Travel Agency?

[olefin32]

This has probably been posted many times but I couldn't find it, so here goes.

 

What is the advantage to using a TA or why do you use them instead of doing your own booking direct with the ship line?

 

We used a TA on our first cruise but before cruise date the local office closed. After that, our cruise was taken care of from another city. After that experience my wife says she had rather do it herself. But I've notice people saying they get discounts using TA's?

 

We've never got a price cut dealing direct with HAL. On our Christmas cruise with RCL we received a total of $2000 ($1000, each) credit from 2 different price cuts months after we had booked.

 

Thanks :)

[Broadkill]

I'm an agent. With the volume of business we do, we can offer discounts, onboard amenities and 24/7 SERVICE that are not available for an individual booking. We have preferred suppliers, such as Holland America, and they work with us with pricing and service. Our agency provides hosts on various cruises (I'm going on the Prinsendam March 24), complimentary shore excursions (depends on the length of the trip) and complimentary cocktail parties. We are there to create an "enjoyable vacation" - from the planning, during the trip and after by arranging flights, tours, hotels, cars...whatever you may need. We've probably been there and done that so we have first hand advice. And we love what we do. We try to make your trip as memorable as it can be. We build our reputation on your memories.

[gabbyisadog]

You will always get as good or better deal using an agency than HAL direct. It may only be a free bottle of wine but can and usually is much , much more. Remember, you and I will never be HAL'S best customers regardless of number of cruises. Travel agencies are their best customers. I have been offered upsells to deluxe Ver. Suites on most cruises I have taken at fair prices due to the, I believe, fact that my travel agency is a President Circle (or whatever they call top producers) for HAL.

 

An agent who does little volume with the cruise line you are booking will still often rebate something to you but lacks the clout of the high volume agrencies.

[flushingcruiser]

Thanks for the info. Is there any way to find out which agencies are the high-volume ones for which cruise lines? Unless one is loyal to someone specific, I would think one would try to use the TA that can do the best for you with that particular cruise line.

[olefin32]

Appreciate the replies.

 

A bottle of wine or free cocktail parties mean zero with us.

In fact there is a bottle of wine that comes with the SA Deluxe Verandah Suite that we book.

 

We're looking for discounts better that HAL's price. The "freebies" may be of no use to us.

 

We're limited for our small town only has one TA.

 

My email address is posted. :)

[gabbyisadog]

You do not have to use an agent near you. We live in AZ and use a WA state agency.

 

E-mail and telephone to set everythig up.

[Mary Ellen]

My TA is one of the 'high-volume' agencies for HAL. HAL calls the top 100 agencies with them the "Centurion Club". You can try asking any agency you are considering if they are a member.

[gf42]

Travel agents get weekly price and promotion updates. There have been many occasions that my fare has been lowered because a good travel agent has found a lower rate.

[serendipity1499]

This has probably been posted many times but I couldn't find it, so here goes.

 

What is the advantage to using a TA or why do you use them instead of doing your own booking direct with the ship line?

 

We used a TA on our first cruise but before cruise date the local office closed. After that, our cruise was taken care of from another city. After that experience my wife says she had rather do it herself. But I've notice people saying they get discounts using TA's?

 

We've never got a price cut dealing direct with HAL. On our Christmas cruise with RCL we received a total of $2000 ($1000, each) credit from 2 different price cuts months after we had booked.

 

Thanks :)

 

This is what I posted back in Sept of 2009 & it still holds true: QUOTE: Actually, I believe it makes a big difference on the type of cruise, the number of days booked, & if your Travel Agent has the ability to book into blocked space..

 

When I retired from an Airline, I was always comfortable booking our entire vacations directly with an Airline, Hotel, Cars & Cruise Line...

 

However, in 2005 learned a BIG lesson from several Cruise Critic posters, who always claimed they could get a better deal with a TA..Our local brick & mortar Agent's never gave us good deals..

 

In April 2005, we & another couple booked an "F" cabin, on Dolphin deck, for the April 2006 cruise on the Prinsendam to the Amazon, directly with HAL..In Aug of 2005 while recuperating from an operation, & spent quite a bit of time on CC..So many posters including Randy & Heather were still saying that a TA would be less expensive..

 

Having come to respect Randy & Heather, I decided to look into their claim, & requested a quote from an On-Line only Agent who advertised on Cruise Critic..Was I floored, when we received a quote of $1078 (8.9%) less than the HAL quote for an upgraded "E" Cabin on Main Deck directly above our "F" cabin..:(

 

We all decided to call HAL.. I spoke to a Supervisor & asked if they would meet the TA's price & asked if the TA was a good one..His answer was, "No, HAL can't compete with our High Producing Agents who have blocked space, but you are welcome to release the booking to the Agent"..He also confirmed that they work with the TA..

