Travel Agents?

[tiff_]

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask, but can I get recommendations for a good reliable travel agent? Primarily for cruises but can also do other trips?

 

I've been looking around for one but I can't seem to find any good Australian one that has a wide focus (on any cruise company), is large enough to offer good deals but small enough to offer personal service.

I had been using a travel agent from Canada but I think I found the prices they offered to end up costing more for Australian itineraries when converted over.

 

Any help or tips in finding a reputable travel agent will be greatly appreciated!!

 

Thanks so much

[NSWP]

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask, but can I get recommendations for a good reliable travel agent? Primarily for cruises but can also do other trips?

 

I've been looking around for one but I can't seem to find any good Australian one that has a wide focus (on any cruise company), is large enough to offer good deals but small enough to offer personal service.

I had been using a travel agent from Canada but I think I found the prices they offered to end up costing more for Australian itineraries when converted over.

 

Any help or tips in finding a reputable travel agent will be greatly appreciated!!

 

Thanks so much

CC Policy is 'no mention of travel agents.' Have a look at the guidelines heading 'top of this page.'

Edited May 29, 2015 by NSWP

[icat2000]

Its hard to find a good bricks and mortar TA. I find most of them are booking bunnies when it comes to cruising. Even the online ones. I find its best to be an expert yourself in cruising and booking terms, ships, etc and then just use whatever agency to book it.

 

A lot of the time I stick with the cruiseline.

[tiff_]

CC Policy is 'no mention of travel agents.' Have a look at the guidelines heading 'top of this page.'

 

yea i haven't been on the forums for so long I forgot.

I asked if there were particular things to look for in a reputable travel agent though,

 

Thanks

[MMDown Under]

 

Any help or tips in finding a reputable travel agent will be greatly appreciated!!

 

Thanks so much

 

Good TAs are like gold - to be treasured.

 

Word of mouth is the best advertisement. Ask friends who travel/cruise often or fellow cruisers on ships.

[The_Big_M]

yea i haven't been on the forums for so long I forgot.

I asked if there were particular things to look for in a reputable travel agent though,

 

Thanks

 

Nice to have is extended availability (not just 9-5 m-f), willingness to handle changes, preferably without charge, competence!, and willingness to re-fare if prices fall.

 

But you can't expect them to work for free, so especially if you're new to them, they're not likely to discount their work above unless they know you'll be a regular customer.

[tiff_]

Good TAs are like gold - to be treasured.

 

Word of mouth is the best advertisement. Ask friends who travel/cruise often or fellow cruisers on ships.

 

unfortunately I have legitimately no friends that travel or cruise often, mostly because I'm young (20) and most of my friends are in uni and don't have the time or funds to travel regularly enough to need a travel agent. Same with my parents they travel often but don't use a travel agent.

 

Pretty much I've caught a cruising bug and am hoping to plan a couple of trips with what will probably be a fussy booking (large groups needing adjoining rooms/suites etc) so I was hoping to find a TA I can pretty much be with forever hahahaha

 

Nice to have is extended availability (not just 9-5 m-f), willingness to handle changes, preferably without charge, competence!, and willingness to re-fare if prices fall.

 

But you can't expect them to work for free, so especially if you're new to them, they're not likely to discount their work above unless they know you'll be a regular customer.

 

Is the best approach just emailing them? (and asking about their charge/re-fare policy?)

Sorry, I'm super awkward.. ahaha

 

Thank you for the help though!

Edited May 29, 2015 by tiff_

[goodycruising]

Pretty much I've caught a cruising bug and am hoping to plan a couple of trips with what will probably be a fussy booking (large groups needing adjoining rooms/suites etc) so I was hoping to find a TA I can pretty much be with forever hahahaha

 

Is the best approach just emailing them? (and asking about their charge/re-fare policy?)

Sorry, I'm super awkward.. ahaha

 

Thank you for the help though!

