Travel agent vs booking online (RCL)

[lifeboatcaptain]

Hi, would like to check what are the general perks of booking with a Ta? Is it cheaper or do you get more out of it?

 

I have always booked online as I get to see all the options.

 

Forum rules say no mentioning of any Ta allowed, so please do not point out any TA specifically. Cheers.

[hairymelon]

I live in the UK and have found no benefit whatsoever of having a travel agent. In my opinion it just made things harder as everytime you wanted to change anything or add anything it had to be done through the agent rather than directly with RCI. I now do everything online or on the phone with RCI and it is so much simpler.

 

I had a laugh on my last cruise that my travel agent proudly phoned me and said she had all the stuff I needed for the cruise in the office at last and the tickets. I rattled down there to find out it was the stuff I had already printed off the RCI website. There were no perks, benefits or anything from sticking with them so I am a direct RCI girl now :)

[Clarea]

Hi, would like to check what are the general perks of booking with a Ta? Is it cheaper or do you get more out of it?

 

I have always booked online as I get to see all the options.

 

Forum rules say no mentioning of any Ta allowed, so please do not point out any TA specifically. Cheers.

What you get from the TA depends on each individual TA. Some of the things they can give you are on board credit, gratuities, insurance, spa coupons, specialty restaurant coupons, etc. They are supposed to charge the same prices for the cruise as you would pay booking direct with Royal. However sometimes they have been allocated some staterooms when prices were lower, and you can get a better deal than what is shown on Royal's website.

Edited January 20, 2014 by clarea

[Rudydog]

There is a lot of discussion on these boards about this question. Why not use a travel agent. YOu get the same price, or lower, you often get some extra perks and you are giving business to a local merchant in your area, assuming you are not using an on line site. If something goes wrong, which you never think is going to happen but it can, a good travel agent will be there for you. I know lots of folks that use travel agents, of all ages, and everyone has been glad they did.

[mutt58]

I can tell you I LOVE my travel agent. I am departing in 2 weeks. My TA booked my room for me. I had originally looked online at rooms that I would like. My TA steered me clear as she knew they would be above the casino or above the mall and that noise would be a factor. This is not something you can get through an online site. Find a good TA through a referral and you will not be sorry.

[TheCalicoCat]

by using a TA we were able to also put a % of the purchase price into my sons college savings account. Went through a website. We've used her quite a few times now with no complaints.

 

When there was a price drop, she made sure that we got it (several price drops on our current booking).

 

When the good folks on CC said that I should have ______ mentioned on my booking, then we called her & within a day it was on our booking.

 

I was able to do somethings on my own on the RCI website like excursions & restaurant reservations.

[countess5]

What you get from the TA depends on each individual TA. Some of the things they can give you are on board credit, gratuities, insurance, spa coupons, specialty restaurant coupons, etc. They are supposed to charge the same prices for the cruise as you would pay booking direct with Royal. However sometimes they have been allocated some staterooms when prices were lower, and you can get a better deal than what is shown on Royal's website.

 

We booked our Oasis cruise through our TA, which we have known for 15 years. She provided $200 of on board credit and paid for two of our specialty dinners. We were upgraded 3 times in the past and I know she had something to do with it. If they work their regional RCL reps they can make things happen.

 

To me it's about the relationship you build with the TA.

[lifeboatcaptain]

There is a lot of discussion on these boards about this question. Why not use a travel agent. YOu get the same price, or lower, you often get some extra perks and you are giving business to a local merchant in your area, assuming you are not using an on line site. If something goes wrong, which you never think is going to happen but it can, a good travel agent will be there for you. I know lots of folks that use travel agents, of all ages, and everyone has been glad they did.

 

Thanks Rudydog for pointing out that this has been asked previously many times, and for answering in spite of that! :)

[lifeboatcaptain]

We booked our Oasis cruise through our TA, which we have known for 15 years. She provided $200 of on board credit and paid for two of our specialty dinners. We were upgraded 3 times in the past and I know she had something to do with it. If they work their regional RCL reps they can make things happen.

 

To me it's about the relationship you build with the TA.

 

I'm residing in Singapore currently and I think because it's a relatively new market, I don't hear of any spectacular TA yet, probably give it a couple years and I will start to see amazing TAs here.

 

Anyway, thank u guys for sharing part of your precious fleet here. Sending Mariner and Voyager here seems like sending your kids somewhere far away to study, well, we returned Legend. She has served us well, and she was the pioneer in these Asian waters

[FLACRUISER99]

There is a lot of discussion on these boards about this question. Why not use a travel agent. YOu get the same price, or lower, you often get some extra perks and you are giving business to a local merchant in your area, assuming you are not using an on line site. If something goes wrong, which you never think is going to happen but it can, a good travel agent will be there for you. I know lots of folks that use travel agents, of all ages, and everyone has been glad they did.

