Travel agent or on your own?

[Kewz1]

Looking into taking our first Princess cruise next year. Do most of you book on your own or go through an agent?

 

What would you suggest?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Kristen

[Coral]

Definitely an agent. With Princess, agents can still discount (though they can't advertise it). Though, not all do. They also sometimes have group space which provides extra amenities.

 

Above most of all, you have their expertise and someone to go to bat for you if something doesn't go right. They have contacts with the cruise lines that we as cruisers don't have.

 

Try to find one that specializes in cruises and Princess.

[OCruisers]

We always use our long time travel agent and it has nothing to do with discounts. :)

LuLu

[Kewz1]

Good to know!

 

Potentially stupid question - what's the best way to find an agent? Google?

 

TIA,

Kristen

[MCC retired]

Definitely an agent. With Princess, agents can still discount (though they can't advertise it). Though, not all do. They also sometimes have group space which provides extra amenities.

 

Above most of all, you have their expertise and someone to go to bat for you if something doesn't go right. They have contacts with the cruise lines that we as cruisers don't have.

 

Try to find one that specializes in cruises and Princess.

 

Exactly those reasons .

65 percent of cruises are booked thru TA 's

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[partybarbie]

We just finished a fabulous Alaska cruise with an escort from the TA. Some of the perks were daily gifts like sweatshirts, tote bags, Alaskan fudge and jelly, etc. We also got 2 bottles of wine (corkage paid) and a private cocktail party in Skywalker's with beautiful views of Glacier Bay. We have already booked two more cruises with this TA. It really pays to find a good one.:D

[cdngrl]

the best way to find a good agent is to ask people on a cruise who they use.

 

I prefer to book on my own (a little bit of a control freak), then before final payment transfer it to my agent for perks (like obc).

[cruisenshop]

Use an agent! Better prices, upgrades, service. The right TA makes for a better cruise!

[Pam in CA]

Always through a TA, never directly. I know what I want to book so I don't need advice and prefer to save 10-20% (sometimes more) and get OBC and perks. I'd much rather save $1,000 or more than get a sweatshirt or fudge.

 

As Coral says, TAs can discount but can't advertise or promote discounted fares; you have to request a quote. Best way to find a good TA is to ask others onboard.

[Kewz1]

You've all convinced me! Travel agent it is. Thanks for taking the time to respond. I'm sure I'll have more questions in the future!

 

Appreciatively,

Kristen

[Colo Cruiser]

We usually book through a TA, but sometimes book direct.

[cruzsnooze]

Exactly those reasons .

65 percent of cruises are booked thru TA 's

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Please quote your source because I think it's the other way around. The number of travel agents keep dwindling because people book their own travel. People research travel on the numerous web sites and compare trips and airfare and book themselves . Some online TA's give better perks then a brick and mortar storefront TA can afford to give.

I usually book myself so that i can keep control of my booking. If I see a better cabin or a better deal or something pop up like an offer for OBC on the Princess site I can call Princess. If you use a TA you cannot call Princess , they tell you to call your TA. If it's after hours or a week end and you can't reach your TA you could miss out on something you want to accomplish.

[RickEk]

I do find it funny that people think that agents are "discounting" Princess' rates. They're not. When the TA calls or books through Princess' online booking engine, they are being given the same rates that anyone would get if they were calling direct. Only if the TA has a group onboard is there a possible discounted fare, but any other "discounts" or perks or OBC's are coming out of the TA's commission or the points that they accumulate depending on their volume.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

I do find it funny that people think that agents are "discounting" Princess' rates. They're not. When the TA calls or books through Princess' online booking engine, they are being given the same rates that anyone would get if they were calling direct. Only if the TA has a group onboard is there a possible discounted fare, but any other "discounts" or perks or OBC's are coming out of the TA's commission or the points that they accumulate depending on their volume.

 

I'm finding that also--online TAs and my brick-and-mortar TA are not discounting Princess at all when I check with them. But some CCers say their TAs give large discounts. So I guess they book group cruises, or their TAs give up most of their commissions in discounts and OBC? Am I missing something here?

[caribill]

I do find it funny that people think that agents are "discounting" Princess' rates. They're not. When the TA calls or books through Princess' online booking engine, they are being given the same rates that anyone would get if they were calling direct. Only if the TA has a group onboard is there a possible discounted fare, but any other "discounts" or perks or OBC's are coming out of the TA's commission or the points that they accumulate depending on their volume.

 

Nobody claimed that TA's are given a different rate than a person contacting Princess would get.

 

But some TAs use some or all of the methods you list to give the passenger a rate that is lower than the rate Princess would charge the customer. That is discounting. Just as when a car dealer sells a car for less that MSRP.

