Is my travel agent shady?

[notentirelynormal]

I wonder how many of you have planned, organized and booked a group cruise of this size?! Well I have . And I can say that there is ALOT of time and work that goes into it. It amazes me how so many seem to expect "A Family Member" to do all this for free!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

First of all, the family member is a TRAVEL AGENT. It is the TAs job to do the work. When you agree to book your family on a cruise you are acting as a TA. You are getting paid to do YOUR job. Just as you would for ANY client. The booking group is giving you, the TA, their business. So YES I would expect them to put in the time and work of doing their job.

 

Since you ask, I have booked our group of family and friends for over 15 years. There is usually between 15 and 28 people in the group. I use a TA. The TA does the booking and the work between the group and the cruise line. They take the payments. BUT, I have already done 90% of the work. I have researched the cruise, picked the one we want. I'm the one that gets the information to my group.

 

The TA gets paid - I do not.

 

If there is any discount I spread it among everyone. We are usually offered different perks and I usually ask a few of the group what they think and go with the majorities opinion. I get the satisfaction of sharing a cruise with my family and friends. The TA gets her commission. I have never kept a single dime. In reality I have spent plenty.

[OzKiwiJJ]

But the family member/TA is earning the commission PLUS not sharing the group perks.

 

OP - you are right to call BS!

 

And meanwhile the family member / TA has booked him/herself into the Haven and claims s/he didn't get any commission worth mentioning. :confused: :eek: :rolleyes:

[CruiserGuyWPB]

You are getting taken advantage of.:(

[Markanddonna]

The TA is a fool. Their short term gains will be uncovered and the story will filter out eventually. This TA has lost a lot of future business and spread a lot of family discontent.

[celebrity]

This is so beyond sad. I have booked (not a TA) many times for a few people and would never

think of gaining anything other than their company onboard and our cherished

memories. This is beyond the pale. 😉