Online TA offers just $50 pp Deposit but......

[Royalty X]

I'm not talking about the cruise line. I'm referring to the online agency. I have a hard time booking with an agent as previous ones have stuffed me around or are just booking bunnies i.e no nothing really about cruising. This online agency I found I booked three cruises and have been happy with their service.

 

However, I will always pick the cruise line directly if the pricing is the same.

 

Correct, me if I'm wrong I get the feeling that your a travel agent or have been involved in the industry . There is no aggression on my behind. I just explaining my point of view on how I see things as a consumer.

When an agent offers a price lower than the cruise line, they are discounting their commission. They obviously aren't under any obligation to do so (as long as their price isn't higher than what you would get going directly to the cruise line). The benefit is (as long as you're dealing with someone who specialises in cruise holidays) that they have relationships with the cruise line and their reps and can get stuff done for you, rather than you having to spend an hour on hold to speak to someone in Guatamala, for example. And sometimes, they have things like obc that they are able to offer.

 

Obviously those of us on this website know a lot more about cruising than your average Joe. But there is a lot more people who cruise than those on this message board. Some people prefer to have an agent do everything for them, rather than having to rely on a faceless, soulless website or a call centre in a foreign country. Yes, I work in the industry. I have taken my absolute love and knowledge of cruising and turned it into a career (I was a member here before I got into the travel industry - I used to work in the media industry). I just thought some people might appreciate hearing some insider knowledge on it, that's all. :)

[icat2000]

Its good getting an insider perspective, especially on why they do this and that.

 

I appreciate your comments on the various things raised.

[Royalty X]

They stated on the previous page that they were in the industry.

 

It still blows my mind that we are expected to believe that a company will outlay so much money to the cruiselines for their customers deposits. Very generous indeed..... still hard to believe..... in fact' date=' I don't believe it at all. They probably have a deal going with the cruise lines. More like it.[/quote']You don't have to believe me about the deposit situation if you don't want to, but it's true (why would I make that up?). If you were in my home town, I'd invite you in to show you that what I described is exactly how it works.

Edited June 18, 2014 by Royalty X

[icat2000]

They stated on the previous page that they were in the industry.

t.

 

Thanks, I must have missed that posting. Reading the board while meant to be working ho hum :D

[MMDown Under]

A slice of what pie? The cruise line is never going to offer you the price of the cruise, minus the amount they would pay an agent in commission. They will always charge you the full price (I think you'll find that their res agents work on commission as well). If the agency has offered you good service, the commission they earn (and it's not huge), is their reward for giving you such great service. However, a travel agent may discount the amount of commission they get from the cruise line to provide you with a better price. Yes, the discount comes from their commission. Any perks you get from an agency are great, and if they have a group set up on a particular sailing, they will be able to offer you onboard credit. The cruise lines want people to book with agents and they want to maintain good relationships with agents so they sell their products. I'm just not sure what you mean with the slice of the pie remark.

 

I'm just telling everyone how a TA actually works. It seems like a lot of people have the wrong idea and their own theories about it all, but I'm just providing some insider info. I'm certainly not looking for any aggression.

 

I appreciate you providing some insider information on how TA works. I don't think a lot of people understand that sometimes larger OBC is given because the TA has a group booking, so got the cruise for less than the individual could buy the cruise.

 

I know the cruiseline would rather people book via a TA, so TA has to answer all queries, etc., however many people would prefer to book direct with the cruiseline and not through a third party.

 

With the abolition of the Travel Compensation Fund and licensing of TAs, from 1st July, 2014, it appears to me that booking through a TA may become more risky than before.

[Royalty X]

I appreciate you providing some insider information on how TA works. I don't think a lot of people understand that sometimes larger OBC is given because the TA has a group booking, so got the cruise for less than the individual could buy the cruise.

 

I know the cruiseline would rather people book via a TA, so TA has to answer all queries, etc., however many people would prefer to book direct with the cruiseline and not through a third party.

 

With the abolition of the Travel Compensation Fund and licensing of TAs, from 1st July, 2014, it appears to me that booking through a TA may become more risky than before.

