Booking Question...

[2boysmom13]

What are the advantages to using a TA as opposed to booking directly through the cruise line website?

[cessnabmw]

We are going on our first cruise. What we did was check Carnival and saw the price. Then went to *************.com and requested a quote there.

 

TA's sent in their offers.

 

We took one that offered a $100 OBC. So essentially we saved a $100.

[paul929207]

In the case Of a Princess cruise, they allow a TA to discount the fare. We usually save 10 to 15% off the Princess price, and get some OBC.

[attilamom1217]

Many cruise lines do not allow TAs to discount fares; however, TAs can (and frequently do) offer perks so that you will use them instead of the cruise line. Perks can be OBC, bottle of wine, dinner in a specialty restaurant... or a combination of perks. These perks would be in addition to any promotions that a cruise line is offering at the time of booking.

 

For instance we are receiving $200 OBC from cruise line + $95 OBC from our TA. if we don't use all of the TA's OBC, then we will receive a refund.

 

Sometimes if there are issues, the TA is better equipped to be your advocate with the cruise line (ours got us a discount on a future cruise due to issues. The TA had several clients on that cruise and bundled the complaints).

 

There are many who book directly with the cruise line and are happy with their decision.

 

In the end, it is a matter of personal preference.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[taglovestocruise]

What are the advantages to using a TA as opposed to booking directly through the cruise line website?

 

We usually book directly with the cruise line to take advantage of whatever specials they are running and extra perks that are being giving to past quests, we then transfer our booking over to our online TA within 60 days and pickup pre-paid gratuities, a specialty dinner, and matching OBC. happy cruising

[dancinman66]

They can do all chasing for you

Save time on calls

Sometimes through their buying power offer extra also

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Krazy Kruizers]

Besides the perks we get from our TA, we also like the idea that we can call her or go and see her any time we want to.

Also we pay for our cruises with the American Express Platinum card. By using our TA we get $300 shipboard credit. If we booked through HAL, they will not give us the $300 shipboard credit.