 

And many TAs do actually charge the same as Princess would charge the customer, keeping any group discount, amenity point benefits and the full commission for themselves. Nothing wrong with that, but I prefer to get the lower pricing some TAs will end up offering.

[Pam in CA]

Nobody claimed that TA's are given a different rate than a person contacting Princess would get.

 

But some TAs use some or all of the methods you list to give the passenger a rate that is lower than the rate Princess would charge the customer. That is discounting. Just as when a car dealer sells a car for less that MSRP.

Plus, some TAs who are very high volume get better rates to start with. And, they discount part of their commission. How much they offer and how much you save depends on a number of factors, including the cabin type and when you book.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

Plus, some TAs who are very high volume get better rates to start with. And, they discount part of their commission. How much they offer and how much you save depends on a number of factors, including the cabin type and when you book.

 

With so many variables, it is hard to know when you are getting a good deal. I want my TA to make a fair profit, but I don't want to overpay either.

Edited June 16, 2014 by Ryndam2002

[Pam in CA]

With so many variables, it is hard to know when you are getting a good deal. I want my TA to make a fair profit, but I don't want to overpay either.

I always request quotes from 2-3 TAs and go from there. Sometimes, one will have better rates than another on one cruise, sometimes another will, sometimes it's a wash. No one TA has the best rates all of the time. I've got one cruise booked with one TA, two booked through another.

 

No matter who you book with, the absolutely most important thing is to be comfortable with whom you book. You have to be able to trust them. If that means paying full price, then that's who you should book with.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

I always request quotes from 2-3 TAs and go from there. Sometimes, one will have better rates than another on one cruise, sometimes another will, sometimes it's a wash. No one TA has the best rates all of the time. I've got one cruise booked with one TA, two booked through another.

 

No matter who you book with, the absolutely most important thing is to be comfortable with whom you book. You have to be able to trust them. If that means paying full price, then that's who you should book with.

 

 

All good points! I guess I tend to think in terms of just using a single TA. But it seems, in my case anyway, that the one who had the best prices for one cruise line, won't discount for another. Interesting.

[Coral]

All good points! I guess I tend to think in terms of just using a single TA. But it seems, in my case anyway, that the one who had the best prices for one cruise line, won't discount for another. Interesting.

 

This is not true. My agent discounts for lines that allow her to discount. She gives OBC for lines that allow this instead of discounting.

 

I do use a single TA. I am not going to switch TAs to save $10. Her expertise and speciality makes it worth it to me to stick with her. I won't use someone else if another agent is $10 less.

[Coral]

Please quote your source because I think it's the other way around. The number of travel agents keep dwindling because people book their own travel. People research travel on the numerous web sites and compare trips and airfare and book themselves . Some online TA's give better perks then a brick and mortar storefront TA can afford to give.

I usually book myself so that i can keep control of my booking. If I see a better cabin or a better deal or something pop up like an offer for OBC on the Princess site I can call Princess. If you use a TA you cannot call Princess , they tell you to call your TA. If it's after hours or a week end and you can't reach your TA you could miss out on something you want to accomplish.

 

This statistic is true.

 

If people book through an online agency, they are still technically booking with a travel agency.

 

Personally, I have no need to call Princess. I can call my agent on weekends and she often works hours when Princess is not open. In that way, she is actually better than booking with Princess and her prices are usually better along with her incentives. They also have access to prices that Princess direct doesn't have (last minute flash specials that are not emailed direct to passengers are offered through agents and not Princess).

[Coral]

This statistic is true.

 

If people book through an online agency, they are still technically booking with a travel agency.

 

Personally, I have no need to call Princess. I can call my agent on weekends and she often works hours when Princess is not open. In that way, she is actually better than booking with Princess and her prices are usually better along with her incentives. They also have access to prices that Princess direct doesn't have (last minute flash specials that are not emailed direct to passengers are offered through agents and not Princess).

 

Let me correct myself - this puts the vast majority of cruisers booking with real agents with only 7-10% with online agents: http://skift.com/2013/11/11/why-travel-agents-and-telephones-still-rule-cruise-booking/

[KirkNC]

We use an online TA and usually save 5-10% over booking direct.

[caribill]

With so many variables, it is hard to know when you are getting a good deal. I want my TA to make a fair profit, but I don't want to overpay either.

 

If your TA is willing to quote a price, then the TA feels he/she is making a fair (or better) profit on it.

 

Just like car dealers.

[Putterdude]

We always book thru our TA and always have a better price and OBCs then Princess's rack rate. On the very odd occasion we have booked directly and then transferred the booking to our TA to benefit from additional savings and perks.

 

However, aside from savings and perks a good TA can answer your questions, knows the way through the system and is there for you if problems arise...rather than dealing with a faceless call centre employee who hardly knows what a cruise ship looks like and only has the companies best interest at heart.