This is why I book with Celebrity and not a TA

[Iamcruzin]

I just noticed that Celebrity has a promotion running for Bermuda sailings for 2015. The promotion includes both the beverage package and paid gratuities.

 

I sent a request to the TA that bids for your business. I had 2 quotes so far and both quotes stated that I had to pick one or the other perk. If these TA's can't stay on top of the current promotions I have no use for them. I will see if I get any more offers.

[ECCruise]

That is sometimes an issue with the site you mention and often has more to do with interfaces with the line's system. Any quote you get quickly is auto-generated, not done by an agent. Plus, we always speak directly with an agent with any TA and discuss options.

 

I will take the $thousands and thousands of OBCs we've received over the years from TAs over a bit of inconvenience, but that is just my opinion. YMMV.

[Cruise Junky]

Why can't you just tell the TA that you saw an offer for both perks? You're missing out on a ton of OBC doing this by yourself.

[Iamcruzin]

That is sometimes an issue with the site you mention and often has more to do with interfaces with the line's system. Any quote you get quickly is auto-generated, not done by an agent. Plus, we always speak directly with an agent with any TA and discuss options.

 

I will take the $thousands and thousands of OBCs we've received over the years from TAs over a bit of inconvenience, but that is just my opinion. YMMV.

 

Didn't know about the auto-generated response. Thanks. That makes a difference. I feel better about using an agent now because this promo is running in conjunction with the pick your perk promo so now I understand the response.

[attilamom1217]

My TA does not always list all of the promos on their website, but they know about all of them. We book on the phone with the TA after searching their website.

 

As a result, we are receiving several hundred dollars in OBC PLUS the PYP bev package for our cruise next year.

[ghstudio]

Our TA usually adds more than you see on the web site. I have never found an advantage in dealing directly with Celebrity other than booking on-board which I then move to a TA within 60 days.

[jammen]

That is sometimes an issue with the site you mention and often has more to do with interfaces with the line's system. Any quote you get quickly is auto-generated, not done by an agent. Plus, we always speak directly with an agent with any TA and discuss options.

 

I will take the $thousands and thousands of OBCs we've received over the years from TAs over a bit of inconvenience, but that is just my opinion. YMMV.

 

Just ask the TA what you want or book with someone other.

[jammen]

That is sometimes an issue with the site you mention and often has more to do with interfaces with the line's system. Any quote you get quickly is auto-generated, not done by an agent. Plus, we always speak directly with an agent with any TA and discuss options.

 

I will take the $thousands and thousands of OBCs we've received over the years from TAs over a bit of inconvenience, but that is just my opinion. YMMV.

 

Just ask the TA what you want or book with someone other.You can or may get more from another .

[ECCruise]

Just ask the TA what you want or book with someone other.

 

Not sure what you are saying here. We always book with a TA (~50 cruises) and almost always get either OBC or a group price.

[Wine-O]

I just noticed that Celebrity has a promotion running for Bermuda sailings for 2015. The promotion includes both the beverage package and paid gratuities.

 

I sent a request to the TA that bids for your business. I had 2 quotes so far and both quotes stated that I had to pick one or the other perk. If these TA's can't stay on top of the current promotions I have no use for them. I will see if I get any more offers.

 

I booked with Celebrity who immediately transferred the booking to my TA while on board Summit. Not only did I get the Classic Beverage Package and pre-paid gratuities, Celebrity gave my $125 for the O/V cabin + my TA gave me additional.

 

Those bidding sites just give you a generic answer -- you need to talk with a real person.

[Wine-O]

Our TA usually adds more than you see on the web site. I have never found an advantage in dealing directly with Celebrity other than booking on-board which I then move to a TA within 60 days.

 

If you have all your TA info, Celebrity will immediately transfer the booking to the TA at the same time you booked on board the ship with Celebrity. They are making it very easy so you don't have to get home, fill out the form, yada, yada, yada, within 60 days.

[boogs]

I have been using a TA for years and she always gets the same deals that Celebrity offers, PLUS an additional $75 OBC on top of that. Anything I can do directly with Celebrity, she does for us. And, she has occasionally gotten us special deals or arrangements that we didn't qualify for because of her contacts and long time doing business with Celebrity.

 

All of that and the fact that we have an experienced advocate if things go wrong, makes using a TA a much better option for us.

 

I would never use one of those bidding sites. I much prefer personalized service from a TA who I know and who knows my preferences. The few dollars you may save from an impersonal TA won't be worth it if something goes wrong and you need help with your arrangements.

Edited October 1, 2014 by boogs

[wvufan]

If you have all your TA info, Celebrity will immediately transfer the booking to the TA at the same time you booked on board the ship with Celebrity. They are making it very easy so you don't have to get home, fill out the form, yada, yada, yada, within 60 days.

 

True if you have every intention of continuing with that TA, but, if not, it can lead to problems. We booked on board once not knowing they would do this, and had a mess. We wanted to use a different TA and the TA they transferred it to wanted to charge a cancellation fee. I convinced them to waive it, but have been careful to specify the booking was to be in my name on subsequent cruises.

 

I actually think the practice is presumptuous at best and possibly illegal. It can essentially place you into a contract without your knowledge or consent.

 

Nevertheless, it is handy as long as everyone understands and agrees.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

[Wine-O]

I have been using a TA for years and she always gets the same deals that Celebrity offers, PLUS an additional $75 OBC on top of that. Anything I can do directly with Celebrity, she does for us. And, she has occasionally gotten us special deals or arrangements that we didn't qualify for because of her contacts and long time doing business with Celebrity.

