Website, X Travel Planner, or TA?

[Stateroom_Sailor]

We booked our first cruise through the cruise line's website, then the next 2 over the phone with the cruise planner, and our 4th through our credit card. Lastly our 2016 cruise we went through a warehouse club, which so far we're the most happy with.

 

Funny thing is, I thought the Concierge Class 123Go sale ended a few weekends back, and attempted to call a would-be TA who had some personal issues to attend to, but basically told me to scram after hearing that I booked with someone else. "Well you apparently don't want the knowledge, insight, and discounts of a TA." I gave him first shot, thought I was under a deadline (based on some facebook ad), and actually DID go through a TA! Weird.

 

How do you book your cruises? I like the added bonuses, but I dislike having to go through a middleman to make changes.

[Gordoncruickshank]

I find that TAs add very little now to what I know about Celebrity and their booking process and agree that it is a pain to lose direct control of the booking but you do get the discounts, obc or what ever they offer in the U.S.

 

My regular process is to use the website as a first stop and compare pricing with both UK and US online TAs and their deals. Then I go to a TA and tell them exactly what we want, what room we want etc.

 

I already know what deals are available and their conditions by reading all that on the Cwlebrity web site.

 

Gordon

[ClaudiaB]

We have booked with Celebrity and gotten their promotions/perks and then changed to a well-known on-line travel agency. Whether or not you book with Celebrity or directly with the TA, you will get the current Celebrity promotions. THEN the TA will add more OBC and other things.

For example, we booked directly with a TA for our November 2015 cruise, a 13 night Caribbean. We got the 123 Go promotion with all three benefits and $300 OBC. We are in a sky suite. Then the TA gave us $400 more OBC.

 

In Nov. 2016 we have one booked with the TA and got Azamara's $400 OBC and then the TA gave us $1000 OBC and $200 more.

 

Yes you go through the "middleman" to get a room change and you mostly have to do final payment a month earlier, but you can do your own check in on the website as usual.

 

We will always use them if for no other reason than the additional perks.

[fleckle]

We booked our first cruise through the cruise line's website, then the next 2 over the phone with the cruise planner, and our 4th through our credit card. Lastly our 2016 cruise we went through a warehouse club, which so far we're the most happy with.

 

Funny thing is, I thought the Concierge Class 123Go sale ended a few weekends back, and attempted to call a would-be TA who had some personal issues to attend to, but basically told me to scram after hearing that I booked with someone else. "Well you apparently don't want the knowledge, insight, and discounts of a TA." I gave him first shot, thought I was under a deadline (based on some facebook ad), and actually DID go through a TA! Weird.

 

How do you book your cruises? I like the added bonuses, but I dislike having to go through a middleman to make changes.

It just depends. There are so many variables involved.

 

Look for any senior, resident, military, internet or other discounts that may be available if you are eligible for any. They come and go.

If you are not a big drinker, you may get a much better price taking a discount rate without the perks instead of taking the 123 go package and paying full price.

 

After we figure out what we want, we like to book online so we can see the pricing on the screen and make payments and changes ourselves for as long as possible.

That used to be until final payment, but now unfortunately they only give us 60 days.

So we take those 60 days to look around and compare offer from TAs.

 

 

For example, I was just looking at a cruise where a balcony cabin was about $900 less on a discounted rate than it was at the regular price with 123 go.

So if we wanted the drink package, we would pay the higher price to get 123 go, but if we didn't, we would take the lower price and transfer the booking to a TA to get prepaid gratuities and onboard credit.

 

Sometimes a TA can get you a lower price by including you in a group.

 

In general the more expensive the cabin or suite you book, the more worthwhile it is to transfer the booking to a TA because they get bigger commissions on those and therefore can offer you better perks.

 

 

If you only look at the TA's prices without knowing what you would get by booking directly with the cruise line, or what other TAs are offering, it would be easy to be deceived.

 

It is important to compare apples to apples.

 

I was just looking at a cruise where one of the major TAs is advertising 123 go with beverage package, prepaid gratuities and $500 of onboard credit for a balcony cabin.

 

What they do not tell you is that if you book directly with the cruise line at the exact same price, you will still get the beverage package, prepaid gratuities and $300 of onboard credit.

So they really are only offering $200 of additional onboard credit on top of what you would get from the cruise line anyway.

You can get more than that from another TA.

 

Edited March 1, 2015 by fleckle

[rjrpar]

We always transfer to a TA and receive 9-10% of the cruise back as obc. Just got $450 obc on a cruise in 2016. Seems like a no brainer

[Stateroom_Sailor]

ClaudiaB, good idea about transferring the booking over. I've heard of doing that but didn't know that you could still get additional OBC after doing so.

