What's the difference between using a TA and booking yourself?

[RoxiRoo]

Hello All,

 

I used a TA for my first cruise, but this time I booked it myself. Am I missing out on something? Anything I should watch out for? Booking online was pretty easy.

I am guessing that I will have to check with Celebrity myself when it gets closer to the date to see if there are any cabins to upgrade to. Other than that, what am I missing?

 

Thanks! Julie

[njkruzer]

We've been booking ourselves, but never done it online, and then transfer it to our TA. They give us additional OBC to spend, or get back, but that'S never happned!

[neverbeenhere]

Can't mention travel agencies on this forum, but some offer the same prices AND additional benefits. (OBC, New Cars, Used Dental Floss)

[Fouremco]

The advantages to using a TA include possible additional perks (varies with the TA or agency) and for some, being able to leave all the work and worries to the TA. Just tell them what you want and pay when asked.

 

The advantage to doing it yourself is that you have much greater control over the process. You can pore over deck plans, look at ship and cabin reviews and select the exact cabin you want. Once booked, if you want to check price daily to suss out price drops you can, or keep an eye on upcoming promos to see if you can take advantage. While a TA can do many of these things, you can generally get better service if you do it yourself. All this assuming, of course, that you have the time, inclination and ability to do it yourself.

 

I tend to merge the two, doing all the upfront work but turning it over to a TA after I've booked. I then keep an eye on developments and contact the TA immediately when I see a price drop or a promo. That way I have the best of both worlds.

[BEAV]

The difference between booking direct vs. using a Travel Agent is $285.

 

At least that was the difference when a friend of mine asked me this very same question earlier this week. He took my advice and turned his direct booking over to a Travel Agent who is giving him $285 shipboard credit.

[jelayne]

It's all about the money & not having to sit on hold with Celebrity when I want to make a change. Most recently we booked a 14 night cruise in a CC cabin and got $300 OBC, drink package & prepaid gratuities from Celebrity - and the TA gave us $900 in OBC.

 

The $300 from Celebrity will take care of our on-board spending and the $900 will be credited to our credit cards at the end of the cruise.

[4774Papa]

I tend to book very early. When I search the big online agencies, my cruise is almost never on their lists. Once or twice it was on there and the only extra was not worth it.

 

I like having control over my reservation. If prices drop, I call and get the new prices. Of course, since I book early, prices almost never drop.

[ghstudio]

Two reasons to go with a TA....

 

1) many of the large internet cruise TA's give you additional OBC, free gratuities or some other perk IN ADDITION TO those offered by celebrity.

 

2) Some offer special group rates on cruises. These are really only groups for the purposes of committing to a certain number of cabins...it's not really a group as you might think of it...in fact, you never know who is in the group. These fares may be available with the same or different perks than offered individuals on celebrity's site.

 

The only time we book with celebrity is when we're booking when on-board a cruise....to get some extra perks from celebrity. We then transfer the booking to the TA of our choice within 60 days of making the booking to get items 1 and the option for 2 above.

[ClaudiaB]

I tend to merge the two, doing all the upfront work but turning it over to a TA after I've booked. I then keep an eye on developments and contact the TA immediately when I see a price drop or a promo. That way I have the best of both worlds.

 

That's what we do. I do all the research myself. We never book "in case" cruises. We take every one we book. We always get the identical promotion/fare that the cruise line offers PLUS added perks. Sometimes a LOT of added perks.

[iced.lemon.loaf.is.crack]

This is terrific advice. Can you switch from direct booking to TA after the cruise is booked and paid?

[gergles]

This is terrific advice. Can you switch from direct booking to TA after the cruise is booked and paid?

 

Yes, but only if it is within 60 days from when the booking was created.

[GigemAggies]

I get 9% OBC (which is refundable so it goes back on my credit card) with my big box TA! Since we always book suites that's a lot of $$$$$$.

[perditax]

It's all about the money & not having to sit on hold with Celebrity when I want to make a change. Most recently we booked a 14 night cruise in a CC cabin and got $300 OBC, drink package & prepaid gratuities from Celebrity - and the TA gave us $900 in OBC.

 

 

 

The $300 from Celebrity will take care of our on-board spending and the $900 will be credited to our credit cards at the end of the cruise.

 

 

Newbie cruiser here. Is it normal to be able to "cash out" OBC like that?

[Wine-O]

Newbie cruiser here. Is it normal to be able to "cash out" OBC like that?

 

Celebrity OBC is use or lose. TA OBC will be refunded to your credit card.

 

Now, if you have Celebrity OBC, it's my understand you can cash it in with the casino for 5%, but I've never done that.

