Better Than A TA

[metro211]

:) I've just finished making arrangments for my fifteenth cruise. This time we are on Celebrity. Usually I use a TA, but thought I'd try an agent from the cruise lines, and am so glad that I did. First, the Celebrity agent, Vanessa, worked with us to get us the best price. She discovered that we were enrolled in the Captain's club for returning clients which gave us an additional discount. End result of her time on our behalf was a cheaper cruise. Then I wanted to upgrade our state room, change our flights, and do some other changes. For the last six weeks she has taken numerous calls and emails from me, and dealt with each issue promptly and cheerfully. This is the most high maintance I've ever been. And I realize that no TA that I've had has put in that kind of time on our behalf. I've read the posts about TA verse cruise consultants, and personally, I'll never use a TA again, and only hope that Vanessa stays with Celebrity for a long, long time.:)

[elena7seas]

I have used three different Celebrity cruise planners for our last three cruises and they have each been unfailingly helpful, efficient, cheerful and well-informed. Every question has been met with professional service, and they have even called me back at home if they didn't have the answer I needed on the spot. They have helped me to get lower fares when they were available, and referred me to the appropriate people within Celebrity when I didn't know who to ask about a particular issue.

 

I understand that the Celebrity cruise planner that makes your reservation is the one that receives the commission, and I always try to follow through with the same planner, but, where I have not been able to reach a specific Planner in a timely way (and where time was of the essence), I have never had anything but very pleasant help from any other cruise planner who answered my call.

 

Many thanks to Kerline, Glenn and Bruno, Celebrity cruise specialists, and fine examples of great customer service.

[jer_l]

We leave in less than 5 weeks on Mercury. I booked this cruise on a previous cruise and kept control of the reservation so I could deal directly with Celebrity if I wanted to make changes. I used the Captain's Club 800 number and have had great service. I called twice to get our price reduced ($300 each time). On the last reduction they also gave me an additional cabin upgrade free!

 

Jerry

[rain_bowbrite]

:) I've just finished making arrangments for my fifteenth cruise. This time we are on Celebrity. Usually I use a TA, but thought I'd try an agent from the cruise lines, and am so glad that I did. First, the Celebrity agent, Vanessa, worked with us to get us the best price. She discovered that we were enrolled in the Captain's club for returning clients which gave us an additional discount. End result of her time on our behalf was a cheaper cruise. Then I wanted to upgrade our state room, change our flights, and do some other changes. For the last six weeks she has taken numerous calls and emails from me, and dealt with each issue promptly and cheerfully. This is the most high maintance I've ever been. And I realize that no TA that I've had has put in that kind of time on our behalf. I've read the posts about TA verse cruise consultants, and personally, I'll never use a TA again, and only hope that Vanessa stays with Celebrity for a long, long time.:)

 

Metro,

 

I am glad to hear that you received such great service during your recent cruise booking and congrats on your cruise! I hope that you have a wonderful time.

 

As far as using a TA goes, if you have one you like, keep using them, if you are not happy with them try something or someone else which is exactly what you did. I am a fairly new TA and work very hard for my clients to get them the best deal and give them the best service, no matter how many times there is a change to the reservation;) . But I know that not all TA's are created equal and there is a lot of talk on these boards regarding using a TA.

 

You have taken so many cruises that you could probably book your own cruise:) .

 

Jodie

[metro211]

Hi Jodie,

 

First good luck in your new career. I have no doubt that you will do a great job. I've worked with any number of TAs and that's why I was so impressed with the quality of service that I got from Vanessa.

 

Good to hear that others have had similar experiences with Celebrity planners. It sure makes the process of booking a cruise a lot less stressful and in fact, made me feel like the cruise started with the booking process. Wishing you all good cruising...:)

[rain_bowbrite]

Hi Jodie,

 

First good luck in your new career. I have no doubt that you will do a great job. I've worked with any number of TAs and that's why I was so impressed with the quality of service that I got from Vanessa.

