TA and "Perks' Question

[justlaff69]

Does anyone know how TA's get 'perks'?

 

I've traveled with a small poker group and they got us a $25 OBC

We travelled with a larger poker group and got $25 OBC and a Bon Voyage Package.

THe next one, our friends booked with TA (no poker group) and got zilch, we did get to use a Casina Players Club coupon for $75 in casino cash.

 

Did we pick the wrong TA that couldn't get us perks or do we need to interview our TA s more thoroughly?

[wasiii]

Does anyone know how TA's get 'perks'?

 

I've traveled with a small poker group and they got us a $25 OBC

We travelled with a larger poker group and got $25 OBC and a Bon Voyage Package.

THe next one, our friends booked with TA (no poker group) and got zilch, we did get to use a Casina Players Club coupon for $75 in casino cash.

 

Did we pick the wrong TA that couldn't get us perks or do we need to interview our TA s more thoroughly?

 

.....gave me a pretty substantial OBC for the cruise. You have to shop around, it's just like anything you are buying, there's pluses and minuses with each vendor you go to.

 

wasiii

[S.S.Oceanlover]

TA's aren't supposed to be able to give substantial OBC's with their new policies but like everything else CCL they don't enforce anything so TA's just skirt the issue.

 

Wasii I say good for you for being to find the TA that offers the substantial OBC. Enjoy.:)

 

Bill

[wasiii]

TA's aren't supposed to be able to give substantial OBC's with their new policies but like everything else CCL they don't enforce anything so TA's just skirt the issue.

 

Wasii I say good for you for being to find the TA that offers the substantial OBC. Enjoy.:)

 

Bill

 

.....my OBC to the OP's $25, not saying that the amount my TA gave me was substantial. Sorry if I phrased it incorrectly.

 

wasiii

 

ps tx for the thumbs up.

[harlekuin]

Many online TA's book large groups that have "amenity points" given by Carnival so they can offer OBC's, gifts, cocktail parties, etc... You are part of their large group whether you know it or not.

[jeanarch]

The amenity points affect the price of the cruise. The group may want the rock bottom group price with no points or the group may want OBC, a cocktail party or a bottle of wine. Usually the people that first get together or else the TA decide how they want the fare structured.

[Cinderose]

This is how I understood it but dont flame me if I misquote...

A. I think the points are based on what the cost of the cruise is and the majority of cabin types booked.

B. You need 8 cabins or 15 people booked to get the "free berth" for the group.

C. But I think its 5 cabins for the points -the more points earned based on the cost of the cruise, Points are traded in for it OBC, group party, wine, chocolate covered stawberries, etc.

[jakesnana]

You are correct on most of your points. Points are not based on the cost of the cruise, but on how well Carnival feels the sailing will sell. The lower their expectation, the higher the points, ie holiday sailings very rarely have any points.

 

You do have to have 15 full fare guests to get one FREE BERTH (does not include port charges of gov't taxes).

 

Some of the amenities are available for as few as 5 cabins, others require 8 cabins, some require 25 cabins. Depends on the amenity.

 

Some TA's have group space and book individual bookings into them, therefore, the individuals get the advantage of the group amenities (OBC, wine, etc). Since TA's hold space on different sailings, depending on their requirements, you may be wise to try to find one that has a group on the sailing you are interested in. You will not pay any more, but may get some additional amenities.

[jmeans23970]

You are correct on most of your points. Points are not based on the cost of the cruise, but on how well Carnival feels the sailing will sell. The lower their expectation, the higher the points, ie holiday sailings very rarely have any points.

 

You do have to have 15 full fare guests to get one FREE BERTH (does not include port charges of gov't taxes).

 

Some of the amenities are available for as few as 5 cabins, others require 8 cabins, some require 25 cabins. Depends on the amenity.

 

Some TA's have group space and book individual bookings into them, therefore, the individuals get the advantage of the group amenities (OBC, wine, etc). Since TA's hold space on different sailings, depending on their requirements, you may be wise to try to find one that has a group on the sailing you are interested in. You will not pay any more, but may get some additional amenities.

 

Hit the nail on the head. My company has blocks/groups of space that we book individuals in, so they get some perks.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

every TA is different

[BigDfromTN]

I think the big difference here is that the first two cruise with Poker groups were just that..."Group" bookings with amenity points.

 

Individual bookings do not get the amenity points and thus no OBC, party etc. Some TA's do book a sailing as a group and push that date and sailing to fill out their obligation. Carnival rules state NO TA can give you anything price etc wise than you can get by booking direct with Carnival.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!

[taszmom]

Each sailing has a different amenity point rating which is determined by Carnival alone. The group can buy up or down points as points and Carnival assigns dollar amounts to each amenity point by the length of the cruise. A group can surrender all amenities for the lowest price.

 

Last year Carnival no longer allowed TA's to discount the price of the cruise. The price is the price no matter what TA you book with. The reason why some TA's have lower prices is blocked group space at the time when the price was lower which they can sell. Carnival also limited the amount of add-value amenities TA's they can offer clients i.e Shore excursion/spa credits, bottles of wine, soda & bar coupons etc. It cannot be "cash" and there is a % cap on the add-value amenity.

 

With these in place it puts all TA's on the same level playing field so instead going with a TA because they had the lowest price, hopefully you are going with them for the service they will provide i.e. special needs, setting up arrangements, price-checks, final payments, providing you with valuable information you may not know about the cruise line, etc.

 

Some TA's may also decide to use the amenity points or keep the TC credits for a bonus commission for themselves instead.

 

Also about the free berth, TA's do this differently so you need to inquire how they handle it. Some TA's require that ALL berths are paid in full at final and then refund the net amount of those berths (minus commission) to you in a refund check AFTER you sail. Reason being is you never know what the final passenger count will be until they sail.

[jmeans23970]

every TA is different

 

 

Yes they are!

[golfadj]

My TA gives up part of their commission as obc.

[MCC retired]

The # of Amenity points are controlled by the cruise line and depends on the ship & sailing date , not the size of the group .

 

The more popular the sailing , the fewer the points (may be "0" on historicly popular sailing dates).

Additional points can be purchased also.

 

The points can be used for a list of items , most popular may be the OBC.

The larger the group , there are more items (parties, ect.) to choose from.

 

The Group Leader (you ,if it's your own group) determines what the points are used for. Otherwise the TA chooses how to spend the points.

 

On top of all this , the TA may also offer an additional OBC or gift if the cruise line does not allow discounting upfront.