I Usually Book Directly W/ Princess. This time though...

[LastUsernameEver]

I always like booking directly with Princess. I used to use a TA, but I can be a bit of a micro-manager...seeing if an aft "extended-balcony" room comes avail for example...and it seems like when I booked directly with Princess they could move me quickly, shows up on the personalizer, easy-peezy.

 

Now, though...for the sailing I'm doing, I see a specific TA (who shall remain nameless, worry not) who is offering an OBC for this sailing...and it appears Princess direct is NOT offering the same.

 

So...am I silly to think that changes are easier (faster) to make happen when I book directly with Princess?

 

TA's always feel like a middleman to me because part of what I love about cruisng is this research stuff beforehand...so, with the help of these boards, usually I know more than most TA's. ;-)

 

So...would you risk going with a TA to get the OBC?

[Bill B]

So...would you risk going with a TA to get the OBC?

 

Of course.

[cruiseat50]

This is my first cruise with Princess and I have only sailed on NCL previously. I always booked direct and for the most part I booked with my PCC there. She parted ways with NCL as she didn't like the new management and constant changes any more than I did (hence the move to try another line). She went to a online TA.

 

I never found enough of a difference to make it worth going through a TA and she always came through for me. I looked at what Princess was offering then looked around a bit and called her and she only could match what Princess offered. Truthfully I hated to do it because I really like her and always had a great time talking to her (never less than an hour and mostly not about the cruise itself) but I booked with a different online agency. If it had been close I wouldn't have but I got free gratuities and OBC which added up to almost $600 so I had to tell her and really did feel sad but...

[fishywood]

Is this TA you chose available nights and weekends? Because the micromanager-that-considers-agents-unnecessary-middlemen inside you will not be very pleasant to be around when it inevitably spots the ideal cabin to move to...on a Friday right after closing time.

[LastUsernameEver]

If it had been close I wouldn't have but I got free gratuities and OBC which added up to almost $600 so I had to tell her and really did feel sad but...

 

That's exactly why I haven't gone back to a TA, I felt obligated. I have even avoided one of the Princess Travel Specialists (or whatever they call them) because, I can usually do most of the Rez myself, then call to give them deposit and split the fare with whoever I'm going with...solo this time though.

 

Thanks for your reply.

[LastUsernameEver]

Is this TA you chose available nights and weekends? Because the micromanager-that-considers-agents-unnecessary-middlemen inside you will not be very pleasant to be around when it inevitably spots the ideal cabin to move to...on a Friday right after closing time.

 

See, Fishywood is in my brain. THAT'S the math I'm trying to do.

 

To be honest, since this will be a cold weather solo trip for me, I think I'm going to end up doing an obstructed oceanview (Star), so I probably won't have as many tempting room moves, since I know which "obstructeds" have decent views...and even THAT isn't crucial.

 

I might flip a coin. ;-)

[shepp]

My TA always gives me a discount of at least 5-8% off Princess' fare and very often an additional OBC, too. She's well-versed in Princess policy, responsive, and part of a large agency, so if she's not around to deal with my booking someone else is, 7 days a week. When my fare on a Japan cruise went down after final payment, the agency went the extra mile to get me a re-faring that saved me over a thousand bucks. This time around, I discovered a bargain fare to Mexico the night before I was to leave the country, and the next day was Thanksgiving. I had only to e-mail her and she used my FCCs and the credit card on file to book my cabin, and with a 5% discount to boot. I got the e-mailed confirmation in Kathmandu.

 

I suppose I could book directly with Princess, but why?

Edited December 23, 2016 by shepp

[easyboy]

If I have used the TA before, and had not encountered problem. I will take the OBC, and probably other perks, that Princess can not give when booked directly.

[Coral]

I always get a better deal by using a TA.

 

Plus - they are available evenings, weekends, etc.. And they are more knowledgable about Princess than the Princess reps!

 

It is a win win!

[Pam in CA]

I always get a better deal by using a TA.

 

 

 

Plus - they are available evenings, weekends, etc.. And they are more knowledgable about Princess than the Princess reps!

 

 

 

It is a win win!

Me, too. I usually save 10% or more, get OBC, and she'll go to bat for me and rebook at a lower price or get me a promotion if I'm eligible. I never, ever book directly. Always with a TA.

[Hokkaidocruiser]

ALL of our cruises are last-minute affairs where the agent might not have much by way of profit to discount the price.

So for us it is a mixed bag.

Although I must say, sometimes it is mind-boggling the kind of deals travel agents can get you. Last month we spent 28 days in a beautiful balcony, prime location, on board the Crown Princess cruising to Hawaii and the South Pacific which set us back $1700 each, port charges/taxes/fees included.

Just this Tuesday we returned from a 15-day Hawaii cruise on board the Star in a balcony which cost us $800 each, port charges/taxes/fees included. No travel agent perks at those prices but in all honesty, we were not expecting any, given the low prices we paid.

