Why us a TA?

[goodycruising]

Well, we have used the direct with RCI method, and an online TA, and we have walked into a local agent that was not a cruise specialist, but we wanted to give them an opportunity.

 

The online one - nothing. We had to push to get our C&A level credit, and when we had an issue we wrote to RCI directly. We have found them to be within a dollar of RCI online. They are giving us no reason to return.

 

Local general TA - useless. They couldn't find a vacancy when we had already done research and knew there were cabins available. The girl just said there was nothing free. We walked out without arguing. I like to try to support local small business, but we had a very small window of opportunity and to have someone shut it when we could get the booking ourselves was sad.

 

Online direct, no hassles, & the upgrade fairy visited last time. We have had very pleasant service on making phone calls.

 

I agree with the UK poster, there is a difference in service provided in the USA by the sound of it.

[gator489]

From my perspective, it is a personal matter and no one answer is necessarily right for everyone at any one time. There are pros and cons to both “sides.” One’s “comfortability” factor plays a major role.

 

Having been a travel agent, director of training at a travel school, Pan Am flight attendant and retired American Airlines/SABRE employee, I feel comfortable booking my own travel – and I did for years. Believe me, I realize I am very fortunate to have the myriad of experiences resulting from the variety of jobs/careers I enjoyed.

 

Because we like to support local businesses whenever possible, my husband and I started using a local travel agent (with one of the largest travel agencies in the country) on the recommendation of friends because of the perks they received (wine, complimentary alternative dining, etc.). During the two years of booking cruises (usually 4 to 9 a year) we have never been offered lower prices or received one perk from them – not even a bottle of wine. We cruise a lot on Celebrity and apparently the agency does not receive anything from X (or Princess) to “give” to us. We book verandas and above so these are not inexpensive fares. If there is insignificant commission for the agent/agency, I would expect nothing. These are not insignificant. We have a B2B South American Celebrity cruise booked with a balcony, air and pre-cruise arrangements made through the agency. It will be interesting to see if we receive any perks.

 

We have made a decision to make a change in our booking process. The lack of perks is not the main reason we will be changing. We found it more challenging for us to have to go back and forth with emails/phone calls regarding stateroom selection, pre-cruise arrangements, etc. Having been on more than 20 cruises we have a feel for what we like and we like to make those decisions.

 

We recently booked three cruises directly with the cruise lines and so far, so good.

 

I recently came across an independent travel agent with whom I spoke about her services and her relationships with the cruise lines. We plan to meet with her to discuss future cruises. She is available on weekends (if necessary) which is a huge plus to me.

 

Happy cruising to all!

[PattyG12]

My ta picks up the cabin gratuities. :)

 

mine too!! Plus she handles all the details so I don't have to!

[meatloafsfan]

My first RCCL cruise I booked directly but the upcoming one I went with an online agency because they offered a good amount of OBC (even for our interior, low cost cabin). I already knew the ship, the date and the cabin I wanted. I was able to complete my booking online with them so I made sure everything was correct myself (not risking any communication errors). It was very simple and I got enough money to cover off the tips for 2 people (plus maybe 1 drink onboard).

 

I like to do my research ahead of time so I know what I want, and then look around for the best deal. If I wasn't getting anything extra from a TA, I wouldn't be using them.

[RickSt]

We booked our first cruise online with Princess ourselves. While on that cruise we met a TA who was part of our CC group. She has been our TA and our friend ever since. If she switches agencies , which she has , we follow her. Our only contact with her company is sending our payments. We probably wouldn't even know who she works for if it weren't for our booking confirmations.

 

Rick

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[dcgrumpy]

I normally book my own vacations but I'm planning on using a TA for our next cruise. We are traveling with our 3 kids and need 2 cabins. I want to check the different prices for connecting balconies or them across in an inside. It's a pain looking on the RCCL website. Even when you click the "must be connecting" box they pre-select cabins on different decks. I don't want to have to call and sit on the phone. It's just easier for me to have someone else do it.

[Desert Cruizers]

I could book directly with the cruise lines since I pre plan everything, know our cabin etc, but have been with our TA from the beginning and know once I let her know the cruise, Cabin we wish, she takes over from there and I don't need to worry about anything going wrong. She will watch out for her clients and alert us of specials etc etc. If I need to get a hold of her regarding a price drop I can do this even on weekends. If she is not in her office, onyone of her associates will handle it.

She looked after me recently for my Coastal cruise when Princess decided to move me out of a mid ship cabin to forward. She told the agent to get me back in my room ASAP which they did. I learned of the switch when I checked my cruise personalizer within 15 min of her chat with Princess and called her.

[hazeleyez3]

I've never found a good reason not to use one. After the cruise is booked, we don't need to do anything with it.

 

We do the research (what cruise, what date, what category cabin).

 

Book Directly: No perks, and have to deal with any problems that may arise.

 

Book with our TA: She gives us perks, and the few times we have had problems, she has been the one who took care of it.

[trihawks1]

We just received in the mail from our TA a Dinner for Two voucher and a FREE Spa service per cabin. That was a great surprise! TA's help you answer questions, give you info for pre-post-cruise hotels, etc. I can tell you that my TA always was available and she was able to get things changed in terms of cabin assignments etc. I have always used a TA for my 3 cruises--so I can't tell you how RCCL would be to work with, sorry. Check with different TA to see if they list their "perks" they give you. Some give you Onboard Credit, some a basket with robes/slippers, etc. Our 2nd cruise we rec'd robes and slippers plus two bottles of wine. Just depends on the TA.

[Angele000]

Why use one?? This question kind of makes me laugh, I was a travel agent for awhile and even I use one. You may think you know everything there is to know about planning trips and how to find the lowest fare etc. When I was a TA different cruise lines and resorts would have us take their "classes" once we were done they offered us special rates, discounts, and perks for our clients as well as ourselves. It's also nice if something goes wrong to have them deal with it. You'll have better luck getting somthing rebooked if using a TA then doing it yourself a lot of times they have direct phone numbers vs. the mass call center us sheep have :)

[arthurfowler]

All I can say is you are very fortunate in the USA as over here in the UK we do not have the type of TAs that you talk about.

 

Just booked my first cruise and used a TA in the UK. Got a decent discount on the price :)

[Palmetto Pilot]

o b c

This times a million, sometimes other perks like free upgrades as well. Being a long time customer of a TA can have it's benefits.

[tyrannosaur]

I asked for quotes from 3 local TAs recommended by RCI website (all RCI Plus), and none gave me ANY perk for 2 OceanView rooms.

Do you get perks only when you book a higher category rooms?

[Clarea]

I asked for quotes from 3 local TAs recommended by RCI website (all RCI Plus), and none gave me ANY perk for 2 OceanView rooms.

Do you get perks only when you book a higher category rooms?

No, we get perks no matter what stateroom type we book. However, the value of the perks is related to the price of the stateroom. If we booked a stateroom that only cost $150, we would not get any perks.