Travel Agent or HAL Personal Cruise Consultant

[Mary229]

11 minutes ago, Tampa Girl said:

 

I am happy for you if you are still getting 10% fare reduction post pandemic.  Prior to Covid, we always got a 10%, or thereabouts, but now it is in the form of OBC and/or post-cruise "checks."  I keep hearing from one TA after another that HAL has  forbidden the TA's from reducing HAL's fares. Don't know if that is accurate, but I do know that I am not getting the pre-pandemic fare reductions from our TA's.

That is what I hear also and I am not seeing any fare difference across the board.  My TA has always matched any fare I can find on the web so I search.  She doesn’t match the OBC perks always but usually gives me free dinners, pre stay hotels or a private transfer.  

[Florida_gal_50]

3 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Yes, control. So, if a problem arises, they can call HAL (or for that matter any other cruise line), and say "I have control of my booking, immediately fix the problem." Without control, they would have to call their TA who may very well do lots and lots of business with the cruise line, not just their booking, and have him or her advocate for them. Surely this "control" is worth a lot of money! 🤣🤣🤣

It is worth it to me.  If it's not to you that is fine.  Not sure why there has to be ridicule for those that do.  The last TA used charged me USD.  We are both in Canada.  I gave her screen prints of everything. It should have been super easy. She told me that the price would be higher than I could find on the Hal  website.  Then she told me that you couldn't buy air through HAL.  I had to do it through her immediately.  What a huge prize. That TA lasted about a week before I got rid of her.  Who needs that?  

[Hlitner]

3 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Are you getting that same $1300 a seven day cruise?  What are you struggling with for the control aspect?  I thought it was straight forward.  I’ve gotten very little obc using a ta.  Zero for a price reduction.

We do not take 7 night cruises, but since OBCs are generally based on a percentage of the cruise fare you are not going to get that on a short cruise.  A basic rule of thumb would be to expect 7-10% of the cruise fare in OBCs.  Somebody recently posted they routinely get 10% in store credits from a big box store...which I guess is in lieu of an OBC.   We generally get the most generous OBCs with HAL and Princess bookings....and somewhat less with lines like Seabourn.

 

If your TAs are not giving you a reasonable amount of OBCs that might be a good hint to look for a different TA :).

 

Hank

[alyssamma]

2 hours ago, Tampa Girl said:

 

I am happy for you if you are still getting 10% fare reduction post pandemic.  Prior to Covid, we always got a 10%, or thereabouts, but now it is in the form of OBC and/or post-cruise "checks."  I keep hearing from one TA after another that HAL has  forbidden the TA's from reducing HAL's fares. Don't know if that is accurate, but I do know that I am not getting the pre-pandemic fare reductions from our TA's.

Whether you get a reduction or post cruise check it all works out the same 😀

[Tampa Girl]

39 minutes ago, alyssamma said:

Whether you get a reduction or post cruise check it all works out the same 😀

  

Unfortunately, it does not.  The post-cruise check was for less than 5% of the fare, as opposed to about 10% fare reduction pre-pandemic.  Also, insurance is based on the fare.  If that is reduced, so is the CPP insurance and many other  insurance plans.

 

a

[alyssamma]

1 hour ago, Tampa Girl said:

  

Unfortunately, it does not.  The post-cruise check was for less than 5% of the fare, as opposed to about 10% fare reduction pre-pandemic.  Also, insurance is based on the fare.  If that is reduced, so is the CPP insurance and many other  insurance plans.

 

a

You are missing my point. I am saying if you get X off the fare or X after the cruise it is the same.

 

If you aren't getting the same discount now as you were before, get a new TA. My discounts haven't changed and there is no reason for them to.

[Florida_gal_50]

3 hours ago, Hlitner said:

We do not take 7 night cruises, but since OBCs are generally based on a percentage of the cruise fare you are not going to get that on a short cruise.  A basic rule of thumb would be to expect 7-10% of the cruise fare in OBCs.  Somebody recently posted they routinely get 10% in store credits from a big box store...which I guess is in lieu of an OBC.   We generally get the most generous OBCs with HAL and Princess bookings....and somewhat less with lines like Seabourn.

 

If your TAs are not giving you a reasonable amount of OBCs that might be a good hint to look for a different TA :).

 

Hank

Yes and “good” ta’s grow on trees.  I’ve been traveling for about 35 years.  I’ve yet to find a decent one that is throwing tons of obc and does a decent job.  It must be an American thing and I’ve wasted as much time as I’m going to.  Mine time is worth more. I realize you don’t take 7 day cruises but someone easily could and think they’ll wind up with $1300 in obc.