I think with the abolition of the TCF, people just need to make sure that an agent is accredited under the ATAS (Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme). Agencies will still need a license to operate and this information should be available on any TA website (or on display if it's a bricks and mortar agency). Any misconduct and they risk their license and would be unable to operate. Edited June 18, 2014 by Royalty X

[MMDown Under]

 

Obviously those of us on this website know a lot more about cruising than your average Joe. But there is a lot more people who cruise than those on this message board. Some people prefer to have an agent do everything for them, rather than having to rely on a faceless, soulless website or a call centre in a foreign country. Yes, I work in the industry. I have taken my absolute love and knowledge of cruising and turned it into a career (I was a member here before I got into the travel industry - I used to work in the media industry). I just thought some people might appreciate hearing some insider knowledge on it, that's all. :)

 

I agree that some people prefer to have a TA do everything for them. For them, a knowledgeable local TA is a valuable resource.

 

Those of us who regularly book through an overseas TA, do not book via a faceless call centre, but book with a real person, the same person each time, who continually provides excellent service.

Edited June 18, 2014 by MMDown Under

[Guest012]

Agencies will still need a license to operate and this information should be available on any TA website (or on display if it's a bricks and mortar agency). Any misconduct and they risk their license and would be unable to operate.

 

 

What license are you referring to....

[bazshirl2]

Thanks Royalty X for clarifying the logic behind the low deposit promotion.

 

I can see why it would be attractive to many people looking to a local TA for assistance.

Some experienced cruisers will prefer to deal with the cruise line direct while others may be happy to use an online TA who acts purely as a conduit with the cruise line , provides minimal input into the transaction but is prepared to discount their commission as a tradeoff. Everyone has to make a quid for it to work. Barry :)

[The_Big_M]

It's done as a way of appealing to customers who may not want to pay a massive deposit to a cruise line to guarantee their holiday. If you've used one of these agencies before and were happy with it, why do the actual logistics of how it's done affect you taking advantage of this sort of deal again? That's just silly! It's really a win/win situation.

 

There's actually a significant lose in this situation in that you have to:

1) cough up substantially more money a lot earlier - this will have a lot more impact than a few hundred dollars.

2) Be at risk of losing final payment penalties for much longer if you need to cancel for any reason in that extra time.

 

If the rationale above is the reason for it, I don't mind they offer it, even though it doesn't personally appeal. However, it's far from a win-win. At best, it's another option that may suit some - but not others.

[The_Big_M]

See that's another thing I don't understand. Why do Aussie TA's want final payment 90 days out when it is not due until 75 days by Princess. We have just paid our Ruby Princess cruise for the British Isles and our TA in the US took the payment the day it was due ie. 75 days..... just wondering why the two weeks early in Australia..... :confused:

 

That's just a TA policy. I know of US TAs that take it out a week or two earlier... I actually think more take it out early than not.

[MicCanberra]

At best, it's another option that may suit some - but not others.

 

This is the best part of it, as for some people it is a good option. :D

[Thorpe]

There's actually a significant lose in this situation in that you have to:

 

2) Be at risk of losing final payment penalties for much longer if you need to cancel for any reason in that extra time.

 

.

 

 

Can this be explained to me. The cancellation penalties with Princess, are still the same despite paying full payment earlier. As in if I'm still within the full refund back time period I will still get my larger amount paid back. Are there other penalties ?

[Guest012]

Can this be explained to me. The cancellation penalties with Princess, are still the same despite paying full payment earlier. As in if I'm still within the full refund back time period I will still get my larger amount paid back. Are there other penalties ?

 

May I suggest before anyone jumps in and books with any travel shop read the terms and conditions for that particular agency especially now with these so called fantastic sales. This is the cancellation policy for one of the well known online bookers

 

All deposits paid are non refundable and non transferable.

Once the (agency name removed) final balance due date has been reached, a 10% cancellation of the total cruise fare will apply.*

 

*Please note this is in addition to the cruise lines cancellation fees as per their terms and conditions.