 

 

 

That's all well and fine, but the $75 OBC is very mediocre, if I must say. I had one way back when who gave me $25 OBC and thought she was doing me a favor. :rolleyes:

[boogs]

That's all well and fine, but the $75 OBC is very mediocre, if I must say. I had one way back when who gave me $25 OBC and thought she was doing me a favor. :rolleyes:

 

It isn't just the OBC that has value, but the personalized support and her going to bat for us if necessary. To give you an example of the value of a good TA - we purchased a future cruise certificate on Celebrity during our Oct 2012 cruise on Reflection. We booked a Feb 2015 cruise with it a few months later BEFORE the 1-2-3 perks program was in effect. This certificate got us a $300 OBC.

 

Several months later another couple decided to join us on that next cruise, using the feature of the certificate that allowed two more couples to book with us, and have the $300 OBC as well. Because they had booked AFTER the 1-2-3 program started up, they were able to get the additional perks. We contacted out TA and she called Celebrity but was told that the rules prevented us from getting the perks because of our booking date and the terms of the certificate. A few days later she called us back and told us that she had talked to another contact higher up at Celebrity who then talked to her manager. The end result was were were given a waiver from the rules and received the same Classic Beverage package our friends had been given - a package costing over $1,300 if purchased.

 

Without that TA going to bat for us, we would not have received this perk.

 

So, we now have $300 OBC per the certificate, the $1,300 beverage package per the 1-2-3 perk benefit, AND the $75 OBC from our TA. That's $1,375 more than we would have had without that TA.

Edited October 1, 2014 by boogs

[archerniak]

I have been reading over and over again about TA's and the OBC's you get. Each and every time I have used my TA I have received nothing special so we have been booking directly with the cruise lines and not moving the booking anywhere. Maybe I am using the wrong TA? How do I find one that provides these great deals?

[iancal]

This can cut both ways .

 

The first advice is to deal directly with a TA- either by phone or email. Tell him or her what you saw so that it can be followed up. TA's have lots of things going on so do not be surprised if they do not know everything.

 

On one of our recent cruises, our on line TA not only came back with a great OBC but also told us that her agency had a group on this cruise. We got a slight increase in our OBC and a better cabin, larger balcony, as a result of joining this group bookimg.

Edited October 1, 2014 by iancal

[iancal]

This can curt both ways .

 

The first advice is to deal directly with a TA- either by phone or email. Tell him or her what you saw so that it can be followed up. TA's have lots of things going on so do not be surprised if they do not know everything.

 

On one of our recent cruise our on line TA not only came back with a great OBC but also told us that her agency had a group on this cruise. We got a slight increase in our OBC and a better cabin, larger balcony, as a result.

[Giorgi-one]

The agency I book with always gives us prepaid gratuities on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean in addition to any specials the cruise lines are offering. On some occasions, they also offer an OBC. They also guarantee to honor any price drops but, of course, you have to follow the price yourself. I would never expect a TA to follow prices for hundreds of bookings, but there are some people who do expect this.

[ECCruise]

I have been reading over and over again about TA's and the OBC's you get. Each and every time I have used my TA I have received nothing special so we have been booking directly with the cruise lines and not moving the booking anywhere. Maybe I am using the wrong TA? How do I find one that provides these great deals?

 

Most of these TAs are online. Some of them advertise on CC. Also, you will get many offers if you let TAs compete for your business.

[tonyrocks922]

I have been reading over and over again about TA's and the OBC's you get. Each and every time I have used my TA I have received nothing special so we have been booking directly with the cruise lines and not moving the booking anywhere. Maybe I am using the wrong TA? How do I find one that provides these great deals?

 

I wonder the same thing. I know it's against the rules to post about TA's but if it's allowed I would appreciate some PM recommendations.

[Rob the Cruiser]

I wonder the same thing. I know it's against the rules to post about TA's but if it's allowed I would appreciate some PM recommendations.

 

Me, too.:)

[hasentreelake]

Me, too.:)

 

My DW is in the travel business. She works for a TA, however she does more management vs. book travel.

 

What I would suggest is that you find a 'local' TA. They are not as easy to find as they once were, but there are still plenty of small local businesses that specialize in leisure travel. A simple google search will do the trick. You want to find someone that is a 'leisure' specialist. My DW's company has agents that specialize in Africa, or Australia, or Cruise, etc. Many still have retail store fronts where you can walk in and talk to them and get to know them and vice versa.

 

Another thing I will mention.... The reason a TA will give you OBC is that they get a commission from the cruise line. The TA is giving you a 'cut' of their commission in the form of OBC. If you are not getting any perks from your TA, just ask and if the balk, suggest it is a common practice at the TA down the street :)

 

Use the TA to get information, ask them questions, have them do some of the leg work for you.... They are getting paid to provide this service to you.

[GOLDENBONNY]

I just noticed that Celebrity has a promotion running for Bermuda sailings for 2015. The promotion includes both the beverage package and paid gratuities.

 

I sent a request to the TA that bids for your business. I had 2 quotes so far and both quotes stated that I had to pick one or the other perk. If these TA's can't stay on top of the current promotions I have no use for them. I will see if I get any more offers.

 

I am on X web and cannot see both pakages incl. :( Are you sure about it ?

[ECCruise]

I am on X web and cannot see both pakages incl. :( Are you sure about it ?

 

It is a big button on the right side of the home page