Edited May 27, 2023 by Florida_gal_50

[Hlitner]

44 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Yes and “good” ta’s grow on trees.  I’ve been traveling for about 35 years.  I’ve yet to find a decent one that is throwing tons of obc and does a decent job.  It must be an American thing and I’ve wasted as much time as I’m going to.  Mine time is worth more. I realize you don’t take 7 day cruises but someone easily could and think they’ll wind up with $1300 in obc.

We have been pretty lucky with TAs.  About 30 years ago we stumbled on a Florida agency and a fantastic TA.  About 12 years ago the TA retired (to go cruising) and we started using a new, young TA with the same agency..  Now, she is one of their top performers and has grown into a terrific agent who has been working on various Agent professional certifications.  That particular agency is family owned and what most would consider a high volume agency part of a major travel consortium (which gives them more clout).  We also use two other agencies since there are times when a different agency might have better deals on certain cruise lines.  

 

I have stressed, online, that our "loyalty" to an agency and agent is only as good as the last booking.  We always shop around and take our business elsewhere when it is in our best interest.  Whenever we book a cruise, we compare deals with at least 3 different agencies and than compare it to what we get by booking direct with the cruise line.  In far more than 100 cruises we have NEVER found a time when it made sense to book direct with any cruise line.

 

Hank

[Copper10-8]

13 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Recently returned from a HAL voyage and a few days later, HAL put over $1300 credit onto our credit card.  Why?  Because we used a decent cruise agency that gave us so much On Board Credit (refundable) that we could not use it all on a 42 day cruise.  Not only did that OBC cover all of our on board account, but the $1300+ that was remaining came back to us.  If we had booked directly with HAL, we would not have had that money.  I have no idea what "keeping control" means, but I do know the meaning of cash.

 

Hank

 

That's funny! One day after concluding our lowly 11-day Pacific Coastal/Alaska cruise on Nieuw A, earlier this month, we received $649 OBC credit on our cc. Why? Because we used a decent HAL PCC. Go figure that one................🧐  

[Florida_gal_50]

17 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

That's funny! One day after concluding our lowly 11-day Pacific Coastal/Alaska cruise on Nieuw A, earlier this month, we received $649 OBC credit on our cc. Why? Because we used a decent HAL PCC. Go figure that one................🧐  

You’ve made me remember something now that you said this.  I think I got $700 or $800 obc on my next booking fir the fall before the shareholder credit.  I have no idea why it was so much for a balcony room. I’ve since lost some of it due to a price decrease.

[alyssamma]

7 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Yes and “good” ta’s grow on trees.  I’ve been traveling for about 35 years.  I’ve yet to find a decent one that is throwing tons of obc and does a decent job.  It must be an American thing and I’ve wasted as much time as I’m going to.  Mine time is worth more. I realize you don’t take 7 day cruises but someone easily could and think they’ll wind up with $1300 in obc.

Oh, I agree 100% with this. I use my TA to give me perks and nothing more. I do all the research and determine exactly what I want. I then have 3 TAs I'll get a quote from and use whoever gives me the best deal. They each are better at different lines, and will sometimes have good group deals. 

 

There is only one TA I have that I would call good, but unfortunately I rarely use him because he gives the worst perks. I don't need a good TA, I need a TA who will give me stuff 😀

 

That being said, I've referred my good TA to several people I know who either don't want to or can't do the upfront research and they've been very happy with him.

[Ipeeinthepools]

21 hours ago, alyssamma said:

You are missing my point. I am saying if you get X off the fare or X after the cruise it is the same.

 

If you aren't getting the same discount now as you were before, get a new TA. My discounts haven't changed and there is no reason for them to.

 

I'll disagree, there is a difference.  Many cruise lines used to offer group rates travel agencies and the fare reduction often approached 10%.  In addition you also got the standard amount of OBC from the TA based on the value of you booking.

 

I am a frequent customer of one of the TAs that also sell toilet paper and you get a gift card after you complete the cruise.  I stopped using that TA with the other cruise lines because the group rates I was offered and additional OBC was a lot more than the gift card.  However with HAL I have not been successful in finding any group rates, 

[Hlitner]

"Group Rates" are somewhat overrated these days.  Many of the various cruise/travel agencies now belong to various travel "consortiums" which are networks of agencies/agents.  Our favorite two cruise agencies are part of the largest consortium (over 600 agencies) which generates more than $5 Billion in annual bookings (this is an old number and should be a lot higher these days).  

 

In fact, we have an upcoming cruise on a luxury line where we are not only getting a generous OBC from our cruise agency, but also an additional OBC from the large consortium (this is somewhat unusual).  Consortiums give, even their smaller members, the power of volume (and the clout that comes from being part of a large powerful travel organization).  Some of these Consortiums have been around for over 50 years, so it is nothing new.  