 

Dummy me :o:o, should have realized that Cruise lines were doing the same exact thing we did in the Airline Business.. Agents holding blocked space are charged less & can give their clients a good discount..

 

Since then, we switched to another on-line Florida Agent who is also available to talk with, by phone..Our TA is very efficient & knowledgeable, never promises us anything he can't deliver, always gives us a good deal, & most importantly all our payments go directly to HAL..We usually save a lot on all our cruises & receive a good OBC, Pinnacle Dinner, wine etc..

 

If something goes wrong, we can call our Agent for help, & feel a good Travel Agent is worth his/her weight in gold..:D

 

Sorry, for the long post, but we're still grateful to Randy, Heather & all the other CC Posters who made us see the light of day..I've learned a great deal from this site..UNQUOTE

In November of last year we took a 28 day on the Statendam..Hal's Price for an "EE" cabin was $7350.60 for two our TA gave it to us for 6631.58..Savings was almost 10 % per cabin....In addition, we received from the TA $150 OBC, Dinner in the Pinnacle & saved a great deal on insurance (Travelex lite) as we took it thru the agency..

We're booked on the Noordam this year for 21 days & have a savings of 12 1/2%..

 

 

 

Thanks for the info. Is there any way to find out which agencies are the high-volume ones for which cruise lines? Unless one is loyal to someone specific, I would think one would try to use the TA that can do the best for you with that particular cruise line.

 

Sorry, we are not permitted to discuss or name specific TA's however we found our original TA through an AD on Cruise Critic...You have to do your own homework..

Start by going on-line & compare TA's Prices..Read the fine print carefully to see if the TA charges a booking or even a cancellation fee..Check out your prospective TA's with the Cruise line, the BBC & also the "Consumer Protection Agency" in the State where the Agent is located..Make sure your deposit is handled directly by the Cruise line & never ever pay the entire cruise up front..

Good luck...

Cheers.....:)Betty

[olefin32]

Sorry, we are not permitted to discuss or name specific TA's

Cheers.....:)Betty

 

That's the reason I post a link to my email address. Though maybe someone might share a good TA with me.

 

Betty, your entire post is the kind I was hoping for. THANKS a bunch for all the great info.

[jghllnd1]

My TA is one of the 'high-volume' agencies for HAL. HAL calls the top 100 agencies with them the "Centurion Club". You can try asking any agency you are considering if they are a member.

 

Any chanc you would you mind sharing who your TA is?

 

you can email me at jghllnd1 at aol dot com

 

Thanks in advance

[serendipity1499]

That's the reason I post a link to my email address. Though maybe someone might share a good TA with me.

 

Betty, your entire post is the kind I was hoping for. THANKS a bunch for all the great info.

 

Any chanc you would you mind sharing who your TA is?

 

you can email me at jghllnd1 at aol dot com

 

Thanks in advance

 

Sorry, but what you both are asking us to do is not Legal on this board..We are not permitted to post our e-mail address in order to get names of Travel Agents..

I don't want to jeopardize my membership as enjoy this board too much! If I send you an e-mail, I could be banned from this board forever..

Suggest you read the Cruise Critic guidelines very carefully !

Betty

[serendipity1499]

This is from the Cruise Critic Guidelines:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/community/guide.cfm

 

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 or cruise line "personal cruise consultant" (or any other venue by which you purchase a cruise) is not allowed on our message boards. Postings that contain "tell them John sent you" will be removed without notice.

 

This means you should not ask about someone's travel agent, nor should you respond in kind. Offering to email someone your travel agent's name or info is also not allowed, nor is asking members to email you for the information.

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

[jghllnd1]

My mistake - sorry, but if that is the case, then why is a thread talking about Travel agents even allowed then? All it does is get your interest up in how to get good deals on cruises. I like most people, would like to save a few bucks and then be able to cruise more often

[serendipity1499]

My mistake - sorry, but if that is the case, then why is a thread talking about Travel agents even allowed then? All it does is get your interest up in how to get good deals on cruises. I like most people, would like to save a few bucks and then be able to cruise more often

 

Understand & Agree you should be able to save a few bucks, but you have to go on-line & investigate for yourself..

When I first found our on-line TA, I spent hours checking them out & I was nervous as well....:eek:No one was permitted to tell me the TA they dealt with either..The first thing I did was check the TA's who advertise on Cruise Critic..You can too..

Suggest you begin with this Cruise Critic Site:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/bargains/

That was where I found our first Agent..The only problem with that Agent was you could not talk to them on the phone...I'm kind of old fashioned in my thinking & like to be able to call someone & speak to them as well as get the info by e-mail.. My Friend found our new Agent on another bidding site...

