PCC or Web Site

[mcduck]

Is there any advantage to using a PCC over just booking on line at HAL's web site? We have been booking our own air and hotels for a couple of years now, but our January cruise will be the first without using a TA. If there is an advantage, would I just call the HAL 1-800 number and whoever answers becomes my PCC?

Thank-you.

[freestyling]

We have used a PCC for over 4 years and have been very lucky to get one who is very knowledgable. They just assigned. we didn't havee the option to pick. I believe we used the contact us button on the HAL website and our PCC called us.

[cruz chic]

Dealing with the same person can be an advantage.

[Lizzie68]

Dealing with a PCC has been a complete bust for me, I find no advantage whatsoever and mine is always slow to respond. I book my own flights anyway.

[IRL_Joanie]

Is there any advantage to using a PCC over just booking on line at HAL's web site? We have been booking our own air and hotels for a couple of years now, but our January cruise will be the first without using a TA. If there is an advantage, would I just call the HAL 1-800 number and whoever answers becomes my PCC?

Thank-you.

 

There are two factions that think theirs is the best way to go. Both are 100% right in their thinking. Let me explain

 

HAL PCC, not the 1-800.... sales rep, but a specified person assigned to you who works for you, keeps all your likes, dislikes, etc., they are specialists in their field.

 

You get a one on one person who is like a Travel Agent but know all the ins and outs, specials and other goodies to help you and to keep you coming back to him or her.

 

Travel Agent may be the same, but they work with other cruise lines, Land Vacations, etc., and do not typically know the ins and outs as a HAL PCC does. There are many many many great TA's out there, but........

 

I prefer a HAL PCC, specifically our HAL PCC. She was assigned to us in January 2008 when I booked our 1st cruise with HAL (On line I might add) and we are so extremely happy with her. She has become a dear friend and visit with her often.

 

I guess what I am trying to say is that there are times when having a PCC can be more beneficial to some of us than a TA. And vice versus.

 

My latest example was this past Saturday when I received an email at 8:30 am MST from our PCC stating she had followed our preauthorized permission and booked us in our Stateroom for the 5 day Pacific Coastal from San Diego to Vancouver on Nieuw Amsterdam in April 2016. Others her on CC say that all Stateroom categories on the Pacific Coastal are listed as guarantees only. They have tried to book specific staterooms, with not much luck. So, again, it is an example of what a HAL PCC can do over a regular HAL phone sales rep and/or Most TA's.

 

You have to go with what you feel you will be the most comfortable with. In the end, it is not any of us who can make the decision for you. It has to be what you wish and ...........

 

Joanie

Edited September 15, 2015 by IRL_Joanie

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been fortunate to have a TA that we have used for over 25 years. She knows exactly what we like and want. We get perks from her. Also we get shipboard credit from American Express Platinum as her company pays the annual fee. We can't get that extra shipboard credit if we booked with HAL or used one of their PCC.

 

Forgot to mention that I book all our own hotels and air.

Edited September 15, 2015 by Krazy Kruizers

[DaveOKC]

Is there any advantage to using a PCC over just booking on line at HAL's web site? We have been booking our own air and hotels for a couple of years now, but our January cruise will be the first without using a TA. If there is an advantage, would I just call the HAL 1-800 number and whoever answers becomes my PCC?

Thank-you.

 

To address the OP's original question, I would advise getting a PCC rather than using the web site number for HAL. That way you deal with a person who gets to know you and what you prefer. Booking with HAL (either way) has a few advantages, such as being able to see your OBC (on board credit) online and being directly sent upsell offers via email.

 

As already noted, some folks like to use a TA (either brick and mortar or online) for a variety of reasons and that is fine as well. Each of us has their own priorities and thus one approach over the other is appropriate.

 

Good luck in your travels.

[blizzardboy]

Is there any advantage to using a PCC over just booking on line at HAL's web site? We have been booking our own air and hotels for a couple of years now, but our January cruise will be the first without using a TA. If there is an advantage, would I just call the HAL 1-800 number and whoever answers becomes my PCC?

Thank-you.

