How do you prefer to book?

[ekerr19]

I read another post above and just want to respond - our TA is out of state, in Seattle. We still get the best price from our TA, she has managed to beat every legitimate web-based travel site out there, for each one of our cruises. Their pricing is the best we've ever encountered.

 

We also enjoy shipboard credits and complimentary gifts from our TA. Over Christmas, she sent each of our three cabins a small decorated tree and bottles of wine.

 

I just don't think there is any way to beat this type of great pricing, shipboard credit and personal service.

[FlamingoT]

We researched online and then called HAL to ask some questions and ended up booking with them. They were helpful and courteous and we think - hope- we got a good deal. Leaving Oct.31 on Westerdam Autumn Enchantment and European Farewell. Can't wait!!

[dakrewser]

You left out one possibility:

 

research online and book with online T.A. !

 

I use two different T.A.s, one in LA one in Boston - and I'm happy with both.

[lipoppop]

I always check out numerous on line web sites and write down prices. Then call my TA tell her what I want. I even give her the web site and she has even called to confirm with those companies. Many times she has found errors with their web site prices. I have 2 upcoming cruises that I booked 3 days apart from each other. When I booked the Westerdam the best she could do was $75 more per person but;) could give us $50.00 ships board credit per person and $50.00 check from Amex per person who owns the travel agency. The other places on line will not give you ship board credit all the time or other credits. Then a few days later when I booked the Ryndam I had my amo of prices and was shocked when she came up with $120.00 less person plus $50.00 total ship board credit. It seems this travel agency had a big tour going for this particular cruise and could offer this huge discount.

 

I have found it to be better with a local TA I can call after I have booked that if Isee prices drop she just makes a phone call and she works to get an adjustment. It is still good to be a wise shopper and keep investigating prices. In the case of my Alaska cruise I booked last August from the time I booked till we went in May the prices did nothing but go ;) up.

 

LAFFNVEGAS,I think I use the same company you use. My TA's prices have always been better than any on-line real quote that I found. Perhaps it is because of the volumn the company does. However my TA does not know when specific prices are reduced. It is too much to have her check every booking she does. These are not promotions but price reductions. So I check the internet and if I see a lower price on HAL's site or something like AA cruises I call my TA. She has been able to get me the price reduction albeit via a cancellation and rebooking.

 

I have a question. How do you find out about the promotions? There has been a lot of talk about promotion 267 but I have not been able to find its source. It is not on HAL's promotion web site. Also on board credits seem to be hit or miss- no set pattern.

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

In the past years we have booked both through an agent without researching online, to researching online and booking with an online service, booking directly with HAL online, booking onboard while cruising with a HAL agent, and back to using the personal service of a TA after researching online.

 

The best advantage of using a TA is their communication with HAL, in our presence, then being able to make booking decisions with a live HAL agent for the best deal.

[Lithium]

I belong to a vacation club which will beat any cruise price by at least 5%. So I do my research online, find the lowest price, call them and they will give me a lower price (assuming the price is legit and they have access to the same bookings). It works out nicely!

[Navy_Chief]

I found that my OnLine TA is just as helpful and does very good work as the TA available to me at the Naval Base near me and the prices are no different.

[jazzsea]

What a refreshing thread. Those of us in the cruise business love to hear or read nice things about other agents and agencies. So many times we get blamed for things that are really not our fault.

 

Pricing is sometimes difficult for us to match or beat. Other times we are able to find promotions or specials that are missed by or not offered to the online agencies. I know that I get group prices that some other agencies don't get. I also know that AAA agencies get pricing that I sometimes can't get.

 

It used to be that those of us that were Premium Preferred and Centurion agencies with Holland America would get really wonderful pricing. Now pricing is much more competitive and we sort through tons of research to do the best that we can for our clients. Unfortunately, we sometimes have to tell clients to grab the great price on the internet because we cannot match it.

 

Have you told your TA that you appreciate him or her lately? It will make their day!

[lipoppop]

 

Have you told your TA that you appreciate him or her lately? It will make their day!

 

Carol,

 

No but I sent her an e-mail on how to enjoy life.

 

Seriously she knows that we appreciate her service and help. She has always matched or beat any internet price I found. Her agency is also in Florida- maybe it is yours- extension 35 Diana?

 

Jay, aka lipoppop to the grandchildren and the internet

[Orcrone]

Using someone else's credit card.:D

[ekerr19]

Using someone else's credit card.:D

 

You are killing me! :D

 

I use someone else's all the time!! My DH's.... ;)

[RISKMGR]

After over 30 years of cruising,I have gone on too many cruises to count. But since finding CVS 6 years ago, no TA has ever come even close to their prices.

