NCL Agent VS Travel Agent

[SeaShark]

11 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

I suppose you could trust someone else to do it.  No way I'm going to trust anyone with my travel arrangements.  

 

When a person transfers their existing booking to a travel agent, they are (by definition) entrusting their travel arrangements to that travel agent. So, based on your statement, this is something that you wouldn't do. (Which is OK...everyone has to do what is best for THEM). 

[RocketMan275]

46 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

I suppose you could trust someone else to do it.  No way I'm going to trust anyone with my travel arrangements.  

Use a TA, use a PCC, or book direct.  In all cases you're trusting someone to make your travel arrangements.

[PATRLR]

1 hour ago, SeaShark said:

 

When a person transfers their existing booking to a travel agent, they are (by definition) entrusting their travel arrangements to that travel agent. So, based on your statement, this is something that you wouldn't do. (Which is OK...everyone has to do what is best for THEM). 

God you are exhausting.  I commented about doing the research, you acknowledge my research statement.  I suppose I should have said "No way I'm going to trust anyone with my travel research".

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

Use a TA, use a PCC, or book direct.  In all cases you're trusting someone to make your travel arrangements.

See above.

[graphicguy]

4 hours ago, 3664shaken said:

Get yourself a personal cruise consultant at NCL - you get a private line, private email. etc. If you cruise with NCL, RSSC or Oceania reguraly enough you will get much better perks through them. TA's cannot offer the deals that they do. For example, on my next cruise I paid for a balcony got upgraded to a two room Haven suite for free and got $750 of on-board credit and free use of the spa. All through my PCC at NCL. No TA can do that. 

Ummmm......do you work for NCL?  Can you elaborate what better perks you're getting with your PCC vs a TA?  Can you tell the deals you got with your PCC that were better than a TA?

 

Man, I do want to jump on that Balcony deal upgraded to the 2 Room Haven Suite.  Can you give me more details so I can call NCL?  I should be getting some really good deals since I'm Sapphire Latitudes and have sailed with NCL....A LOT!

 

[MoCruiseFan]

21 hours ago, cusematt4 said:

Hi all,

 

For a possible cruise, I'd like to get the best offer with any credits and promo.  NCL vs travel agents have the same price, but agencies are offering credits plus I'm also hoping to get our $100 per room amex platinum credit.

 

Is there any reason why someone would book with NCL over a travel agent?  Does anyone know if I can book with a travel agent who is affiliated with Amex to get an agency credit, Amex platinum credit and shareholder benefit credit?

 

Thank you.

 

 

I would NEVER EVER use a Travel Agent to book a cruise.   I do not want someone else owning my reservation and being stuck in the middle between me and NCL any time I have even a slight question.  There is not much at all that a TS can get me that I cannot get on my own when dealing directly with NCL, especially when booking through the NCL CAS program.  TA's are not worth the hassle in my opinion.

[latebloomer56]

22 hours ago, cusematt4 said:

Hi all,

 

For a possible cruise, I'd like to get the best offer with any credits and promo.  NCL vs travel agents have the same price, but agencies are offering credits plus I'm also hoping to get our $100 per room amex platinum credit.

 

Is there any reason why someone would book with NCL over a travel agent?  Does anyone know if I can book with a travel agent who is affiliated with Amex to get an agency credit, Amex platinum credit and shareholder benefit credit?

 

Thank you.

We always use a TA, and we have gotten Amex OBC with her. She also has aback up when she isn't available, which is rare.

[RocketMan275]

45 minutes ago, MoCruiseFan said:

 

 

I would NEVER EVER use a Travel Agent to book a cruise.   I do not want someone else owning my reservation and being stuck in the middle between me and NCL any time I have even a slight question.  There is not much at all that a TS can get me that I cannot get on my own when dealing directly with NCL, especially when booking through the NCL CAS program.  TA's are not worth the hassle in my opinion.

My TA gets me an eight percent discount.  Can you get that dealing with NCL direct?

BTW, even if you have used a TA, NCL will answer any slight 'questions' you might have.  The only time there is an issue is dealing with something that might affect the agents commission.

[cruiseinfoseeker]

23 hours ago, cusematt4 said:

Hi all,

 

For a possible cruise, I'd like to get the best offer with any credits and promo.  NCL vs travel agents have the same price, but agencies are offering credits plus I'm also hoping to get our $100 per room amex platinum credit.

