Transferring booking to a TA

[donna805]

First time cruisers hoping for some advice from all of you experienced cruisers.  

 

We booked directly through Carnival with an Early Saver rate.  I usually book all of our travel myself and have never used a travel agent but am considering transferring the booking to take advantage of prepaid gratuities and an obc. Are there any disadvantages to doing this I should consider?

 

Would transferring possibly effect our price protection or the deposit required (we booked during a half off deposits promo). Will I still be able to access my booking through the Carnival Cruise Manager? 

[leaveitallbehind]

There may be a time limit regarding when you can transfer a direct booking to a TA, but other than that there should be no restriction to doing so and in being able to benefit from any perk that TA is offering.  The price protection, etc., should not be affected either as those should be available if the booking was originated through a TA.  I would certainly expect that your reservation should still be accessible through your cruise manager platform. Perhaps others can confirm specific to Carnival.

 

TA's are a valuable way of booking and managing a cruise reservation - 75% of all cruises are booked through one type of TA or another. 

Edited January 19, 2019 by leaveitallbehind

[donna805]

1 hour ago, leaveitallbehind said:

There may be a time limit regarding when you can transfer a direct booking to a TA, but other than that there should be no restriction to doing so and in being able to benefit from any perk that TA is offering.  The price protection, etc., should not be affected either as those should be available if the booking was originated through a TA.  I would certainly expect that your reservation should still be accessible through your cruise manager platform. Perhaps others can confirm specific to Carnival.

 

TA's are a valuable way of booking and managing a cruise reservation - 75% of all cruises are booked through one type of TA or another. 

 

We only booked a couple of weeks ago for a July cruise so we should be within the time limit. Sounds like a TA is the way to go for the added value. Thanks, I appreciate the info!

[Heidi13]

Totally agree on using a TA for the benefits they provide. I do all my own research, including making a provisional booking & selecting a cabin directly with the cruise line. When ready to confirm, I take it to my TA and she confirms the booking.

 

Only downside is that all communications now come through the TA.

[Flatbush Flyer]

38 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

Totally agree on using a TA for the benefits they provide. I do all my own research, including making a provisional booking & selecting a cabin directly with the cruise line. When ready to confirm, I take it to my TA and she confirms the booking.

 

Only downside is that all communications now come through the TA.

Not true. Depending on cruise line, you may be able to purchase or change additional services like excursions. For sone cruise lines you can also have TA authorize your direct contact.

That said, the argument of "controlling your own booking" is bogus. While your booking is a "rounding error" in a cruise line's bottom line, that TA may do millions of dollars in bookings per year. Whose phone call will get the most immediate action???

[NantahalaCruiser]

On 1/18/2019 at 8:38 PM, donna805 said:

First time cruisers hoping for some advice from all of you experienced cruisers.  

 

We booked directly through Carnival with an Early Saver rate.  I usually book all of our travel myself and have never used a travel agent but am considering transferring the booking to take advantage of prepaid gratuities and an obc. Are there any disadvantages to doing this I should consider?

 

Would transferring possibly effect our price protection or the deposit required (we booked during a half off deposits promo). Will I still be able to access my booking through the Carnival Cruise Manager? 

Just be sure to check whether or not your TA of choice has any additional fees for cancellations or changes. Most online or warehouse store TAs do not have such fees; so if your intended TA does have fees, consider looking elsewhere unless their additional OBC etc. is worth at least 10% of the price of your cruise.

Edited January 25, 2019 by NantahalaCruiser

[Flatbush Flyer]

A more realistic goal would be identifying a well respected cruise specialist TA who is a top seller for your preferred line, does not charge any fees and, beyond the best deal/perks offered by the cruise line, provides a mix of perks (e.g., gratuities) and/or refundable SBC equal to approx 5-10% of the "commissionable" fare.

That same TA should have the line's regional sales rep as a speed dial on their phone. After all, who do you think will get problems solved faster? You (rounding error in the line's bottom line) or TA (who may sell $$$ millions of their cruises)?

One caveat: if all you're talking about is a one week Caribbean cruise on Carnival, don't expect much, if anything, in the way of SBC from a TA. Recognize as well that many top TAs won't even do Carnival bookings - just not much in it for them. 

[lenquixote66]

We always transfer our booking to a TA  but if necessary I can call the cruise line as well.