Are TA's Allowed to Discount Princess?

[Toto2Kansas]

I agree with Coral on this one. There are many TA's that are not the big online agents that just take your order or you book online and never speak to a human being. These agents are actually travel agents that know what they are doing, can answer any questions, are accessible to clients usually 7 days (and even evenings) each week.

 

They discount prices, often offer shipboard credit, have access to the best prices that Princess offers, and can still discount those.

 

Now, if someone likes to be in full control of their booking where they can call Princess and make changes themselves, then a TA might not be what some need, and booking direct (and paying more I might add) is probably best for these types. If you book with a TA, then you must rely on them to make any changes for you as you can not call Princess directly. I have never found this a problem with a good travel agent, and they do all of the leg work for you, and even fight your battles for you if necessary. But the savings can really add up. Of course the discount is usually pretty well set so the amount received depends on the cruise booked and type of cabin. It is well worth spending a bit of time to research top selling TA's to find one that fits you and your booking knowledge. IMHO of course! ;)

 

But it is honestly not much different than booking direct, you just contact the TA instead of calling Princess. For the amount that is saved booking through an outside agent that discounts, I would never consider booking direct with Princess.

[Coral]

If you are only looking for bargain basement prices for a cruise, please use an internet site and search for "cheap cruises" or something like that. Don't bother a TA if you don't want to use his/her expertise. I'm a TA and I'd much rather work with someone who truly needs my help rather be an order taker. My favorite clients are first-timers who have a lot of newbie questions.That said, you are more likely to get the best prices from an agency who does high volume Princess and books blocks of rooms. That's where the deals come from. We can book "groups" of cabins and then sell them to general public. With as much training as we have to do for each cruise line and each of their ships, it's no fun when the first thing out of someone's mouth on the phone is "what's the cheapest price you have"? I'm probably in the minority on this but I feel like TA's are for service, the Internet is for bargain basement deals.

 

I meant to add that it is great you like working with new cruisers but IMO everyone deserves an expert, not just the new cruisers.

[Pam in CA]

I agree with Coral on this one. There are many TA's that are not the big online agents that just take your order or you book online and never speak to a human being. These agents are actually travel agents that know what they are doing, can answer any questions, are accessible to clients usually 7 days (and even evenings) each week.

 

They discount prices, often offer shipboard credit, have access to the best prices that Princess offers, and can still discount those.

I agree completely with both Coral and Toto. Find a TA who specializes in Princess; they will have the group rates and you'll benefit immeasurably. TAs who book a high volume of Princess cruises get the best rates. And they often give perks such as the coupon book or dinner in a specialty restaurant.

 

And, they don't necessarily have to be the big online agencies. As has been said, I like being able to pick up the phone and call, or send an email, and get a quick response. I've used a huge online agency in the past and while the pricing was great, it was always a huge hassle to try to get hold of her or get an answer to a question. Also, they are so big that the mailing dept. doesn't talk to the Reps. For instance, one time when I was going on a HAL cruise, my docs came into the agency from HAL and the mailing department automatically sent them regular U.S. mail. It was an early January cruise and we were leaving five days early for a pre-cruise which meant that there was a huge delay in the docs getting to the agency and another huge delay getting them to me over the Christmas holidays. I finally received them 36 hours before my flight but I was sweating bullets.

[xeroxme]

Thanks Pam, Toto, and Coral!

I will look to find a good Princess TA. The TA I used to use for other types of Travel --(before I knew how much fun cruising was)-- retired approximately 15 years ago. I loved dealing with her and she always had some surprise or something special added and the advice was great. However, since then I have not had a good TA and have been disappointed each time with either advice or pricing. The last one we had was a former co-worker of my wife that became a TA. We used him a couple of times only to find his package bookings cost us more than if we booked them ourselves at regular rates. If you guys are still using TA's then It has to be the way to go. I will just look to find a good one.

Thanks and Happy Travel to all.

[Cruise Junky]

I'm also a TA and a Princess Specialist. I discount Princess. The discount depends on the cabin category, etc.

 

I know a lot of TAs that feel the same way as TravelinAround, but my feelings are that if I quote someone a price and they book it, they are most likely going to be return customers. Customer service is important to me.