 

You might like your TA, but if you really want to save $$$$ try online booking thru a cruise specialist. It's easy simple, and I have never been dissapointed, or had a mishap or mistake

 

Iy would appear that from the news I have read on another thread, that the cruiselines are trying to squeez discount TA and online out of business. They would prefer you to book thru the cruise line directly ( no commissions to pay, and no discounts !)

[jan7487]

After over 30 years of cruising,I have gone on too many cruises to count. But since finding CVS 6 years ago, no TA has ever come even close to their prices.

 

You might like your TA, but if you really want to save $$$$ try online booking thru a cruise specialist. It's easy simple, and I have never been dissapointed, or had a mishap or mistake

 

Iy would appear that from the news I have read on another thread, that the cruiselines are trying to squeez discount TA and online out of business. They would prefer you to book thru the cruise line directly ( no commissions to pay, and no discounts !)

 

Did you mean CVC?

[iamirish]

I book through my TA. When the brick and mortar TA's are gone, who will fight for us.

 

I do my research by going to cruise shows, looking at the cruise line brochures, watching the cruise lines videos - all of this, to see WHO the cruise line "would like" as their passengers. I realize that that is not always who “books” their ships.

 

I also go on-line to see what is available. My TA will normally answer all my questions (if he doesn't know the answer he will call me back). You can't always get answers on-line.

 

And of course, what you all have to say about a cruise ship, a cruise line and the destinations - THANKS!!

 

Tom

[Roadwork]

We research and book on line. At one time we used local TA's but found they didn't do much for us. We found the prices on line are better, but only choose one that you can talk to if the need arises.

[sologrip]

I made my vote, TA research and booking, then, after giving it a little thought, realized that I actually come upon my cruises by accident (boards, word of mouth from friends, ad mailer, or SOMETHING) and then do some researching to see if the the itinerary or novelty gives me a little tingle. The more I find out about the cruise the better the vision. I'm a sucker for something different, with the problem being that the research material is pretty thin (anyone seen any information about that Alaska Service Dog training cruise?) and the visualizations end up getting drawn mainly from prior experience and imagination. I voted for booking with a TA, too, but I couldn't immediately imagine why I would do that, either. By the time I'm through fueling my imagination, I've revisited the cruise website so often I know it all by heart. Maybe it's that the tedium of negotiating accommodations to an official cruise line policy of not transporting animals, mostly dogs, on board a treeless platform for up to 14 days takes the negotiating skills of a seasoned diplomat...As each cruise line's official service animal policies cannot cover all contingencies, they tend to be pretty general to allow flexibility based upon the specific ADA-defined disabling condition of the service dog handler and the service dog's training and temperament (Some dogs just do NOT find a concrete potty area compelling enough to avoid the inevitable Feenamint moment...) but SOMEtimes the problem is with the cruise line...They might HAVE no official policy because, despite any ADA requirements they are supposed to follow (and I'm not speaking of cruise lines exempt from ADA directives) they refuse to permit service dogs on board, in which case negotiations continue into the legal arena and out of my view.

 

Maybe it's that trying to discover if a particular excursion is accessible to wheeled mobility is best left to those with the connections of someone in the "biz" and the patience of someone other than I. It's certainly a task that separates the TA drone from the TA genius. There's no doubt about it, booking on-line would be so much easier... if only to avoid the inevitable extra layer of administration that can foster an increased number of errors but, as with everything else, planning a cruise around physical limitations takes the investigative skills of a PI and the patience of a saint. I just want to enjoy my vacation as a joyous tour of discovery, not as a recovery from a nervous breakdown...

So, I vote for the joy of doing research myself to fuel the excitement, and booking with a TA to preserve my sanity.

[sail7seas]

777Steve - it sounds like you might use the same agency we use - right up the street from HAL. We have booked the last 5 cruises through them and would not think of going elsewhere. They are the most knowledgeable we've found and have a great relationship with HAL. Most people can't believe we use an out of state agency, but their service is exceptional and we've never had a problem!

 

Do you now if that Agency has someone there named "Janet"?

[1cruiselvr]

As experienced cruisers, we do our own research, then ask for price quotes from various online cruise brokers as well as the cruiseline itself. We book with the cheapest, as price dictates who gets our business since we already know what we want. I would not suggest this approach for newbies or less experienced cruisers. A TA that is knowledgeable is worth his/her weight in gold. As others have pointed out, this person can save you from making mistakes that could ruin your vacation. Happy Sailing!

[Stevesan]

Do you now if that Agency has someone there named "Janet"?

A further clue: Janet L. She can nurse your cruise blues back to health.

[BADBUOY]

Booked with a online cruise agency. I think we got a real good deal with an onboard credit to boot!