Doglovertoo Posted May 20, 2017 #1 Share Posted May 20, 2017 I'm looking at a cruise that has a good price on ************ but I'm apprehensive to book something on line because I've always used our travel agent. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted May 20, 2017 #2 Share Posted May 20, 2017 You could always ask your TA if they can match the price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AF-1 Posted May 20, 2017 #3 Share Posted May 20, 2017 I have done both so like the above post said; see if agent can match that price or provide on board credit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky61 Posted May 20, 2017 #4 Share Posted May 20, 2017 I have booked numerous crises with an online TA, never a problem, and a ton of OBC.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twecruise Posted May 20, 2017 #5 Share Posted May 20, 2017 What cruise line are you booking with? I am loyal to Royal a dcI have a dedicated booking agent that always gives me specials and she always has a gift in the room for me Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandmarnnurse Posted May 20, 2017 #6 Share Posted May 20, 2017 I have been booking lately on NCL, but use a cruise consultant that helps me with it, so that I get everything I want. I open my online account, though, so I can book all my excursions, and reservations online, and make my payments online, also. If I have any questions, though, I call my consultant. If you have a TA you usually work with, call him, and see what he can do for you. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaveitallbehind Posted May 20, 2017 #7 Share Posted May 20, 2017 We book through a travel agent - the same one for about 20 years. Prefer the human contact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherylandtk Posted May 20, 2017 #8 Share Posted May 20, 2017 We use a discount TA because she gives us group OBC and a consistent 10% off the commissionable fare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted May 20, 2017 #9 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Any TA can book, at worse, the same rates that you can by booking direct. Good TA should always offer you something better , like 1 or more of these: Upfront discount for those lines allowing it (ex: Princess , Cunard & HAL) OBC Their Speculative Group rates Gifts Paid Grats Shore Tours Paid Insurance And , perhaps find a better match for you on another cruise line ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taglovestocruise Posted May 20, 2017 #10 Share Posted May 20, 2017 We combine them both. Book onboard to pick up what Royal is offering or book with the cruise line if they are giving away great perks then switch over to or online TA to pick up their perks. We booked Symphony of the Seas earlier this year for the Oct. transatlantic the day cabins were released on the RCCL web site, got a OBC from Royal and C&A balcony discount, two weeks later we switched our booking over to the online TA that we use and were given matching OBC, one specialty dinning for each of us, and were given $180.00 in addional OBC instead of the pre-paid gratuities we usually receive. No matter who we use we still check weekly looking for price drops, if we see a price drop it's just a quick call to the TA to get re priced. Shop around and look for TA offers. happy cruising Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teknoge3k Posted May 20, 2017 #11 Share Posted May 20, 2017 We would never use a TA but each person is different and has their own preferences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwsmcernst Posted May 20, 2017 #12 Share Posted May 20, 2017 I always look on line for the cruise I am interested in. Once I find the best price, I email my TA (who is a friend) and tell her what I have found and ask if she can beat The price. Usually, she can, but a few times, she said she couldn't beat it and to go ahead and book it online. So I did. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted May 20, 2017 #13 Share Posted May 20, 2017 We would never use a TA but each person is different and has their own preferences. I agree completely.....Many years of cruising with RCI and I book directly with them...no reason for me personally to have someone else own/manage my bookings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taglovestocruise Posted May 21, 2017 #14 Share Posted May 21, 2017 I agree completely.....Many years of cruising with RCI and I book directly with them...no reason for me personally to have someone else own/manage my bookings. The only reason would be to pick up everything Royal gives you and then add matching OBC, pre-paid grats, trip insurance, specialty dinning or a beverage package. With your 30 plus cruises you have passed on thousands of dollars offered by TA'S. There is great wealth to be had by letting someone else manage your booking. happy cruising Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted May 21, 2017 #15 Share Posted May 21, 2017 The only reason would be to pick up everything Royal gives you and then add matching OBC, pre-paid grats, trip insurance, specialty dinning or a beverage package. With your 30 plus cruises you have passed on thousands of dollars offered by TA'S. There is great wealth to be had by letting someone else manage your booking. happy cruising Not really interested in those..We sometimes have a hard time even spending the OBC we get...prepaid gratuities (no big deal)....we have private annual trip ins...don't do the specialty restaurants...and the drinks we have in the CL, DL or Suite Lounge are more than enough drinks for us. But thanks anyway. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fnewman Posted May 21, 2017 #16 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Really doesn't matter a lot because if you book with the cruise line and find a better deal through a TA, that TA can transfer the booking to them any time before final payment. One TA can even take over a booking from another TA. I have also been told by a cruise consultant at a certain cruise line that it didn't matter to him one way or the other. A good TA can do a lot for you at times that no one at the cruise line will offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luv2Cruise1016 Posted July 19, 2017 #17 Share Posted July 19, 2017 You can book while on board to maximize savings direct from cruise line, then transfer that reservation to a TA who can offer several sweeteners as mentioned above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted July 19, 2017 #18 Share Posted July 19, 2017 We prefer to book through a TA and have been fortunate to have a good one for over 26 years. Love the extra perks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markanddonna Posted July 20, 2017 #19 Share Posted July 20, 2017 There is a big assumption here: what category cabin are you booking? The advice to go TA or with the cruiseline matters a lot here. If you are booking a lower, less expensive category, there is almost no wiggle room for a TA to dispense perks. For example, I went on a 14 day Transatlantic on RCCL for $479 pp. last April. How many bottles of wine, free excursions, and OBC do you think your agent would give? Probably none? BTW- I had a marvelous time! My TA gave me a rather worthless $75 voucher to use with a private shore excursion company that was pricey. We used our own tour companies. The situation is totally different if I booked a suite for $3,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twecruise Posted July 20, 2017 #20 Share Posted July 20, 2017 I always book directly with Royal Caribbean. I have a dedicated cruise planner that takes great care of me and always calls when there is a price change or a better deal available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanobieFan Posted July 22, 2017 #21 Share Posted July 22, 2017 I have only ever booked either online or actually on board the ship itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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