 

I can honestly tell you that when I found the right TA, the shopping around stopped. I used an online agent, they were fine, but never tested as I didn't run into any issues. Since finding my current agent, I have no need to look elsewhere, I don't even double check her prices with anyone else. I trust her that she's giving me the best price. Like Toto, she's across the country from me..ok so it's the same agent ;)... she's simply amazing. We will have a long relationship. So if some agent doesn't want me as a client because I'm not a newbie, then so be it, I'm quite fine where I am with my amazing agent :p

[ebtrip]

If you are only looking for bargain basement prices for a cruise, please use an internet site and search for "cheap cruises" or something like that. Don't bother a TA if you don't want to use his/her expertise. I'm a TA and I'd much rather work with someone who truly needs my help rather be an order taker. My favorite clients are first-timers who have a lot of newbie questions.That said, you are more likely to get the best prices from an agency who does high volume Princess and books blocks of rooms. That's where the deals come from. We can book "groups" of cabins and then sell them to general public. With as much training as we have to do for each cruise line and each of their ships, it's no fun when the first thing out of someone's mouth on the phone is "what's the cheapest price you have"? I'm probably in the minority on this but I feel like TA's are for service, the Internet is for bargain basement deals.

 

I definitely agree with you. As a retired TA, I do many of my bookings with an internet agency, for best price, but I know exactly what I want. I use a former colleage as a TA if I want service and assistance. Yes, she gives me service that the internet agency can not.

[Cruise Junky]

I definitely agree with you. As a retired TA, I do many of my bookings with an internet agency, for best price, but I know exactly what I want. I use a former colleage as a TA if I want service and assistance. Yes, she gives me service that the internet agency can not.

 

How much more are you paying for that extra perceived service? It seems to be a common falicy on this thread that you can't get both. You can use a real TA, who is contactable by phone, fax, e:mail, pigeon, whatever and still get a discount and get amazing service. If your TA is not discounting, you are paying more than you need to... PERIOD

[Coral]

 

I know a lot of TAs that feel the same way as TravelinAround, but my feelings are that if I quote someone a price and they book it, they are most likely going to be return customers. Customer service is important to me.

 

I agree with you!. Clients are looking for a good price and good customer service. If you provide that - they will most likely come back and refer others to you. It is a win-win situation IMO!

[Putterdude]

We book thru a TA who is a contract person to a large international agency specialising in cruises that operate online and B&M. They book their own "groups" which we know really aren't groups. We get great pricing from the guy, OBCs and alike. We book 18 mos out and then watch the pricing as does he...if they drop...we get the price drop. No question they discount.:)

[Lynda90]

Amen Coral! I agree with everything you have said!

[LARGIN]

Amen Coral! I agree with everything you have said!

Me too!

[kruisey]

This one TA is going to be the only gal on the block soon;):D

[Toto2Kansas]

This one TA is going to be the only gal on the block soon;):D

Incorrect on that statement (as usual), as I know of at least three completely different TA's that those who have replied use (and that is only the ones I know of, many who replied I have no idea which TA they use). ;)

[kruisey]

Incorrect on that statement (as usual), as I know of at least three completely different TA's that those who have replied use (and that is only the ones I know of, many who replied I have no idea which TA they use). ;)

 

 

Thought references mentioned between Coral,Toto, Pam in CA,Largin over the last years were the same.....I apologise if I am incorrect......;)

[Cruise Junky]

Thought references mentioned between Coral,Toto, Pam in CA,Largin over the last years were the same.....I apologise if I am incorrect......;)

 

I use the same TA as Toto, but I didn't get her name from Toto, it came from a friend in Ontario. When you're good, you're name gets around.

[Toto2Kansas]

Thought references mentioned between Coral,Toto, Pam in CA,Largin over the last years were the same.....I apologise if I am incorrect......;)

 

Yes, definitely incorrect, this group mentioned does not all use the same travel agent. I know of at least two different TA's that this small group mentioned uses. ;)

[villauk]

Sorry, just reading this thread and thought to myself, we'd be happy if we could book through any means possible!!! Let me explain, we're interested in an Australian cruise on Sun Princess next April. It's still not open here in the UK (NB. open everywhere else on the planet), so we can't book it because as Princess' policy states, we're not residents of that particular country!!!!! Princess don't plan on opening here until September, yes September (roughly 6 months before departure date), when probably every decent cabin will be taken. So as for comparing TAs, Princess direct or online, we'd just like to be able to book the cruise with anyone:mad:!!!!!

