Egads what a TA

[needabreakcanada]

Have been trying to book two cruises with a TA for awhile now.

 

One is booked on the cruise sites end but I still don't have an accurate invoice from TA yet.

 

The other cruise is comes off of hold today and I still don't have that invoice yet. Getting worried. And this is the cruise we are going with other people with and specifically booked cabins near each other.

 

TA has had alot of things going on so alot of reasons/excuses.

 

Not sure what to do - sometimes she answers my emails and sometimes not, then sometimes the phone and not.

 

suggestions?

[GRAMMYTAN]

Have been trying to book two cruises with a TA for awhile now.

 

One is booked on the cruise sites end but I still don't have an accurate invoice from TA yet.

 

The other cruise is comes off of hold today and I still don't have that invoice yet. Getting worried. And this is the cruise we are going with other people with and specifically booked cabins near each other.

 

TA has had alot of things going on so alot of reasons/excuses.

 

Not sure what to do - sometimes she answers my emails and sometimes not, then sometimes the phone and not.

 

suggestions?

 

Of course - Find a NEW TA! I have been using the same Travel Agency for over 10 years and the same TA for most of that time. I like having a live person at a local brick and mortar agency that I can depend on whether it is by email, phone or if I want to sit face to face with her. I have referred a lot of people to her and they always go back to her when they need a TA.

[firefly333]

I hope you are getting a huge discount .. why else use a TA when you could just book direct and maintain control.

 

If you are not yet booked, then use someone else.

 

If she has booked you, just cant seem to mail the invoice.. you are stuck.

[GTO-Girl]

This is why we always book our cruises directly with the cruiseline. I am the kind of person that wants total control of my booking at all times.

 

Hope you get this worked out........

[okgirl]

Does the TA have a boss? If so get in touch with them, she isn't doing herself or the company any good, and she may actually be screwing up your reservation.

 

This is exactly why I never use TA's, my booking, my control.

[maldenmusic]

The precise reason we have booked all our cruises directly online with Carnival. No problems.

[needabreakcanada]

Well she is not charging. Has said that she has gotten the price drops for me. We are currently in discussion over what the actual price was for one of the cruises. There is a slight discrepancy.

 

And yes has sent invoice for one cruise but still trying to straighten price out. I think with all her personal stuff there has been some confusion. Thank god I keep my emails.

 

Hopefully on track now. But still waiting to hear from her - again.

 

Thanks for the support and yes in future will do myself. But as we have never cruised before we went to a TA cruise specialist.

[beshears]

I agree with Grammytan, I feel the SAME way.:) When I have a problem, they are as close as I need them, in whatever direction I may contact them. If the TA I am using is no longer, I am always advise of this, and who will be taking their place.

[firefly333]

Thanks for the support and yes in future will do myself. But as we have never cruised before we went to a TA cruise specialist.

 

You believed a TA would know more about booking Carnival than booking directly with a Carnival PVP???!!! Really.. this makes no sense logically to me.

 

A TA has to know all the rules for every single cruiseline. No one can remember every little rule for every cruiseline .. whereas Carnival PVPs only need to know Carnival's rules.

 

But as you said she discounted .. I can understand that part.. I would if there were no fees.

 

You said not charging you .. what would she charge you. She is being paid a commission to book you by Carnival.. should be zero charges from a TA.

 

Im a rule learner type person. You need to know the rules in order to know if you can break them... and even I get RCL and Carnival rules confused, who wouldnt? And I dont have to know every single cruiseline .. just the ones I cruise myself. I have yet to find a TA who knows Carnival as well as I do .. but my PVP knows even more. Little things like transferring a booking from the line to a TA, one is 30 days and one is 60 days.. little rules like that are easy to confuse.

[serene56]

Well she is not charging. Has said that she has gotten the price drops for me. We are currently in discussion over what the actual price was for one of the cruises. There is a slight discrepancy.t.

 

 

Most TAs do not charge you- (some nmay charge to make changes etc. but to get your business they are free.

 

TAs are not allowed to discount-- the price of the cruise is what it is. They can give yousomething like OBC for booking with them.

[firefly333]

Most TAs do not charge you- (some nmay charge to make changes etc. but to get your business they are free.

 

TAs are not allowed to discount-- the price of the cruise is what it is. They can give yousomething like OBC for booking with them.

 

They cannot ADVERTISE discounted prices.. lots of them discount.

