Group cruise

[jozzmenia]

I am planning a family reunion cruise. I paid a travel agent $100 with the understanding that if we booked it would be applied to the cruise and if we didn't book then she would get to keep it. It has been 6 weeks since I initially contacted her and one month since I paid her and we still don't have so much as a quote. It's always I put a call into the group department or things like that and she had jury duty and her father was sick... all kinds of things. Meanwhile I different agent said she could get me a quote within 24 hours. So I am thinking of just letting agents and let her keep the hundred dollars. Any tips on what I should be looking for or asking for from the new agent? I want to know what kind of perks there are things like that. I am booking a 5 night cruise on Independence of the Seas in November 2016. Any information would be helpful.

[mermaidgal]

Call Royal Caribbean directly, they have people who can help you book a cruise for you and your family. You really don't need a travel agent, it's nice if you know one and they are helpful, but you can do it directly with RCI.

[Clarea]

I am planning a family reunion cruise. I paid a travel agent $100 with the understanding that if we booked it would be applied to the cruise and if we didn't book then she would get to keep it. It has been 6 weeks since I initially contacted her and one month since I paid her and we still don't have so much as a quote. It's always I put a call into the group department or things like that and she had jury duty and her father was sick... all kinds of things. Meanwhile I different agent said she could get me a quote within 24 hours. So I am thinking of just letting agents and let her keep the hundred dollars. Any tips on what I should be looking for or asking for from the new agent? I want to know what kind of perks there are things like that. I am booking a 5 night cruise on Independence of the Seas in November 2016. Any information would be helpful.

I'd look for a different travel agent and have them handle the group bookings. You should not need to pay any up front money to a travel agent to book a cruise, unless it's a deposit going directly to the cruise line. I'd also ask about their change/price-drop/cancel policies. Ideally, there would be no fees for those.

Edited October 13, 2015 by clarea

[SonicShip]

I am planning a family reunion cruise. I paid a travel agent $100 with the understanding that if we booked it would be applied to the cruise and if we didn't book then she would get to keep it. It has been 6 weeks since I initially contacted her and one month since I paid her and we still don't have so much as a quote. It's always I put a call into the group department or things like that and she had jury duty and her father was sick... all kinds of things. Meanwhile I different agent said she could get me a quote within 24 hours. So I am thinking of just letting agents and let her keep the hundred dollars. Any tips on what I should be looking for or asking for from the new agent? I want to know what kind of perks there are things like that. I am booking a 5 night cruise on Independence of the Seas in November 2016. Any information would be helpful.

 

If you use an agent make sure you have in the contract how the GAP points and tour conductor credits are processed. Also the excursion commission. I would first call Royal Caribbean and discuss this with the Group Booking department.

[LovesCruising]

Have never heard of an agent taking $100 to secure a group booking - DO NOT LET HER KEEP IT!!! I am a TA and I would never do that - you should have had a quote within hours of calling her. These types of people give TA's a bad name - so sorry you stumbled across this one

[SheehanDJ]

1. Don't let the original agent off the hook for that $100

 

2. Get a new travel agent, one that won't charge anything up front or along the way for any changes.

 

3. If not a local agent ask to be on a conference call with them and RCCL for the initial booking (have deck plans in front of you so you can see where the cabins will be). If local be in the office with them.

 

4. Don't be the "money person", meaning family sends money to you then you send it to the agent. Everyone pays the agent directly. Make sure the agent has everyone's contact info.

 

This is the most important one, I don't know you or your family, but I will guarantee you someone will be "a little short" when a payment comes due and will pay you back "next week".

 

5. There is plenty of time, so as far as anyone is concerned a passport is MANDATORY.

[Stephluva2711]

I am planning a family reunion cruise. I paid a travel agent $100 with the understanding that if we booked it would be applied to the cruise and if we didn't book then she would get to keep it. It has been 6 weeks since I initially contacted her and one month since I paid her and we still don't have so much as a quote. It's always I put a call into the group department or things like that and she had jury duty and her father was sick... all kinds of things. Meanwhile I different agent said she could get me a quote within 24 hours. So I am thinking of just letting agents and let her keep the hundred dollars. Any tips on what I should be looking for or asking for from the new agent? I want to know what kind of perks there are things like that. I am booking a 5 night cruise on Independence of the Seas in November 2016. Any information would be helpful.