 

Good to hear that others have had similar experiences with Celebrity planners. It sure makes the process of booking a cruise a lot less stressful and in fact, made me feel like the cruise started with the booking process. Wishing you all good cruising...:)

 

Metro,

 

Thanks for your kind words! Once again, enjoy your cruise:) .

 

Jodie

[rjg41]

Yes, many of the RC/X reps. are excellant but a RC/X rep. can never offer you a better price than a travel agent could. Never! However, the reverse is not true.

 

I have posed the below a number ot times but I think it is good to do it again.

 

1) Any fare offered by an RCCL/X agent, including any perks, a travel agent will at least offer you that.

 

2) It is true that travel agents cannot discount normal fares as you would see them on RCCL/X's web site BUT:

 

a) A travel agent has access to group fares and/or perks on a number of sailing dates, even if you are not part of the group. Those fares CANNOT be offered by RCCL/X agents and do not violate the "no discount" rule.

 

b) A travel agent has access to fares from RCCL/X for some sailings that are only available to travel agents and that are not group fares. RCCL agents CANNOT offer those fares. These are lower fares but not considered a discount.

 

c) Depending on category booked, an agent might provide a gift ranging from something like a bottle of wine to shipboard credit. An RCCL/X agent cannot do this unless it is part of a RCCL/X package deal. If there is a RCCL/X package the travel agent will offer you that PLUS possibly the additional gift.

 

3) In case of problems, remember the RCCL/X agent works for the cruise line. The travel agent works for YOU.

 

4) Any booking made on board can be transferred to the travel agent and you keep the shipboard credit you received.

 

5) A good travel agent is MORE THAN a reservation clerk and can and will do more to maximize your cruising experience.

 

6) The travel agent can alert you to "Happy Hour" deals many days before the actual date, as they receive early notification. The RCCL/X agent generally does not know the "Happy Hour" deals before they are posted to them on Tuesday.

 

7) A travel agent can book "Happy Hour" deals before the RCCL/X phones open on Tuesday.

 

8) Many travel agents can and do notify you and act on price reductions.

 

Any agency offering "discounts", gift cards, etc., for RCCL/X cruises other than mentioned above is at high risk of losing their right to sell RCCL and X cruises.

 

By the way, Disney and Regent are now "no discount" also.

 

If you book direct with cruise lines that do not forbid discounting you forgo the discount that a TA can provide.

[metro211]

Hi Dick and Carol,

 

I'm wondering if you are two are TAs as I've read your posts on the other thread about using TAs. I am not a TA but rather a mental health professional who loves to cruise.

 

You missed the point of my post, which is that Vanessa worked hard and often on this booking, finding all the discounts I was entilted to and got me a cheaper fare than three TAs quoted me. All three TAs are really good at their job, and experienced, but just did not produce the same results for me.

 

Further, Vanessa gave me her extension so that I could contact her with any chances or problems that I might have. As said in the last post, I am an experienced cruiser, and know my way around making bookings. However, for a variety of reasons this time I was what I call a "high maintance" booking, and she gave me tons of time and help at no benefit to her. That is what I call excellent customer service.

 

I did this post to share with other cruisers my experience so that they could consider their options when booking a cruise. I just happened to discover that one can book through the cruise line directly when I went on line to look at cruises. Before that I had no idea that this was possible. As I've learned alot about cruising on the Cruise Critic, I wanted to share what I considered to be a great experience with my fellow crisue enthusiasts. Wishing you all good cruising in 2007.:)

[rjg41]

Metro, I understand your point and totally agree. My only point is that you and everyone else can find a TA with the same qualities AND you will get even more. People booking direct, whether it be with the no discount lines or the others are leaving money on the table. I just want people to make an informed decision.

 

Beyond that, while some that book directly believe they can resolve any issue directly with the cruise line, I would suggest they cannot. Travel agents can provide many stories. Further, TA's take the grief and just inform the cliet of the results.

 

Yes, I, Dick, am a travel agent but I am not here to advertise myself. My wife and I were CC members before I became an agent and even to this day, these boards are a great source of information, even for travel agents, and we are just giving back when we can.

