lexus man Posted May 29, 2011 #1 Share Posted May 29, 2011 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LN50 Posted May 29, 2011 #2 Share Posted May 29, 2011 Yes, I did notice this and, like you, saw it as just another way for cruise prices to be raised by 10%. :mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balloon Man Posted May 29, 2011 #3 Share Posted May 29, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrpingtonT Posted May 29, 2011 #4 Share Posted May 29, 2011 Royal Carribean said it will follow Carnival's lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted May 29, 2011 #5 Share Posted May 29, 2011 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexus man Posted May 30, 2011 Author #6 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Thanks for the informative link, Keith. Must have missed this earlier. RIP TA's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxburgh Posted May 30, 2011 #7 Share Posted May 30, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrpingtonT Posted May 30, 2011 #8 Share Posted May 30, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord of the seas Posted May 30, 2011 #9 Share Posted May 30, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted May 30, 2011 #10 Share Posted May 30, 2011 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corner Tavern Posted May 31, 2011 #11 Share Posted May 31, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLONDE MOMENTS Posted June 7, 2011 #12 Share Posted June 7, 2011 It is Carnival UK that is cutting commission. This means P&O, Cunard, Princess. Seabourn is not included in this (yet!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrpingtonT Posted June 7, 2011 #13 Share Posted June 7, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord of the seas Posted June 7, 2011 #14 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Yes. Keith1010 gave us a link above with the story. Indeed,a blonde moment.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merryecho Posted June 8, 2011 #15 Share Posted June 8, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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