 

I would agree with Sarah, lots of research yourself. That would apply to your own bookings though. Booking for others, now that is a minefield! I would totally go with a travel agent for that, and tell the others to deal direct with the TA, as there is a high percentage chance that if you run around organising things and trying to please everyone you will get little thanks and lots of headaches. Sorry to be glum, but....good luck with your endeavours.

 

Approach, read the website/company terms & conditions, yes email, but also ring them and see how long they take to get back to you with questions. The industry is like many others these days. As people want cheaper pricing, the "consultants" on the phone are generally just call centre operators doing their best with little training. Emails often don't get replied to in our experience.

 

We also found the bricks and mortar we tried to have no clue about cruising. They had the brochures, but seemed to be unable to help us with a booking for a trip which had cabins available direct with the cruiseline when we left home, and the cabins were still available when we got home after the 2 hour round trip, and they told us there was nothing available.

 

We have gotten some TA recommendations on talking to people on board, but I am very keen to book myself and stay in control of my booking. Royal Caribbean has a policy that if you book with a TA, then they will not speak to you at all due to "privacy issues".

[The_Big_M]

Is the best approach just emailing them? (and asking about their charge/re-fare policy?)

Sorry, I'm super awkward.. ahaha

 

Thank you for the help though!

 

Most TAs that are part of a chain/group will have their change/cancel policy in their terms on their website. But if an independent, probably not so you'll have to ask.

 

If you want to know their policy about re-faring, you'll probably have to ask as it's not so common.

 

Usually if you're only dealing via e-mail, it suggests you don't have much of a relationship with them, so isn't likely to be as favourable... from a business perspective, answering detailed questions from customers they don't know much about isn't the most productive way to spend their time.

 

Personally, I'd suggest building a shortlist of TAs that you might deal with for whatever reason e.g. convenience, check out their policy to make sure you're okay with it, and then visit. Most TAs have multiple staff as well, so your dealings with one may be quite different from another. If you just send an e-mail, you don't know who you'll deal with. Whereas once you find one you like, and then are happy with the arrangement, you can ask for that person directly each time.

 

Especially as you mention a group that will be key, as you will want everyone going through the same person so they know the situation and preferences, and can link bookings quicker (and accurately!).

[Russell21]

I'm lucky, my TA is a family member.:D

[icat2000]

I'm lucky, my TA is a family member.:D

I have a TA who is a family member too. But they in NZ. However, I used them couple times at the start of my cruising history. But now, I don't. Though I do get them to book mums flights and insurance and stuff when mum comes over to cruise with me in Australia. Everything else I mainly do myself.

[cruisine21]

I have a TA who is a family member too. But they in NZ. However, I used them couple times at the start of my cruising history. But now, I don't. Though I do get them to book mums flights and insurance and stuff when mum comes over to cruise with me in Australia. Everything else I mainly do myself.

I used a family member TA but found them more expensive that booking direct.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

When we first started cruising we used a very good friend to make bookings for us. He saw us right, (or so we thought) until we started chatting to fellow cruisers and found out we were paying top top dollar. That was before the internet , so it was very hard to compare one with another.

We then moved to an agency that gave double air points , and amassed a huge number of air points which we used to fly over and join cruises with. The agency and the bank then changed the rules so we had to look around again.

Since then I have had health problems , but am still keenly watching what's going on . I am registered with as many TA's as I can find on the net and receive many newsletters from them. From all this information I have found one TA who consistently advises last minute deals, bargain cruises and sometimes excellent fly/cruise deals. No charge for using credit cards either.:)

When my health allows I will be booking through him.

 

I agree that you need to look out for TA's that specialise in cruising and are as independent as possible. Sometimes the ones that say they are cruising specialists are just the cruising division of a big franchised operation .

 

[Topaz_M]

Maybe have a look on the social media pages that we cannot mention. Plenty of cruising groups on there who will be happy to help you out.

[MicCanberra]

Shop around and research thoroughly, there are plenty of online TAs that you can do this with. Even when you find a great TA (one that has met your needs more than once), research and shop around anyway before going to them and asking for service. If they cannot meet your requirements and best price then go elsewhere for that trip.