Carnival -new control of cruise pricing

[lexus man]

Has anyone else noticed the story in today's paper about Carnival cutting commission to TA's from 15% down to only 5%? In the UK at least, about 90% of sales come through these specialist cruise TA's who rely on the former discount and use it to offer us lower prices.

Apparently Carnival have insisted that controlling this price-cutting is for our own good, as we will now be able to "trust the prices we see and not to have to get involved in 'long and time-consuming' negotiation." (I never found it particularly difficult to pick up the phone and ask the TA what their price was.). Another way of introducing a 10% price rise?

[LN50]

Yes, I did notice this and, like you, saw it as just another way for cruise prices to be raised by 10%. :mad:

[Balloon Man]

Yes, I did notice this and, like you, saw it as just another way for cruise prices to be raised by 10%. :mad:

 

Carnival can prove it is to the advantage of their customers by immediately cutting all their rates by 10%. Likely? I think not. This is a good example of why it is dangerous to allow such a large segment of the cruise industry to be in the hands of one company.

[OrpingtonT]

Royal Carribean said it will follow Carnival's lead.

[Keith1010]

I believe this was announced a few months ago. Here is a link to this item.

 

http://travelmarketreport.com/leisure?articleID=5203&LP=1

 

Keith

[lexus man]

Thanks for the informative link, Keith. Must have missed this earlier. RIP TA's?

[Roxburgh]

If I could get an extra 5% discount by booking direct and online then I would. My TA does not offer me any service that I could not do myself.

[OrpingtonT]

If I could get an extra 5% discount by booking direct and online then I would. My TA does not offer me any service that I could not do myself.

 

I thoroughly agree with you. My experience is that TA's often get in the way and I, and friends on this board, know much more about cruising than most agents.

[lord of the seas]

I thoroughly agree with you. My experience is that TA's often get in the way and I, and friends on this board, know much more about cruising than most agents.

 

I agree to a point but there is a very good TA in the US that has helped me when I have needed to get things done through the right channels.

He is a Seabourn specialist and it can help having the right contacts.

A general TA is on the other hand an obstacle.

[Keith1010]

A TA is no different than any other professional. There are excellent to outstanding TA's, average TA's and way below average TA's. The key is to find one in the excellent to outstanding category. Those can not only save you money on your travel and in some cases provide you with amenities that equate to something greater than 5% between what they and say their consortiums can do but can also be your advocate with the cruise line when something goes terribly wrong. I would dump the poor TA and find a strong one.

 

Keith

[Corner Tavern]

TA are like recruiters. You need to know how to use them... to your mutual advantage. Don't expect to just find any TA and be showered with riches.

[BLONDE MOMENTS]

It is Carnival UK that is cutting commission. This means P&O, Cunard, Princess. Seabourn is not included in this (yet!!)

[OrpingtonT]

It is Carnival UK that is cutting commission. This means P&O, Cunard, Princess. Seabourn is not included in this (yet!!)

 

Yes. Keith1010 gave us a link above with the story.

[lord of the seas]

Yes. Keith1010 gave us a link above with the story.

 

Indeed,a blonde moment.:)

[merryecho]

Seabourn seems to be tightening their belts everywhere. I just booked a cruise that was advertised with a $250 per cabin onboard credit. I booked with amex platinum. Seabourn told my TA I could not have both the advertised credit and the usual amex $300 credit, even though their fare rules say nothing about it. He finally got me both after much arguing with SB. This kind of nickel and dime, change the rules as you go along attitude is not what I expect from SB.

BTW my TA always kicks back 5% to me. I agree- I always do my own research, then call the TA and tell him what I want. Eliminating the middle man would be great as far as I am concerned.