 

Is there any reason why someone would book with NCL over a travel agent?  Does anyone know if I can book with a travel agent who is affiliated with Amex to get an agency credit, Amex platinum credit and shareholder benefit credit?

 

Thank you.

I always book with a TA or transfer to one for either a discounted final payment or an OBC. There are two large agencies I use the most and both have the ability to put the Amex Platinum benefits on. Dinner for two and an OBC determined by category ($100 for inside/oceanview; $200 balcony; $300 suite)

 

I don't think that discount box store type agencies could do it, but many of the popular online ones that we cannot name or try to name in some slick under-the-radar way here should be able to.

 

The shareholder doesn't affect any of the perks that I have ever gotten.

 

There is a level of control you give up but if you stick with an agency that has at minimum 6 day weeks and open to at least 8 pm M-F with staff that can assist when your agent isn't there you should not encounter some of the horror stories you may read of the after booking servicing of the res. 

 

In my opinion, there is absolutely nothing wrong with independent travel agents, but personally I wouldn't use them for cruising based on my particular needs and their usual limited availability and limited back up options.

 

 

 

 

[Traveling Fools]

10 hours ago, SeaShark said:

 

Why all of the work on your own, plus the process of the transfer? Why not just book with the travel agent directly? I don't understand the need for the extra steps....especially if the travel agent ALWAYS provides the better deal.

 

That is an excellent question!  Our Nov Polynesian cruise was a spontaneous decision.  My wife is German and has been watching reruns of the German version of the Love Boat.  It lasted much longer than the American version and had a slightly different format.  Port Calls could last a couple of days or more and Passengers and crew booked hotels for the duration the Port Call.  The had several episodes featuring Bora Bora and other French Polynesian Islands. On a Sunday night (Labor Day Weekend) she mentioned that visiting Bora Bora had always been on her bucket list.

 

I drifted to my cave and found an NCL cruise on the Spirit that coincided with when we could squeeze a cruise into our schedule....AND the price was right.  The only problem was there was just one cabin left.  I jumped on it and reserved it immediately.  Because booking was made past the deadline to pay up, I had to pay for the cruise at the time of booking.  I sent an email to my TA and on Tuesday the booking was transferred to her and in appreciation she added more OBC to our booking.  Enough so that we can pay the gratuities once we board. 

 

Another example, in early 2020, DW and I decided we were going to spring for a family reunion cruise in the Haven.  It was after working hours when I started looking at available cruises.  Our son and his family live and work in Germany, so we had a specific time frame in which to book the cruise.  DW and I wanted to book the Deluxe Owner's suite and, if possible an adjoining suite.  There was availability for both, so immediately booked those two suites and two others.  After NCL confirmed the booking, I contacted my TA and had the booking transferred to her.  Again, she rewarded us with beaucoup OBC.

 

On other cruises, I found the one we wanted to book and let her handle it.  Timing and cabin availability dictates if I book and then transfer.  We do read the advertising literature sent out by the different cruise lines and sometime check the online specials.  If we find one that tickles our fancy, I will check availability for the time we want to go and for type of cabin we favor.  If we get a match, I call the TA. 

[cusematt4]

5 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

My TA gets me an eight percent discount.  Can you get that dealing with NCL direct?

BTW, even if you have used a TA, NCL will answer any slight 'questions' you might have.  The only time there is an issue is dealing with something that might affect the agents commission.

 Is there any way I could find out the travel agent you seem to enjoy working with?  I don’t see a pm option 

[hallux]

7 hours ago, cusematt4 said:

 Is there any way I could find out the travel agent you seem to enjoy working with?  I don’t see a pm option 

Sharing such info is against the terms of CC, the ones you agreed to when you created your account.  This is why they have PMs turned off. 

[RocketMan275]

8 hours ago, cusematt4 said:

 Is there any way I could find out the travel agent you seem to enjoy working with?  I don’t see a pm option 

I wish there were but mentioning/discussing specific TA is strictly forbidden on CC.    There are some ways you can pursue.  First of all, avoid the big name travel agencies.   You might try some of the big box membership stores.  On your next cruise, ask your fellow passengers who they use.   Internet searches are useless since most cruise lines forbid advertising prices less than their published fares.  BTW, any agency that advertises cheap fares or 50% off is not worth calling.   They're playing the same game the cruise lines play.  You have to generate a list of agencies and call them.  If they don't then discount, hang up and call the next.   It takes work or luck.  

