happywhencruising Posted June 24, 2016 #1 Share Posted June 24, 2016 (edited) My travel agent is retiring and I'm thinking about booking directly with princess cruise line. Anyone recommend this? I feel pretty confident with my ability to choose voyage, cabin,etc. This will be my 9th cruise. Thanks for you input. Edited June 24, 2016 by happywhencruising Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montekat Posted June 24, 2016 #2 Share Posted June 24, 2016 Since you are pretty cruise savvy, you will be able to handle the booking with no trouble. You can transfer the booking to a travel agent if you find one giving some good perks. It pays to shop around. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happywhencruising Posted June 24, 2016 Author #3 Share Posted June 24, 2016 (edited) I know recommending an agent isn't allowed on cruise critic. Can you recommend how to go about finding a travel agent who offers perks? I'm just looking for the process not names. Our local agents don't seem to offer anything extra. Edited June 24, 2016 by happywhencruising Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheezedr Posted June 24, 2016 #4 Share Posted June 24, 2016 I know recommending an agent isn't allowed on cruise critic. Can you recommend how to go about finding a travel agent who offers perks? I'm just looking for the process not names. Our local agents don't seem to offer anything extra. Look at large business entities that have travel services as well as agencies that specialize in cruise on the Internet. Hint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted June 25, 2016 #5 Share Posted June 25, 2016 I know recommending an agent isn't allowed on cruise critic. Can you recommend how to go about finding a travel agent who offers perks? I'm just looking for the process not names. Our local agents don't seem to offer anything extra. Ask people on cruises if they get a discount and, if so, from whom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VennDiagram Posted June 25, 2016 #6 Share Posted June 25, 2016 Google "discount cruises" or similar and find some of the online agents who offer various perks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montekat Posted June 25, 2016 #7 Share Posted June 25, 2016 Click on "Cruise Deals" at the top of this page, then go down to More Cruise deals from our newsletter. The first 5 deals listed for Celebrity look very interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted June 25, 2016 #8 Share Posted June 25, 2016 I know recommending an agent isn't allowed on cruise critic. Can you recommend how to go about finding a travel agent who offers perks? I'm just looking for the process not names. Our local agents don't seem to offer anything extra. There are many many threads on CC regarding how to find a TA. So, some searching is in order (if for no other reason than getting used to doing some real research. That said, here's a post I did earlier this year: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=49449370 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccio Posted June 25, 2016 #9 Share Posted June 25, 2016 My travel agent is retiring and I'm thinking about booking directly with princess cruise line. Anyone recommend this? I feel pretty confident with my ability to choose voyage, cabin,etc. This will be my 9th cruise. Thanks for you input. Princess allows travel agents to discount fares - the TA can't advertise the discount fare but can offer it when a quote is requested. As a regular Princess cruiser, was your travel agent discounting your fares? My TA routinely discounts Princess cruises at least 8% and sometimes over 10%. When booking expensive cabins or on long cruises that is a substantial discount. If you book directly with Princess you forfeit any discount so my recommendation is to find a good TA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted June 25, 2016 #10 Share Posted June 25, 2016 We book ourselves then check out the local big box stores and auto clubs. If their offering something then we'll transfer it to them a few weeks before final payment. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPT Trips Posted June 25, 2016 #11 Share Posted June 25, 2016 Princess allows travel agents to discount fares - the TA can't advertise the discount fare but can offer it when a quote is requested. As a regular Princess cruiser, was your travel agent discounting your fares? My TA routinely discounts Princess cruises at least 8% and sometimes over 10%. When booking expensive cabins or on long cruises that is a substantial discount. If you book directly with Princess you forfeit any discount so my recommendation is to find a good TA. And, if you want to cruise on a line that doesn't allow TAs to discount, find a TA that will give obc. Before booking ask the TA whether they charge a fee for changing or canceling a booking. If they do, keep shopping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted June 25, 2016 #12 Share Posted June 25, 2016 We much prefer to use a TA -- especially with an agency that doesn't charge a fee if we have to cancel. Also larger agencies pay American Express fees so we also get shipboard credit (besides the perks she gives us) because we own Carnival stock. If we booked directly with HAL, they don't give us that credit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted June 25, 2016 #13 Share Posted June 25, 2016 A Good TA will turn over their client list to a trusted TA within their agency . They wouldn't leave their clients hanging . Have you asked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Hag Posted June 25, 2016 #14 Share Posted June 25, 2016 I like to book for myself on the cruise line's website. I suppose I'm a control freak, but it makes me happy researching, choosing, etc. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted June 25, 2016 #15 Share Posted June 25, 2016 We much prefer to use a TA -- especially with an agency that doesn't charge a fee if we have to cancel. Also larger agencies pay American Express fees so we also get shipboard credit (besides the perks she gives us) because we own Carnival stock. If we booked directly with HAL, they don't give us that credit. We always get Carnival Shareholder OBC whether we book with a TA or not. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting_Cruiser Posted June 25, 2016 #16 Share Posted June 25, 2016 I've cruised more than a dozen times and all but the first I've booked myself with the cruise lines. Two of the cruises I have booked right now are with a TA who's giving me OBC (from $100 to $300 per cruise). I booked them a few months ago, and so far I'm pleased with the service I'm getting. Some of the roll call from my last cruise have a page on a social media site, and I asked there who they used/recommended. I checked out the TAs they recommended and the one I booked with had the best perks, and I like that I can book online without having to call. As others suggested, do a search and ask other cruisers and eventually you may find a TA that works for you. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happywhencruising Posted June 26, 2016 Author #17 Share Posted June 26, 2016 :) Princess allows travel agents to discount fares - the TA can't advertise the discount fare but can offer it when a quote is requested. As a regular Princess cruiser, was your travel agent discounting your fares? My TA routinely discounts Princess cruises at least 8% and sometimes over 10%. When booking expensive cabins or on long cruises that is a substantial discount. If you book directly with Princess you forfeit any discount so my recommendation is to find a good TA. No my TA didn't give me discounts. Thanks for the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted June 26, 2016 #18 Share Posted June 26, 2016 My travel agent is retiring and I'm thinking about booking directly with princess cruise line. Anyone recommend this? I feel pretty confident with my ability to choose voyage, cabin,etc. This will be my 9th cruise. Thanks for you input. I always book my Princess cruises with a Princess Consultant, best des icon I ever made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happywhencruising Posted June 26, 2016 Author #19 Share Posted June 26, 2016 A Good TA will turn over their client list to a trusted TA within their agency . They wouldn't leave their clients hanging .Have you asked? She worked alone. Didn't leave me hanging. Told me she is retiring at end of 2016 so not handling any 2017 bookings. She recommended any agent on the west coast but I wanted someone at least in my time zone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted June 26, 2016 #20 Share Posted June 26, 2016 She worked alone. Didn't leave me hanging. Told me she is retiring at end of 2016 so not handling any 2017 bookings. She recommended any agent on the west coast but I wanted someone at least in my time zone. She recommended "any agent on the west coast" ? Shows real concern for her clients ? ☹️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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