 

I'm actually planning one myself for next year. I called royal's group sales dept. and they helped me get quotes etc. We also had a whole 30 days to put down a deposit which was only $200 per room and did not have to put any money up front. Never heard of giving a travel agent $$ before you get a quote

[DkswartzFamily]

I love my travel agent and have never had to pay anything up front- i would make sure that is not a requirement of the mew agent

[jozzmenia]

I already have a travel agent lined up. Actually she's a friend of mine who does it on the side. I just didn't think of her initially because she doesn't specialize in cruises and not knowing anything about anything I thought an agency that said cruise specialist was important. But now I'm realizing this lady is terrible. After a month, $100, and five emails full of questions she tells me her dad is in the hospital and she won't be able to get to it til this weekend. Also tells me I know your family is getting anxious but tell them not to worry it's a year away. ***?! So my friend said no money up front and she'd have something put together tomorrow. I'd rather her get the commission and me not to have to deal with collections. She was telling me the gap points can be divided among the group and some other things. I'm just happy to have someone I trust and want to still make sure I ask all the right questions since she's not a so calles cruise specialist lol.

[mrlddst]

I wouldn't use the friend and I would get my money back. I use a TA for group cruises and they coordinate everything. I got a reduced rate, the initial room deposit is only $50 and my group has 6 months to make the full $250 deposit. They also get onboard credits.

[dorisis]

What ever you decide to do.... get it in writing. No one should be paying $100 for a TAs promise.

[xxoocruiser]

I am planning a family reunion cruise. I paid a travel agent $100 with the understanding that if we booked it would be applied to the cruise and if we didn't book then she would get to keep it. It has been 6 weeks since I initially contacted her and one month since I paid her and we still don't have so much as a quote. It's always I put a call into the group department or things like that and she had jury duty and her father was sick... all kinds of things. Meanwhile I different agent said she could get me a quote within 24 hours. So I am thinking of just letting agents and let her keep the hundred dollars. Any tips on what I should be looking for or asking for from the new agent? I want to know what kind of perks there are things like that. I am booking a 5 night cruise on Independence of the Seas in November 2016. Any information would be helpful.

 

As others have already stated you never should have to pay money up front to TA to get a quote and definitely need to either book with directly with RCCL or find another agent. Personally I would not let the TA keep the $100.00.If it were me, I'd be contacting the MI State Attorney's office to file a complaint. You'll get you money back than .

[jozzmenia]

As others have already stated you never should have to pay money up front to TA to get a quote and definitely need to either book with directly with RCCL or find another agent. Personally I would not let the TA keep the $100.00.If it were me, I'd be contacting the MI State Attorney's office to file a complaint. You'll get you money back than .

 

I know. It didn't seem like that much money in exchange for a clean break. I feel bad replying to "oh my dad had all these surgeries" with "give me my money back now". I just want to be done with her. The new agent already has hit the ground money and we're taking deposits. Insane what a difference it makes. I can't believe the other lady literally did nothing. I'm probably too nice but willing to let it go and focus on an exciting cruise. Thanks everyone!

[Smitty815]

I don't understand why people even use travel agents? What's the purpose? Is it just for people with more disposable income and no desire to book things themselves?

 

I booked a group cruise myself for the Harmony in 2017. Took me about 10 minutes to get everyone done. Once the time comes I'll link all our accounts and get tickets for the same shows and have the same meal times.

 

I would hate to depend on someone else to do it for me. I would find it stressful to not have complete control over my booking

[jozzmenia]

I don't understand why people even use travel agents? What's the purpose? Is it just for people with more disposable income and no desire to book things themselves?

 

I booked a group cruise myself for the Harmony in 2017. Took me about 10 minutes to get everyone done. Once the time comes I'll link all our accounts and get tickets for the same shows and have the same meal times.

 

I would hate to depend on someone else to do it for me. I would find it stressful to not have complete control over my booking

 

My experience aside, it doesn't seem to cost more to use an agent but it does seem to take work off your plate. I'm normally a control freak too but in this case I figure I'm not a veteran cruiser by any means and couldn't field questions well. I also don't want to deal with taking everyone's money and putting everything together.

[shepherdde]

I would find it stressful to not have complete control over my booking

[SonicShip]

My experience aside, it doesn't seem to cost more to use an agent but it does seem to take work off your plate. I'm normally a control freak too but in this case I figure I'm not a veteran cruiser by any means and couldn't field questions well. I also don't want to deal with taking everyone's money and putting everything together.

Once you have a group booking id from Royal Caribbean, you guest can book directly with Royal by using the group id. You would never have to handle money.