 

By the way, the entire issue of On Board Credits (OBCs) has become more complicated because OBCs can either be "refundable" or "non-refundable."  Non-refundable must be used on the cruise and any left over dollars are lost at the end of the cruise.  HALs app (and statements from Guest Relations) do show the amount of non-refundable and refundable and the system is designed to use the non-refundable first. 

 

All this varies from cruise line to cruise line.  HAL currently refunds refundable OBCs to the customer's credit card (the one used for the cruise).  Princess, on the other hand. usually mails a check a few weeks after a cruise ends.  MSC generally makes all their OBC non-refundable, but it can generally be used in the casino (so one can work with the system to get non-refundable refunded :).

 

I mention some of variations to point out another advantage of a good agency/agent...in that they work with nearly all cruise lines and generally know the ins-outs of each line.  Consider that our next 3 booked  cruises (Explora Journeys, Princess and Oceania) are all handled by a single cruise agency.  It makes my cruise life simple, since a single e-mail or phone call is all it takes to deal with multiple lines.   And a good agent can also advise their clients on many different cruise (ocean and river) and let them know of any complaints or praise they have heard from their clients on the various lines.

 

Hank

[alyssamma]

1 hour ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

I'll disagree, there is a difference.  Many cruise lines used to offer group rates travel agencies and the fare reduction often approached 10%.  In addition you also got the standard amount of OBC from the TA based on the value of you booking.

 

I am a frequent customer of one of the TAs that also sell toilet paper and you get a gift card after you complete the cruise.  I stopped using that TA with the other cruise lines because the group rates I was offered and additional OBC was a lot more than the gift card.  However with HAL I have not been successful in finding any group rates, 

Lol, you can disagree all you want, but you aren't disagreeing with my point. You are really saying that you don't BELIEVE my point.

 

You are basically saying getting 100 off the cruise rate is better than 50 after the cruise.

 

Duh 😀

 

However, given 100 off the cruise rate vs 100 after the cruise... mathematically it's the same. Yes, technically you are putting more upfront and then have to wait to get it back, but overall it's a wash.

 

If you want to say you can no longer find those deals...fine. that's unfortunate for you. But that isn't my argument so you are disagreeing with something I never said.

[Ipeeinthepools]

2 hours ago, alyssamma said:

Lol, you can disagree all you want, but you aren't disagreeing with my point. You are really saying that you don't BELIEVE my point.

 

You are basically saying getting 100 off the cruise rate is better than 50 after the cruise.

 

Duh 😀

 

However, given 100 off the cruise rate vs 100 after the cruise... mathematically it's the same. Yes, technically you are putting more upfront and then have to wait to get it back, but overall it's a wash.

 

If you want to say you can no longer find those deals...fine. that's unfortunate for you. But that isn't my argument so you are disagreeing with something I never said.

 

You're almost correct.  I believe the data and I am at least skeptical about your claims.  Maybe you are the smartest cruise shopper in the world and the rest of us just don't get it.  However it looks like you are the only person currently making that claim.  

 

You also didn't understand the example.  $100 off the cruise rate plus the standard $50 OBC is better than your $100 off after the cruise.  That's why I switched from a big box TA to an individual TA for other cruise lines.  I just haven't been able to find these same type of offers with HAL.

 

As an example, here's the type of difference that I have been able to get on my October cruise on another cruise line.  I booked onboard through the cruise line and my pp fare for a 14-day balcony cabin was $3100.  When I switched to the group rate when I got home the fare was reduced to $2600 pp plus I will get a couple hundred OBC.  I booked on-board to get the onboard booking bonus.   I'm reasonably new to HAL looking for the same kind of discounts.

Edited May 27, 2023 by Ipeeinthepools

[richwmn]

2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

All this varies from cruise line to cruise line.  HAL currently refunds refundable OBCs to the customer's credit card (the one used for the cruise).  Princess, on the other hand. usually mails a check a few weeks after a cruise ends.  MSC generally makes all their OBC non-refundable, but it can generally be used in the casino (so one can work with the system to get non-refundable refunded :).

I don't know about any other cruise line, but at least on HAL you have the option of getting back your refundable OBC in cash the last night of the cruise.

 

[BermudaBound2014]

I haven't found differences in TA pricing post covid but one of my TA's are no longer giving me referral credits. I used to get $75 OBC for every referral and that has dried up. I still get $50 return passenger credit.

 

There are still a plethoria of travel agents who automatically give 10% back in OBC. This OBC is refundable and goes back to you on your registered CC if you don't use it. I didn't think anyone was booking for less than 10% back anymore.