[timbo89]

Metro:

 

Thanks for sharing this....

 

Often the cruiseline gets a "bad rap" for their service, and it is good to hear someone who has experienced something positive in this area...

 

Also, a lot of travel agents will come on these boards and point out how much better, cheaper, etc. it is to work with a travel agent rather than book direct. It is refreshing to hear positive objective experience from someone who has booked directly with the cruiseline.

[kruisecat]

Metro, I understand your point and totally agree. My only point is that you and everyone else can find a TA with the same qualities AND you will get even more. People booking direct, whether it be with the no discount lines or the others are leaving money on the table. I just want people to make an informed decision.

 

Dick -I think the info you provided was great but I can tell you that it is just not that easy to find a good TA, at least not in my area. I've tried and frankly the time I have to invest in finding one does not come near being compensated for with perks. I have personally found the time better spent researching where I'm going and finding the cruise that meets all my requirements.

 

All that said, if I found a TA in my area that offered me decent perks I'd be more than happy to book with them! And I don't advocate someone who has a good TA leaving just to book on their own.

[Fisherman Jim]

Hi Dick and Carol,

 

I'm wondering if you are two are TAs as I've read your posts on the other thread about using TAs. I am not a TA but rather a mental health professional who loves to cruise.

 

You missed the point of my post, which is that Vanessa worked hard and often on this booking, finding all the discounts I was entilted to and got me a cheaper fare than three TAs quoted me. All three TAs are really good at their job, and experienced, but just did not produce the same results for me.

 

Metro211,

 

Congratulations on find a lower price on your own. My experience has been that I usually can always do better for myself than working through a TA. It does take a little time, but for me researching travel prices and learning about new destinations is all part of my vacation experience. I have seen the same post from Dick and Carol on several threads, so I will also repeat my opinion on this thread.

I usually don't use Travel Agents because it just seems to put one more layer into the mix for communications.

The "Happy Hour" deals are previewed on the Internet on Thursday for both Celebrity and RCCL, for booking the following Tuesday, thus making it easy to monitor and book on your own.

While some TA's may monitor price reductions, I feel that it is in my best interest to monitor my own cruise for any price reductions, as sometimes these price reductions come and go in a hurry. On our last cruise there was a small problem and in dealing directly with the cruise line I was able to solve the problem. I am not putting down TA's, but finding a good one is a hit and miss proposition.

 

KruiseCat,

 

I agree with your post 100%.

[DancerOT]

And some TAs are better at some things than others. Our TA is fantastic at dealing with all the little things for us, like dining times, adding extra people at the last minute, and a variety of other things. However, she isnt as good at spotting the price drops...so I keep an eye on it and they she takes care of it for us. But is she a great TA? Absolutely

 

The bottom line is everyone does what is best for them. And, I for one, am just happy that people are experiences positive interactions with Celebrity personnel as many have reported negative experiences recently.

[shakespeare]

I am experienced enough to book my cruises on my own, but I use a travel agent. Whenever there is something I want to change or ask a question about...I just send her a quick email and she gets back to me very promptly. Saves me from spending time on the phone with the cruise line. Our most recent cruise involved several price drops, air deviation and a number of other changes and questions. She handled them all above and beyond my expectations. We received a nice on board credit, a free dinner in the specialty restaurant and excellent service. There were about 3 or 4 price drops during the period of the booking. I don't expect her to track them...I do it myself and send her an email and I get a revised invoice back...usually the same day or the next day. I think it would be difficult for a travel agent to watch the prices on all their clients' cruises...unless they have only a few clients. There was also a last minute change in itinerary due to possible pod problems and we were notified before a lot of people that were participating in our roll call...she called and sent an email to be sure I got the information.

 

I have had mediocre travel agents and good ones, but the one I have now is THE BEST:)

 

Liz

[BettyInToronto]

Metro211,

 

The "Happy Hour" deals are previewed on the Internet on Thursday for both Celebrity and RCCL, for booking the following Tuesday, thus making it easy to monitor and book on your own.

