GabbyKeira Posted February 17, 2017 #1 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Looking into cruising early 2018. Have used a travel agent for all three - anyone see any more benefit book directly with the cruiseline? Would love any opinions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted February 17, 2017 #2 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Looking into cruising early 2018. Have used a travel agent for all three - anyone see any more benefit book directly with the cruiseline? Would love any opinions! It's just a personal choice. 20+ cruises with RCI and I've always booked everything myself. I don't care to have a 3rd party involved...no reason for me to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GabbyKeira Posted February 17, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Thank you so much. I was thinking that when I was looking at the cruise line sites. Thank you Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted February 17, 2017 #4 Share Posted February 17, 2017 I have always received some perk from a travel agent plus I am not a negotiator if problems arise so I always use a TA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GabbyKeira Posted February 17, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted February 17, 2017 (edited) Thank you Sent from my iPhone using Forums Edited February 17, 2017 by GabbyKeira Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A2Mich Posted February 17, 2017 #6 Share Posted February 17, 2017 I personally use a travel agent, but we have known her for 20 years. Being that her services don't cost me anything extra, and we get OBS from her, I always book with her, as I would rather the cruise line pay her some commission and keep her employed rather than stuff their own coffers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted February 17, 2017 #7 Share Posted February 17, 2017 I personally use a travel agent, but we have known her for 20 years. Being that her services don't cost me anything extra, and we get OBS from her, I always book with her, as I would rather the cruise line pay her some commission and keep her employed rather than stuff their own coffers. What's "OBS" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted February 17, 2017 #8 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Others prefer TA's for the OBC given to them. I usually book direct since I want to have control over my booking. With a TA, the cruise line will discuss your booking with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A2Mich Posted February 17, 2017 #9 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Should have been OBC... sorry for the typo Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GabbyKeira Posted February 17, 2017 Author #10 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Thank you all! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sequim88 Posted February 17, 2017 #11 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Always used a TA before but this time used a HAL PCC (Personal Cruise Consultant) direct with the line. Experience so far as been excellent and she has access to info a lot of TAs might not. Clincher on the experience was when HAL switched our ship from MS Amsterdam to the larger MS Oosterdam and she was able to make sure we got re-booked in a comparable handicap accessible cabin & location though later she also helped us switch to a balcony HC cabin. It was good the ship switch was from smaller to larger ship. I figured it can't hurt that she works from near HALs HQ and knows who to get info from. Sure we might be giving up some OBC but the hassle free experience has been worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GabbyKeira Posted February 17, 2017 Author #12 Share Posted February 17, 2017 That's what I'm thinking of doing as well. We love Celebrity and was thinking about going through their cruise specialists. So glad to hear you had such a positive experience. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taglovestocruise Posted February 17, 2017 #13 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Go with the cruise specialist, get your cabin booked, pick up perks offered by Celebrity. Then transfer to a TA giving perks such as pre paid gratuities. added or matched OBC, a specialty dining package . That way you get it all, plus some TA'S watch for price drops for you. Any problems you encounter will be handled through a multi million cruise agency rather the a Celebrity cubicle dweller. happy cruising Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GabbyKeira Posted February 17, 2017 Author #14 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Thank you! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted February 18, 2017 #15 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Go with the cruise specialist, get your cabin booked, pick up perks offered by Celebrity. Then transfer to a TA giving perks such as pre paid gratuities. added or matched OBC, a specialty dining package . That way you get it all, plus some TA'S watch for price drops for you. Any problems you encounter will be handled through a multi million cruise agency rather the a Celebrity cubicle dweller. happy cruising If the OP decides to take your suggestion....there is a time limit as you probably know and forgot to mention (usually 60 days from the date of booking) to make a transfer ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted February 18, 2017 #16 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Looking into cruising early 2018. Have used a travel agent for all three - anyone see any more benefit book directly with the cruiseline? Would love any opinions! When you factor-in amenities such as On Board Credits (OBCs), pre paid gratuities, etc. you should be able to save 7-10% by shopping around among reputable online cruise agencies. We have not booked directly with any cruise line for at least our last 100 cruise bookings...and figure we are 10s of thousands of dollars ahead :). On one long HAL cruise we saved over $3000 (on a single cruise) by simply using a decent cruise agency. On a recent (last year) last minute Princess booking we paid about half the price...paid by most other cruisers...by simply shopping for a good last minute deal. On the other hand, we do love those that book directly with cruise lines...as we own stock...and they really help contribute to the bottom line:D Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GabbyKeira Posted February 18, 2017 Author #17 Share Posted February 18, 2017 I love the way you think! Ended up booking tonight directly through the line. Prices were about the same when I looked online but I'll keep my eyes opened! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted February 19, 2017 #18 Share Posted February 19, 2017 (edited) Go with the cruise specialist, get your cabin booked, pick up perks offered by Celebrity. Then transfer to a TA giving perks such as pre paid gratuities. added or matched OBC, a specialty dining package . That way you get it all, plus some TA'S watch for price drops for you. Any problems you encounter will be handled through a multi million cruise agency rather the a Celebrity cubicle dweller. happy cruising Even better, book onboard (particularly if that line provides added discounts, current extra OBC and price drop guarantees) and then shop around your transfer to a TA within the allowable window (e.g., 30 days), to get the added TA OBC and the snafu management that a top selling TA for that line can easily provide. For low end cruise lines, that OBC might not amount to much. But,the snafu management can be worth its weight in gold. For the other end of the spectrum (premium/luxury), that TA OBC can be thousands. As for a cruise line's own "specialists," remember that they are the line's employees - not yours. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Edited February 19, 2017 by Flatbush Flyer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GabbyKeira Posted February 19, 2017 Author #19 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Thank you - that is so true! Sounds amazing! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diasbias Posted February 19, 2017 #20 Share Posted February 19, 2017 I was just at a Celebrity presentation and the rep said that you are better to book with a travel agent than the line itself because large travel agencies book large blocks and get good discounts. The larger the travel agency the potential larger discount. If you use the TA they get to know you and can offer better services tailored to your needs and likes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GabbyKeira Posted February 20, 2017 Author #21 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Took your advice and got a ton more onboard credit added on. Thank you so much! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted February 20, 2017 #22 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Took your advice and got a ton more onboard credit added on. Thank you so much! Good to know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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