Edited December 23, 2016 by Hokkaidocruiser

[Coral]

ALL of our cruises are last-minute affairs where the agent might not have much by way of profit to discount the price.

So for us it is a mixed bag.

Although I must say, sometimes it is mind-boggling the kind of deals travel agents can get you. Last month we spent 28 days in a beautiful balcony, prime location, on board the Crown Princess cruising to Hawaii and the South Pacific which set us back $1700 each, port charges/taxes/fees included.

Just this Tuesday we returned from a 15-day Hawaii cruise on board the Star in a balcony which cost us $800 each, port charges/taxes/fees included. No travel agent perks at those prices but in all honesty, we were not expecting any, given the low prices we paid.

 

I only do last minute cruises also and still use my TA. She discounts the same percentage if it is a large cruise or a smaller cruise.

 

Though you are right - when it is a cheap cruise. For example - I was looking at a Panama Canal trip recently that was pretty cheap and 2/3 of the far was taxes and other non-commissionable fees so there was very little of cruise fare to discount. Though - I still value her expertise and realize if something doesn't go right, she works for me (and not the cruise line) and will go to bat for me. And I still save by using her. I still value the benefits/services a Travel Agent provides to their clients. I am using a real travel agent and not an order taker (and still save).

 

Also - on those last minute prices, sometimes TA have access to flash prices that Princess does not offer direct. These are different than the targeting emails that are sent to individuals (which TAs still have access to).

Edited December 23, 2016 by Coral

[Coral]

Me, too. I usually save 10% or more, get OBC, and she'll go to bat for me and rebook at a lower price or get me a promotion if I'm eligible. I never, ever book directly. Always with a TA.

 

I think when you find a good one, you question why anyone would book direct....

[Hokkaidocruiser]

I only do last minute cruises also and still use my TA. She discounts the same percentage if it is a large cruise or a smaller cruise.

 

Though you are right - when it is a cheap cruise. For example - I was looking at a Panama Canal trip recently that was pretty cheap and 2/3 of the far was taxes and other non-commissionable fees so there was very little of cruise fare to discount. Though - I still value her expertise and realize if something doesn't go right, she works for me (and not the cruise line) and will go to bat for me. And I still save by using her. I still value the benefits/services a Travel Agent provides to their clients. I am using a real travel agent and not an order taker (and still save).

 

Also - on those last minute prices, sometimes TA have access to flash prices that Princess does not offer direct. These are different than the targeting emails that are sent to individuals (which TAs still have access to).

 

When we were looking at the 28-day Crown cruise, our travel agent told us she could discount Princess's last-minute deal of $1999 (for an inside cabin) by an additional $300 AND put us up in a balcony cabin!!!

We immediately jumped on that offer.

 

Oh, by the way......Princess's last-minute deal of $1999 for an inside did NOT include port charges/taxes/fees....our $1700 balcony price did!

[flamomo]

I always like booking directly with Princess. I used to use a TA, but I can be a bit of a micro-manager...seeing if an aft "extended-balcony" room comes avail for example...and it seems like when I booked directly with Princess they could move me quickly, shows up on the personalizer, easy-peezy.

 

Now, though...for the sailing I'm doing, I see a specific TA (who shall remain nameless, worry not) who is offering an OBC for this sailing...and it appears Princess direct is NOT offering the same.

 

So...am I silly to think that changes are easier (faster) to make happen when I book directly with Princess?

 

TA's always feel like a middleman to me because part of what I love about cruisng is this research stuff beforehand...so, with the help of these boards, usually I know more than most TA's. ;-)

 

So...would you risk going with a TA to get the OBC?

 

 

I agree with you about not wanting to have to deal with a "middle-person" when I have a question or concern. With quite a few self-booked Princess cruises under my belt, I feel I know more about how things work with Princess than many TAs. The OBC from a TA would have to be a really significant amount to get me to mess with one.

 

The couple of times that a cruise companion talked me into using a TA, I had already done all the research, knew what cabins were available as well as exactly what cabin we wanted, etc., etc., etc. She only had to input the info into the computer to earn her commission. The first time we used her, she gave us a free specialty meal (total cost to her: $50); a few months later we used her for the second time, for a significantly longer and much more expensive cruise, and we got zilch from her. Neither time was there any discounting of the fares. That was the last time I ever expect to use a TA. She just confirmed my feeling that I can do it just fine myself!

Edited December 23, 2016 by flamomo

[dreaminofcruisin]

I have done both, but never have found these 'wonderful' TAs that others seem to have. The ones I have used know much less than I do and certainly have not been helpful. I am sure there are good ones out there....you just have to get lucky to find them.

 

That being said, if it's a good deal and you have it all in black and white....be sure you are aware whether or not there are cancellation fees and what they are.

