What do you look for in a TA, or do you go direct?

[Daghis]

With Friday's special, I'm going to be booking our 2008 cruise.

 

I read about some online TAs offering bonuses like prepaid gratuities, but from a casual check, they may apply only to booking balconies (or higher) cabins. I suspect we'll be looking at inside cabins, perhaps doing Promenade cabins again, so that promotion wouldn't apply to us.

 

So, what kinds of things should I look for to help decide whether we're better off using a travel agent (online or in person) or booking direct with RCCL for this cruise?

 

Our upcoming cruise was booked with a local travel agent, and I was somewhat underwhelmed by that experience; that's why I thought I should check my options before my next booking.

[willysgrandma]

Many TA's offer at least a gift with a cruise booking, regardless of the category you book in. Sometimes a smaller agency will do more than a large agency will. DH is a TA and he gives a gift for any cruise booking of 4 nights or more.

 

Some TA's may have a group booking they can get you in on, which will give you some onboard amenities you wouldn't get booking directly through the cruise line. RCCL doesn't allow their prices to be discounted, but you can have added amenities if you can get in on a group booking.

 

If you had a poor experience with a TA just don't book with that agency again. You should "interview" a TA just as you would anyone else - call a TA and speak with them over the phone. Make sure they know what they are talking about - don't be afraid to ask if they offer any incentives to book with them. Ask if they have any cancellation fees besides the cruise ships. Ask if there are any hidden fees. Ask what their policy is on price drops - do they honor?

 

If none of that matters or you cannot find a TA that will give an incentive for booking with them -book right through the cruise line.

[willysgrandma]

RCCL is having a big sale on Friday - you may want to look at pricing on Friday. Lots of onboard credits available.

[cruiserbryce]

I typically book direct...we plan quite a bit in advance and are able to book while we're on the ships...we tend to find the best rates there and we get the onboard rebooking credit which is also a plus

[YYC F/A]

Getting your onboard credit / future cruise credit by booking on board does NOT preclude you from using a TA!

 

I actually recommend my clients stop by the on board cruise consultant and put a deposit down just to get the credit... the booking (if they make a specific ship/date) is automatically transferred to me to manage on their behalf even if they book it with the consultant on board.

 

More generally, a good TA will be worth their weight in gold. They will seek out possible extra amenities or upgrades, they may have a group on your sailing that, as has been posted earlier, may get you some extra goodies. You will never pay more booking through a TA than booking with the cruise line directly, and depending on group space etc. you may be better off with a TA.

 

A good TA is also invaluable at helping you suss out those 'good from the bad' cabins on board, bigger balconies etc (although there's also a lot of great info available right here on the boards!)

 

Finally, a good TA is invaluable should anything go wrong. You have an individual that knows YOU and YOUR NEEDS personally. You call that one person up, they take care of you. Dealing with a call centre in Miami, Wichita, or wherever, you get a different person every time. Should any unexpected issues arise, the cruise line reservation agents work for the cruise line at the end of the day, and their loyalty (and clout) is to their employer, not to you. A TA is independent, and if they are a specialist with high volumes with that line, they may well have more clout than an individual calling up RCI reservations.

 

I own a cruise only specialist business. If you don't have a regular TA, I'd suggest you might want to try the specialist first and see how you get on. They deal day in day out with the cruise product, and cruise product only, so they really are experts.

 

Good luck - and get those extra on board credits during the WOW sale!

[roddy good boy]

RCCL doesn't allow their prices to be discounted, but you can have added amenities if you can get in on a group booking.

 

I have seen that statement many times on this board but I am a bit confused. I am sailling in 4 weeks on the AOS. This is my 4th cruise (2 on the Carnival Conquest and 1 with Celebrity). My TA has always given me a rate that is approximately $200 below the listed rate. I did not ask what type of discount was applied. I just assumed that she could give a better competitive rate!

[golfer1966]

direct with the cruise line and the airlines as well. If we do an all inclusive vacation with a bunch of friends, then I will use a T/A, otherwise its direct bookings for us.

[willysgrandma]

RCCL doesn't allow their prices to be discounted, but you can have added amenities if you can get in on a group booking.

 

I have seen that statement many times on this board but I am a bit confused. I am sailling in 4 weeks on the AOS. This is my 4th cruise (2 on the Carnival Conquest and 1 with Celebrity). My TA has always given me a rate that is approximately $200 below the listed rate. I did not ask what type of discount was applied. I just assumed that she could give a better competitive rate!

 

Don't be advertising that. Unless she has a group rate she is booking you into, if she is rebating her commission to give you a better price and RCCL finds out about it, they can forbid her from selling RCCL anymore.

 

Almost any experienced TA knows you can't discount RCCL or Celebrity and if the lines find out about it and press the issue, they can refuse the agents agency from selling their cruises. You should never put your TA in a position to be questioned by advertising they are discounting RCCL fares.

[Cuizer2]

With Friday's special, I'm going to be booking our 2008 cruise.

 

I read about some online TAs offering bonuses like prepaid gratuities, but from a casual check, they may apply only to booking balconies (or higher) cabins. I suspect we'll be looking at inside cabins, perhaps doing Promenade cabins again, so that promotion wouldn't apply to us.

 

So, what kinds of things should I look for to help decide whether we're better off using a travel agent (online or in person) or booking direct with RCCL for this cruise?

 

Our upcoming cruise was booked with a local travel agent, and I was somewhat underwhelmed by that experience; that's why I thought I should check my options before my next booking.

 

I want an experienced TA who knows more than I do. I found one and I am very happy with the service he provides me.

[roddy good boy]

 

Don't be advertising that.

 

Opps! Sorry! That didn't happen....:eek: :eek:

[Desert Cruizers]

Everyone has a preferance, ours is our local TA. She was recommended to us by friends. As stated above, she knows us and when I am ready to book our Cruise, I sit down with her or associate, ready with Date of Cruise, Room # + backup Room, Dining assignment ( she knows now). She is talking directly with Cruise lines so I know exactly what is being said and I know my requests are met. Her office also provides those little extra things for your room, for booking with them.

[lvtotrvl1]

sorry you cannot advertise an agency on these boards,

[Daghis]

The comments in this thread have opened my eyes as to what I should expect from a travel agent, and realizing that my current agent was acting as little more than a conduit between me and RCCL.

 

I sent out some inquiries to a few online agencies I found referenced under the Find a Cruise link above to see what they have to say. I hadn't even considered the possibility that an agency may have secured a deal through arranging a private group booking. I'm really looking forward to seeing what information I get over the next couple of days.

 

I am so looking forward to Friday, though!

[cruisefanatic01]

I would definitely say get a referral from someone of a good agent that they have used in the past. I have had my share of inefficient TAs, but I love the one that I have now. A friend referred me to her and she is the best I've had so far. I'll be sticking with her as long as she continues doing this. Let me know if you would like her info.

[mickey-mouse]

RCCL is having a big sale on Friday - you may want to look at pricing on Friday. Lots of onboard credits available.

Does anyone know if you can combine the RCI sale OBC, with the travel agent's OBC? If you can, then it would be worth going through travel agent that gives OBC, so that you can have 2 OBC's.

[Cuizer2]

Does anyone know if you can combine the RCI sale OBC, with the travel agent's OBC? If you can, then it would be worth going through travel agent that gives OBC, so that you can have 2 OBC's.

 

The two OBCs are coming from different sources, so you should be able to combine the two OBCs.