 

I too have been blessed with a great PCC. He's very knowledgeable, but not afraid to say "I don't know, but I'll find out". I have been saved from making more than a few mistakes thanks to his council. I book through him then eventually have him transfer the booking to my big-box membership-based retailer's travel dept after I'm sure prices are not going down. We have been staying in Neptune Suites so with a smaller number available, it becomes apparent pretty quickly if they're selling well as their prices go up. I transfer the booking to pick up the substantial OBC the retailer's travel dept provides. PCCs do get paid a small commission (compared to TAs) for bookings that stay with HAL after they sail, but they also have booking-volume targets which count towards their compensation, so even transferred bookings eventually benefit the PCC. He's never been high pressure like I've experienced with some other lines and TAs. He has advised me to avoid some things offered through HAL and suggested where I might look for a better deal.

Edited September 15, 2015 by blizzardboy

[cruz chic]

My PCC has been very good as well. I had a couple of stinkers but instead of constantly complaining about how bad they are I asked for a new one. Easy.

[dakrewser]

Six of one, half dozen of the other. The more important thing is that you have someone who knows your likes/dislikes, knows the business inside-out and is willing to say "no"when you ask for the impossible.

[Lizzie68]

My PCC has been very good as well. I had a couple of stinkers but instead of constantly complaining about how bad they are I asked for a new one. Easy.

 

I'm on my 2nd one after complaining about the first. Assured by the supervisor that she is "the best". Over an 8 day period recently, two emails and one voice mail went ignored. She claimed she never got any. I suggested she get the techs to look into her communication system. I gave it a shot, won't bother with a PCC again.

[cruz chic]

I'm on my 2nd one after complaining about the first. Assured by the supervisor that she is "the best". Over an 8 day period recently, two emails and one voice mail went ignored. She claimed she never got any. I suggested she get the techs to look into her communication system. I gave it a shot, won't bother with a PCC again.

 

That is not acceptable. That said if you are happy using your ta I just wouldn't bother with a PCC. I've had lousy service from TAs including one manager that lied to me. She booked the incorrect length of cruise. Kind of important.

[Lizzie68]

The conclusion must be that you work with whoever or whatever suits you and who you feel does the best job for you. For some it is a TA, for others it is a PCC. There is nothing to be gained by vilifying either one. In my particular case I have tried both and I have had much success with a TA, who has treated me well (and on each cruise I have enjoyed a very nice upsell to Neptune suites) - while others have the same with a PCC.

[take us away]

Have used the same TA since 1982 with great success. He can find wonderful deals, works in a company that is part of a huge consortium so gets great perks and personal attention from HAL. When we need something (greatly prefer early seating for dinner), it gets handled as they have a full-time HAL intermediary. He has been able to meet or beat anything I have ever found on any website plus throws in 'extras'. Example: he gets us our Australian visas for free. He knows us so well he does not provide free excursions but loads up our OBC so we have options on how we spend his 'perks'. So, IMO opinion, a 'real live' TA is the best - at least for me.

[cruz chic]

The conclusion must be that you work with whoever or whatever suits you and who you feel does the best job for you. For some it is a TA, for others it is a PCC. There is nothing to be gained by vilifying either one. In my particular case I have tried both and I have had much success with a TA, who has treated me well (and on each cruise I have enjoyed a very nice upsell to Neptune suites) - while others have the same with a PCC.

 

Absolutely agree. Unfortunately there is a lot of vilifying of PCC's that goes on here.

[EbayCruiser]

We booked online with HAL for years and then was assigned a PCC and we are using her for our two upcoming cruises.

 

She was able to book the Koningsdam for us BEFORE it was on the HAL website and before the Travel Agencies could book so we got first pick of staterooms. She was very knowledgeable and was able to look on her end and see the sq. footage of the staterooms and the balconies so we could make a better stateroom choice.

 

Also, we have had great luck with upsells that were sent directly to my email and we were able to snatch it up quickly. Lots of times these upsells have occurred on weekends when the TA are not open.

[chloes nana]

There are two factions that think theirs is the best way to go. Both are 100% right in their thinking. Let me explain

 

HAL PCC, not the 1-800.... sales rep, but a specified person assigned to you who works for you, keeps all your likes, dislikes, etc., they are specialists in their field.

 

You get a one on one person who is like a Travel Agent but know all the ins and outs, specials and other goodies to help you and to keep you coming back to him or her.

 

Travel Agent may be the same, but they work with other cruise lines, Land Vacations, etc., and do not typically know the ins and outs as a HAL PCC does. There are many many many great TA's out there, but........