 

KruiseCat,

 

 

Where on the internet can I see these "Happy Hour" deals?

[SleepingUgly]

I see that several of you mentioned that X is a "no discount" cruiseline, which means that X reps and TAs all have to offer to same fare, correct? However, then a pp mentioned that he/she had received a lower quote from an X cruise planner. How is that possible then?

 

Also, I did a lot of research online before booking our cruise, and I was able to find a TA who offered me a "rebate" per stateroom for booking our X cruise through them. I guess that would be allowed, since it comes out of the TA's own pocket, is that correct?

 

Also, while most TAs gave me the exact same quote for the one particular category of cabins in which I was interested, a couple of them did produce lower quotes. How is that possible if X is supposed to be a "no-discount" cruiseline?

 

Sorry for the silly questions, but just curious. Thanks for putting up with this newbie's queries!

 

Linda

[RLM77]

Where on the internet can I see these "Happy Hour" deals?

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/sales/happy_hour/HappyHour_rci_tues.pdf

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/sales/happy_hour/XcitingDeals_cel_tues.pdf

[rjg41]

I see that several of you mentioned that X is a "no discount" cruiseline, which means that X reps and TAs all have to offer to same fare, correct? However, then a pp mentioned that he/she had received a lower quote from an X cruise planner. How is that possible then?

 

Also, I did a lot of research online before booking our cruise, and I was able to find a TA who offered me a "rebate" per stateroom for booking our X cruise through them. I guess that would be allowed, since it comes out of the TA's own pocket, is that correct?

 

Also, while most TAs gave me the exact same quote for the one particular category of cabins in which I was interested, a couple of them did produce lower quotes. How is that possible if X is supposed to be a "no-discount" cruiseline?

 

Sorry for the silly questions, but just curious. Thanks for putting up with this newbie's queries!

 

Linda

 

1) Lower fare from RC/X rep. than a TA - If that is truly what the person is claiming it cannot happen unless one or the other made an error. At no time does an RC/X rep. have access to a lower fare than a TA does. However, TA's can sometimes have access to a lower fare than an RC/X rep. (See my post above and #3 below.)

 

2) Rebate - Unless that rebate is in the form of ship board credit, no matter whose pocket it comes from, that agent/agency is violating RC/X rules and is subject to loss of the right to sell RC/X products.

 

3) Lower quotes from TA's - Within the RC/X rules, as noted in my previous post, there are two instances where a TA can quote truly lower fares. a) A group rate. While you are not part of the group you can be given a group rate. You may never know you are booked as part of the group but you get the benefit. b) On some sailings an agent has access to a lower fare from RC/X, not a group, than you will see on line and that the RC/X agent can offer.

[Sky Sweet]

:) I've just finished making arrangments for my fifteenth cruise. This time we are on Celebrity. Usually I use a TA, but thought I'd try an agent from the cruise lines, and am so glad that I did. First, the Celebrity agent, Vanessa, worked with us to get us the best price. She discovered that we were enrolled in the Captain's club for returning clients which gave us an additional discount. End result of her time on our behalf was a cheaper cruise. Then I wanted to upgrade our state room, change our flights, and do some other changes. For the last six weeks she has taken numerous calls and emails from me, and dealt with each issue promptly and cheerfully. This is the most high maintance I've ever been. And I realize that no TA that I've had has put in that kind of time on our behalf. I've read the posts about TA verse cruise consultants, and personally, I'll never use a TA again, and only hope that Vanessa stays with Celebrity for a long, long time.:)

 

Hi Metro211 :)

 

I booked our recent Constellation cruise directly through Celebrity and also had much better service than I ever received from a travel agent. Celebrity changed our cabin to a coveted CC aft as soon as one became available, and credited $400 to our Master Card when a senior citizen rate went into effect after we made our final payment. When I told someone at Celebrity that they are more service oriented than most travel agents, she told me that they have received similar feedback from a number of other passengers as well.

