iamirish Posted August 14, 2014 #1 Share Posted August 14, 2014 I have found that my TA has stopped giving me anything. I usually travel solo, maybe with some other solo friends of mine. My TA has not sent me a bottle of wine or anything for the past year. There are two solo's and a couple thinking about a Carnival Cruise to Mexico in November or December (waiting for a price drop). You thoughts? I know you can't post info about your TA or you will get a "time-out". my e-mail address is iamirish@email.com Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted August 14, 2014 #2 Share Posted August 14, 2014 I have found that my TA has stopped giving me anything. I usually travel solo, maybe with some other solo friends of mine. My TA has not sent me a bottle of wine or anything for the past year. There are two solo's and a couple thinking about a Carnival Cruise to Mexico in November or December (waiting for a price drop). You thoughts? I know you can't post info about your TA or you will get a "time-out". my e-mail address is iamirish@email.com Thanks!! Hi Tom:)...I usually get some obc from mine.....more than I would get without using her;).....but if you are unhappy? Shop around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted August 14, 2014 #3 Share Posted August 14, 2014 My travel agent works for a large, national company. I only get OBC if the company is having a cruise promo. The agent, however, sends me a bottle of wine whether I am cruising alone or with someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reader0108598 Posted August 17, 2014 #4 Share Posted August 17, 2014 I have found that my TA has stopped giving me anything. I usually travel solo, maybe with some other solo friends of mine. My TA has not sent me a bottle of wine or anything for the past year. There are two solo's and a couple thinking about a Carnival Cruise to Mexico in November or December (waiting for a price drop). You thoughts? I know you can't post info about your TA or you will get a "time-out". my e-mail address is iamirish@email.com Thanks!! How is the price the TA is giving you? I would rather get a great price and no bottle of wine! My next cruise I have no OBC but saved hundreds off of what Princess was charging. Reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamirish Posted August 17, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted August 17, 2014 How is the price the TA is giving you? I would rather get a great price and no bottle of wine! My next cruise I have no OBC but saved hundreds off of what Princess was charging. Reader I agree - however my soon-to-be ex-TA's rate is the same as the cruise lines website :( :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoncom Posted August 17, 2014 #6 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Bottle of wine? no way. I often cruise, sometimes alone. I go where I get the best deal. Often where large discount agencies have a group.Always get OBCs. Was recently told by a new agent 5% normal OBC.This was smaller FL agency a friend had used. OBCs usually come out of that particular agents net commission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamirish Posted August 18, 2014 Author #7 Share Posted August 18, 2014 If you have a great TA - email me at iamirish@email.com I know you can't post it here or you will get a "time-out" Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TessM Posted August 19, 2014 #8 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Hi Tom:)...I usually get some obc from mine.....more than I wouldget without using her;).....but if you are unhappy? Shop around. My experience is the same as Lois'. I get more obc from my travel agent. I'd much rather have the obc than a bottle of wine or a little travel gift. And, I agree that you need to shop around. Even if you REALLY like your TA, shop prices (and include the obc) and see if you are getting the best price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csbarton Posted August 21, 2014 #9 Share Posted August 21, 2014 I have some first hand insight into the travel industry, and I can tell you there are a LOT of factors at play here. First, some rate specials rotate between travel agencies, and sometimes the cruise line matches the rate that 's been negotiated with the various agencies. If you're only purpose in using a travel agent is to find the lowest price, you may or may not have success, but it isn't the agent's fault. The advantage of a travel agent, in my opinion, is having someone who knows the industry and is invested in making sure you have a great vacation. The internet doesn't care if you're happy with your cabin, ship, etc... A popular saying...the internet is for looking, a travel agent is for booking. Perks are one of those things that can vary too...based on what is negotiated through the cruise lines and the travel company. Points are assigned for each cruise and those points are what agents use to give perks. I doubt many agents come out of their own pocket to give perks...although for good customers, or big trips, I probably would if need be. I would encourage you to focus more on the level of service your travel agent provides, not the level of savings/perks...although certainly that comes into play if there is a large disparity. Be happy to share more if anyone is interested and want to email me at csbarton at hotmail. Just my two cents...happy traveling! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgmtgm Posted August 22, 2014 #10 Share Posted August 22, 2014 I have some first hand insight into the travel industry, and I can tell you there are a LOT of factors at play here. First, some rate specials rotate between travel agencies, and sometimes the cruise line matches the rate that 's been negotiated with the various agencies. If you're only purpose in using a travel agent is to find the lowest price, you may or may not have success, but it isn't the agent's fault. The advantage of a travel agent, in my opinion, is having someone who knows the industry and is invested in making sure you have a great vacation. The internet doesn't care if you're happy with your cabin, ship, etc... A popular saying...the internet is for looking, a travel agent is for booking. Perks are one of those things that can vary too...based on what is negotiated through the cruise lines and the travel company. Points are assigned for each cruise and those points are what agents use to give perks. I doubt many agents come out of their own pocket to give perks...although for good customers, or big trips, I probably would if need be. I would encourage you to focus more on the level of service your travel agent provides, not the level of savings/perks...although certainly that comes into play if there is a large disparity. Be happy to share more if anyone is interested and want to email me at csbarton at hotmail. Just my two cents...happy traveling! Most experienced cruisers actually have no need for cabin/itinerary/cruiseline advice from travel agents. Most already have enough personal experience to know what they want or need. Give me a good price or some decent obc and I'm satisfied. No hand holding required on my part. ;) Hi Lois! :D Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamirish Posted August 25, 2014 Author #11 Share Posted August 25, 2014 You have mail !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraDJ Posted August 26, 2014 #12 Share Posted August 26, 2014 I'm a solo traveller in the UK, and I've never had anything from a TA. I wouldn't have expected anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenevenpar Posted August 26, 2014 #13 Share Posted August 26, 2014 I have some first hand insight into the travel industry, and I can tell you there are a LOT of factors at play here. First, some rate specials rotate between travel agencies, and sometimes the cruise line matches the rate that 's been negotiated with the various agencies. If you're only purpose in using a travel agent is to find the lowest price, you may or may not have success, but it isn't the agent's fault. The advantage of a travel agent, in my opinion, is having someone who knows the industry and is invested in making sure you have a great vacation. The internet doesn't care if you're happy with your cabin, ship, etc... A popular saying...the internet is for looking, a travel agent is for booking. Perks are one of those things that can vary too...based on what is negotiated through the cruise lines and the travel company. Points are assigned for each cruise and those points are what agents use to give perks. I doubt many agents come out of their own pocket to give perks...although for good customers, or big trips, I probably would if need be. I would encourage you to focus more on the level of service your travel agent provides, not the level of savings/perks...although certainly that comes into play if there is a large disparity. Be happy to share more if anyone is interested and want to email me at csbarton at hotmail. Just my two cents...happy traveling! Many here, although not all, know more about cabin selection, ship or cruise line advantages and which to avoid. I'm sure there are many TA's who do have a lot of knowledge, I just know that I usually know more than the agent who is trying to sell me. At this point, after more than 25 cruises, I only use a TA if the price, net of additional OBC, is better than booking direct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted August 26, 2014 #14 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Hi Tony:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted August 28, 2014 #15 Share Posted August 28, 2014 Most experienced cruisers actually have no need for cabin/itinerary/cruiseline advice from travel agents. Most already have enough personal experience to know what they want or need. Give me a good price or some decent obc and I'm satisfied. No hand holding required on my part. ;) Hi Lois! :D Tony Many here, although not all, know more about cabin selection, ship or cruise line advantages and which to avoid. I'm sure there are many TA's who do have a lot of knowledge, I just know that I usually know more than the agent who is trying to sell me. At this point, after more than 25 cruises, I only use a TA if the price, net of additional OBC, is better than booking direct. Exactly. Many of us here really need no assistance from TA's. The downside to using one is you cannot speak directly to the cruise line if you want. You must go to TA, TA to cruise line, TA back to you...... nuisance. After over 80 cruises on HAL, I seriously doubt there is a TA out there who knows much more about their ships than I do. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proseknitic Posted August 29, 2014 #16 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I book on ship so that I get the best deal I can at that time (plus usually the cruise line discounts for loyalty program and OBC). I then transfer my booking to a great agent I have been using for about 3 years. I get the same benefits from his agency as any other traveler - solo or not. I do this so that I don't have to call the cruise line. I don't want to talk to a different person every time and get a different answer. I like to email my agent and make any/all changes his issue. So far (knock on wood) it has worked for me and he has been excellent on getting price drops (I use the fishy site for monitoring, having saved the cost more than two years ago), upgrades and dining preferences changed. I don't use my agent for choosing cabins or cruises. But since I travel a lot, I don't have to worry about changes or missing payment deadlines or .... -Holly who knows that other people's mileage may very Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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