How To Find A Good Travel Agent

[HS2BS]

Like runningtide, we have a ta that has a small independent office,  but is backed by a large on-line agency. She always responds to questions or calls us back in a reasonable time. Last week we had two final payments due(Millennium 5/3 & Summit 6/2), on both we were able to save a combined amount of $1800 because she checked prices again and again. On Saturday, the price of another cruise(Beyond 10/26) changed and she was able to secure the new price.

In the past we used that big on-line box store in New Hampshire, but no one there is available on weekends, holidays or after hours - our is. Perks are about the same.

 

Hal

[laurap414]

I used to own a franchise travel agency and I'm still unofficially a TA. Here are a few general tips.

 

Don't be afraid to ask a few different agents for quotes. Especially if you already know the sailing and cabin. It takes them almost no time to whip up a quote. Agents are used to this. You can get a feel for their responsiveness and knowledge and see if you hit it off.

 

There are very experienced and very inexperienced agents at all agencies including franchises. You could casually ask when they started as a TA and how many cruises they typically book in a year.

 

The bigger franchise agencies can negotiate extra perks like OBC and reduced fares because they pre book large groups ahead of time on certain sailings.

 

Avoid big box store agencies or really any agency where the agent doesn't give you their personal cell number. Ask who's their backup. If it's an agency with multiple agents, get the owner's number as well in case of emergency. You don't want to be stranded somewhere calling an 800 number or being sent to voice mail. 

 

Good luck! 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Another tiny piece of advice:  pick an agent who is younger than you!  I had a fabulous TA for years.  Unfortunately, she retired.

[DrKoob]

22 hours ago, TeeRick said:

Try using this resource for cruising.

 

https://cruising.org/en/find-a-travel-agent

BRILLIANT! Forgot about CLIA. No one has a problem with them because everyone is listed there. 

 

Do some interviewing. If you go to an agency, walk in the door and ask the owner who their best Celebrity person is. Contact them and grab a cup of coffee. See what questions they ask about your travel. Ask them about their experience both as a TA and as a traveler. Ask for some references you can check out via e-mail or by phone. If you cruise a lot you will spend as much with this person on travel as you do with your realtor on your house or your insurance with your insurance agent. Hopefully you wouldn't just take the first person who comes along in those areas. Find a great, local TA you can rely on. They will not only get you good deals but they can save your butt when something bad happens. Throughout the pandemic ours has taken care of all our cruises, FCCs, bookings and rebookings, flights with cruiselines and more. 

[Denny01]

1 hour ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Another tiny piece of advice:  pick an agent who is younger than you!  I had a fabulous TA for years.  Unfortunately, she retired.

For me…….That’s not hard to do!!  And who in the heck would want some old geezer on the other side of the emails/phone who forgets what you just talked to them about right after handing up!!!

 

den

[TeeRick]

2 hours ago, DrKoob said:

BRILLIANT! Forgot about CLIA. No one has a problem with them because everyone is listed there. 

 

Do some interviewing. If you go to an agency, walk in the door and ask the owner who their best Celebrity person is. Contact them and grab a cup of coffee. See what questions they ask about your travel. Ask them about their experience both as a TA and as a traveler. Ask for some references you can check out via e-mail or by phone. If you cruise a lot you will spend as much with this person on travel as you do with your realtor on your house or your insurance with your insurance agent. Hopefully you wouldn't just take the first person who comes along in those areas. Find a great, local TA you can rely on. They will not only get you good deals but they can save your butt when something bad happens. Throughout the pandemic ours has taken care of all our cruises, FCCs, bookings and rebookings, flights with cruiselines and more. 

I used the CLIA search for a local TA and found a very good one within a few miles of my home.