Unless something goes wrong with your TA like they go bankrupt or go out of business. I have been there and will only use a TA if I can save a substantial amount of cash.

[LMaxwell]

Unless something goes wrong with your TA like they go bankrupt or go out of business. I have been there and will only use a TA if I can save a substantial amount of cash.

 

With my TA all of my payments reflect as being made to Royal Caribbean. It doesn't matter if the TA goes bankrupt, they were not ever holding my money. Their commission comes on the back end from Royal. This is the way it should be done.

 

There are many TA's out there that take customers money, process it as a payment to XYZ agency, take out their commission, and then pay the cruise line. This is the suboptimal way because it does leave you on the hook for issues with the TA.

 

I always ask the TA if my payment will reflect the cruise line. If it does not I find another TA.

[nbsjcruiser]

As far as TA's are concerned, been there done that and I'm not going back. I've had experiences with 3 TAs because of perks - free tips and so on. My experiences are all the same. They're great up front and all service oriented but once the money is down, good luck getting them to look into something or get a price drop for you. The third and last time I went through that garbage I said never again. Now if I see a price drop or want to change a room, its done with one phone call. No phone messages or emails that go unanswered. No missed price drops because the TA didn't get on the price when I noticed it. Plus, now that I've been on 13 cruises, I know more about it than most TA's anyway.

 

Nope. Never again.

[grandgeezer]

As far as TA's are concerned, been there done that and I'm not going back. I've had experiences with 3 TAs because of perks - free tips and so on. My experiences are all the same. They're great up front and all service oriented but once the money is down, good luck getting them to look into something or get a price drop for you. The third and last time I went through that garbage I said never again. Now if I see a price drop or want to change a room, its done with one phone call. No phone messages or emails that go unanswered. No missed price drops because the TA didn't get on the price when I noticed it. Plus, now that I've been on 13 cruises, I know more about it than most TA's anyway.

 

Nope. Never again.

 

Sounds like you didn't find the right agent. I use an online agent and they are wonderfull, I wouldn't ever consider booking through the cruise line. I've done 28 cruises, with #29&30 booked. They return my calls and e-mails and I've never missed out on an upgrade or price reduction.

The cruises I have booked are on Celebrity Equinox this fall. It's a 13 day Med Cruise and a 14 day transatlantic B2B. They have group space so I paid $700 p.p. less that the cruise line rate. I also got $1,000 obc credit from the agent. This isn't normal for obc. I booked at the right time. We got $50 for being Loyalty members, $200 from gift cards (bought 2-$500 cards and got 2-$100 free, and it was just announced that they were Celebrity and RCL's partner of the year, so they gave an extra $200. The rest was regular obc. We plan on bringing most of that $1,000 home with us as it's refundable.

Book with whomever you feel the most comfortable with, it's a personal decision so there's no right or wrong answer.

[allie3490]

As far as TA's are concerned, been there done that and I'm not going back. I've had experiences with 3 TAs because of perks - free tips and so on. My experiences are all the same. They're great up front and all service oriented but once the money is down, good luck getting them to look into something or get a price drop for you. The third and last time I went through that garbage I said never again. Now if I see a price drop or want to change a room, its done with one phone call. No phone messages or emails that go unanswered. No missed price drops because the TA didn't get on the price when I noticed it. Plus, now that I've been on 13 cruises, I know more about it than most TA's anyway.

 

Nope. Never again.

 

Unfortunately I've had the same experience. Seems like I do more work than the TA as far as looking for price drops, emailing them, and waiting to hear back. Then my TA would go on vacation and doesn't leave an "out of office" on his email so I just sit there and wait. I do end up calling but it just creates more of a hassle talking to people who aren't familiar with your booking.

Edited January 20, 2014 by allie3490

[Dave4120]

After years of using a TA, and, a very good one I might add, and then, doing it myself, I can honestly say, that except for a very rare occasion or two, my experience has shown no real advantage using a TA. But this is just my opinion and experience.

 

Someone can correct if I wrong with all of my information:

 

If you take the time, and put the effort into your cruise, like a TA will at least do initially, I haven't seen a real advantage.

 

If you're a person that doesn't want to research and explore everything there is to know about your upcoming cruise, then yes, I would think a TA is going to be better and more helpful.

 

Is a TA's price cheaper? I never thought so. I was led to believe that if a TA wants to take less commission, or, has a special offer passed onto them by the cruise line, and, they want to provide you with a lower price, on-board credit, paid gratuities, etc., then, you could benefit a little.

