asked what perks they would give if I transferred it to them. She said that she would charge me to take the booking:eek::eek:

 

My GF worked for a well known agency in my town and she said that after all the deductions from her commission, ie owners cut, office exp etc she was usually left with about $25. My TA works from home but is affiliated with a large agency with high volume sales so that does affect how much the cruise lines give in commission to the agency. He does not charge any fees for cabin changes, cancellation etc which is good because I am rather high maintenance lol:D

 

If you are looking for an online agent, ask lots of questions. I hang up when I realize I know more about cruising than the agent I'm talking to. Local B & M agencies are multi purpose, flights, tours, hotels, and they might do 1 or 2 cruises a week. It is important to get a TA that specializes in cruising and especially is familiar with the differences in the Brands.

 

Good luck!

[kborth]

Hello,

 

Pretty new here!

 

We cruised for the first time last winter booking with a TA, didn't get any OBC from her, but it seems to me that many cruisers here being from the US can get a lot from a TA.

Is it just that canadians TAs don't have the same opportunity from cruise lines to offer them to their clients or we have just been unlucky with our TA?

Your opinion, Canadians?

 

Thanks,

Josée

 

Hip go online to American companies and I can't say which ones but I pay less and get on board credits.

[meatloafsfan]

For our upcoming Celebrity cruise, I chose an online TA who gave a couple of perks.

 

For our last Royal cruise, same thing (different TA though).

 

For our Disney cruises, I use a Disney-Specialist online TA (good OBC).

 

If the TA can get me something I can't get myself (upgrades, OBC, free whatever), I'm willing to give over my reservation. We take the cruises we book, and don't make changes or look for many price drops (we have to be HA accessible cabins which are few and we can't be flexible in moving to a non-HA cabin).

 

For Carnival (who has limited the incentives TAs can give), I book directly with the cruiseline.

 

Bottom line, I'm willing to use whomever will get me the best deal. I'm not loyal to a TA and I wouldn't use a Canadian TA unless they could do something for me that I couldn't do for myself.

[Queen of Oakville]

former west-islander here : )

 

I've used a handleful or more of Canadian TAs.

 

I don't think I've ever gotten more than $25 or so dollars in OBC directly from the TA. The TA gladly passes on what the cruise line is offering, which I can get myself by booking directly (and I've done that too).

 

I think my next cruise, I'm inclined to try one of the US online travel agents.

 

Ontario TA's will scream "TICO" but I'm willing to take the risk. I'm sure there is some protection on my visa if I book with an online agents who goes bankrupt or steals my money. I'm sure it can and has happened.

 

I also called the "BIG-BOX" membership store who checks your bill when you walk out the door. I called the number from their US website travel section to ask if Canadians with Canadian memberships could book through them, and the answer was YES!. I might try that in the future too. I'm pretty sure my money is safe with them. Plus, it would probably count for rewards (I have the black card that rebates me 2% of my purchases.

[Commodore]

:):)

Booking with a U.S. agent can have some definite drawbacks. They can only book in U.S. which was fine when our dollar was at par or only slightly off. They cannot sell you insurance, nor can the cruiselines, most of the big box are only order takes and can't or won't help you on weekends.

 

I would only use a local TA and never a U.S. based one. If you book in Ontario at least you have some protection from TICO.

 

However, to each their own.

 

With more than 30 cruises I can tell you that I always take insurance with the cruise line, and I've had claims already wich were promptly settled, and the big US agencies are open on weekends.

[Sloop-JohnB]

Booking with a U.S. agent can have some definite drawbacks. They can only book in U.S. which was fine when our dollar was at par or only slightly off. They cannot sell you insurance, nor can the cruiselines, most of the big box are only order takes and can't or won't help you on weekends.

 

I would only use a local TA and never a U.S. based one. If you book in Ontario at least you have some protection from TICO.

 

However, to each their own.

 

This was the issue we ran into to a certain extent on our recent cruise with Celebrity when we booked using our Canadian Credit Card.

 

Celebrity said we could get Cruise Care Insurance... Just not thru them. We would have to deal with the Insurance Co directly as we were non Americans. They gave me a number to call. The Co sent us the forms, but we couldnot pay by Credit Card (either in Cdn or US Funds)... We had to send in a money order

 

I know that Cruise Care Insurance changed this year... So not 100% if this is a new thing

 

But it was not particularly easy... More layers as a Canadian

 

TICO - Travel Industry Insurance is good because it protects the Customer's investment in a vacation (many sat cases where TAs have gone belly up).

 

For now tho I feel more confident booking with Celebrity directly than I would with a US TA Co.. And so it remains.

 

Cheers!

Edited September 23, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[Minoushka]

In my experience i usually book with the cruise line directly .I have received different OBC or upgrades from the cruise line itself

One was a14 category upgrade ...nothing short of miraculous ....

I like pvp from cruiselines ....who keep a careful watch on my bookings .....

tAs in Canada have not given me anything ...plus many companies charge in cDN $

Which ends up being better for me ...

Stick with cruise lines directly

[Christine Frances]

Fellow Canadians should look at Medoc travel insurance which is sold by Johnson.ca. Best medical and trip interruption/cancelation insurance out there. We have an annual policy which covers us for unlimited trips of 40 days (at a time) per year for about $26 pm for both of us and DH is a cancer survivor.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[bbeltmom]

First 2 cruises used Canadian TA - didn't know any better.

Next 2 used US based on-line TA - got same price as Canadian TA could give me and OBC and pre-paid gratuities.

 

Canadian TA called and told me they could do better for next one.

They couldn't. Even after exchange got same price along with OBC and pre-paid gratuities and upgrade to premium drink package.

 

I don't waste my time anymore. My trip insurance is with the credit card company that I use to pay for the trip.

 

Yes without TICO I take my chances that Celebrity will go bankrupt while I am on the ship and they strand me on Aruba or St. Thomas or some other Caribbean Island.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

I also called the "BIG-BOX" membership store who checks your bill when you walk out the door. I called the number from their US website travel section to ask if Canadians with Canadian memberships could book through them, and the answer was YES!. I might try that in the future too. I'm pretty sure my money is safe with them. Plus, it would probably count for rewards (I have the black card that rebates me 2% of my purchases.

 

When I called them , they said No Canadians, that was a year ago

But I have booked car rental with the US.com site, it was cheaper then their .ca site

[Du vent dans les voiles]

Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate all your comments about TAs, insurance etc.....

You have been very helpfull once again!

Cruising again next February and getting very excited about it.

 

Josée

[Tangocherie]

As member Christine Frances has mentionned, I also use a couple Florida based Travel agents who accept payment in Canadian dollars. They give me good onboard credit and usually other perks. This way I get more than booking direct with Celebrity and don't pay credit card fees for payment in foreign currency. Do your research on the web. Good luck!

[El_aurens]

Yep, use a US based TA and normally receive prepaid gratuities and OBC, plus whatever Celebrity is offering as an incentive.

[Queen of Oakville]

When I called them , they said No Canadians, that was a year ago

But I have booked car rental with the US.com site, it was cheaper then their .ca site

 

There was a thread here a few months ago about which online agent to use ... I had called them about that time. Maybe the policy has changed? Or maybe it depends on who you speak to?

[A Sixth?]

not sure who you meant to link to ... took me to a jpg image and the site of a braizillian percussion instruments???:confused::confused:

 

Meant to link to the Cruise Critic list of TAs... which is... Like I said... as easy as one-two-three!

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/shipshop/