Benefits of a good TA

[LA_CA_GAL]

I go a little hog wild doing research for a cruise.

 

I spent the last month researching and doing fake bookings on RCI and Celebrity. My spread sheet had over 50 bookings that included dates, cabin/category, OBCs, number of days, cost, date of quote, etc.

 

Finally decided on Summit to Bermuda, called my TA, told her what cabins were available (not thrilled with what was available), what date, etc.

 

She calls me back. She snagged the best aft cabin (huge balcony) and also got us early dining, which I heard was unavailable. And usually for MDR, she gets us a window table.

 

And that is why I use a TA.;) Love her.

[Clarea]

I've found the same thing with our TA, numerous times. The positives far outweigh the one or two times there was some fleeting price drop on Sunday night when I could not get hold of her.

[Keith1010]

There are many benefits to having the right TA. The key is to find someone who knows what they are doing.

 

Keith

[cruzeluver]

Agree with all of the above. And in our experience the best way to find a great TA is to get a recommendation from someone you trust. Friends who have use the same TA for years recommended we use her and we are sure glad we did! She has booked several cruises for us and has always gotten us additional perks and gone to bat for us when problems have arisen.

[iancal]

Absolutely.

 

Our TA gives us feedback, positive and negative, about ships we are considering based on feedback from other cruisers. I doubt that a cruise line employee would be as direct and forhcoming with anything except the best.

 

Our TA, on more than one occasion when we have asked her to book a specific ship/ itinerary, has informed us about another very similar and more competitive offering from another cruise line that we were not aware of.

 

8-12 percent rebates on the commissionable fare in the form of OBC's translate into one free cruise for every twelve or so that we take. Better than any hoaky frequent cruiser program that we are aware of. Even the better ones like RCI.

 

Out TA has added us to a group booking, result was a slight cabin upgrade, a few extra dollars of OBC, and a complementary shore excursion.

 

Out TA is part of a large on line agency. Their office keeps very long hours, seven days a week. If she is not available on a day that we want to book or take advantage of a fare reduction there is always someone else available to help us.

 

Our TA understands that we do not want to become her new best friend. She understands that this is strictly a business relationship and conducts herself in a very professional manner.

 

I doubt very much whether A HAL, Princess, or Celebrity agent could match this entire list of things that are important to us as customers. Not to mention being an independent advocate in the event of an issue with the cruise line.

Edited April 8, 2016 by iancal

[goneclear]

I am also in the camp for using a TA. We have been using the same TA for twenty + years and continue to do so.

Our TA is a small family run operation and the service is very personalized.

[LA_CA_GAL]

Absolutely......

 

8-12 percent rebates on the commissionable fare in the form of OBC's translate into one free cruise for every twelve or so that we take. Better than any hoaky frequent cruiser program that we are aware of. Even the better ones like RCI.

 

Forgot to mention that.

 

Twice we booked with 20 people. Our TA took the two free cruises and split that reduction among everyone.

[Langley Cruisers]

We use a cruise-specialist TA here in town. DH finds the cruise on the website, books it, and then transfers the reservation to her. It's been this way for years. We have never gotten any perks from her - oh sorry, once we got a bottle of wine - but DH feels better knowing she will have our back and take care of us if something happens.

 

Last year our TA was able to move heaven and earth and change a booking we had; no details, but she made it work so we were thrilled about that.

 

I admit to feeling a bit jealous when I read about the perks others get, from free grats and specialty dining, and the enormous amount of OBC that some people seem to get! I mean like hundreds of dollars! :( *sigh*

 

Oh well. :p

[MCC retired]

We use a cruise-specialist TA here in town. DH finds the cruise on the website, books it, and then transfers the reservation to her. It's been this way for years. We have never gotten any perks from her - oh sorry, once we got a bottle of wine - but DH feels better knowing she will have our back and take care of us if something happens.

 

 

 

Last year our TA was able to move heaven and earth and change a booking we had; no details, but she made it work so we were thrilled about that.

 

 

 

I admit to feeling a bit jealous when I read about the perks others get, from free grats and specialty dining, and the enormous amount of OBC that some people seem to get! I mean like hundreds of dollars! :( *sigh*

 

 

 

Oh well. :p

 

 

Do some shopping around next time first then watch your TA change her tune .