 

I prefer a HAL PCC, specifically our HAL PCC. She was assigned to us in January 2008 when I booked our 1st cruise with HAL (On line I might add) and we are so extremely happy with her. She has become a dear friend and visit with her often.

 

I guess what I am trying to say is that there are times when having a PCC can be more beneficial to some of us than a TA. And vice versus.

 

My latest example was this past Saturday when I received an email at 8:30 am MST from our PCC stating she had followed our preauthorized permission and booked us in our Stateroom for the 5 day Pacific Coastal from San Diego to Vancouver on Nieuw Amsterdam in April 2016. Others her on CC say that all Stateroom categories on the Pacific Coastal are listed as guarantees only. They have tried to book specific staterooms, with not much luck. So, again, it is an example of what a HAL PCC can do over a regular HAL phone sales rep and/or Most TA's.

 

You have to go with what you feel you will be the most comfortable with. In the end, it is not any of us who can make the decision for you. It has to be what you wish and ...........

 

Joanie

I agree Joanie! she is worth her weight in gold and one of the sweetest people I have met in the travel industry! 10 stars!

[mcduck]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I booked using HAL's web site late this afternoon. It was a quick, painless experience. I actually just received an email notification of a minor itinerary change from HAL.

 

I had a great TA who retired a few years ago, but have also been exposed to a number who have been less than knowledgeable.

In this neck of the woods the bricks and mortar travel agents will charge a fee - usually about $35 p.p. to process a booking over and above the commissions that they earn and if you are lucky they might arrange for a bottle of wine in your suite/cabin. As I have the time and inclination to do my own research and bookings, it does not make a lot of sense to go a TA and ask them to book a specific flight/hotel/cruise and pay them a fee after I have done all the work! A good TA can be a huge advantage in arranging complicated travel, or if you are not familiar with the destination/travel suppliers.

 

On an unrelated note, when I made the booking today and used my Mariner#, the rate I had previously seen last night without the Mariner# was shown, but then there was a lower amount underneath in red that "was not available to the general public" which reduced the fare by $357 CAD p.p.

 

Thanks again for your input! If HAL assigns us a PCC after this trip, I will probably use them for our Bermuda cruise next spring just to try them out.

[blizzardboy]

We have been fortunate to have a TA that we have used for over 25 years. She knows exactly what we like and want. We get perks from her. Also we get shipboard credit from American Express Platinum as her company pays the annual fee. We can't get that extra shipboard credit if we booked with HAL or used one of their PCC.

 

Forgot to mention that I book all our own hotels and air.

You can use a PCC to book then transfer the booking to your TA any time before final payment day, without penalty to you or your TA. I tend to book early with my PCC then watch what HAL promos might come along before my booking is transferred. This allows me to use my PCC's intimate knowledge of HAL's offerings as well as any of the TA's promos or benefits. Best of both worlds!

Edited September 16, 2015 by blizzardboy

[HELENPSL]

I have used a HAL PCC and she has been wonderful. We are booked on a cruise for 2017 and one of the online travel companies is offering a substantial OBC. At this point, HAL is not offering anything since it's so far out. My question is...if you use a TA do you have any problem booking excursions directly on the HAL website? I'm assuming that the booking number issued thru the TA should show on HAL's website but just wanted to check regarding the excursions.

 

Thanks,

Helen

[blizzardboy]

I have used a HAL PCC and she has been wonderful. We are booked on a cruise for 2017 and one of the online travel companies is offering a substantial OBC. At this point, HAL is not offering anything since it's so far out. My question is...if you use a TA do you have any problem booking excursions directly on the HAL website? I'm assuming that the booking number issued thru the TA should show on HAL's website but just wanted to check regarding the excursions.

 

Thanks,

Helen

 

I have done it with no issues regarding adding, or losing, excursions, etc. It is not a new booking to HAL, it just belongs to the TA after transferring. It doesn't affect HAL promo benefits you might already have. Do it before final payment day. If you do want to make admin changes after transferring, you'll need to do them through the TA.

[Randyk47]

I have used a HAL PCC and she has been wonderful. We are booked on a cruise for 2017 and one of the online travel companies is offering a substantial OBC. At this point, HAL is not offering anything since it's so far out. My question is...if you use a TA do you have any problem booking excursions directly on the HAL website? I'm assuming that the booking number issued thru the TA should show on HAL's website but just wanted to check regarding the excursions.