 

I found my agent when someone slipped up and mentioned her by name.   I happened to see it before it was deleted.

[cruiseinfoseeker]

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

.. You have to generate a list of agencies and call them.  If they don't then discount, hang up and call the next.   It takes work or luck. . . . 

 

 

@cusematt4There is a website that has a service (free to user) where you can input the cruise you are looking at the type cabin, passenger count, etc. and then they send out the request to agencies who then reply back (within your account in that website [no credit card info or anything like that needed]) with their best offer to you for that cruise. (purposely describing in this awkward way because the really good way to describe it is right there in its name and, therefore, prohibited here)

You can indicate in the notes area anything special (like the Amex platinum, or cruisenext, etc) so they have that info to give you their most accurate quote.

 

Now you may get canned responses that don't seem to really look at what you asked for or address the things you put in the note area, but you should also get some that do.

 

But you will usually get a general idea of what discount (whether it be via OBC, prepaid gratuities, etc., or just straight up discount you have to pay) you can get with them. They also generally have all their information within the reply so that you can see if they have their own cancellation fees, or any other fees.  Further, you can peruse their website to see what their hours are, their location, reviews within social media, etc. You wouldn't book through that third-party site. You would do that direct with which ever one you like, it any. This may be a springboard to get some agency names for that list that @RocketMan275suggests.

 

I don't want to name the site because although they are not a travel agency they do hook you up with them so I am sure it would be removed.  And as I noted in my prior reply to you last night even just trying to put a slick word pun type reference will likely have the post removed, too.

 

Good luck

[spanishguy1970]

On 9/25/2022 at 7:48 PM, deliver42 said:

The problem I see often on CC with a TA, when you need them ASAP, sometimes they are unavailable. This is especially true with the on line agents.

so true, we have one that is constantly traveling, out of the office, and when a cruise decreases in price she is never around to get the deal. We recently changed to a new TA, so far so good.

[spanishguy1970]

On 9/25/2022 at 7:03 PM, MsTabbyKats said:

I like to book directly because if there's an issue, I don't want to wait for the TA to get involved.  My obc is never that much...and it's worth it to me.  I've had TAs respond too slowly to get price reductions etc.

same here and the TA we had was never really helpful. When we first got her she was an NCL specialist according to her, but then after a while whenever i asked her a question she made me go directly to NCL so at the end i was dealing with NCL myself. She was never in her office, always traveling, in fact she left Sept 1 and wont be back to her office until Sept 30. We recently dropped her.

[Lemony32]

I booked directly with NCL for my upcoming holiday cruise. It was a quick 5 minute call to get a quote over the phone since we are past guests and I knew the ship, dates and cabin type. The NCL agent applied a 10% off offer and asked if I wanted to pay in Canadian instead of USD. I booked an inside guarantee cabin in hopes of getting the upgrade bidding invite. I made full payment on Saturday night and I got the upgrade email Sunday morning.

 

My TA had an offer for 8% OBC or a 5% cash back gift cards. They don’t participate in the NCL upgrade program.

[MsTabbyKats]

1 hour ago, Lemony32 said:

I booked directly with NCL for my upcoming holiday cruise. It was a quick 5 minute call to get a quote over the phone since we are past guests and I knew the ship, dates and cabin type. The NCL agent applied a 10% off offer and asked if I wanted to pay in Canadian instead of USD. I booked an inside guarantee cabin in hopes of getting the upgrade bidding invite. I made full payment on Saturday night and I got the upgrade email Sunday morning.

 

My TA had an offer for 8% OBC or a 5% cash back gift cards. They don’t participate in the NCL upgrade program.

Same here.  I was trying to book with "my TA".  My call wasn't returned; this was after final payment.  Then I had an "almost medical emergency" so I put it off.  Emergency turned out to not be an emergency  so 5 days before sail date I booked directly (OV guarantee) and was given a decent cabin.  Two days before sail date I got the invitation to bid.. I bid the minimal for a balcony.  The day before sailing we were assigned the "perfect (by our criteria) balcony"....at a few hundred dollars less than what we would have paid the TA for the guarantee OV*.  The TA doesn't participate in the upgrade program either.

 

TAs really don't make much per cruise; I really don't know how people get such great discounts.

 

*The price went down substantially 

Edited September 27, 2022 by MsTabbyKats