 

The price of the cruise is not what is printed all the time.. all of the ones in my signature are discounted.

[ripjerry95]

did you try the cruiseline directly to see if they have your information?

[needabreakcanada]

I booked TA as they have umbrella coverage if you run into problems to a certain extent - which only works if they are available to contact....

 

I also wanted an extra pair of eyes for things I was missing as a first time cruiser - again only if they communicate.

 

I have checked to see that there is an invoice on carnival but it is not accurate - it is over our agreed on price by $30 and is missing the second $100 obc that was from memorial day sale.

 

As she has been pre-occupied things on her end were a littl confused.

 

I feel for her, but business is business or at least should be.

[mlzangel78]

They cannot ADVERTISE discounted prices.. lots of them discount.

 

The price of the cruise is not what is printed all the time.. all of the ones in my signature are discounted.

 

Same here i have used the same TA since 2003 every single cruise has been discounted off of carnivals price and WITH an OBC , firefly is correct, they can not ADVIRTISE discounted prices but they certainly do sell them i saved 240.00 by booking with my TA on the cruise were leaving for this saturday... plus I have a $75 OBC.

[serene56]

Same here i have used the same TA since 2003 every single cruise has been discounted off of carnivals price and WITH an OBC , firefly is correct, they can not ADVIRTISE discounted prices but they certainly do sell them i saved 240.00 by booking with my TA on the cruise were leaving for this saturday... plus I have a $75 OBC.

 

Beautiful photo.

[Buffettfan 225]

Most TAs do not charge you- (some nmay charge to make changes etc. but to get your business they are free.

 

TAs are not allowed to discount-- the price of the cruise is what it is. They can give yousomething like OBC for booking with them.

I agree , have had same TA- found online-but with parameteres of actual email and phone to contact her. Never had to wait more than an hour usually for a response, and half day if she is cruising.

The cruiseline policies for Carnival no longer allow them to discount, but as a loyal cruiser they can offer OBC as serene56 said. All depends on whom you select. I disagree that PVP are always more knowledgeable--ask a few and get many different answers.

[needabreakcanada]

Well still waiting to get my answers from my TA grrrr

 

Haven't heard from her since 1:30 today.

 

On her end she probably thinks I am rushing things with one of the cruises being 2014 - but like I said we booked specific rooms (mine was on hold) with another couple and we both need to know that my cruise is confirmed as it affects us as a group.

 

The closest is Sept and there has been some discrepancy in pricing that I am waiting to hear back on.

 

I also need to know final prices so I can watch for price drops or OBC's being offered.

 

Very frustrating on my end.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Well still waiting to get my answers from my TA grrrr

 

Haven't heard from her since 1:30 today.

 

On her end she probably thinks I am rushing things with one of the cruises being 2014 - but like I said we booked specific rooms (mine was on hold) with another couple and we both need to know that my cruise is confirmed as it affects us as a group.

 

The closest is Sept and there has been some discrepancy in pricing that I am waiting to hear back on.

 

I also need to know final prices so I can watch for price drops or OBC's

 

being offered.

 

Very frustrating on my end.

 

I didn't know you could put a cabin on hold with carnival.:confused:

 

Bill

 

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

[needabreakcanada]

No the 2nd cruise we booked with our friends was with Royal - just wanted to clarify.

 

But my first hurtle with the TA is getting the Carnival September cruise straightened out.

[Kilnwood]

I agree , have had same TA- found online-but with parameteres of actual email and phone to contact her. Never had to wait more than an hour usually for a response, and half day if she is cruising.

The cruiseline policies for Carnival no longer allow them to discount, but as a loyal cruiser they can offer OBC as serene56 said. All depends on whom you select. I disagree that PVP are always more knowledgeable--ask a few and get many different answers.

 

BBM

 

Agree and so would the 423 people we left behind on the pier in Fort Lauderdale when Splendor sailed on the first of her three "Round the Horn" repositioning cruises in 2009; this happened because they didn't have the Brazilian tourist visa--needed even if they weren't going ashore!

[needabreakcanada]

TA has finally come through with both invoices. The discrepancy on the second one she adjusted to our gain.

 

We are now up to date - will just be watching for price drops.

 

Hope the TA redeems themself in future communications.

[mlzangel78]

Beautiful photo.

 

Thanks Serene! BTW, im back in NJ literally 15 min from the Ben Franklin.... we should do lunch one of these days soon.... :)