Travel Agent Deals. Tell me your secrets.

[bellaluv]

:o What kind of deals have you gotten from your Travel Agent specifically for RCI when you booked your cruise. I have always seen ads for $200.00 onboard credit; free travel ins. or free upgrades but cannot seem to get anywhere with the TA's when I call them. Please tell me your secrets. Also I would like to mention that I would like to use a local travel agent and I was wondering what they can do for me deal wise that RCI online booking cannot do. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR RESPONSES!

[Host Karen]

As a reminder, here are the Community Guidelines regarding travel agents, travel agencies, and TA recommendations:

 

There shall be no third-party recommendation of travel agencies on any forums within Cruise Critic. General discussions regarding the TYPE of AGENCY to be used to purchase a cruise will be allowed, as long as no recommendations for any source of purchase are posted.

 

Touting of your personal cruise agent is not allowed on our message boards. Postings that contain "tell them John sent you" will be removed without notice.

 

Cruise Critic will remove violations of the "third-party recommendation" guideline without warning. Additional posts will result in permanent suspension of your posting privileges.

Also, please do not offer to e-mail other members with the name of your agent or ask another member to e-mail you the name of his/her agent. Such posts will be removed.

 

Let the discussion begin.

 

You may wish to read this recent discussion regarding TAs and discounts: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=458675

 

 

Karen

HostKaren@CruiseCritic.com

[wraithe]

5% OBC, specifically for veterans.

[vacation bound]

:o What kind of deals have you gotten from your Travel Agent specifically for RCI when you booked your cruise. I have always seen ads for $200.00 onboard credit; free travel ins. or free upgrades but cannot seem to get anywhere with the TA's when I call them. Please tell me your secrets. Also I would like to mention that I would like to use a local travel agent and I was wondering what they can do for me deal wise that RCI online booking cannot do. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR RESPONSES!

 

We used the internet to book our cruise and the firm offered us free travel insurance - that was the only good thing we got from them. :( Once they had our deposit we could never get back in touch with the person who booked our trip. :confused: Every change (adding hotel stay ahead of time, reduction for cruise price rebate of $30) took multiple phone calls.:mad:

 

Next time I will use reccommendations from local Better Business Bureau.

[piercetc4]

there are some agencies that charge extra fees- ask before you book what fees, if any, they charge- specifically administrative, cancellation other than what the cruiseline charges, and changes made to reservations- also ask them their policy with regards to price drops and /or using c and a coupons and using rci visa royal points-

[Sea and Me]

5% OBC, specifically for veterans.

 

Is this when you book?? Or can you ask at the Pursers desk?? We were never told of this perk. Thanks.

[Skip2MySue]

:o What kind of deals have you gotten from your Travel Agent specifically for RCI when you booked your cruise. I have always seen ads for $200.00 onboard credit; free travel ins. or free upgrades but cannot seem to get anywhere with the TA's when I call them. Please tell me your secrets. Also I would like to mention that I would like to use a local travel agent and I was wondering what they can do for me deal wise that RCI online booking cannot do. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR RESPONSES!

 

We booked a 5 day to Bermuda from Bayonne NJ and a guaranteed balcony for $1100 each, dinner for two at Portifino's, $10 casino credit and free travel insurance.