[antipodean99]

I think with the abolition of the TCF, people just need to make sure that an agent is accredited under the ATAS (Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme). Agencies will still need a license to operate and this information should be available on any TA website (or on display if it's a bricks and mortar agency). Any misconduct and they risk their license and would be unable to operate.

 

sorry but that's incorrect.

no licensing from 1 JULY.

anyone, absolutely anyone can start a travel agency, which incidentally is the same as in America but nobody seems to be worried about booking with unlicensed agents there.

ps - I am also a TA

[The_Big_M]

anyone, absolutely anyone can start a travel agency, which incidentally is the same as in America but nobody seems to be worried about booking with unlicensed agents there.

 

No... but a key distinction is that in the case of cruise payments, standard practice is your money goes directly to the supplier (cruiseline), NOT to the agent. So your only risk, (aside from the agent not being dodgy and not complying) is if the supplier - cruise line collapses.

 

Here, you have a substantial, extra layer of risk since it is the travel agent who takes the money. And:

a) we've seen how many local travel agencies have collapsed

b) you can look up the financials of the cruise company online through filings. Good luck doing that for almost all travel agents. Who knows the financial state of their local travel agency?

[Thorpe]

Thanks badgerbill. Have always booked direct with Princess in the past. Just need to take out travel Insurance earlier for this cruise and not change my mind about going once I make final payment :)

[OzKiwiJJ]

May I suggest before anyone jumps in and books with any travel shop read the terms and conditions for that particular agency especially now with these so called fantastic sales. This is the cancellation policy for one of the well known online bookers

 

All deposits paid are non refundable and non transferable.

Once the (agency name removed) final balance due date has been reached, a 10% cancellation of the total cruise fare will apply.*

 

*Please note this is in addition to the cruise lines cancellation fees as per their terms and conditions.

 

Isn't that the agency that has its final balance due date six months out from the cruise? I could be wrong though.

[OzKiwiJJ]

They also charge these fees:

Transfer To New Cruise/Fare $100

Amendment $75

Name Correction/Change $25

Document Reissue Fee $25

Online Check In $55

 

I can't find anything on their website about final payment dates.

[MMDown Under]

sorry but that's incorrect.

no licensing from 1 JULY.

anyone, absolutely anyone can start a travel agency, which incidentally is the same as in America but nobody seems to be worried about booking with unlicensed agents there.

ps - I am also a TA

 

The protections of the Travel Compensation Fund were a big selling point on why people should book with Australian TAs versus overseas TAs.

 

Overseas TAs pay the monies direct to the cruiseline, so Australian TAs, without this Fund protection, have now lost their competitive advantage.

 

It will now be even more important to read all the terms and conditions prior to booking any cruise. If it looks too good to be true, it may be!

[MicCanberra]

The protections of the Travel Compensation Fund were a big selling point on why people should book with Australian TAs versus overseas TAs.

 

Overseas TAs pay the monies direct to the cruiseline, so Australian TAs, without this Fund protection, have now lost their competitive advantage.

 

It will now be even more important to read all the terms and conditions prior to booking any cruise. If it looks too good to be true, it may be!

 

Always read the terms and conditions and then weigh up whether you are happy with them or not. As mentioned, some have a fee for everything and anything but if you are satisfied you will not use any of those items, then it may still be a good deal.:D

[antipodean99]

No... but a key distinction is that in the case of cruise payments, standard practice is your money goes directly to the supplier (cruiseline), NOT to the agent. So your only risk, (aside from the agent not being dodgy and not complying) is if the supplier - cruise line collapses.

 

Here, you have a substantial, extra layer of risk since it is the travel agent who takes the money. And:

a) we've seen how many local travel agencies have collapsed

 

 

how many?

[MMDown Under]

how many?

 

Enough to make clients nervous.

[Guest012]

Isn't that the agency that has its final balance due date six months out from the cruise? I could be wrong though.

 

 

There's not just one now:eek::eek:.... so buyer beware ..... read read read the terms and conditions because many of the travel shops have now changed their terms.... not only on payment dates but cancellation etc etc..... got to get the insolvency insurance payment from somewhere;):p:D

Edited June 19, 2014 by badgerbill

[antipodean99]

Enough to make clients nervous.

 

can you give an example please