Contact some of these Agents & ask them to give you a price..Remember read their WEB sites carefully & check out the fine print..See if they charge to do the initial booking, do they charge for name changes or cancellations.. Telephone them (most have 800 numbers) & talk to their Agents..Finally be sure to check them out with Better Business Bureau & Consumer Protection Agency in the State where they do business..

BTW..there are a few sites which permit the naming of TA's, but I have found that Cruise Critic is best for me...We hope you find a good TA which you are happy with..Good Luck..

Cheers..:)Betty

[serendipity1499]

Here's another Cruise Critic Site for your perusal:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/shipshop/

[knitlady037]

HAL now has a price match guarantee policy. We booked our next cruise and the FCC said they will match any price we get from a TA.

[serendipity1499]

HAL now has a price match guarantee policy. We booked our next cruise and the FCC said they will match any price we get from a TA.

 

That's interesting...Is this just your PCC or is this an overall HAL Management decision? If this is true overall, it looks like HAL is trying to cut out their TA's in order not to pay commission, as many airlines have done...

What if a TA has a group on a ship & quotes you their Group Price? How can HAL match a group price for an individual? :confused:

Betty

[olefin32]

HAL now has a price match guarantee policy. We booked our next cruise and the FCC said they will match any price we get from a TA.

 

Thank you.

Yesterday we priced the same cruse, date, suite number and the TA was only 4% less. We didn't like the TA for they are not members of the BBB, payment is made to them and they pay HAL. No way would we go that way.

 

Wife will be contacting our HAL agent today for a price match. :)

[olefin32]

 

What if a TA has a group on a ship & quotes you their Group Price?

 

I doubt TA's have groups on the Deluxe Verandah Suite SA that we always use.

[knitlady037]

This is from a sticker on the front of brochures

 

Don't just book, Book onboard

 

Receive a best fare guarantee. We honor the best pricing your Travel Agent can provide.

Deposit only $100 per person!

Receive up to $200 shipboard credit (free money)

Secure your preferred stateroom.

Your travel agent receives FULL credit for the booking, and will finalize your details when you return home!

 

Visit the future cruise consultant on deck 1, Atrium

[olefin32]

This is from a sticker on the front of brochures

 

Thanks for the added info about price matching.

 

I was able to find a TA that offered the free dinner, plus discount prices on our suite, $500 on board credit and a free picture.

Just got off the phone with our HAL agent. The only thing she could offer was a free dinner at the Pinnacle for two. We did make the deposit with our HAL agent, then she turned it over to our new TA. :)

[fann1sh]

I found my most recent travel agency by Google and by personal recommendations.

 

If price alone is the main consideration (versus service) many online agencies use Revelex software, where you can check for "bottom line" pricing and compare the $ differences.

 

I love CC, but there are other travel sites with cruise boards which allow posters to make travel agency recommendations. It's against CC rules to mention any of those sites by name, but Google is your friend.

 

If you're planning a long grand voyage, or world cruise, reading blogs is helpful. Often the poster will mention perks given by the travel agency, or mention things which help identify the agencies which are specialists in long cruises.

[pms4104]

This is from a sticker on the front of brochures

 

Don't just book, Book onboard

 

Receive a best fare guarantee. We honor the best pricing your Travel Agent can provide.

Deposit only $100 per person!

Receive up to $200 shipboard credit (free money)

Secure your preferred stateroom.

Your travel agent receives FULL credit for the booking, and will finalize your details when you return home!

 

Visit the future cruise consultant on deck 1, Atrium

My experience with HAL in the past is that they do not do price-matching, as they depend so on the T/A network to fill their ships. Couple of years ago I was booked directly with HAL, got a great price from a T/A, asked my HAL rep about a price-match, and she suggested I transfer the booking to get that deal.

 

I think that the wording on the sticker on your book is more about semantics. It does not say that HAL will price-match ... it says tht HAL will honor the pricing from your T/A ... meaning that your future cruise will be handled by your T/A and whatever prices quoted by your T/A will be permitted by HAL for your booking thru that T/A. Various T/A's may have special promos, group space pricing, etc., pretty much all approved by HAL.

 

If the FCC onboard told you that HAL would price-match any T/A pricing ... I suspect that person was handing out wrong info. I have gotten wrong, bad or nebulous info in the past from those FCC's ... some of them could use some re-training before they go onboard and hand ouy misinformation.

[pms4104]

An example of some of the dubious info handed out by the FCC: when As You Wish was in its infancy, this FCC was telling everyone who came to her that effective the next year, only a month or two away, all HAL ships would offer only open seating, no fixed, in the MDR for dinner. Clearly, she was wrong, as evidenced by the reactions I got when I contacted Seattle to clarify.