 

I can usually negotiate 12-15% because each TA I use has different cruise lines they specialize in. These travel agents are paid higher commission based on volume. You have to find the TA that specializes in your particular cruise line, but 10% back should be the minimum. 

 

This ad crossed in my email just a few minutes ago for HAL. I have a NCL, CCL, and HAL cruise booked. I used different TA's for each trip based on promos. It's not difficult.

 

Edited May 27, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[POA1]

22 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

That's funny! One day after concluding our lowly 11-day Pacific Coastal/Alaska cruise on Nieuw A, earlier this month, we received $649 OBC credit on our cc. Why? Because we used a decent HAL PCC. Go figure that one................🧐  

Lowly ELEVEN days? We're booking 7 day cruises and can only dream of a 10 day sailing. Such luxury! 🤔

[Ipeeinthepools]

26 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

I haven't found differences in TA pricing post covid but one of my TA's are no longer giving me referral credits. I used to get $75 OBC for every referral and that has dried up. I still get $50 return passenger credit.

 

There are still a plethoria of travel agents who automatically give 10% back in OBC. This OBC is refundable and goes back to you on your registered CC if you don't use it. I didn't think anyone was booking for less than 10% back anymore.

 

I can usually negotiate 12-15% because each TA I use has different cruise lines they specialize in. These travel agents are paid higher commission based on volume. You have to find the TA that specializes in your particular cruise line, but 10% back should be the minimum. 

 

This ad crossed in my email just a few minutes ago for HAL. I have a NCL, CCL, and HAL cruise booked. I used different TA's for each trip based on promos. It's not difficult.

 

 

Thanks, we'll need to chat sometime on our upcoming cruise.  Maybe you can try a referral one more time to see if you get another $75.

[Hlitner]

1 hour ago, richwmn said:

I don't know about any other cruise line, but at least on HAL you have the option of getting back your refundable OBC in cash the last night of the cruise.

 

Two things about that.  When they owe you over $1000 they are not paying cash.  and #2.  If one wants to spend over an hour (typical on that last evening) waiting at Guest Services than that is fine.  We actually used our onboard account on debarkation day since we were in no rush to get off the ship (in Seattle)l  We stayed aboard to after 9:30, drank Bloody Marys and Mimosas, and relaxed as others waited in various queues to get off the ship.  I also do not know how they can do cash since they must inventory the cabin mini fridge (we had ours emptied at the beginning of the cruise so we could not be charged for things we did not use).

 

We have this silly habit of not wanting to spend our cruise time standing in line at Guest Relations.  On our cruise we met one very nice elderly lady (President's Club) who spent many hours at Guest Relations because of various complaints.  She became so frustrated she cancelling her two future HAL bookings....a full World Cruise and a full Grand South America cruise.  We learned this from her at the Ocean Bar where she was drinking away her misery (of waiting at Guest Relations where she got no satisfaction).  A very nice lady who told us all her future cruises would be on Oceania.

 

Hank

[richwmn]

40 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Two things about that.  When they owe you over $1000 they are not paying cash.  and #2.  If one wants to spend over an hour (typical on that last evening) waiting at Guest Services than that is fine. 

I have received over $1000 in cash and it took about 15 minutes or less. You just have to pick your time to visit the front desk.

 

[POA1]

14 minutes ago, richwmn said:

I have received over $1000 in cash and it took about 15 minutes or less. You just have to pick your time to visit the front desk.

 

I met Rich when he disembarked the Zuiderdam and can attest to the fact that he had more than $1K in cash. This was off the World Cruise at around 8 AM. I didn't realize that he'd be toting so much cash. Otherwise, I'd have shown up in an armored car. 😉

[Hlitner]

31 minutes ago, richwmn said:

I have received over $1000 in cash and it took about 15 minutes or less. You just have to pick your time to visit the front desk.

 

Truth is I would have no desire to have $1000 in cash.  It is more useful to me on a credit card.  Tis the new world and parts of it have become cashless.

[iceman93]

No wonder HAL likes me so much.  I cannot fathom having OBC left after a voyage that would get refunded to me!  In fact, I wish HAL would give Mariner night credit for every $300 per day one spends on board, not just a max of one bonus night for $300+.

[Florida_gal_50]

28 minutes ago, POA1 said:

I met Rich when he disembarked the Zuiderdam and can attest to the fact that he had more than $1K in cash. This was off the World Cruise at around 8 AM. I didn't realize that he'd be toting so much cash. Otherwise, I'd have shown up in an armored car. 😉

Was he buying your club orange bag 😛😉?