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Cunard Direct or UK Travel Agent?


Mattsmum

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I've read through the thread regarding booking onboard or through a TA, but all of the replies are by USA travellers and their dealings with TAs. How do things work here in the UK? We are taking our first ever cruise on 14 Sept through the Med which we booked direct with Cunard. If we love it so much that we want to book another, is it best to book onboard, through Cunard when we return or through a TA once we get home? Do you get an OBC if you book through TA? We have not been offered one on this voyage, although we have been upgraded from P2 to Q7 (I have to forego the bath, but get a free mini-bar) :) Many thanks for your advice.

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You can book through UK or US agent, just shop around and make sure that your agent knows Cunard! Believe me, it helps.

You will get OBC either direct or from the agent. The amount depends on Cunard and the agent.

The best deal for onboard booking, as a Future Cruise Credit, is for those with US bookings, which are non-specific, valid for 4 years (IIRC) still allow any additional benefit provided by the agent to whom you allocate the booking and it is refunded if you do not use it in 4 years. Unless things have changed, UK bookings may get benefit from a FCC on board for a specific cruise, and then allocate to their chosen agent.

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I would advise using a specialist cruise consultant rather than a High Street travel agent. There are several who give good service. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to book online. I always prefer to talk to the consultant to talk about cabins etc. As has been said, make sure they know what they are talking about. A few questions about Cunard should tell you whether they really know about cruising. This is the trouble with some, not all, high street agents. Many of them know very little about cruising.

 

:)

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I've read through the thread regarding booking onboard or through a TA, but all of the replies are by USA travellers and their dealings with TAs. How do things work here in the UK? We are taking our first ever cruise on 14 Sept through the Med which we booked direct with Cunard. If we love it so much that we want to book another, is it best to book onboard, through Cunard when we return or through a TA once we get home? Do you get an OBC if you book through TA? We have not been offered one on this voyage, although we have been upgraded from P2 to Q7 (I have to forego the bath, but get a free mini-bar) :) Many thanks for your advice.

I've always booked my cruises through an online TA who are cheaper than Cunard. (They are ATOL and ABTA protected). I got some OBC from them this time.

 

After I've chosen which cruise and which category, I look on their website to see which cabin numbers are available. I then choose the one I think has the best position.

 

Don't you get a bath in a Q7? I thought all suites had baths.

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I've read through the thread regarding booking onboard or through a TA, but all of the replies are by USA travellers and their dealings with TAs. How do things work here in the UK? We are taking our first ever cruise on 14 Sept through the Med which we booked direct with Cunard. If we love it so much that we want to book another, is it best to book onboard, through Cunard when we return or through a TA once we get home? Do you get an OBC if you book through TA? We have not been offered one on this voyage, although we have been upgraded from P2 to Q7 (I have to forego the bath, but get a free mini-bar) :) Many thanks for your advice.

Mum, I have booked directly with Cunard in the US. The have a similar process in the UK, in Europe and in Australia. I have been absolutely satisfied with the service I have received. I have gotten upgrades on 3 of seven cruises so far, and OBC on several others.

 

I had one contact with booking in the UK. It seems, they do not let UK passengers book with the US or vice versa. I was looking to provide some flowers and chocs. to English pals who were doing a back to back TA and the US could not book them, so I called the UK agent and it was promptly taken care of.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Mike

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Many thanks to you all for your advice. I have printed out a couple of itineraries and will check onboard, for curiosity if nothing else, whether they offer better prices.

 

I'm counting the days now - can't wait!

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When we were looking to book our 1st cruise in 2006 (transatlantic on QM2 ) I got a price quote from Cunard first then went into TA and they gave me £200 pp discount .I do this each time we book now and always get some good dicounts. Prior to this we always booked online ,but high street TA'S now have so much competition they do their best to keep the custom.

 

Sue

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