 

The 'control' person in you will never be happy without controlling it yourself, but if it is a really good deal, you might be abel to 'get over it'...... :p

[Coral]

When we were looking at the 28-day Crown cruise, our travel agent told us she could discount Princess's last-minute deal of $1999 (for an inside cabin) by an additional $300 AND put us up in a balcony cabin!!!

We immediately jumped on that offer.

 

Oh, by the way......Princess's last-minute deal of $1999 for an inside did NOT include port charges/taxes/fees....our $1700 balcony price did!

 

Yes - those flash fares that TAs get access to can be amazing compared to booking direct! Good for you!

[Coral]

I agree with you about not wanting to have to deal with a "middle-person" when I have a question or concern. With quite a few self-booked Princess cruises under my belt, I feel I know more about how things work with Princess than many TAs. The OBC from a TA would have to be a really significant amount to get me to mess with one.

 

The couple of times that a cruise companion talked me into using a TA, I had already done all the research, knew what cabins were available as well as exactly what cabin we wanted, etc., etc., etc. She only had to input the info into the computer to earn her commission. The first time we used her, she gave us a free specialty meal (total cost to her: $50); a few months later we used her for the second time, for a significantly longer and much more expensive cruise, and we got zilch from her. Neither time was there any discounting of the fares. That was the last time I ever expect to use a TA. She just confirmed my feeling that I can do it just fine myself!

 

I consider myself lucky to have found a good agent about 3 years into my cruising years (25 years ago). Believe me - there are good ones out there. You didn't get one, unfortunately.

[Colo Cruiser]

OP IMO there is no risk if you have a great TA. Just sayin.

[Thrak]

My TA answers the phone even when he is across the country somewhere and it's after hours, etc. I like that level of service. :)

[pris993]

Where I live, very few TAs, non really great... so I have booked direct for a long time, I don't use any cruise cruise consultant ...just call and book direct... If price drops, call and request the better price... actually book our own air, hotels and insurance the same way...find it is a lot better for us to handle all ourselves.

[madmacs]

The USA seems very different to me as far as TAs go. I have in the past booked through a good TA in the USA, but in the UK most TAs are chains so in my view no great deals. Can't go to the US at the moment as following the BREXIT vote and crash of the pound, prices are cheaper in the UK, than going through a US TA. I suspect new price schedules will affect our home prices dramatically.

[satxdiver]

I started out with one TA but then she lied to me so I switched to another TA both local. I research my own cruises now and was telling the TA what to book, sending messages about price decreases (never had a message from the TA to me about any) and then the final straw the TA charged me to switch a res to another week on the same ship/itinerary. I then had Princess call back three reservations and have dealt with Princess since then. As long as I am going to do the work, why pay a TA for being simply a mouth piece? That TA was associated with a larger group and after several years I am still getting snail mail advertisements from them. Who needs this?

[teecee60]

 

ALL of our cruises are last-minute affairs where the agent might not have much by way of profit to discount the price.

So for us it is a mixed bag. Although I must say, sometimes it is mind-boggling the kind of deals travel agents can get you.

 

Last month we spent 28 days in a beautiful balcony, prime location, on the Crown Princess cruising to Hawaii and the South Pacific which set us back $1700 each, port charges/taxes/fees included.

 

Just this Tuesday we returned from a 15-day Hawaii cruise on board the Star in a balcony which cost us $800 each, port charges/taxes/fees included. No travel agent perks at those prices but in all honesty, we were not expecting any, given the low prices we paid.

 

Hope you guys enjoyed the Star to Hawaii cruise as much as we did! :)

 

Not many people manage to get better deals than I do... but yours was AWESOME! :D

 

We schlepped in an ocean view for $929pp w/$160 in taxes... but we DID get free gratuities ($390 worth!) AND $500 OBC... :cool:

 

So I guess I would have to say that I am definitely OK with that. ;)

 

 

Yes - those flash fares that TAs get access to can be amazing compared to booking direct!

 

Yes... they sure as heck are! I defy anyone to do better being "in control." :rolleyes:

Edited December 23, 2016 by teecee60

[riclop]

I always like booking directly with Princess. I used to use a TA, but I can be a bit of a micro-manager...seeing if an aft "extended-balcony" room comes avail for example...and it seems like when I booked directly with Princess they could move me quickly, shows up on the personalizer, easy-peezy.

 

Now, though...for the sailing I'm doing, I see a specific TA (who shall remain nameless, worry not) who is offering an OBC for this sailing...and it appears Princess direct is NOT offering the same.

 

So...am I silly to think that changes are easier (faster) to make happen when I book directly with Princess?

 

TA's always feel like a middleman to me because part of what I love about cruisng is this research stuff beforehand...so, with the help of these boards, usually I know more than most TA's. ;-)

 

So...would you risk going with a TA to get the OBC?

It depends if it's a reputable TA.