 

rjrpar, not bad. We got 8% back on ours, if you don't include port fees and taxes.

 

fleckle, lots of helpful info here. How do you find discount rates without the 123Go?

For our 2016 cruise (April 23rd), Inside is $599, OV $799, balcony $1149. CC $1349.

 

I will usually upgrade for about $150 to the next category on a 7 day cruise, so OV would have been our pick here. We would spend about $200 on drinks, but maybe double that if it's free. So if I count the all the perks, it comes out to this:

 

$1349 PP - $150 OBC- $120 Tips - $100 Beverages = $979

 

Throw in the CC benefits, unlimited drinks, and $215 OBC from the TA (which would have been $120 had we gone OV), it seems like a good deal, especially when a Veranda is often out of our budget.

Edited March 1, 2015 by Stateroom_Sailor

[ailetoile]

Okay. This seems to be the place to ask my questions. I've Googled and I've spent hours on the phone and I've talked to some very slimy people, but I have yet to find a TA who will do much of anything for me. I ended up once again booking directly with Celebrity.

 

How do you guys find these TAs with so much room credit or other perks? I know you can't name them, but it's like they don't exist as far as I can find on my own.

 

We booked yesterday, so if I were to find one that I like, even if it's the warehouse one (long story but after we did the math it was cheaper for us to book in CAD) are you guys saying they'd still give us the perks if we transfer our reservation in the next 59 days?

 

I appreciate the help... I've been so confused and I just don't know where it's okay to ask on this forum.

[phyllisrf]

Our TA, based in Arkansas, is the BEST! She never fails to get us the best possible fares, etc.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

Okay. This seems to be the place to ask my questions. I've Googled and I've spent hours on the phone and I've talked to some very slimy people, but I have yet to find a TA who will do much of anything for me. I ended up once again booking directly with Celebrity.

 

How do you guys find these TAs with so much room credit or other perks? I know you can't name them, but it's like they don't exist as far as I can find on my own.

 

We booked yesterday, so if I were to find one that I like, even if it's the warehouse one (long story but after we did the math it was cheaper for us to book in CAD) are you guys saying they'd still give us the perks if we transfer our reservation in the next 59 days?

 

I appreciate the help... I've been so confused and I just don't know where it's okay to ask on this forum.

 

It doesn't look like the warehouse club I use offers much in the way of travel in Canada. Maybe some of your top web searches will have incentives. Airlines may offer miles if you book through them. If nothing else, a travel rewards credit card may offer a kickback and TA partnership, though in my experience that leaves you locked into the cabin and ship/sail date you first booked.

[ailetoile]

It doesn't look like the warehouse club I use offers much in the way of travel in Canada. Maybe some of your top web searches will have incentives. Airlines may offer miles if you book through them. If nothing else, a travel rewards credit card may offer a kickback and TA partnership, though in my experience that leaves you locked into the cabin and ship/sail date you first booked.

 

If we had chosen the warehouse we would have used a US credit card and address, but I think we're locked out of it now that we committed to Canadian pricing. I love the other ideas, though. Thanks!

[SanDiegoFun]

We booked our first cruise through the cruise line's website, then the next 2 over the phone with the cruise planner, and our 4th through our credit card. Lastly our 2016 cruise we went through a warehouse club, which so far we're the most happy with.

 

Funny thing is, I thought the Concierge Class 123Go sale ended a few weekends back, and attempted to call a would-be TA who had some personal issues to attend to, but basically told me to scram after hearing that I booked with someone else. "Well you apparently don't want the knowledge, insight, and discounts of a TA." I gave him first shot, thought I was under a deadline (based on some facebook ad), and actually DID go through a TA! Weird.

 

How do you book your cruises? I like the added bonuses, but I dislike having to go through a middleman to make changes.

 

I only go through the Warehouse Club (starts with C ends with o) as this is my 7th cruise, the past four I've gone through them and had best experience with several added OBCs or other bonuses.

 

Also, by using my warehouse club Amex card I get 2% back as well at the end of each year. Plus club gives me $ back at end of year as an Executive level member so I get almost 4% back on top of all.

 

Did a Groupon once and it was ok, just a TA using Groupon to sell I found out, so less flexibility.

Edited March 2, 2015 by SanDiegoFun

[Stateroom_Sailor]

I only go through the Warehouse Club (starts with C ends with o) as this is my 7th cruise, the past four I've gone through them and had best experience with several added OBCs or other bonuses.

