Best Price Guarantee

[hammybee]

While the boards were down, I got my fix by checking out the web sites of various cruise lines. I noticed that Carnival is now offering a best price guarantee for online bookings, made through their site.

 

It appears they believe they have enough pax loyalty and momentum to take such a stand, and not rely upon TA promotions. This also tells me that the commission structure they have with T/As may change, over time, similar to that of air lines and some hotel chains.

 

I think many TAs may find it necessary to impose a nomianl service charge going forward and the best ones will more than earn it.

 

It also makes me wonder if a cruise line were to adhere to a traditional TA compensation arrangement, if TA's would be more inclined to promote those cruises over those offering less compensation, especially for potential pax that never cruised and probably don't know what they want. BTW, there is nothing wrong with this in my book.