TA's and Cruise Bookings - Expectations

[sail7seas]

Another thread got me thinking.......

 

If you book with a TA whether (s)he specializes in cruising or is an all purpose TA, how much do you expect them to be knowledgeable about?

 

In the other thread, it was noted Grand Prix is scheduled for a date Maasdam will be embarking/disembarking in Montreal. There appears to be a great shortage of hotel rooms because of this event.

 

Should a cruise specialist, who was not asked to book the pre-cruise hotel,(so far as I could tell from the other post) have known about this event and advised the client? If the client intended to make their own flight and hotel arrangements, did the TA have any need or responsibility to Know Grand Prix was taking place?

 

What if the TA was asked to book flight and hotel? Until such time as (s)he had trouble getting bookings because of the demand, should a cruiser expect the TA would have any clue there was anything special taking place in the city that weekend?

 

Should a TA be expected to keep current with what goes on in port embarkation cities 'just in case' someone comes along and books a cruise for pertinent date?

 

 

 

****** Please........ NO ONE think this thread is in any way a criticism of the person who posted in the other thread. The only connection is that it triggered the question in my mind. What they wrote is only meant as the impetus for this conversation.

[Sea42]

I don't see how it would be possible to keep track of all scheduled events at all embarkation ports. Maybe the exception being of events that are held annually? Depending on how busy the TA is they could check the online calendar of events for the city whenever they make a booking to advise their clients of upcoming events that may affect their travel plans. From my limited experience with TAs though I can't say that I've ever received that level of service.

I've come to the point where the only time I use a TA is to make a cruise booking to take advantage of OBC and special offers. All other travel plans I take care of the rest, including what's going on at my destination while I'm visiting.

[Twickenham]

No Sail, I do not take it as criticism, as that poster is certainly not the first cruiser to be caught out by a major event coinciding with their embarkation (see: Super Bowl in Miami a couple of years ago). It is, however, a very good question that you pose.

 

In my case, I'm very much a do-it-myself traveller, only using a TA for booking if it will give me a special benefit (for instance, received OBC for our last 2 cruise bookings, and the last one got 2 free meals at Pinacle Grill). So, in my case, I use the online TA strictly as a booking agent, and do not expect them to advise me re: pre/post-cruise stays.

 

However, any agent who purports to be anything more than just a booking agent - smaller bricks-and-mortar agencies, or larger ones like AMEX and AAA who pride themselves on providing a complete service - should most definitely know about major events happening in embarkation cities, especially annual ones such as the Grand Prix or any number of festivals going on each summer in Montreal. That is why you choose such an agent - to do the planning for you. Sadly, it's less and less common to find agents that do or, to be fair, have the time to be so thorough, which is one of the reasons I do everything myself: I know I have done all the research and take ownership of any decisions I make re: scheduling.

[jhannah]

I'm with Carol. I wouldn't expect a travel agent to know what all is going on in any given embarkation port on any given day. Trying to find lodging would quickly lead to learning what's going on in this case ... but otherwise there are just too many towns to keep up with.

[tangerinebunny]

While not required to know about local events, it surely would impress if they did.

[sail7seas]

<snip>

.

 

However, any agent who purports to be anything more than just a booking agent - smaller bricks-and-mortar agencies, or larger ones like AMEX and AAA who pride themselves on providing a complete service - should most definitely know about major events happening in embarkation cities, especially annual ones such as the Grand Prix or any number of festivals going on each summer in Montreal. That is why you choose such an agent - to do the planning for you. Sadly, it's less and less common to find agents that do or, to be fair, have the time to be so thorough, which is one of the reasons I do everything myself: I know I have done all the research and take ownership of any decisions I make re: scheduling.

 

We once had a brick and mortar TA who gave such service and handled all our bookings. Not surprisingly, given the current way things are done, they are out of business. I'm not sure if a small brick and mortar can survive and offer that level of service anymore.

 

I really don't expect a TA to be on top of what events are scheduled. Given the ease with which we can now find this information for ourselves, I think we have to look into things of that sort on our own.

 

(google is our friend :) )

[CowPrincess]

It goes back to personal responsibility IMHO. Before I commit emotionally to a cruise I google and see what is going on in the embarkation city around the time we would embark. I don't think it is reasonable to expect a telephone order-taker (which is what most TAs now are) to know everything about everything, y'know?

[ANSalberg]

We live in a medium sized community in Northern Colorado; Longmont-87,000 people. Some 20 years ago+ my Dad died on major holiday and I needed tickets for following AM to fly back to Logan AP [this was 1990/before you COULD book on-line] I called our local TAgency at 6PM [ after the call had come] and within 2 hours I had tickets for an early AM flight July 5th! And I was WITH my Mom & my sister shortly after noon.

Since that time I have ALWAYS booked with that agency [ almost 25 years] and have never been disappointed. A brick and mortar TA MAY be what you'll need one day -what if the Internet has put ALL out of business???

The difference is NOW- with the Internet, I can go PREPARED for what MY needs and wants are and feel comfortable with every logistical move our agent makes FOR us -and invariably she will do us "one better" once it was a better price, another time it was a MUCH better flight [and we often use THAT foreign AL now as we prefer it from EU. ]

I would RATHER keep this business local and IN business rather than a stranger who doesn't [even] know us making our plans for our retirement traveling. We are seeing the world in BOTH a pleasant, economical and INTERESTING way -booked by friend who know us!

And my Dad would have been pleased!:)

Anne

[fsdj1097]

Great question S7S. It triggered another question in my mind. Is there a single resource that provides information such as what events are scheduled in destination cities? Or would you have to google each city to see if they have an event calendar posted?

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

I was a travel agent about 30 years ago and even then, when everything was way different, there was no way the TA could know everything going on in a given city. Now it is way more difficult in my opinion for TAs to know it all. And commissions (I think) are a lot less now than in the past.

[cruz chic]

. I don't think it is reasonable to expect a telephone order-taker (which is what most TAs now are) to know everything about everything, y'know?

I agree with your assessment of most TA's. I think it you have to be responsible for yourself.

[CowPrincess]

I agree with your assessment of most TA's. I think it you have to be responsible for yourself.

 

Many many years ago I had a wonderful travel agent. She retired. Have never encountered any of the "phone staff" who could hold a candle to her.

[cruz chic]

Many many years ago I had a wonderful travel agent. She retired. Have never encountered any of the "phone staff" who could hold a candle to her.

I hear ya on that one. Many years ago I had an awesome TA. I think it's impossible to find one in Calgary.