 

Also, by using my warehouse club Amex card I get 2% back as well at the end of each year. Plus club gives me $ back at end of year as an Executive level member so I get almost 4% back on top of all.

 

Did a Groupon once and it was ok, just a TA using Groupon to sell I found out, so less flexibility.

 

That's what I'm doing for 2016 and beyond. I don't have the credit card (which unfortunately ends next March), but I have a different Amex Card. Since our charge went direct to the cruise line, I'll probably use another warehouse club (starts with S end with B) for the balance, 3%.

 

Speaking of the other warehouse club, I find them to be a great option for hotels. Only a fraction of hotels are available, and prices can be erratic, but it's not too hard to find a deal. We have a Hyatt Regency in New Orleans booked for $68 (regular $271), and a Best Western Plus in Utah booked for $130 (regular $210). It's not worth doing in every city, and sometimes you are only saving $10 - $20, but it's not too hard to justify the $50 membership fee even if you only use it for this.

[gopro63]

Well we all know when you take a cruise, you head over to the Cruise Agents and sign up for your next one. that is a no brainer, then you take that to your TA. And you work on your trip from there.

 

Now for what you ask. We use a TA, after the Cruise we put that DP on, and we always keep an eye on it, working the best deal around. What type of deal, for example

 

60 plus % off already Best deal ever.

 

TA gave us all the goodies and extras, and they go on our trip all the time a group rate. With X, they offered a deal of a lifetime to the group, and as well combining other deals personally for us. Get to know your TA. All I can say.

Edited March 2, 2015 by gopro63

[Caribbean Chris]

I only go through the Warehouse Club (starts with C ...

...Also, by using my warehouse club Amex card I get 2% back as well at the end of each year. Plus club gives me $ back at end of year as an Executive level member so I get almost 4% back on top ...

 

(One point you probably know is that they are phasing out their relationship with Amex and negotiating with others. Another point - My understanding is that travel purchases do not count toward the Executive end of year bonus.)

 

I agree - this has been by far the best option for us. I like dealing with an entity that has a strong physical presence and excellent comsumer reputation rather than cyber-land anonymity.

 

We often book either with the X onboard consultant, or call Celebrity for some promo (like the $25 deposits for the X25th anniversary) and easily transfer to our "club."

 

Interesting that they seem to link computer info with the cruiselines. For an upcoming cruise on HAL, we took care of getting our Carnival Corp shareholder OBC ourselves, and had an email confirmation from HAL. That OBC now shows up on our "club's" record, even though we gave them no info about it.

[Caribbean Chris]

 

Speaking of the other warehouse club, I find them to be a great option for hotels. Only a fraction of hotels are available, and prices can be erratic, but it's not too hard to find a deal. We have a Hyatt Regency in New Orleans booked for $68 (regular $271), and a Best Western Plus in Utah booked for $130 (regular $210). It's not worth doing in every city, and sometimes you are only saving $10 - $20, but it's not too hard to justify the $50 membership fee even if you only use it for this.

 

Good tip!

[carlyman]

I get that TA's can offer additional perks (generally OBC obviously)...but with "group rates," can it be where they actually offer a LOWER fair than X website?

Edited March 2, 2015 by carlyman

[Rob the Cruiser]

We have booked with Celebrity and gotten their promotions/perks and then changed to a well-known on-line travel agency. Whether or not you book with Celebrity or directly with the TA, you will get the current Celebrity promotions. THEN the TA will add more OBC and other things.

For example, we booked directly with a TA for our November 2015 cruise, a 13 night Caribbean. We got the 123 Go promotion with all three benefits and $300 OBC. We are in a sky suite. Then the TA gave us $400 more OBC.

 

In Nov. 2016 we have one booked with the TA and got Azamara's $400 OBC and then the TA gave us $1000 OBC and $200 more.

 

Yes you go through the "middleman" to get a room change and you mostly have to do final payment a month earlier, but you can do your own check in on the website as usual.

 

We will always use them if for no other reason than the additional perks.

 

Wow! Those are some compelling reasons to transfer onboard booking to a TA. It's a shame there isn't some way CC could set up an area where members are allowed to disclose their TAs. I've always booked directly with Celebrity, but would convert to your TA in a heartbeat.

:)

[ailetoile]

Wow! Those are some compelling reasons to transfer onboard booking to a TA. It's a shame there isn't some way CC could set up an area where members are allowed to disclose their TAs. I've always booked directly with Celebrity, but would convert to your TA in a heartbeat.

