using a travel agent

[It's a Ship!!!]

You are laughing probably because you've never found yourself stuck with a botched booking that someone messed up, unable to reach the TA responsible for it, and worse, a cruise line unwilling to help because that TA has ownership over the booking.

 

Since my last few cruises have been on other cruise lines for which I've used multiple TA's for the sake of pricing. I've realized how spoiled I was using a Carnival PVP. Believe me, it's no laughing maybe every time I have to talk to someone new who has no clue who I am or what my previous conversations were about, or when I need assistance and I'm on hold for an hour, or when I want to manage my booking online only to learn that the same TA that had me on hold for an hour has to handle something as simple as correcting a number.

 

I've also learned that the same TA's that lure people with "goodies" are also the most incompetent. They can't compete with good costumer service or with their cancellation or change policies, so they need to attract clients some other way.

 

Your last paragraph hits the nail on the head. I actually am a travel agent, and we aren't able to sell a cruise for less than the listed price. Every once in a while we are able to add someone to an existing group at a better rate, but usually not with Carnival. We will also sometimes give a small thank you gift to people who book with us, but most of the time, the price and perks are the exact same as booking through the cruise line.

 

On the other hand, we don't charge for changing or cancelling a booking beyond what the cruise lines charge. We don't put people on hold for hours. WE may be on hold with the cruise lines for hours fighting for our clients, but we will get back to them as soon as we are done. We are local in our area and people can come get brochures and discuss all of their options in person. We have been in the city for over 30 years and have a lot of repeat clients

 

It's unfortunate when people have bad experiences and then bash all travel agents. Most of the online travel agents that give you all those perks have almost no customer service, have hidden fees, and their agents have never even been on a cruise. They are basically just order takers.

 

It may not be the same for you because of your interline rate, but for most people, if you can find a good cruise only travel agent that has been around a long time, then they can be really valuable to you even if they don't give you a billion dollars in OBC.

[wmwmarmstrong]

So far, the only cruise line that has allowed me to book interline directly has been Carnival. All others have required that I book through an interline travel agency. On Carnival, almost always the interline rate is the lowest rate available, but I've learned that, with other cruise lines where pricing can vary wildly from one TA to another, the interline rate many times is not as good as the rates that some TA's can offer. When we sailed on Princess the interline rate was best, but with Holland America it wasn't. On MSC, the kids sail free and 2 for 1 balcony promos add up to a way better deal than any cruise rate out there.

 

Thank you for all the info. I love Carnival and we get great deals but are ready to mix it up some.

 

We are starting to cruise with the grandchildren so by what you say, MSC looks like a great place to look.

[Tapi]

I think it's a little unfair to paint all TAs with the same broad brush or to generalize their clients...

 

 

You're absolutely correct. I shouldn't generalize. [emoji87]

[wyobean]

I have always done better on pricing with a TA. On HAL we had a casino credit. My TA even beat that price. Could be that we got in with a group. No idea. I agree with other posters, you have to decide what works for you and what you are comfortable with. I do stay on top of any bookings I have and if I see a price drop I will send an email. Seems we pick cruises that sell out...have never had a price drop, but we are happy with our booked price so no big deal.

[BigB0882]

I book online or on the phone when it is a special casino rate but for my Alaskan cruise in 2017 I am getting $375 OBC from the TA for switching my booking to her. The company she works for allows for price drops (although that will adjust our OBC down) and cancellations at the same exact rule as the cruise line. She answers emails very quickly so I see no difference in contacting her or contacting the cruise line plus it gets me $375 extra. The only downside is I can't make payments online but since we will do one lump payment before final payment date that really isn't such a big deal.

Edited February 16, 2016 by BigB0882