[bertrande]

Celebrity OBC is use or lose. TA OBC will be refunded to your credit card.

 

 

 

Now, if you have Celebrity OBC, it's my understand you can cash it in with the casino for 5%, but I've never done that.

 

 

Will they use Celebrity OBC first before the TA OBC?

[cat maran]

Will they use Celebrity OBC first before the TA OBC?

Technically, yes, they use the Celebrity OBC first. Once your OBC is posted to your account, watch how your charges are being deducted from your account. Incidentally, not ALL OBC from TA's is refundable (if any is left, that is!) Sometimes only a portion is refundable. You can ask your TA what amount is refundable and what isn't. We had TA OBC left on one cruise and never even had to ask to have it refunded to our credit card. By the time we got home the amount had been credited to our card by Celebrity. Go Celebrity!

 

I also vote for doing your own research, comparing prices, then calling my TA to actually book. They get RIGHT THRU to Celebrity. They set you up with your final payment date and often offer better prices than Celebrity because they have purchased a block of cabins and offer a group rate. You get all the benefits from Celebrity PLUS what ever the TA is offering in benefits and OBC. You can keep checking price fluctuations and call your TA if you think there is a better deal to be had.

[cheryl20772]

We got all kinds of perks and a great price by booking our next cruise onboard. Then we told them to transfer it to the TA we always use. When we got home I called the TA to talk cruise insurance and they found our confirmation and reviewed everything with me. They are adding an additional refundable $500 OBC. We can't afford to not have a TA ;)

[bertrande]

Technically, yes, they use the Celebrity OBC first. Once your OBC is posted to your account, watch how your charges are being deducted from your account. Incidentally, not ALL OBC from TA's is refundable (if any is left, that is!) Sometimes only a portion is refundable. You can ask your TA what amount is refundable and what isn't.

 

 

Thanks for the tip; we will check with our TA. Incidentally, does the onboard account differentiate between the two types of OBC? I don't recall ever seeing that on my breakdown (whether thought the in room TV or in the final invoice sent to us the night before). I just thought they lumped the entire OBC amount together.

[RoxiRoo]

This is all really good info. I booked CC last time and my TA gave us $35. I think I missed out on a lot. So, since I just booked online last week, I should consider moving my reservation to a TA? Even if I booked an inside? I know no one can list TAs, but how would I find one that would help me with some decent OBC? I just want my beverages paid for. :)

[wrk2cruise]

The onboard account will reflect OBR (for refundable) or OBN (for non refundable).

 

I do want to clarify that you can transfer a booking to a travel agent up to 60 days after making the booking BUT NOT after final payment date. So if you are booking a last minute cruise and want the extra perks from the TA you must book directly with the TA.

[grandgeezer]

This is all really good info. I booked CC last time and my TA gave us $35. I think I missed out on a lot. So, since I just booked online last week, I should consider moving my reservation to a TA? Even if I booked an inside? I know no one can list TAs, but how would I find one that would help me with some decent OBC? I just want my beverages paid for. :)

 

I doubt very seriously that you'll find any agency that will pay forth your drinks. obc and prepaid gratuities, probably, drinks, slim or none.

[bertrande]

The onboard account will reflect OBR (for refundable) or OBN (for non refundable).

 

Thanks!

[cheryl20772]

This is all really good info. I booked CC last time and my TA gave us $35. I think I missed out on a lot. So, since I just booked online last week, I should consider moving my reservation to a TA? Even if I booked an inside? I know no one can list TAs, but how would I find one that would help me with some decent OBC? I just want my beverages paid for. :)

 

One thing you can do is search google for a site that lets you set up an account to have the TA's bid for your booking. It's like a cruise 'compete'tion where you pick the TA with the best offer. You can also check your various memberships. Some of them offer pretty nice perks. We like to use our membership warehouse store TA.

[nyfeds]

I use a TA that has provided us with pre-paid gratuities, paid drink package as well as a very nice OBC, cruising with Celebrity. Their fares are hard to beat, as well as their perks. We've booked three cruises with them; two on Celebrity and one on Oceania. The only reason I book with a TA are for these perks. Otherwise, I would book on-own. One has to be savvy when booking travel, whether through a TA or on your own.

Edited July 24, 2015 by nyfeds

[Solent Richard]

Hello All,

 

I used a TA for my first cruise, but this time I booked it myself. Am I missing out on something? Anything I should watch out for? Booking online was pretty easy.

I am guessing that I will have to check with Celebrity myself when it gets closer to the date to see if there are any cabins to upgrade to. Other than that, what am I missing?

 

Thanks! Julie

 

In my experience I have benefitted with more meaningful upgrades.

 

Kind of showing their appreciation.