[A&L_Ont]

How do you know if a TA is a Princess Specialist? Do you ask and believe the answer or is it posted on their web-site or in store location, or internet store??

 

We deal with a national cruise travel store in Canada and their price is always a little lower than advertised by princess and we get OBC as well as personal servive too. We have now taken to booking PHS and with those rooms the discount has been less, but we still get OBC. She has caught some price drops on her own accord, for our benefit on the PHS rooms.

 

Just more curious than anything. Thanks for your input people as this is an interesting thread.

 

Andrew

[DougH]

I don't play the price game, niobody wins at that. I learned from my boss and we don't do that at work either. If I tell Vendor A that Vendor B has a lower price and A then undercuts him how do I know I'm getting his best price? And why didn't I get it in the first place? Our vendors know that we expect a competitive bid at a fair price and will make a decision based on that quote. If tehy get teh job fine, it not too bad.

 

My TA gives me very good service but knows she doesn't have to hold my hand. When I ask her for a quote she pretty much knows I'll be booking that crusie within a week. Having a TA to solve problems is a big help, I was on the Star Princess Earthquake cruise earlier this year and my TA was on the phone for days trying to help me get things resolved.

 

Her prices are very competitiven and service excellent. She is on the opposite side of the country and we have never met but talk on the phone a lot. Couldn't ask for a better TA IMHO.

 

Price is not the only thing that is important

[Tiffany's mom]

I don't understand why a experience cruiser would want to pay more for a cruise. We have booked 3 cruise with the same online agent. Yes I call asked the price because the price they publish is not what past passengers get, usually $100 cheaper. The last time I booked -just a month ago- for a cruise that is still 16 months away she told me what cabins were available. I didn't want any of them but knew the one I wanted was available. She put me on hold and called princess and got the cabin I wanted. We also called her when the price drop last year on a cruise we were taking. I call this serivce. We get some OBC and a coupon book (just use the coffee coupons). I do not want my hand held or need much help with cruising. With the internet they is so much information out there, we have booked hotels, flights and tour on the net.

 

We have friends that want to go on the cruise we just booked. They had a friend that was a TA. Called her and got the same price as we did. The TA also got the booking of 2 more friends. So everyone was happy

[magicnelly]

Yes, I think I'm going to do some shopping for a new TA! I don't need my hand held, or the cruise explained, etc. I know what I want when I call. I just want the best price. Right now, I have my cruise booked with Princess, my air is also booked to FLL. The reason I had started using her was because a few yrs. ago she did give me a better price right off the bat. Last June we had a 4 night cruise booked through her and had to cancel because of the death of my daughter very suddenly. The cruise was going in 2 wks. I booked the travel ins. on my own, but she did very little to assist with the cancellation of the cruise. I didn't hear a word from her after that. I guess there was no need.

I'm so sorry. That must have been hard.

[kruisey]

The cabin I booked directly with Princess when the cruise opened for booking .On the web is $2200 more than I paid.:)

To each his/her own .When the price went down several months ago mine went down $1000 since then it has gone up......So I am still very happy keeping the Princess customer service guys and gals employed.:D

[Coral]

I'm so sorry. That must have been hard.

 

I agree.

 

karinad - I am so sorry that happened to you.

[Casey12]

The cabin I booked directly with Princess when the cruise opened for booking .On the web is $2200 more than I paid.:)

To each his/her own .When the price went down several months ago mine went down $1000 since then it has gone up......So I am still very happy keeping the Princess customer service guys and gals employed.:D

 

Wow ---- if you are booking direct with Princess you are paying too much for your cruise. I suggest contacting a good travel agent who discounts. You can save a lot of money --- especially on long, expensive cruises.

[kruisey]

Wow ---- if you are booking direct with Princess you are paying too much for your cruise. I suggest contacting a good travel agent who discounts. You can save a lot of money --- especially on long, expensive cruises.

 

But no Thank You.:)