[tuxedo]

:) I've just finished making arrangments for my fifteenth cruise. This time we are on Celebrity. Usually I use a TA, but thought I'd try an agent from the cruise lines, and am so glad that I did. First, the Celebrity agent, Vanessa, worked with us to get us the best price. She discovered that we were enrolled in the Captain's club for returning clients which gave us an additional discount. End result of her time on our behalf was a cheaper cruise. Then I wanted to upgrade our state room, change our flights, and do some other changes. For the last six weeks she has taken numerous calls and emails from me, and dealt with each issue promptly and cheerfully. This is the most high maintance I've ever been. And I realize that no TA that I've had has put in that kind of time on our behalf. I've read the posts about TA verse cruise consultants, and personally, I'll never use a TA again, and only hope that Vanessa stays with Celebrity for a long, long time.:)

 

 

I agree. Vanessa is better than any travel agent. She helped me get a discount and a wonderful aft cabin.

[Drew B]

The bottom line is everyone does what is best for them. And, I for one, am just happy that people are experiences positive interactions with Celebrity personnel as many have reported negative experiences recently.

 

 

I've rarely heard of any difficulties with X personnel PRIOR to the cruise. It's dealing with problems afterwards where they seem to be sorely lacking...

[Host Kewlguy]

:) I've just finished making arrangments for my fifteenth cruise. This time we are on Celebrity. Usually I use a TA, but thought I'd try an agent from the cruise lines, and am so glad that I did. First, the Celebrity agent, Vanessa, worked with us to get us the best price. She discovered that we were enrolled in the Captain's club for returning clients which gave us an additional discount. End result of her time on our behalf was a cheaper cruise. Then I wanted to upgrade our state room, change our flights, and do some other changes. For the last six weeks she has taken numerous calls and emails from me, and dealt with each issue promptly and cheerfully. This is the most high maintance I've ever been. And I realize that no TA that I've had has put in that kind of time on our behalf. I've read the posts about TA verse cruise consultants, and personally, I'll never use a TA again, and only hope that Vanessa stays with Celebrity for a long, long time.:)

 

Celebrity gives no additional discounts to returning customers as RCCL does. Although they certainly should. This can all be done yourself without the need for a third party. 90% of the time I can get better air rates on my own compared to booking it through the cruise line. The only advantage to booking a future cruise on board is the "on board credit" you'll receive for your future cruise. And that's about it.

[Fisherman Jim]

I've rarely heard of any difficulties with X personnel PRIOR to the cruise. It's dealing with problems afterwards where they seem to be sorely lacking...

 

Drew B,

 

My personal experience has been that you are exactly right; the before "we have your money", service from Celebrity is excellent. As you said in dealing with problems afterwards is where Celebrity is, to be very kind, "sorely lacking", when compared to other mass market cruise lines.

[metro211]

Hi all,

 

I am not sure what people mean by "afterwards"...but I can only tell you my experience. This summer we booked with a TA, whom we had used for eight previous cruises, it was a two week cruise to Iceland and quite pricey. Short version, after he got out money, service was out the window. This time, by accident I discovered that I could book directly through X. I thought why not try this way as I'd fired the above TA.

 

Even after we had done the final payment, Vanessa was available to me through emails and the phone. She gave me her extension so I had no difficulty contacting her. All of my changes occurred after final payment. And there were alot. As for the fare, I got quotes from Vanessa, and two other TAs one of whom is our CARP TA (which is our equivalent to AHRP). The fare through X was lower. This is not the first time that I've gotten different quotes, on the same cruise, even on the same cabin, so I'm not sure how all that works.

 

Again, I've shared this because for us it worked much better to book directly through the cruise line. For me the bottom line is shop around!!!!!!!!!!!! You may find that a TA that works well for you, or you my find your own "Vanessa" at a cruise line. Which ever, at least you'll be in charge and know your options. Wishing you all, a safe and healthy 2007 and Happy cruising.

 

Bella in Toronto