 

Thanks,

Helen

 

The booking number issued through a TA is actually, or certainly better be, the one generated by HAL. Personally I use a TA for the rebates and incentives rather than booking directly with HAL or any cruise line. One of the first things I do after the booking is finalized is check the cruise line's website to make sure I have a valid booking number and that regardless of what the TA says the cruise line shows me booked for the right cruise, cabin, etc. Kind of a trust but verify approach on my part. After that I quite frankly have little contact with the TA as I book all our excursions and indulgences directly on line through the cruise line's site.

[DaveOKC]

The booking number issued through a TA is actually, or certainly better be, the one generated by HAL. Personally I use a TA for the rebates and incentives rather than booking directly with HAL or any cruise line. One of the first things I do after the booking is finalized is check the cruise line's website to make sure I have a valid booking number and that regardless of what the TA says the cruise line shows me booked for the right cruise, cabin, etc. Kind of a trust but verify approach on my part. After that I quite frankly have little contact with the TA as I book all our excursions and indulgences directly on line through the cruise line's site.

 

Good tip. I do the same to be sure that all the little details are correct right at the start. Easier to correct that way.

[3rdGenCunarder]

The booking number issued through a TA is actually, or certainly better be, the one generated by HAL. Personally I use a TA for the rebates and incentives rather than booking directly with HAL or any cruise line. One of the first things I do after the booking is finalized is check the cruise line's website to make sure I have a valid booking number and that regardless of what the TA says the cruise line shows me booked for the right cruise, cabin, etc. Kind of a trust but verify approach on my part. After that I quite frankly have little contact with the TA as I book all our excursions and indulgences directly on line through the cruise line's site.

 

This is exactly what I do. In all our years of cruising, we've used only two TAs. Loved the first one, but eventually she retired. I found another one through friends, and love her, too. But it's so easy to hit the wrong key on the computer or click on the wrong icon, so I always double check. So far it's always been exactly what I intended to book, but it never hurts to make sure. And then, like you, I book any excursions or other items through the website.

 

I haven't had the TA book air in many years. It's just easier to do it myself. Even when I did, it was only because of a good offer from the cruise line. About 10 years ago, when QE2 was shifted to a Southampton base and stopped doing transatlantics or cruises out of NYC, Cunard wanted to lure Americans to fly to sail with her by offering $99 each way air. We happened to be booked on another Cunard ship, which did not have the offer. My TA (the first one) knew lots of people at Cunard, so she called and said, "Hey, these people have sailed with you a lot, how about letting them have the QE2 air deal for a Caronia cruise?" And Cunard said yes.

[Randyk47]

This is exactly what I do. In all our years of cruising, we've used only two TAs. Loved the first one, but eventually she retired. I found another one through friends, and love her, too. But it's so easy to hit the wrong key on the computer or click on the wrong icon, so I always double check. So far it's always been exactly what I intended to book, but it never hurts to make sure. And then, like you, I book any excursions or other items through the website.

 

I haven't had the TA book air in many years. It's just easier to do it myself. Even when I did, it was only because of a good offer from the cruise line. About 10 years ago, when QE2 was shifted to a Southampton base and stopped doing transatlantics or cruises out of NYC, Cunard wanted to lure Americans to fly to sail with her by offering $99 each way air. We happened to be booked on another Cunard ship, which did not have the offer. My TA (the first one) knew lots of people at Cunard, so she called and said, "Hey, these people have sailed with you a lot, how about letting them have the QE2 air deal for a Caronia cruise?" And Cunard said yes.

 

We too haven't used TA/cruise line booked air in years, maybe 15+ or more. Part of that is that back years ago cruise line air was often more expensive and often at less than optimum times. I understand that has maybe changed for many cruise lines but also in those years Mrs. K and I have established and maintained advanced frequent flyer status on one or two airlines. With that status comes some perks. Not to say it's a bad thing but we kind of get caught in the situation where we not only want to take advantage of the perks, like no luggage fees, but also have to keep up our advanced status by flying enough miles and flights. Pretty much the same situation wth pre and post cruise hotels. We do at least check with whatever cruise line we're booked with just in case. Not often but once in awhile they actually have better deals or hotel rooms blocked in a peak season that are more attractive.