 

If that wasn't the case, then I thought I could do just as well on my own, but again, you have to be committed to doing the leg work. Some people don't mind that, and some people don't want too, or, don't have time, so a TA is probably the best way.

 

I'm always interested in more info myself on this subject. I do not mind doing the legwork, as I'm on the cruise sites all the time. However, maybe I should try a TA that can provide some perks.

[joetop2467]

How do I find out who is RCCL and Celebrity cruise partner of the year. Googling doesn't seem to let me find it.

[travelplus]

I found an awesome travel agent who is very responsive and helpful. He assisted us on our last trans atlantic cruise as well as our upcoming one.

 

We are using one of the major agencies out of Houston Texas and get the OBC. Rather than spend hours on the phone or apply a FCC I turn to our TA and let him send it in.

 

Also I like the fact that he saved all of our info from last year and he advised us and booked us in a great cabin midship. He has been very helpful and I emailed his manager and the CEO of the company to let them know how much we like our TA

[mistshar]

I use then to and have received wonderful incentives booking through them!

 

I love my TA. She always matches the least expensive price I can find and then gives me onboard credit. She is also available when I call or email. If she is on vacation, someone else in the office assists me and if there is an issue they will contact her. I really enjoy being able to get a response whenever I need it. She is a wonderful asset to our cruising experience.

[jndsilver31]

Just remember you don't own the reservation, your TA does. That means you lose all control of your cruise. I would never give control of my vacation to anyone but me and my DW.

[CRUIS4ME]

Perhaps it boils down to getting that "right" agent who "works" for you to get the price drops and is responsive to questions, etc. rather than the overall agency. I've heard of a few drawbacks about cancelling and penalties from a popular online agency so have stayed away from their tempting offers. Guess would need to know the right questions to filter out the TA that is just wanting your booking and the one that you would want to stay with for 28 or 30 bookings.

[Colorado Babe]

Just remember you don't own the reservation, your TA does. That means you lose all control of your cruise. I would never give control of my vacation to anyone but me and my DW.

 

It's all a matter of letting go and entrusting them to take care of you. I have always had exceptional service from our TA and never felt like I had no control. I pick up the phone or email them and they are just as responsive as RC.

[Guest maddycat]

Sounds like you didn't find the right agent. I use an online agent and they are wonderfull, I wouldn't ever consider booking through the cruise line. I've done 28 cruises, with #29&30 booked. They return my calls and e-mails and I've never missed out on an upgrade or price reduction.

The cruises I have booked are on Celebrity Equinox this fall. It's a 13 day Med Cruise and a 14 day transatlantic B2B. They have group space so I paid $700 p.p. less that the cruise line rate. I also got $1,000 obc credit from the agent. This isn't normal for obc. I booked at the right time. We got $50 for being Loyalty members, $200 from gift cards (bought 2-$500 cards and got 2-$100 free, and it was just announced that they were Celebrity and RCL's partner of the year, so they gave an extra $200. The rest was regular obc. We plan on bringing most of that $1,000 home with us as it's refundable.

Book with whomever you feel the most comfortable with, it's a personal decision so there's no right or wrong answer.

 

Correction on their awards: 2013 Celebrity Charman's Award....2012 RCL Chairman's Award.....Celebrity 2012 Partner of the Year......2011 RCL President's Award

These are all explained on their home page.

They are one of the agencies reccommended by cruise critic and they are located in New Hampsire. I'm not allowed to name them.

I've booked my last eight cruises through them and the exceeded my expectations in all aspects.

 

Does your TA charge any fees for price drops, cabin change, cancellation, etc.?

[A2Mich]

I have a TA that does not charge me any fees for anything. I would also venture to guess that many TA's will not do much for first time customers as gas as OBC, etc. I may be wrong but I know my TA does more for past customers than for first timers.

 

 

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[Desert Cruizers]

Unfortunately, there are excellant TA's and ones which give a bad name to the majority that are there to provide an excellant service. Our TA always calls into the cruise lines, when I tell her to make a payment and has the Cruise lines charge our credit card, i then receive a statement from our TA within a week of the payment. If one is happy booking directly with the cruise lines, then don't change, the bottom line is stay with what has worked for you. I feel that should a problem arise, then a TA has more weight to get the problem resolved then I do.

[trvlqueen]

Unless something goes wrong with your TA like they go bankrupt or go out of business. I have been there and will only use a TA if I can save a substantial amount of cash.

 

A reputable TA is not going to charge your card to THEIR account - they'll process the charge THROUGH RCCL - therefore even if they do go out of business or bankrupt, you don't lose anything.