travel agent vs me?

I have only been on one cruise with Princess. I did not use a travel agent. What are the advantages to use one or i just plan myself.

Also, My cruise I want to take is in May 2017. Is it to early to book a room?:) Thanks

Some TS's will offer OBC for booking with them....but we prefer to have control over our own booking, and we know what we want, so we just do it for ourselves. You have to be sort of choosey with a travel agent...make sure they don't charge fees for changes or cancelations!

Some TS's will offer OBC for booking with them....but we prefer to have control over our own booking, and we know what we want, so we just do it for ourselves. You have to be sort of choosey with a travel agent...make sure they don't charge fees for changes or cancelations!

TAs provide more than just OBC, which can be sizable depending on cruise line and cabin level (often 7-10%, or more, of cabin cost). They can often solve problems with the cruise line that an individual passenger cannot. After all, if they are a preferred partner of a particular cruise line, their annual business may represent hundreds of thousands of dollars (compared to your $2k or $20k).

The challenge for you is to find a cruise specialist -a daunting but rewarding task if you do the research.

Princess is one of the few cruise lines that allow a TA to discount the price. Not all do and they cannot advertise the lower rate. However, if you ask they can give you a discounted fare. We generally save about 10% to 15% when booking thru our TA.

There are several reasons.

First is that they can provide you amenities that you might not get for Princess.

Second if they are good then they can do other things for you such as arranging tours and the like.

And third is that if things go bad with the cruise line they can be your advocate and I think this is very important.

Keith

If the cruise you want is already available for booking, why not book and have the best chance of getting the cabin of your choice.

If the best price is with the cruise company then book it. After you book with the cruise line you have 60 days to transfer to a TA, you keep all perks given by the cruise line and then pick up what is offered by the TA. Our TA usually gives us a 50.00 OBC, plus Specialty Dining for 2, and when we book a balcony she also gives us pre-paid gratuities. After you book your cruise regularly check prices, if your cabin cat goes on sale your TA can get you a price adjustment. If there is a problem with your booking a TA with a multi million dollar company behind her can more done than you on you own. I'm not a TA and I don't know any TA'S but I have had problems that were instantly resolves by our TA. happy cruising

Some TS's will offer OBC for booking with them....but we prefer to have control over our own booking, and we know what we want, so we just do it for ourselves. You have to be sort of choosey with a travel agent...make sure they don't charge fees for changes or cancelations!

I basically agree with you....I prefer to also keep ownership of my bookings and not have a 3rd party involved....

Am I capable of being my own best advocate....you betcha...am I interested in large amounts of OBC...not really...I sometimes have trouble spending what I get from RCI. And can I react faster for price changes and/or making a change of cabin locations...yes.

So not worth it for me....and hope that there never comes a time when we aren't given that choice.

Some TS's will offer OBC for booking with them....but we prefer to have control over our own booking, and we know what we want, so we just do it for ourselves. You have to be sort of choosey with a travel agent...make sure they don't charge fees for changes or cancelations!

I have read many posts that advocate not using a TA because "they want control over their booking". I never understood this. Isn't it true that if you want to make some change, you would still have to call the cruise line and deal with their customer service representative? Please enlighten me as to what exactly this "control" means.

I have read many posts that advocate not using a TA because "they want control over their booking". I never understood this. Isn't it true that if you want to make some change, you would still have to call the cruise line and deal with their customer service representative? Please enlighten me as to what exactly this "control" means.

FWIW we've always going with the big box TA and they were a breeze to work for changes and credits and stuff.. Also got OBC and prices looked very competitive. At somepoint a few bucks isn't as important as service and I have no complaints about either going thru a TA.

I have read many posts that advocate not using a TA because "they want control over their booking". I never understood this. Isn't it true that if you want to make some change, you would still have to call the cruise line and deal with their customer service representative? Please enlighten me as to what exactly this "control" means.

I'm afraid that it is not true that <<you would still have to call the cruise line and deal with their customer service representative>> If you are dealing with a TA, several cruise lines will refuse to discuss with you any changes in your booking, and will simply ask you to speak with your TA.

Scott & Karen

I have read many posts that advocate not using a TA because "they want control over their booking". I never understood this. Isn't it true that if you want to make some change, you would still have to call the cruise line and deal with their customer service representative? Please enlighten me as to what exactly this "control" means.

For me it means being able to deal directly with (in my case the D+desk rep) on any changes etc. etc. I want done..and this is done immediately while I'm on the phone with them and usually get an email noting those changes before I can get off the phone...Just an advantage in that I don't have to call a TA ... they then have to call RCI (cruiseline) and then have to call me back. JMHO and after 20+ cruises what has worked for me.