:)

 

Same here. It's a bummer that we can't share info since I've had no success looking on my own. :eek:

[Stateroom_Sailor]

(One point you probably know is that they are phasing out their relationship with Amex and negotiating with others. Another point - My understanding is that travel purchases do not count toward the Executive end of year bonus.)

 

I agree - this has been by far the best option for us. I like dealing with an entity that has a strong physical presence and excellent comsumer reputation rather than cyber-land anonymity.

 

We often book either with the X onboard consultant, or call Celebrity for some promo (like the $25 deposits for the X25th anniversary) and easily transfer to our "club."

 

Interesting that they seem to link computer info with the cruiselines. For an upcoming cruise on HAL, we took care of getting our Carnival Corp shareholder OBC ourselves, and had an email confirmation from HAL. That OBC now shows up on our "club's" record, even though we gave them no info about it.

 

Excellent tips too. I didn't know that a Next Cruise booking could be transferred to our "club". We have a RCL cruise booked in 2016, which we're going to switch to something else in 2017. I wouldn't mind getting TA benefits on it too. ;)

 

We're going to buy 100 shares of Carnival and Royal Caribbean before too long here.

[az_tchr]

THere are several large TA companies that come up on CCritic and internet cruising searches that can ge good.

 

I have only two good rules - NEVER book using the Celebrity website and always take the time to discuss with a TA first. Then and only then can you decide on what to do.

[smtcan]

Same here. It's a bummer that we can't share info since I've had no success looking on my own. :eek:

 

We have had no luck getting benefits from Canadian TAs. One well known cruise specialist here calls the Celebrity inclusions E.....a specials, and offers nothing more. If I was not a fairly knowledgeable cruiser I might fall for this. We often book direct with Celebrity in $CAD, then transfer to the large US online TA who will take bookings in $CAD. The other major one uses $US only, so now when there is such a disparity in our $ is not a good choice for us. As another poster said, the amount of extra OBC for a cheap cruise isn't worth transferring , but on an upcoming cruise where the pp charge was around $2000, we got free gratuities and $200 OBC to go with the drink package we got from Celebrity.

 

Sheila

[Stateroom_Sailor]

We have had no luck getting benefits from Canadian TAs. One well known cruise specialist here calls the Celebrity inclusions E.....a specials, and offers nothing more. If I was not a fairly knowledgeable cruiser I might fall for this. We often book direct with Celebrity in $CAD, then transfer to the large US online TA who will take bookings in $CAD. The other major one uses $US only, so now when there is such a disparity in our $ is not a good choice for us. As another poster said, the amount of extra OBC for a cheap cruise isn't worth transferring , but on an upcoming cruise where the pp charge was around $2000, we got free gratuities and $200 OBC to go with the drink package we got from Celebrity.

 

Sheila

 

What kind of perks do you get from transferring to a US TA in $CAD? We're considering starting a TA next year, perhaps this could be an angle. My best friend sells audio protectors up in Canada from just below Vancouver.

[jjmock]

I use the same TA....C____o, and unless I am mistaken, travel spend does not qualify for the Executive membership 2% rebate (I AM an Executive Member, and I have asked about this). I can't coment on the Amex 2% rebate, though.

[Caribbean Chris]

I get that TA's can offer additional perks (generally OBC obviously)...but with "group rates," can it be where they actually offer a LOWER fair than X website?

 

Yes, I had that happen last year. We saw a $100 rate reduction per person on the X website and called our TA club about it - ended up getting $250 reduction per person, with no loss of perks like the beverage package. I continued to monitor it and never saw that rate later.

[Caribbean Chris]

Excellent tips too. I didn't know that a Next Cruise booking could be transferred to our "club".

 

We're going to buy 100 shares of Carnival and Royal Caribbean before too long here.

 

X website has details. Look under Already Booked/FAQ:

 

"Can I transfer my reservation to a travel agent if I purchased my cruise directly from Celebrity Cruises?

Bookings may only be transferred to a Travel Agent up until 60 days from creation if the request is made outside of Final Payment period and the booking is not paid in full. If a booking has a ChoiceAir ticket and the transfer request involves a change in currency we cannot accommodate a transfer. If you would like to transfer your reservation to a travel agent, please complete this form."

 

It takes a couple of weeks sometimes for the transfer to go through. Then your TA of choice (at least my club does this) will take over the record and add whatever OBC or other benefits they are currently offering.

 

As far as the shareholder credit, it's a good deal and we have used it several times on Holland America, plus the stock increased greatly in value and now pays a dividend. I don't have Celebrity's parent company stock, so can't comment on it, but I think I read here that you can't combine it with some X promotions.