If the best price is with the cruise company then book it. After you book with the cruise line you have 60 days to transfer to a TA, you keep all perks given by the cruise line and then pick up what is offered by the TA. Our TA usually gives us a 50.00 OBC, plus Specialty Dining for 2, and when we book a balcony she also gives us pre-paid gratuities. After you book your cruise regularly check prices, if your cabin cat goes on sale your TA can get you a price adjustment. If there is a problem with your booking a TA with a multi million dollar company behind her can more done than you on you own. I'm not a TA and I don't know any TA'S but I have had problems that were instantly resolves by our TA. happy cruising

Many lines have a 30 day transfer limit.

$50 OBC? I'd be looking for a new TA.

Many lines have a 30 day transfer limit.

 

$50 OBC? I'd be looking for a new TA.

50.00 OBC, plus Specialty Dining for 2, and when we book a balcony she also gives us pre-paid gratuities.

We have a upcoming TA on Allure, our gift from the TA is 50.00 OBC, specialty dinning for 2, and pre paid gratuities of 284.00 in the form of added OBC, this is also combined with a FCC of 150.00 and a C&A balcony discount of 325.00 ALL in ALL a total of 869.00. Plus over the last 18 months since we booked she has called us twice to let us know of cabin cat price reductions that she secured for us totaling over 900.00.. We also received a extra 100.00 RCCL OBC when we booked our air through RCCL Choiceair, flying Lufthansa.. I won't be changing soon..

50.00 OBC, plus Specialty Dining for 2, and when we book a balcony she also gives us pre-paid gratuities.

 

We have a upcoming TA on Allure, our gift from the TA is 50.00 OBC, specialty dinning for 2, and pre paid gratuities of 284.00 in the form of added OBC, this is also combined with a FCC of 150.00 and a C&A balcony discount of 325.00 ALL in ALL a total of 869.00. Plus over the last 18 months since we booked she has called us twice to let us know of cabin cat price reductions that she secured for us totaling over 900.00.. We also received a extra 100.00 RCCL OBC when we booked our air through RCCL Choiceair, flying Lufthansa.. I won't be changing soon..

clearly, your TA is doing their job looking for discounts and deals. But, I still question what s/he is chipping in. If, in addition to the $50 OBC, the tips and dinner are from the TA (vs a cruise line incentive), you're talking about a total of approx. $500. If that amounts to 8-10% of the cabin cost, you're doing okay.

I booked my first cruise myself and had no problems. Then, I thought I must be wrong because many here were saying TA's are the way to go. So I went with a TA who was supposed to be a Princess commodore.

Well, I did not get any discount. No generous OBC's (only a coupon book) and, She had us booked on a nonexistent flight!. I had to research the flights myself and argue with her that the flight she had booked did not exist. She finally changed it.

She booked us in the wrong room-I specifically requested the plaza deck-she put up on the Riviera deck- under the deck chairs next to the pool. I had to argue with her over that.

As far as I am concerned, I can do as good-no, a better job than that!

We have a long time travel agent who has been a world of help to us over the years.

I remain in total control ... our TA promptly deals with the cruise line for us. :)

LuLu

clearly, your TA is doing their job looking for discounts and deals. But, I still question what s/he is chipping in. If, in addition to the $50 OBC, the tips and dinner are from the TA (vs a cruise line incentive), you're talking about a total of approx. $500. If that amounts to 8-10% of the cabin cost, you're doing okay.

Thank,s..happy cruising

We have a long time travel agent who has been a world of help to us over the years.

I remain in total control ... our TA promptly deals with the cruise line for us. :)

LuLu

Good for you in having great success with your long time TA...but sorry I disagree in that you're "in total control". ;)

Good for you in having great success with your long time TA...but sorry I disagree in that you're "in total control". ;)

In total control because I have an extremely good TA with back up folks to take calls when not there so I can call seven days a week and on holidays as well. They are franchise independents (within a larger group) who are always "on call" for each other. Never do I not feel in total control.

Our TA finds price drops before we do and takes care of them for us. :)

On the other hand ... if we didn't have a great TA, I would do it myself.

LuLu

In total control because I have an extremely good TA with back up folks to take calls when not there so I can call seven days a week and on holidays as well. They are franchise independents (within a larger group) who are always "on call" for each other. Never do I not feel in total control.

 

Our TA finds price drops before we do and takes care of them for us. :)

 

On the other hand ... if we didn't have a great TA, I would do it myself.

 

LuLu

Sorry...but I guess "total control" means a little something different to me than it does to you. I can deal "directly" with RCI and they'll talk to me about anything related to my booking..no need to have a 3rd party make those calls.

But again good for you that you have a great TA and (franchise) staff that can help you regardless of day and time. :)